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New (March 1, 2016) Garmin aera 660 Portable GPS

g3xpert

Well Known Member
Advertiser
We are pleased to announce Garmin's newest aviation portable GPS, the aera 660. The aera 660 is a cost-effective, feature-rich, purpose-built aviation portable. The compact 5-inch capacitive touchscreen boasts a bright, sunlight readable display complete with rich, interactive maps and a built-in GPS/GLONASS receiver that can be viewed in portrait or landscape modes for optimum customization. The aera 660 is available at a street price of $749.

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WiFi Database and Software Downloads
One of the most exciting new features of the aera 660 is the built-in WiFi interface which allows the aera 660 to connect to FlyGarmin and easily keep your databases and software up to date. Just add the aera 660 to your FlyGarmin account, and any purchased databases are immediately available for download. It is not even necessary to enter your FlyGarmin user name and password into the aera 660 because it uses the unit serial number to identify you to FlyGarmin.

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New Low Cost Database Options
The new Garmin Navigation Database available for North America offers a cost-effective path to incorporate the latest navigation information into the aera 660. The new Garmin Navigation Database starts at $29.95 for a single update. A variety of cost-effective annual bundles are also available such as the U.S bundle for $149.95, which includes the Garmin Navigation Database (including instrument approaches), FliteCharts, IFR/VFR Charts, Terrain, Obstacles, SafeTaxi and the AOPA Airport Directory with fuel prices. For worldwide coverage, Jeppesen NavData is also available for purchase. A European bundle with basemap enhancements specific to Europe is also available.

The airport directory database which incorporates the latest U.S. fuel price data is updated each day before noon (CST), and can be downloaded over WiFi in less than a minute. Navigation database updates can also be updated in less than a minute over WiFi.

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Integrate with your panel
Using the supplied four screws, attach the bare wire powered mount to your instrument panel and use power, audio, and dual RS-232 communication wiring to connect the aera 660 to various systems such as:
1. Aircraft power (14V or 28V aircraft systems) The battery is always fully charged should you have an alternator failure and need to use the aera 660 on battery in flight.
2. Audio ? The aera 660 will provide terrain, obstacle, and optionally traffic alerts to your aircraft audio system
3. RS-232 ? connect to Garmin SL 30, SL 40, GTR 225, GTR 200, or GNC 255 COM radios to send communication frequencies from the aera 660 navigation database
4. RS-232 ? connect to a Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B transponder or GDL 39/39R ADS-B receiver to display free ADS-B traffic and weather
5. RS-232 ? connect to a GNS or GTN navigator to receive and synchronize the flight plan in the aera 660 with the GNS/GTN unit.
6. RS-232 ? connect to a Mode S transponder with TIS-A traffic to display this type of traffic.
7. RS-232 ? connect to an autopilot or other device that requires NMEA data.

The aera 660 quickly snaps in/out of the powered panel mount to allow you to easily take it with you when not flying.

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ADS-B Traffic and Weather
When using wires or Bluetooth to connect to the GTX 345, Flight Stream 110/210, or the GDL 39/39R/39 3D, ADS-B traffic and weather is displayed on the aera 660. ADS-B traffic information may be viewed on the moving map, chart and dedicated traffic pages, which also leverages patent-pending features such as TargetTrend? and TerminalTraffic?. Traffic trajectories and potential conflicts are easier to identify with TargetTrend, which incorporates relative motion technology to help pilots visualize the future position of nearby traffic targets relative to the aircraft.

Using the aera 660 as the ADS-B traffic and weather display for a GTX 345 transponder with built-in ADS-B receiver is particularly effective. Wire up the GTX and optional traffic/terrain/obstacle alert audio, and you can have a great navigator with ADS-B traffic and weather. The GTX 345 has 4 serial ports, so there is plenty of opportunity to implement a high reliability, no-fuss interface. The aera 660 is 5.5" wide x 3.4" tall, so it easily fits in an area on your radio stack above the GTX 345 if you choose.

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Continued in next posting - 10 picture limit!
 
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New Garmin aera 660 Portable GPS (part 2)

Continuing.....

