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

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

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*?

Hello Rob,

This question was answered in post #30.

Thanks,
Steve

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

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.

[RV-4]

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.
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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
rv4@videotron.ca

[uk_RV9A]

Originally Posted by RV-4

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.

[rjtjrt]

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

[BSwayze]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

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?

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by rjtjrt

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

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by BSwayze

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?

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

[Bluebeard]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

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?

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by Bluebeard

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