NOTE:  This is for the PACIFIC VERSION of the Garmin Aera 500.  If you are looking for the Americas version (North, Central, and South America), you should purchase the Garmin Aera 500 Americas.If you are not sure what version you need, please visit our Garmin GPS Coverage Area page for more information and maps.

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
• Portable Friction 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

Garmin aera Comparison

	aera 500	aera 510	aera 550	aera 560
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)

Related Shopping Areas:
GPS >  Aviation GPS Units

Lowest Price Guaranteed: If you find a better price elsewhere on this product we will match that price and beat it by 10% of the difference. Buy With Confidence!  Purchase today and you can return it in the original condition through Wednesday, June 19, 2013!  Our return policy. Have a question about Garmin aera 500 Portable Aviation GPS (Pacific)?  Ask your question and see previous Q & A about this product.

Customer Reviews For Garmin aera 500 Portable Aviation GPS (Pacific): Write a review

Monday, August 20, 2012 I am about to order one more. by Steve from Lebanon NH USA  Pros: N/A Cons: N/A Review: I haven't used it myself, but my pilots said its very good! Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Tuesday, May 08, 2012 A nice product. Value for money. by Anoop Kumar from Pune Maharashtra India  Pros: good database Cons: difficult to mount on my R 44. Instrument panel is too far. No place to connect to battery charging point. Review: Just as I wanted it to be. Good GPS, meets all my navigational requirements. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No