Garmin aera 500 & 790 Series Mounting

[Rhumbline]

I found a thread a little over a year old which addressed this for the most part with a mixture of comments so I apologize if this is repetitive but I’m wondering if any more folks have gained any experience with Garmin aera 500 and 790 series GPS’s, particularly in mounting them in vintage Mooneys.

 

I’d been looking at an aera 550 or 795 to replace an old Lowrance GPS and had decided on the 550 but never parted with the coin as I had no immediate need for the new unit.  Glad I procrastinated as the price on both has recently dropped substantially making both more attractive and putting the 795 back in the running; the foremost reason being the larger screen size.  This size, however, may also be the bane of the 795 due to the diminutive dimensions of, well… everything on a Mooney.  I’ve made cardboard cutouts to get an idea how much each unit might obscure or interfere but without knowing how the yoke mounts affect their location it’s tough to determine. 

 

I’ve gathered from the other thread that most mount larger units on the co-pilot yoke and there was another that indicated that a custom mount was used to practicably mount the smaller unit on the pilot’s yoke.  Can anyone else comment on the practicality, visibility (both the unit and what’s behind), usability, ergonomics, etc of any combination of these units and mounting methods?  A panel mount, especially for the larger unit, is going to be tough for me as I still have the original scatter panel with a genuine real estate problem on both sides.  I’m not considering a kneeboard either but I would consider making my wife hold it.  In fact, this would seem to be the simple solution but I am growing a little weary of being beaten to the floor and then kicked and stomped on for my simple solutions. 

 

I’d also be interested to know how well the internal antennas work or if an external antenna is necessary for either of these series.  Or, in other words, how many wires are gonna be strung around that cozy cockpit and inevitably tangled in the Johnson bar?  Xm is a subscription too far so I won’t have to worry about that one.

 

Thanks in advance for any comments you’re willing to share on your setup.     

 

 

[jrwilson]

I have an Aera 500 which I had mounted, wired to ships' power, on the top of the radio stack.  It is a pretty good setup, the old non-functioning autopilot was removed so there was a perfect spot.  It is using its internal antenna, which has worked just as well as my garmin with an external antenna.  Plus, I can remove it on the ground for car usage at an unfamiliar location.

 

Usability is great, easy to update the map with a desktop, overall, very pleased with it.  Ideally, I would have a picture of the setup to post, but sadly, I am at work, not at the hangar and this is not an ideal world. 

[jetdriven]

Before considering the yoke mount Aera, consider the damage it will do to your body in a forced landing.

 

Video of pilot with yoke mounted iPad. Check his face out after the crash. 5:23

http://youtu.be/yDu0jYiz-v8

 

 

This was a Beech pilot who lost his engine on takeoff. He landed in a field with minimal damage, and his aircraft has a 4-point harness which he was wearing.

 

  Check out the bruise in the shape of the yoke.  He also fractured his sternum. His avionics shop had a customer crash and the yoke-mounted GPS caused so many injuries he died from a survivable crash.

 

 

Now picture this between you and that yoke. 

 

 

[Bob_Belville]

I moved a Garmin 696 all over the panel and both yokes before settling on this RAM mount on the far right side of the panel. RAM makes hundreds of different mounts - I have a suction version I used for several months until I was certain I was finished experimenting.

 

(I think my 696 is the same size as a 795/6.) 

[fantom]

I have an Aera 510 in a RAM mount on the passenger side. It's hard wired to ship power, sits in the mount solidly, and I have no problem seeing it clearly. Unless, of course, a passenger is playing with it

[ncdmtb]

Why do you mount it on the passenger side? How do you use it during flight? Is it a bsckup? What functionality are you using?

[Bob_Belville]

Not sure about fantom's 510 but my 696 is easily seen and operated from the pilot's seat. I have approach plates there as well as AOPA Airports so I can pull up frequencies I'll need. It's a great backup as well.

[Piloto]

I have the 560 installed behind the yoke with a simple home made bracket. I ran all the wires inside the yoke shaft. The 560 will work very well with it build-in antenna. But I have the GPS and XM antenna installed underneath the glare shield for better reception. With the 560 on the yoke I can easily do entries on the screen and have an excellent view of it without blocking the primary instruments while having it on my primary scan. I looked into the 796 but it was too big for behind the yoke mounting. So far I am very happy with it.

 

José 

[Bennett]

Not sure about fantom's 510 but my 696 is easily seen and operated from the pilot's seat. I have approach plates there as well as AOPA Airports so I can pull up frequencies I'll need. It's a great backup as well.

I have a 796 in an Air Gizmos panel mount on the co-pilot side of the panel. I do have to lean just a bit to choose functions, but that really isn't a problem. I can easily see the screen, and I use various pages and maps as a useful augmentation to my other instruments.

[fantom]

My 510 is primary for WX, supplemental for everything else, and a nice backup. I have no problem using it on the passenger side and have never liked any yoke add on in front of me.

I just suffer through life with an HSI, duel ILS's, a 530W, a DME and yes, even ADF. Haven't gotten lost yet

[Jsavage3]

I had the Aera 560 mounted into the panel (high right side) with the angled device that angles the face of the GPS 15 degrees towards the left seat.  We love it and the location is perfect!

[TWinter]

I moved a Garmin 696 all over the panel and both yokes before settling on this RAM mount on the far right side of the panel. RAM makes hundreds of different mounts - I have a suction version I used for several months until I was certain I was finished experimenting.

 

(I think my 696 is the same size as a 795/6.) 

My 696 is mounted this same location as well. I've tried every possible location and this was the best. I used the suction mount to winshld and a longer extention. Fits nice and does not cover the view of the fuel level, OP or Tach/Mfld. I've tried it all over and this has been the best and most user friendly.

[Rhumbline]

Many thanks to everyone for generously sharing!  It’s of great value.

 

Bill W