Garmin aera 500 GPS
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Garmin aera 500 GPS
I was hoping any folks out there that have bought this unit could give an opinion on how they like it. A few questions I have...1) does it have an external antenna? 2) How is the internal battery length of use, before recharging. 3)How easy is it to use? 4) Is the map as good as the Garmin 396, in retards to detail in mountainous regions.
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Re: Garmin aera 500 GPS
I am a contract pilot and bought a Aera 500 seven months ago for my operations international as a helicopter pilot and as a nice backup in a jet that I fly. It is a great unit, much easier to use then a 396, which I have used regular in the past. I am unable to advise you on battery life as I have been able to plug the unit in at all times.The unit is very user friendly and easy to read in all lighting conditions, I love the touch screen and the ease of dragging the map and changing pages. I have never used the automobile mod as mine is used oversea. Great unit and I certainly recommend it. Regards
Re: Garmin aera 500 GPS
I got an Aera 500 in January. I love it.
I have it mounted on the yoke of my Mooney and I have never had any reception problems. I though that I would need an external antenna, although I bought one I have never needed it.
I would guess that the battery life would be 3-4 hours. I have it wired into my panel but I do carry an extra battery (it is user replaceable) just in case. If I had a complete power failure the battery would easily give me enough time to make it to an airport of my choosing...good enough for me.
My last GPS was a Garmin 295 that I got in 2000. The touch screen is a HUGH improvement in terms of usability.
I don't have a 396 but I made a few flights into Haiti this spring, in and around 8-10,000 foot peaks, that I would not have even considered without the terrain features of the Aera 500.
Glenn
I have it mounted on the yoke of my Mooney and I have never had any reception problems. I though that I would need an external antenna, although I bought one I have never needed it.
I would guess that the battery life would be 3-4 hours. I have it wired into my panel but I do carry an extra battery (it is user replaceable) just in case. If I had a complete power failure the battery would easily give me enough time to make it to an airport of my choosing...good enough for me.
My last GPS was a Garmin 295 that I got in 2000. The touch screen is a HUGH improvement in terms of usability.
I don't have a 396 but I made a few flights into Haiti this spring, in and around 8-10,000 foot peaks, that I would not have even considered without the terrain features of the Aera 500.
Glenn
Re: Garmin aera 500 GPS
I too bought one in January and like it a lot. First flight with it was bringing home my RV-6 from Idaho, and flying up the Columbia River Gorge with clouds overhead I spent a lot of time listening to it tell me "terrain nearby". 
Still, it was great.
The only complaint I have with it is that it's not readable in direct sunlight. If you're flying a high-wing airplane, or using it in a car (it's an excellent automotive GPS too), it's perfect. If you have a low-wing plane and you're flying in sunshine, expect to need to shade the screen from time to time in order to read it if the sun gets onto your panel.
That being said, I now have mine panel mounted (under the glareshield) and wired in to my iCOM radio. While I fly along, frequencies for the next airports on my flight plan pop up in my iCom's standby channel, where I can choose from ATIS, Tower, etc. as I go.
I'm happy.
For comparison, i've looked at the Bendix-King AV80R as well. It can't be wired in to your radio like the Aera, and the battery is half the size of the Aera. But the screen is about half again as bright, so would be better in low wing planes. Otherwise, the functionality is the same on the two units... The Garmin has a Garmin-like UI, and the AV80R has a Bendix-King-like UI. To each his own?
No idea what the battery life is, it came with a cigarette-lighter adapter and i've always used either that or hard-wired into my panel.
Still, it was great.The only complaint I have with it is that it's not readable in direct sunlight. If you're flying a high-wing airplane, or using it in a car (it's an excellent automotive GPS too), it's perfect. If you have a low-wing plane and you're flying in sunshine, expect to need to shade the screen from time to time in order to read it if the sun gets onto your panel.
That being said, I now have mine panel mounted (under the glareshield) and wired in to my iCOM radio. While I fly along, frequencies for the next airports on my flight plan pop up in my iCom's standby channel, where I can choose from ATIS, Tower, etc. as I go.
I'm happy.
For comparison, i've looked at the Bendix-King AV80R as well. It can't be wired in to your radio like the Aera, and the battery is half the size of the Aera. But the screen is about half again as bright, so would be better in low wing planes. Otherwise, the functionality is the same on the two units... The Garmin has a Garmin-like UI, and the AV80R has a Bendix-King-like UI. To each his own?
No idea what the battery life is, it came with a cigarette-lighter adapter and i've always used either that or hard-wired into my panel.
Re: Garmin aera 500 GPS
I bought one in June and love it. Even inside my house I can get satellite reception. The battery will hold a charge for approx 3 hours, but I use the cigarette lighter in the plane or car when I use it.
The only negative I have is that if you want to charge it with a USB charger, you have to take the internal battery cover off to access the charging USB port. Other than that, it is a great unit. Like my AMEX, I don't leave home without it!
The only negative I have is that if you want to charge it with a USB charger, you have to take the internal battery cover off to access the charging USB port. Other than that, it is a great unit. Like my AMEX, I don't leave home without it!