As explained in this posting for the GTR 200, the aera 660 also supports the advanced VHF interface protocol that constantly transfers hundreds of frequencies/IDs to the GTR 200 from the aera 660 navigation database, so even when you manually tune a frequency, the GTR 200 can automatically identify it and display this information below the frequency.

Additionally, the aera 660 transfers airport frequency groups to the GTR 200 for nearby airports and airports in the flight plan. Just push the GTR 200 dual concentric knob, then user the outer knob to select the airport and use the inner knob to select the frequency which is identified by name.

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3D Vision with Attitude
When you connect an aera 660 to a GTX 345, GDL 39 3D, or FlightStream 110/210 and provide attitude data to the aera 660, it even uses this information to provide pitch/roll/slip-skid data on the 3D Vision page. Similar to the G3X Touch system, you even have a great HSI including user a defined bearing pointer which may be assigned to always point to and identify the nearest airport. Both lateral and vertical (VNAV) information is shown on this page.

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The 800 x 480 high resolution cap touch display makes viewing charts and diagrams a pleasure. Using the super smooth panning and zooming features make the 5" display even more usable.

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WireAware for Helicopters
The aera 660 has something for everyone, and we even created some special support for helicopters, or anyone that spends a lot of time down low. An obstacle database with U.S. powerlines is available complete with visual and aural alerting. You can even touch a powerline on the map to quickly see the AGL and MSL altitude before you lift off to further improve powerline avoidance.

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New Database Bundles Available for the aera 660

US Database Bundle $149.95/yr ($12.50/mo)
Includes the following 7 databases covering Alaska and the Continental U.S., updated as often as you like:
  • Garmin Navigation Data (airports, runways, frequencies, approaches)
  • Obstacles (e.g. towers - used to provide obstacle visual and aural alerting including obstacle depiction in synthetic vision)
  • Terrain (used to render synthetic vision and provide terrain alerting)
  • FliteCharts (Geo-referenced IFR approach plates, airport diagrams, arrival and departure procedures)
  • SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into moving map that are displayed and zoomed automatically when you need them for taxi and landing)
  • Airport Directory (FBOs, runways, hours of operation, rental cars, fuel prices, etc)
  • IFR/VFR Charts (VFR sectionals and IFR Hi/Lo charts)
North America Database Bundle $199.95/yr ($16.66/mo)
Includes the following 7 databases covering Canada, Alaska, and the Continental U.S. (see details on FlyGarmin), updated as often as you like:
  • Garmin Navigation Data (airports, runways, frequencies, approaches)
  • Obstacles (e.g. towers - used to provide obstacle visual and aural alerting including obstacle depiction in synthetic vision)
  • Terrain (used to render synthetic vision and provide terrain alerting)
  • FliteCharts (Geo-referenced IFR approach plates, airport diagrams, arrival and departure procedures)
  • SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into moving map that are displayed and zoomed automatically when you need them for taxi and landing)
  • Airport Directory (FBOs, runways, hours of operation, rental cars, etc)
  • IFR/VFR Charts (VFR sectionals and IFR Hi/Lo charts)
Americas Database Bundle $299.95/yr ($25.00/mo)
Includes the following 7 databases covering North and South America (see details on FlyGarmin), updated as often as you like:
  • Jeppesen Navigation Data (airports, runways, frequencies, approaches)
  • Obstacles (e.g. towers - used to provide obstacle visual and aural alerting including obstacle depiction in synthetic vision)
  • Terrain (used to render synthetic vision and provide terrain alerting)
  • FliteCharts (Geo-referenced IFR approach plates, airport diagrams, arrival and departure procedures)
  • SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into moving map that are displayed and zoomed automatically when you need them for taxi and landing)
  • Airport Directory (FBOs, runways, hours of operation, rental cars, etc)
  • IFR/VFR Charts (VFR sectionals and IFR Hi/Lo charts)
Europe Database Bundle $299.95/yr ($25.00/mo)
Includes the following 7 databases covering Europe (see details on FlyGarmin), updated as often as you like:
  • Jeppesen Navigation Data (airports, runways, frequencies, approaches)
  • Obstacles (e.g. towers - used to provide obstacle visual and aural alerting including obstacle depiction in synthetic vision)
  • Terrain (used to render synthetic vision and provide terrain alerting)
  • FliteCharts (Geo-referenced IFR approach plates, airport diagrams, arrival and departure procedures)
  • SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into moving map that are displayed and zoomed automatically when you need them for taxi and landing)
  • Airport Directory (FBOs, runways, hours of operation, rental cars, etc)
  • European Basemap Enhancements with additional surface detail
Thanks,
Steve
 
