Garmin Aera 510 Review

[Brantel]

I bought an external antenna but I have never put it in the plane.

The Aera works fine without an external antenna in the Airgizmo (with horizontal tilt adapter) and an RV7 mounted in the top of the radio stack which is center panel.....

The Aera has an amazingly sensitive GPS receiver!!!!!

Originally Posted by esjacoby77

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?

[Sid Lambert]

I just mounted my 510 last night. So far is seems good. It was noticeable more dim than my old 295 but after .8 hours of flying it I thing I stopped noticing. I like North up but it's harder to do on the 510 than the 295. I guess I can learn Track up. XM Weather looks like it will be great. I took off last night (5 PM kinda night) and climbed till I hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit (6500') then pointed the airplane right at what should be a thunderstorm a few miles away. I lifted my head and sure enough, there was a thunderstorm in front of me. Maybe I'll try it over a longer XC this weekend.

[tender rat]

Has anybody figured out how to download a flight plan from Jepp's FliteStar to an Aera. I do it all the time with my 496 and 696, but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it with my 510.

I use the 496 and 696 at work, and love both of them. The 696 has the great display, but for me the 496 is easier to get around on.

I use the 510 in my own plane, because of it's size and weight, an important consideration in a homebuilt. But I don't really like touch screens, so I just kind of live it rather than like it. I haven't noticed that the screen is dim at all, but in my plane it's kind of shielded from the sun.

RV-8A, Long-EZ

[apkp777]

I have been using my AERA for about 65 hours now and thought it would be good to give an update.

First, let me say that I haven't spent enough time yet to utilize all the features. But I have used most and am using it more and more.

First what I don't like,

I am still finding it difficult to read in direct sunlight. My SkyView has no issues at all, but the 510 really becomes difficult to see in direct light. I have it hard mounted so I can't move it around, which I am sure would help significantly. I do have the back light brightness set to "10". I'd have to give it a failing review of 5 out of 10 for direct sunlight readability . Low light and overcast it gets a 10 out of 10. I may eventually work on my installation to improve things. However, I have it flat mounted to my panel (not in a dock) and it looks pretty good. The yoke mount that it came with really sticks away from the panel and I am not a big fan of that.

For those that like the NRST function on the other Garmin or portable units, the 510 leaves a bit to be desired. You have to navigate to the main menu, then nearest menu, then you can get to the list of nearest airports, navaids, etc. Probably one or two additional steps at least. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 for that.

The only other issue is that the touch screen does take a little bit of dexterity to get right. It's not hard to use by any means, but you do have to take your time to input info. I can't type or text very well either so this is probably more a personal problem. I'd give it a 7 out of 10

Now the good stuff. I have not had any troubles with it booting up, error messages or anything unusual. Seems to be a solid unit. 10 out of 10 for quality and function. Also, no problems with using the built in antenna.

I like the info that it displays. I can set the map to be clutter or just show what I want to see. The "refresh" rate is fine, I think it's smooth and has a sufficient processor. 10 out of 10 for that

The main map page is able to display all the basic GPS stuff, plus 4 selectable parameters. This I really like. You can select from about 10 or 15 things you want on your main page. I currently have displayed, LOCAL ALTIMETER, GROUND WINDS, ETE, NEXT WPT. Viewing the other parameters is pretty simple but does require two taps. Gets a 9 out of 10 for display info.

Some of the other pages are weight and balance, E6b, aircraft profile, user wpts, numbers, log book (great) etc. All 10 out of 10 for sure.

The terrain function is adequate, I don't have the audio hooked up to my intercom, but the volume is on 10 and I can hear the voice in my panel talking to me (or it could be the voice in my head, she hasn't answered my questions so it must be the Garmin). Since I have SV and SkyView, terrain is not a function that I use much.

I really like that my SkyView can display the RMI (pointer) and HSI, DIST, ETE, and VNAV from the unit. VNAV is great and no more math on planning my descents, just follow the glideslope along my predetermined rate of descent. 10 out of 10.

Now for XM. Wow, I does anyone live without that! This is the first time I have flow with on board weather except for a couple of multi's I have flow with basic radar, which leaves a LOT to be desired.

XM is amazing and I have the basic $35/month plan. It takes a couple minutes for it connect, but then its there all the time. I can get AWOS, ASOS, TFR's, RADAR, etc, etc. Since its designed for XM all the menus have weather functions and its just perfect. 10 out of 10.

Approaches are great. I have only flown 2 with it and its all you would expect for a GPS approach. I can't give it a fair review but I suspect it's a 10 for 10.

Overall, I'd give the unit a solid 8 out of 10. It's not perfect. The backlight issue is a tough one to ignore. My installation may be the culprit, but it's also my review. Your opinion will vary. I'd buy another.

