Garmin's aera series of dual-duty GPS portables offer easy transition from
flying to motoring - by combining the best in moving-map display features with
intuitive, menu-driven touchscreen control. With aera, fingertip navigation has
entered a whole new era: One that streamlines operation. Eliminates knobs and
buttons. Simplifies the pilot/motorist interface. And lets you think in terms of
door-to-door guidance, not just runway-to-runway.
Garmin aera 500
There are four aera models in the Garmin lineup, offering a full range of
cost/capability choices. The first and most affordable unit in the series is the
aera 500. Featuring a crisp 4.3-inch QVGA wide-format touchscreen and pre-loaded
graphical mapping, this versatile, feature-rich unit comes ready for takeoff,
right out of the box.
Fly aera.
In aviation mode, the aera 500's detailed chart-style shaded mapping and
extensive terrain and aviation databases help you visualize your flight path in
relation to nearby navaids, terrain, SUAs, obstructions, and so on. Plus, the
addition of private airports and heliports to the database affords even more
navigation and emergency "nearest" options. A database-driven terrain advisory
feature offers TAWS-like color coding and pop-up alerts when possible
obstructions or ground proximity conflicts loom ahead. And with terrain/obstacle
data shown at standard 30 arc-second resolution, you'll enjoy a surprising level
of detail on the display. The unit's graphical Terrain page offers both overhead
and vertical profile views of the topography you're flying over. What's more,
there's an IFR map mode that lets you display and navigate on high or low
enroute airways. You can also pull up MEAs (Minimum Enroute Altitudes) and
distances between intersections by touching the airway on the map. As in all the
aera models, GPS updating is provided at a super-fast 5 Hz rate. And for added
safety, an optional power/data cable (sold separately) makes it easy to
interface your aera 500 with the Garmin GTX 330 Mode S transponder in your
aircraft, so you can access and display TIS traffic alerts in busy terminal
airspace. What's more, you can also use the aera to load communications
frequencies into your Garmin SL 40 Comm or SL 30 Nav/Comm transceiver.
Garmin aera 500 Aviation Features:
Easy-to-use touchscreen interface
Bright 4.3" diagonal, color touchscreen display; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA
TFT display with white backlight
Lithium-ion battery: lasts up to five hours, depending on usage and
settings
Flight Plans: 50 with up to 300 points each
Flight log: At least 30 most recent flights
Auto time zone - aera will automatically adjust your time zone while
navigating
High-sensitivity GPS receiver with WAAS position accuracy for improved
performance and reception
Simplified PC connectivity, using USB for easy data base updates
Drive aera. Once your aircraft returns to terra firma, the fun of aera navigation
continues with full automotive GPS capability and preloaded City Navigator(R) NT
street mapping. Operating much like Garmin's popular nuvi(R) line of touchscreen
auto navigators, your aera 500 offers voice-guided turn-by-turn directions with
text-to-speech audio technology that calls out streets by name. In addition,
there's built-in Bluetooth(R) support for wireless hands-free calling with your
compatible mobile phone. And the aera's built-in "points of interest" database
offers helpful guidance to millions of motels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs,
and other local attractions. To further speed your transition from aircraft to
automotive mode, a unique "smart mount" for the aera offers instant clip-and-go
car navigation.
Automotive Features
Preloaded street maps of North America
Turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance - "Turn right on Main
Street"
Bluetooth wireless technology - enabling hands-free calling
Micro-SD(TM) card slot for optional mapping and data storage
Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more
Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world
clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator
Garmin Connect(TM) Photos - associate your favorite images with saved
locations and visit Garmin Connect
Garmin aera series: It's the ultimate fly/drive option.