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Nice piece of kit. The mount and bare wire kit looks strangely similar to the 510 mount. Are they mechanically the same?
 
On the buy.garmin page, you state comparability with the 430W. Wanted to confirm that you still support the aviation format output by the 430? Also, can you shed any light on the ANT+ logo at the bottom of the page? Thanks.
 
Hello Jeff,

Nice piece of kit. The mount and bare wire kit looks strangely similar to the 510 mount. Are they mechanically the same?

You can probably guess how badly we wanted to re-use the mounts used so successfully on the aera 5XX since 2009. Ultimately, we felt more strongly that the 660 should have 2 serial ports instead of the 1 used on the 5XX, so were forced to change the mount. You can't actually insert a 660 into a 5XX mount or vice-versa due to a mechanical feature that prevents this.

On the buy.garmin page, you state comparability with the 430W. Wanted to confirm that you still support the aviation format output by the 430?

Yes, the Aviation In format should work to receive flight plans from your 430.

Also, can you shed any light on the ANT+ logo at the bottom of the page?

Like the G3X Touch displays, the aera 660 has ANT, Bluetooth, and WiFi wireless interfaces. We use the ANT interface to remotely control the Virb and Virb X/XE cameras (again like the G3X Touch displays).

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Thanks for your interest,
Steve
 
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Nice looking unit.

I wonder if/when the G3X is going to offer the ability to download updates via wifi...

-Dan
 
Nice looking unit.

I wonder if/when the G3X is going to offer the ability to download updates via wifi...

-Dan

They already do! Take SD card out of display, take card to a wifi location(Starbucks, etc.) , place card in laptop, connect to Fly Garmin via wifi, download charts!
 
Database bundles

Flygarmin does not appear to reflect the $149 bundle price at this time, for my 796 it still lists the bundle at $299, is this just a timing/website upgrade issue?
 
Screen Brightness

Is the display the same as the 500 series, or a new screen? My main concern is readability in the cockpit.

Is there a link to the screen tech specs?
 
Any chance that it will still fit in the 5XX AirGizmo mount???

Hi Paul,

Sorry, no idea, but the aera 660 5.1" diagonal display is quite a bit larger than the 4.3" in the aera 5XX.

The outside dimensions of the aera 660 are 5.5" wide x 3.4" tall if you want to check that against your mount.

Update: AirGizmo now sells a panel mount for the Aera 660 that uses the same panel space as the one for the Aera 5XX.

Thanks,
Steve
 
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Flygarmin does not appear to reflect the $149 bundle price at this time, for my 796 it still lists the bundle at $299, is this just a timing/website upgrade issue?

Hello Figs,

The FlyGarmin support for adding an aera 660 doesn't start until later this week, so the database bundle mentioned above for the 660 won't be visible yet and not until a 660 is added to an account.

We think there are plans to convert the 796 bundle to be more like the 660 and use the new improved Garmin Navigation Database, but not yet sure of the timing. Our team has been pretty heads down getting the new area 660 ready for launch. Hardly any time for flying and BBQ. :)

Thanks,
Steve
 
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Is the display the same as the 500 series, or a new screen? My main concern is readability in the cockpit.

Is there a link to the screen tech specs?

Hello Pete,

The aera 660 is a ground up new design. One of the project goals was to incorporate a cap touch display with dramatically improved touch screen performance, brightness, and sunlight readability compared to the aera 5XX and we are proud to say this was achieved.

Not only does the aera 660 have the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution as the larger 7" aera 796, but it is just as bright or brighter than the aera 796, which also has excellent sunlight readability.

