Future GPS options.

[Lood]

While my trusty old 296 is getting a bit iffy, I decided to take a look see to get an idea of what's what in the GPS world these days in the event that I need a new one. Was I unpleasantly surprised.

It seems that there are only two options:
1. The cheaper, touch screen Aera, AV8TOR, etc type and
2. The very expensive and gigantic G695, AERA 795, Avimap EPK IV, etc type.

Problem is I don't really want either as I find them all rather unpractical in some or other way. I don't like touch screens and it seems that most are all but unreadable in direct sunlight or very bright conditions. Other side of the coin is that I'm not prepared to pay $2k for a state of the art GPS but it's so big, I'll have to remove the co-pilot seat to make space for the GPS and then it blocks the half the outside or panel view.
So, what are the options... Spend the money and make space in the panel or cockpit for Mammoth or get a hard to read touch screen cheapie and be annoyed?

And why on earth did Garmin decide to stop making very popular stalwarts like the 296, 495, etc?

[kerry]

AVmap geopilot 2+ seems about the same size and function as your 296

[M016576]

I went from a 396 to an aera 560 about a year ago. 

The 560 is half the thickness of a 396 and roughly the same dimensions otherwise.  The touchscreen is easier to use than the buttons on my 396 (it was initially a concern of mine, but ended up being unfounded).  I find the screen to be just as bright as my 396 (it's not an iPad- the touchscreen aera is easier to read in direct sunlight.). If you see one around at an FBO, Ask the owner to show it to you.  If not, head into bestbuy and take a look at the garmin Nuvi car GPS's to get an idea what the touchscreens are like.  The automotive interface on the 560 is similar to the nuvi's.

[Seth]

I went from the fantastic 496 to Aera 560 last October.  I loved my 496 but I have to admit that the combination of the 430 and interconnected Aera is very nice.  I have the Aera panel mounted vs yoke mounted as I had with the 496.  I too was very worried about the touch screen issue, but in the end it was a non-concern.  That being said, a lot of the data is entered into the 430 and then automatically loaded in the 560, but there are many functions where I have to use the 560 via the touchscreen.  I do like the vertical terrain feature where you can see what lies ahead on your current bearing and if you're going to have trouble at your current altitude.  The WX animation is better too, even though the 496 was really good.  Reading in sunlight is not an issue.  Much better than my ipad.

Take care,

-Seth

[GaryP1007]

I echo Seth's comments.  Went from 496 to Aera 560 and love it.  Sunlight is not an issue ever.

[Piloto]

I went from a 396 to an Aera 560 an i am really happy with it. I echo same comments as above.

 

José

 

[moodychief]

I have an Aera 510 and love the Wm weather/radio features. I put my 295 on my wife's yoke so she had something to watch and play with. I personally couldn't justify the added expense for the 560.  The money I saved went to my WingX Pro/georeferencing subscriptions.  I think I have most of the same capabilities at a lesser cost.  Of course, mine is stand alone and not streaming data to other devices.  I would be interested to hear why everyone selected the 560 over the 510.

 

[GaryP1007]

Safe taxi and AOPA directory was an influence for me.....remember this was before the iPad was such a big hit.

[Lood]

Thanks to all for your replies. My view on the touch screen GPS's was pure from hearsay and locally, most pilots don't like the Aera due to it being difficult to operate in bumpy conditions and the readability issue. Not sure if there's a difference in resolution between the Aera 500 and 560, for instance, but I doubt it.
However, Jose's pictures tell a different story. I'll do a more in depth research and will try to actually test the units.

[Piloto]

Quote: Lood

Thanks to all for your replies. My view on the touch screen GPS's was pure from hearsay and locally, most pilots don't like the Aera due to it being difficult to operate in bumpy conditions and the readability issue. Not sure if there's a difference in resolution between the Aera 500 and 560, for instance, but I doubt it.

However, Jose's pictures tell a different story. I'll do a more in depth research and will try to actually test the units.

[Piloto]

Quote: Lood

Thanks to all for your replies. My view on the touch screen GPS's was pure from hearsay and locally, most pilots don't like the Aera due to it being difficult to operate in bumpy conditions and the readability issue. Not sure if there's a difference in resolution between the Aera 500 and 560, for instance, but I doubt it.

However, Jose's pictures tell a different story. I'll do a more in depth research and will try to actually test the units.

 

 

 

 

I fly a lot in bumpy weather here in Florida and that is one of the reasons why I have the unit on the yoke. I rest my wrist on the yoke arm and just touch the screen with my finger nails or a pen. By having it on the yoke I do not need to move my hand or my head out of the main instruments view, specially on approach during turbulence. I made a smaller yoke bracket that allows the unit to be placed behind the yoke for easy access and parallel view with the panel. The 560 has a much greater terrain resolution than the 496. Also at night it is much easier to press the right key than on the 496. Display brightness is about the same as the 496, never had any problem reading the the display in direct sun light.

José

[Bennett]

I recently switched from the Garmin 696 to the Garmin 796; both in AirGizmos panel mounts.  In my opinion the 796 is far easier to use than the 696, and I have no problems with touch screens in moderate turbulance.  I also have a GTN 750 touch screen mounted in the panel, and I find that the two units share a common, easy to use, interface. The 796 has both WX weather, and an interface to a ZAON traffic unit.  In other aircraft I have used the AvMap IV EXP, and I think that the screen resolution is better than the Garmin units.  There is a new AvMap V, which I probably would have used, had it been available when I had the panel redone. I suggest checking it out.

[dougmilam]

The Aera 510 has worked great for over a year.  As posted above, sunlight is never an issue.  I have it yoke mounted and have the cords tie wrapped behind the dash.  I use it as a backup GPS, but most importantly the XM weather projects well on the screen and is critical for summer weather flying. I consider the 510 at about $1,000 to be the sweet spot and have no desire to trade up to a larger unit.

[M016576]

3 aera 560's on eBay right now, all for under 1 AMU.  Worth checking out IMO.....

[jetdriven]

We have a year on an aera 500 in a panel dock.  Its a great solution.  The iPad fills in the gap, plus the ADS-B weather.

[drapo]

I have the AV8OR to support my GNS430, and I'm very satisfied. I'm changing to the IPad with Foreflight next week, using the GPS in the AV8OR, one of my buddy has that setup and it's impressive and very user friendly with the "finger zooming" and all.