Garmin Aera 510 Review

[bhester]

I noticed that the 510 does not have a feature that I think I'd like, the 560 has Lane assist and I've noticed using my 296 that it telling what lane to be in is very helpful while using it to drive (not so much when flying :-)

[Brantel]

Bobby,

The 510 has kind of a 3D mode on the auto mode that makes this much easier than the 296 flat roads.

High premium to pay for that feature....

[Snowflake]

The 500/510 don't have lane assist when driving, but if there are multiple lanes and you need to be in one of them, an icon pops up in the top corner that shows the number of lanes, where they go, and which one you need. This isn't lane assist, it's just a small subset. I find it to be adequate for my needs, but i've never had too much trouble navigating.

[bhester]

Well I got me a 510 off ebay, waiting for the previous owner to delete it off of his account so I can register it and update it.

Brantel did you get a bare wire mount to install it in your plane?

[Ralphieflies]

I have had a 560 since they were introduced in November at the AOPA Expo. I've also had a 510. I prefer the 560.

The 560 has an upgraded Automotive GPS, AOPA Airport, Safetaxi and Enhanced Terrain. The 510 does not. The Safetaxi is a feature I really like and use on most flights. You also get 1 years worth of FREE database updates on the 560. If you update your GPS monthly as I do the cost to update a 510 for a year is about $500. Easy to justify the cost difference to buy the 560.

I've also owned a 296, 396, 496 and 696 (still have this). I use my 560 way more than I ever did the x96 units.

I take my 560 whenever I travel. I use it in rental cars. It is soooo much better car GPS than the x96. You can slip it in your pocket when you leave the car. Also all of the connections are made on the back of the unit when snapped in the cradle. No wires to plug-in/unplug.

Forgot to mention the 560 comes with the carry case, the 510 does not. Its a nice case and sells for $25.

[apkp777]

I am finding it hard to see in bright light. I need to install a glare shield.

[Ralphieflies]

Originally Posted by apkp777

I am finding it hard to see in bright light. I need to install a glare shield.

Have not experienced that in my DA20. I have the unit suctioned cupped to the left on the inside of the canopy. There is some shading on the DA20 canopy although not much

[Brantel]

Bobby,

I used the AirGizmo mount and bought the bare wire cable from ACS....

Originally Posted by bhester

While I got me a 510 off ebay, waiting for the previous owner to delete it off of his account so I can register it and update it.

Brantel did you get a bare wire mount to install it in your plane?

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by apkp777

I am finding it hard to see in bright light. I need to install a glare shield.

No problems here...

How/where is yours mounted... In front of you.. off to the side... angled... ect..

Do you use sunglasses and if so are they polarized?

Some sunglasses are polarized and if you tilt your head when looking at LCD screens they can appear to fade away to black. If your glasses are polarized and the polarization does not agree with the screen, that could be blocking some of your brightness.

I use cheap polarized shades that are correctly aligned with my screens in my plane and they help prevent the glare that the sun can cause on lcd screens.

I have only found one position where I have an issue with the Sun and my 510 and that is when the Sun is low in the sky and at my 6.. In this case I get a direct reflection back in my face... I doubt any LCD screen would do any better in that situation. I solve that problem by moving my head to provide shade for the screen and it works great...

Same goes for my super brite Dynon screens.

[esjacoby77]

Originally Posted by Brantel

I used the AirGizmo mount and bought the bare wire cable from ACS....

Just curious...with the Aera mounted in the panel using an AirGizmo mount, do you need to use an external GPS antenna or does the internal antenna still pick up a decent signal?