What's in the Box:
aera 500
Free single database update
Yoke mount with power cable
Battery pack
Auto suction cup mount
USB cable
Vehicle power cable
Dashboard disk
Pilots guide
Unit dimensions - 5.3"W x 3.3"H x 0.9"D
Weight - 9.5 oz (270g)
Rugged and waterproof (IPX-7)
Interface with SL30 and SL40 for frequency tuning
GTX 330 interface capability for TIS traffic
5 HZ GPS update rate for near-real-time updates of panel page
Patented aviation panel page
Terrain and obstacle data
Private Airport data
XM WX capable and GXM(TM) 40 antenna included (XM WX subscription
required)
Standard 30 arc second terrain/obstacle data
High resolution 9 arc second terrain/obstacle data for a more vivid
depiction of proximity hazards (over 11 times more onscreen resolution
than the standard 30 arc-second)
SafeTaxi(R) with over 950 US airports
AOPA Airport Directory
One year complimentary aviation database updates (obstacles,
terrain, SafeTaxi, NavData and AOPA Airport Directory)
Preloaded auto maps with voice prompted directions that speak street
names, "turn right on main street"
Bluetooth capability in automotive mode
Ruggedized and waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards)
Enhanced auto features (lane assist, junction view, and speed limit
notification)
NAVTEQ automotive traffic compatible (requires purchase of accessory
cigarette lighter adapter with integrated FM traffic receiver)
Customer Reviews For Garmin aera 500 Portable Aviation GPS (Americas):
Write a review
Thursday, March 11, 2010
GREAT GPS by Casey from Fort Collins CO USA Pros: Love the terrain feature, easy switch from G1000 Cons: None Review: This GPS is like having a tiny Garmin G1000. I learned on a glass panel 172 and when I bought a plane, I was back to round gages. The GPS in the plane was hard to read for me with no graphical display and by getting the Aera 500, I basically use is just like the G1000. All the features are great and having that kind of backup in your plane is priceless!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Garmin brings navigation to a whole new level! by Dave from Big Bear City CA USA Pros: Too much to list Cons: menus are extensive. Study the owners manual to get full use out of the unit Review: Wow! Was I ever pleasantly surprised after using my garmin aera for the first time. While navigating, you can switch between the HSI panel, moving map, in-flight data like timer or ETA etc..., give a position fix (FROM a waypoint or airport), check terrain ahead, avoid restricted airspace, and be alerted when to start your descent with VNAV. I drive a C-310 with a GPS/moving map but won't be going anywhere w/o this GPS. It's way easier to use and worth the touch screen, you can pan anywhere on the map, touch the item and get all info on that item including elevation. Flight planning is effortless and the "Direct To" function is great. It's also a great car GPS. This unit is unbelievable for the price. Have Fun.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Perfect for what I needed. by JACK from ST GEORGE UT USA Pros: Simple to use Cons: Touch screen could be a little friendlier. Review: I use this as a back-up to my GNS530W in the airplane and take it with me on the highway..........perfect unit for fly and drive trips.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
a nuvi 705 in disguise by old gooseberry from uk Pros: touchscreen works well Cons: Overpriced, bluetooth disabled in aviation mode, battery life sucks Review: This is nuvi in disguise, so it just highlights how overpriced and how far behind aviation portables are. That said, the touchscreen works well and makes it very usable. Not many alternatives to the aera 500 at this price range, 600, with the same features. The lawyers have been at this too, the bluetooth is disabled for aviation mode, so that means no connecting it wirelessly to a zulu headset for terrain warnings or music. The automobile friction mount ain't bad, but it's no bean bag friction mount. The battery life is a bit of a sham, it's ok in the car but I've been in plenty of planes where the cigarette lighter has been u/s, the garmin 496 has 15hours, the garmin 96c has 40 hours and uses triple A's. The automobile mode works like any other nuvi, it's great.
Friday, December 25, 2009
VERY Nice, but a few small issues by Bill from Savannah, GA Pros: It replaces an awful load of charts, books, etc. Cons: sometimes doesn't respond to screen touches Review: A super add-in to any cockpit. I can't wait to try it in the air. It even has a simulation mode so you can learn on the ground. My only gripes are that the battery compartment cover must be removed in order to plug in the USB cable to recharge the battery. That and the spring on the release for the battery compartment cover is WAAAY too strong requiring one to just about break a nail getting the darn thing open. I hope Garmin reads these things once in a while. All they need to do is cut a small hole in the cover to solve this user-annoying aspect of an otherwise fine machine.
Previous Customer Questions For Garmin aera 500 Portable Aviation GPS (Americas):
Ask Your Own Question
On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 a customer asked:
Q: Will this unit work for European roads? A:
In order to use it on roads in Europe, you would need to add the City Navigator Europe software to the unit. City Navigator Europe can be purchased directly from Garmin and downloaded directly to your GPS.
On Friday, January 22, 2010 a customer asked:
Q: will this unit work for Brazil?? A:
Yes, this Americas version covers all of North America, South America, and Central America.
Some
keywords that may help you find this product:
Garmin aera 500 Portable Aviation GPS (Americas) Garmin 010-00836-00 010-00836-00 era aero area Features a crisp 4.3-inch QVGA wide-format screen. Go from runways to roadways with preloaded City Navigator NT street mapping.
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009