The most common response to someone seeing the aera 660 for the first time is "wow, it is so bright and easy to read!".

Thanks,
Steve
 
........

One of the project goals was to incorporate a cap touch display with dramatically improved touch screen performance, brightness, and sunlight readability compared to the aera 5XX and we are proud to say this was achieved.

Not only does the aera 660 have the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution as the larger 7" aera 796, but it is just as bright or brighter than the aera 796, which also has excellent sunlight readability.

........
Steve

Steve
Is the new 660 capacitance Touch performance the same as the 796 or better? I see brightness and sunlight readability are same.
 
Two questions:

Is the brightness and readability significantly improved over the older Aera 500 series?

What is the cost for database updates for a Canadian pilot wanting a Canadian database?
 
XM WX

Will XM weather be an option? In Canada we don't have adsb so xm is our only real time weather option.
 
Hello Pete,

The aera 660 is a ground up new design. One of the project goals was to incorporate a cap touch display with dramatically improved touch screen performance, brightness, and sunlight readability compared to the aera 5XX and we are proud to say this was achieved.

Not only does the aera 660 have the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution as the larger 7" aera 796, but it is just as bright or brighter than the aera 796, which also has excellent sunlight readability.

The most common response to someone seeing the aera 660 for the first time is "wow, it is so bright and easy to read!".

Thanks,
Steve

Thanks for the quick and detailed response!

Next questions: when will the 660 be available with New Zealand maps and data? Same price? Easy to update? Probably the same question for Australia, as well.
 
Portrait3DVisionVNAV.jpg
PortraitMap15_7.jpg



Relatively to the above pictures posted by G3Xpert, they show that the 660 has VNAV navigation. Could somebody please specify if the VNAV angle of descent can be explicitly input by the user, as is possible on the G1000/G900X but NOT yet possible on the G3X (despite being an upgrade announced by Garmin a few months ago for the G3X)? This is a key feature for the safe operation (i.e. terrain-clearance) of VNAV navigation, as opposed to being able to only input rate of descent in FPM, which produces an impredictable descent profile influenced by GS and therefore by wind
 
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Two questions:

Is the brightness and readability significantly improved over the older Aera 500 series?

What is the cost for database updates for a Canadian pilot wanting a Canadian database?

Hello Rob,

The Aera 5XX was released in 2009 and LCD touch screen technology has advanced quite a bit since then.

The display brightness and readability of the aera 660 is dramatically improved over the aera 5XX.

I updated the second posting above to include some detail on the new database bundles offered for the aera 660. Customers in Canada will find the "North American Database Bundle" to be the best choice.

Our database team continues to expand our data sources and offerings and we are pleased to be able to offer very complete Canadian database coverage including the new Garmin Navigation Database which covers Alaska, Canada, the Continental USA, and Latin America.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Will XM weather be an option? In Canada we don't have adsb so xm is our only real time weather option.

Hello Jeremy,

We are working on a solution to support SXM weather and music for the area 660 and hope to have that available later this year. More info will be available at that time.

Update: Didn't make late 2016, but still working hard on this solution!

Thanks,
Steve
 
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I transitioned to the iPad a long time ago but was using an Aera 510 for a while as well and will have to say this does have me interested.

Additional questions:

- Is there a logbook option which allows you to export your flights in non proprietary format (csv, etc)?

- Does the log function include track logging?

- While unlikely is there any chance that this subscription also includes the use of Garmin Pilot on the iPad considering the data is the same? It would be nice to have the iPad as a backup (or the other way around).

Thanks
 
They already do! Take SD card out of display, take card to a wifi location(Starbucks, etc.) , place card in laptop, connect to Fly Garmin via wifi, download charts!

Really, I didn't know that...:rolleyes:

Sort of a smart *** response don't you think?
 
I wonder if the impending airgizmo dock and wiring will allow me to direct replace my 496 with little fuss...that would be very attractive.
 
I transitioned to the iPad a long time ago but was using an Aera 510 for a while as well and will have to say this does have me interested.

Additional questions:

- Is there a logbook option which allows you to export your flights in non proprietary format (csv, etc)?

- Does the log function include track logging?

