Garmin Aera Touchscreen GPS

Garmin will shortly announce a new range of portable GPS systems complete with a 4.3 inch QVGA sunlight readable touchscreen. The new series will be capable of working in either an automotive or aviation mode. When in aviation mode, pilots are greeted with colorful icons that use intuitive pictures and labels to indicate their function: map, weather, terrain, direct to, HSI/panel, active FPL, numbers, nearest, WPT info, position, XM radio, and tools. Pilots can choose any of these functions by simply touching the appropriate icon. For example, after touching the terrain icon, pilots will see terrain and obstacle data that vividly depicts potential hazards.

Pilots can keep track of and renew the databases on their aera device through fly.Garmin.com, a website that helps pilots manage Garmin database information and dramatically simplifies the process of updating and purchasing aviation databases such as obstacles, terrain and SafeTaxi. After logging onto fly.Garmin.com, the home page gives a quick synopsis of the owner’s registered products and whether or not the databases are current. If a database needs to be updated, users can purchase one-time downloads or annual subscriptions directly from the site and install the database in three easy steps. Fly.Garmin.com eliminates the hassle of “unlock codes.” Those who have purchased the aera 550 or aera 560 will receive one year complimentary aviation database updates for NavData, obstacles, terrain, SafeTaxi, and AOPA Airport Directory.