Let me say that I am familiar with tech stuff. I owned one of the first PDA's ever by Apple (Newton). Been online since before the W.W.W. (AOL 1.5, $2.95/mn) I also, own a AnywhereMap IPAQ (outdated but loved it, probably could put it back into use. WAY ahead of it's time), Lowrance 600C, and just about every other doodad you would want (no IPAD yet, but thinking about it). Anyway, all this is my opinion and gave this as review by request of another VAF member, but the opinions expressed are not endorsed by VAF, Garmin, or any paid or unpaid advertiser.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by apkp777

Overall, I'd give the unit a solid 8 out of 10. It's not perfect. The backlight issue is a tough one to ignore. My installation may be the culprit, but it's also my review. Your opinion will vary. I'd buy another.

Just for reference, my Garmin 696 is bright and clear in direct sunlight, while at the same time, I can hardly see what my Lowrance 600c is displaying. The 600c dosn't begin to compare for sunlight readability. I have not tried the Aera models.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[MikeS]

At this point in time the 696 is the only truly sunlight readable GPS, to my knowledge. I have heard however that they will drop into a "dim mode" if they get overheated - which is apparently not hard to do with them. If you have one perhaps you could comment on this issue of overheating?

As for the 600C, they are an orphan now. Lowrance (Navico) (to be precise . . . LEI Extras) recently stopped selling the database updates, so they are truly orphaned now. I'm not sure why you can't see the screen in sunlight though - you have to turn terrain off - it serves no useful purpose anyway, but with it off the 600C with its transreflective screen is excellent in direct sun. See:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...mpanion&page=3

Mike

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by apkp777

I am still finding it difficult to read in direct sunlight. I'd have to give it a failing review of 5 out of 10 for direct sunlight readability . Low light and overcast it gets a 10 out of 10.

This has been my experience as well.

For those that like the NRST function on the other Garmin or portable units, the 510 leaves a bit to be desired. You have to navigate to the main menu, then nearest menu, then you can get to the list of nearest airports, navaids, etc. Probably one or two additional steps at least. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 for that.

If you're in the map mode, you can hold down the Menu button, and the "direct to" menu pops up. Then hit "More...", then the Left arrow. (defaults to "recent airports", but one scroll left to the "nearest airports"). So it's only three buttons to get your nearest airports, I don't know how this compares to other GPS's.

The terrain function is adequate, I don't have the audio hooked up to my intercom, but the volume is on 10 and I can hear the voice in my panel talking to me (or it could be the voice in my head, she hasn't answered my questions so it must be the Garmin). Since I have SV and SkyView, terrain is not a function that I use much.

I keep meaning to look for a way to adjust this... I seem to recall someone saying that the proximity warnings for terrain could be adjusted. On mine, I get warnings what seems like *all* the time. I don't think I fly all *that* close to the mountains around here, but I do fly in valleys occasionally and when doing that i'm constantly acknowledging the terrain warnings.

That being said, I love having the audio wired in to my intercom (and the GPS data wired into my COM as well... That feature was worth every penny I paid for this GPS, in my opinion).

I just tried poking around into the menus trying to find the terrain settings... I couldn't find them, but I did find this... From the main menu: [Tools] -> [Down] -> [MP3]. They added the MP3 player to the Aviation side of the GPS! That must have been in an update that I applied, but they didn't advertise it. I sent an email asking about this after I got the unit, wondering why there's an MP3 player in Auto mode but not Aviation mode. They replied and said they'd consider it for future updates. I'll have to find the email and thank them.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by MikeS

At this point in time the 696 is the only truly sunlight readable GPS, to my knowledge.

Rumours are that the Anywheremap Quadra is as bright as the 696. I haven't tried it, haven't compared it, have never seen a 696 first-hand, for that matter. It's just a rumour.

[MikeS]

Well that's a rumor that has no basis in fact. The Quadra is the same as the ATC or a little dimmer. There is some discussion among users about whether the Quadra is as bright as the ATC, or not. Certainly it is no brighter. If you take a look at Aviation Consumer's recent review of the Quadra, screen legibility was their biggest complaint and is glaringly evident in their lead photo. They show the unit fitting into a shirt pocket but the screen is so dim you can only tell that it's on. It can only be seen in the shade and then not all that well, especially with the Sectionals turned on. With the Sectionals on (which is their base map with the Quadra) it's literally impossible to make out any useful information with any ambient light. Only Control Vision would try and get away with such lunacy.

In the picture at the link posted above, the ATC is turned up full blast. That picture gives an excellent rendition of how legible the Quadra screen is in direct sunlight.

I've never had a chance to use the 696 either, just going on user reports.

[brucespears]

Hi all. I've been flying the Aera 560 for some time now and love it! The display works well even in direct sunlight and when there is really bright sun, I just shade it with my hand. The display setting set to 10 is really bright.

I agree with an earlier post that if you lost power to the unit and are using the XM antenna for weather or audio, it sucks down battery fast. Mine is hooked up to ships power though and performs really nicely.

I particularly like the winds aloft on cross country trips to aid in altitude choices. I fly between Texas and Florida and it is amazing how much difference a couple of thousand feet make in speed and endurance!

I am about to upgrade my Trio AP to the Pro Pilot w/ altitude select/hold and VS select. Has anyone else done that already? Would love to hear some feedback. My current AP is controlled by my panel mounted Garmin GNC 250XL which works fine, just looking forward to more features offered by the Aera.

Best regards,

Bruce