- While unlikely is there any chance that this subscription also includes the use of Garmin Pilot on the iPad considering the data is the same? It would be nice to have the iPad as a backup (or the other way around).

Thanks

Hello Jeff,

Glad to hear you are considering coming back from the dark side. :)

No logbook option. There is a flight log function that logs each flight including a track log that you can view, but no export capability.

No current ability to share a 660 database subscription with G.P.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Really?

Really, I didn't know that...:rolleyes:

Sort of a smart *** response don't you think?

I think it was a very genuine response. Some folks have less experience with such matters and a clear response like that is helpful to most.

Don
 
3D Vision with Attitude
When you connect an aera 660 to a GTX 345, GDL 39 3D, or FlightStream 10/210 and provide attitude data to the aera 660, it even uses this information to provide pitch/roll/slip-skid data on the 3D Vision page.

Question about this:
I have a G3X Non touch, but with a GDL39... What is involved in getting attitude info to the new Aera? will wife suffice, or do I need a wire/cable, connecting to what?
 
3D Vision with Attitude
When you connect an aera 660 to a GTX 345, GDL 39 3D, or FlightStream 10/210 and provide attitude data to the aera 660, it even uses this information to provide pitch/roll/slip-skid data on the 3D Vision page.

Question about this:
I have a G3X Non touch, but with a GDL39... What is involved in getting attitude info to the new Aera? will wife suffice, or do I need a wire/cable, connecting to what?

Hello Ed,

You would need one of those devices listed above which provide attitude information to the aera 660 to show pitch/roll/slip-skid on the 3D Vision page. It sounds like you have a standard GDL 39 (not a GDL 39 3D) and it doesn't provide that data.

Just to be clear, you may still use the 3D Vision page, but it will show the little airplane flying over terrain like shown in one of the images we posted instead of the actual attitude information.

Thanks,
Steve
 
If the approach chart database expires and not re-newed, do the charts already on the unit disappear after a certain amount of time?

If so, do other charts disappear if not re-newed?

Thanks,

Mike
 
If the approach chart database expires and not re-newed, do the charts already on the unit disappear after a certain amount of time?

If so, do other charts disappear if not re-newed?

Thanks,

Mike

Hello Mike,

When any of the databases expire, you will still have access to the data, including Garmin FliteCharts (approach plates, airport diagrams, etc. all remain active).

The only exception is that if you opt for Jeppesen ChartView instead of Garmin FliteCharts, Jeppesen requires that data to be disabled 70 days after it expires at which point you will no longer be able to access it.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Thanks for the quick and detailed response!

Next questions: when will the 660 be available with New Zealand maps and data? Same price? Easy to update? Probably the same question for Australia, as well.

Hello Pete,

The aera 660 has worldwide basemap and terrain data. For New Zealand and Australia we offer a Jeppesen Navigation Database and an AC-U-KWIK airport directory.

All of these databases may be downloaded from FlyGarmin using the aera 660 Wi-Fi interface.

I haven't seen the pricing yet for these Australia and New Zealand databases, but if you don't mind contacting us using the phone or email shown below, someone can answer any database pricing questions you may have.

Just a reminder for others reading that the original posting has database bundle pricing for several parts of the world including U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Thanks,
Steve
 
The display brightness and readability of the aera 660 is dramatically improved over the aera 5XX.
Good to know. My 500 is almost unreadable on a sunny day.

I updated the second posting above to include some detail on the new database bundles offered for the aera 660. Customers in Canada will find the "North American Database Bundle" to be the best choice.
$199/year is a great revenue stream for you. :) What about for people who don't want a subscription? Will there be an option to do a one-time update? Not all of us are IFR or commercial pilots, and a GPS with data valid within the last two years is just fine when augmented with a paper chart.
 
Good to know. My 500 is almost unreadable on a sunny day.

What about for people who don't want a subscription? Will there be an option to do a one-time update? Not all of us are IFR or commercial pilots, and a GPS with data valid within the last two years is just fine when augmented with a paper chart.

Hello Rob,

Yes, of course. As with all of our products, you can still buy a single database online as seldom as you like. Once you purchase the database it will show up as available to download on the aera 660 download page.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Yes, of course. As with all of our products, you can still buy a single database online as seldom as you like. Once you purchase the database it will show up as available to download on the aera 660 download page.
Can you update the second post with prices? Thanks!
 
Can you update the second post with prices? Thanks!

Hello Rob,

Bundle pricing is already shown above, but I suspect you are asking about individual database pricing.

Fortunately, FlyGarmin is now updated to show both bundle pricing and individual database pricing for the aera 660. You can go to this page, select aera 660 and see all available databases and pricing.

Let us know if you need anything else.

Thanks,
Steve
 
g3expert, will the connectors and external GPS antenna ('hockey puck') attached to the back of my current panel-mount 496 be compatible with the Aera 660, or will some rewiring be required?
 
g3expert, will the connectors and external GPS antenna ('hockey puck') attached to the back of my current panel-mount 496 be compatible with the Aera 660, or will some rewiring be required?

Hello MrMorden,

It sounds like you might be referring to either the GXM 30A XM weather receiver and/or the GA 26C remote GPS antenna, and neither of those are compatible with the aera 660.

The aera 660 has a built-in GPS antenna that it quite sensitive, but if you need the remote GPS antenna, it uses the GA 25MCX antenna.

Thanks for your interest,
Steve
 
Hello MrMorden,

It sounds like you might be referring to either the GXM 30A XM weather receiver and/or the GA 26C remote GPS antenna, and neither of those are compatible with the aera 660.

The aera 660 has a built-in GPS antenna that it quite sensitive, but if you need the remote GPS antenna, it uses the GA 25MCX antenna.

Thanks for your interest,
Steve

I actually meant all the wiring...power, audio, etc. as well.
 
Excellent, thanks for the pricing link. For the edification of others in Canada, here's a summary:

Aera 500:
$100 (or $175 including terrain) for one update, vs. $375 for a subscription.

Aera 660:
$480 (or $555 including terrain) for one update, vs. $199 for a subscription.

You really want people buying subscriptions, don't you? :)

It looks like I could just update the same things I've updated on my Aera 500, the Nav Data and Obstacle Data, for $90 if I went with the Garmin data. Would any of the other data sets stop working if I didn't update them? Charts, etc.? I know they won't be current, but will they *stop working*?
 
I actually meant all the wiring...power, audio, etc. as well.

Hello MrMorden,

Yes, to answer your first question, some re-wiring will be required. It shouldn't be bad, however, since both the 496 and aera 660 use wiring for power, ground, audio, and RS-232.

It should be just a matter of comparing your existing wiring to the diagram shown below (left hand side) to determine where to connect your existing wires to the new aera 660 cable wiring shown here.

796_660_GTX345_Wiring.png


We have standardized our bare wire wiring colors for years, and for both the 496 and the aera 660 black is ground, red is power, blue is RS-232 #1 transmit, and yellow is RS-232 #1 receive. The aera 660 has an additional handy serial port #2 that the 496 doesn't have and those transmit/receive wire colors are orange/purple. This information is of course in the manuals for both products.

If you have specific wiring questions, it is probably best to email us at the address below since it is so much more effective to share data via email than through a forum where we have to post pictures somewhere to get them to show up.

Thanks again for your interest,
Steve
 
This question was answered in post #30.
Whoops, so it was. Sorry about that! That does make upgrading a very attractive option for me... I've always owned a Garmin GPS, and always liked the User Interface. The cost of data for them has always been a thorn in my side, and the unreadability of the Aera 500 lately really soured me on Garmin products.

With readability fixed, almost the same form factor, capacitive touchscreen, and cheap updates, I may be doing an upgrade this spring. :)
 
DATABASE BUNDLE

Hi Steve ( Garmin Expert)

Bundle pricing is already shown above, but I suspect you are asking about individual database pricing.

Fortunately, FlyGarmin is now updated to show both bundle pricing and individual database pricing for the aera 660. You can go to this page, select aera 660 and see all available databases and pricing.
---------------
Steve, I have a 796 in my RV-4 and I wonder if you could tell me why the Database Bundle on a Portable 796 are more expensive than a 660 or even a G3X Touch??

I will be more than interested in buying the North America Bundle for my 796 at the 660 price or the G3X but to pay an extra $200 for a portable GPS in a little steep for what is basically the same product, don't you think?

Thanks

Bruno
[email protected]
 
RV-4 said:
Steve, I have a 796 in my RV-4 and I wonder if you could tell me why the Database Bundle on a Portable 796 are more expensive than a 660 or even a G3X Touch??

I will be more than interested in buying the North America Bundle for my 796 at the 660 price or the G3X but to pay an extra $200 for a portable GPS in a little steep for what is basically the same product, don't you think?

This too. I am in Europe with a 795, and the price disparity from the 660 to the 795 for database updates is huge.

Would also be interested in hearing your justification for the difference, or preferably when we can expect to see a reduction in the price for the 795/6 update to match the 660.
 
Am I correct in thinking I can use the bare wire cable to connect the 660 to a Zaon XRX and get the 660 to dislplay the zaon traffic?
John
 
Hello Jeff,

You can probably guess how badly we wanted to re-use the mounts used so successfully on the aera 5XX since 2009. Ultimately, we felt more strongly that the 660 should have 2 serial ports instead of the 1 used on the 5XX, so were forced to change the mount. You can't actually insert a 660 into a 5XX mount or vice-versa due to a mechanical feature that prevents this.

Steve

Steve, if I may ask a follow-up on this question about the new panel mount... I cut a small cutout in my panel and installed the mount for my Aera 500 directly to the panel. If I upgrade to a 660, I understand from your answer in Post #5 (quoted here) that I need the new 660 mount. My question is, will I be able to just swap it out with the mount I currently have for the 500? i.e., are the dimensions and layout for the 4 screw holes the same? Or will I have to do more cutting and drilling?

P1030886%20(Small).JPG
 
Am I correct in thinking I can use the bare wire cable to connect the 660 to a Zaon XRX and get the 660 to dislplay the zaon traffic?
John

Hello rjtjrt,

The aera 660, like other Garmin portables, supports a GTX TIS-A input format for traffic which we believe is what is required for the Zaon.

Either of the two serial ports on the 660 may be set to this traffic format and both are available to use with the bare wire cable.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Steve, if I may ask a follow-up on this question about the new panel mount... I cut a small cutout in my panel and installed the mount for my Aera 500 directly to the panel. If I upgrade to a 660, I understand from your answer in Post #5 (quoted here) that I need the new 660 mount. My question is, will I be able to just swap it out with the mount I currently have for the 500? i.e., are the dimensions and layout for the 4 screw holes the same? Or will I have to do more cutting and drilling?

P1030886%20(Small).JPG

Hello Bruce,

Yes, the mounting pattern and physical size of the aera 660 bare wire mount is the same as the aera 5XX, so you should be able to install this new mount in place of the aera 5XX mount should you choose to do so.

Additionally, since the aera 660 also supports portrait operation, you may rotate the mount 90 degs clockwise and use it in portrait mode as well, but of course that would take a little modification of your existing installation. In the portrait mounting orientation the quick release button is located in the lower right and also easy to operate in that position.

Let us know if you have additional questions.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Hello Mike,

When any of the databases expire, you will still have access to the data, including Garmin FliteCharts (approach plates, airport diagrams, etc. all remain active).

The only exception is that if you opt for Jeppesen ChartView instead of Garmin FliteCharts, Jeppesen requires that data to be disabled 70 days after it expires at which point you will no longer be able to access it.

Does this mean the European navigation data, which I understand from posts above comes from Jeppesen, goes blank 70 days after expiry?
 
Does this mean the European navigation data, which I understand from posts above comes from Jeppesen, goes blank 70 days after expiry?

Hello Bluebeard,

No, Jeppesen Chartview is NOT navigation data. It is Jeppesen's terminal charts and airport diagrams.

Please notice in the second posting above that there is also a Garmin FliteCharts subscription for Europe which is included in the Europe Database Bundle which provides similar chart data and which does not expire.

Thanks,
Steve
 
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