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GPS City Q&A » Aviation GPS » Garmin Aera 500 Display vs 550?

Aviation GPS (3 replies)

Item

Original Question

Garmin Aera 500 Display vs 550?

› Garmin Aera 500

Author

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Ernie
Fairbanks, Alaska

Original question asked on Feb 11, 2010, 10:27pm

I am wondering about the graphics when loading a mapsource topo on the garmin aera 500. Are the contour lines sharp, or? What is exactly different in the display graphics detail when using topo maps between the 550 and the 500? I have a slow airplane, Cessna 120. Would I notice a differance and what would it be?

Thanks

Jordan GPS City
Calgary AB

Reply #1 on Feb 12, 2010, 9:46am

Hello Ernie,
If you load Topo maps onto the Aera Aviation GPS it will view very well. There is no difference in the way the maps view between the two aera GPS units. The aera 500 has a lower resolution Terrain map but if you are loading topo you will not be using the terrain. I don't think you can view both at the same time yet. The lines will be smooth and easy to read. The map refresh should not be any problem. The slower you go the better, so being in a smaller slower plane you are good.

Cheers

Colin
Vancouver, BC

Reply #2 on Jul 7, 2011, 10:01am

Hi Jordan, have you installed the topo maps on an aera series? Im having problems with mine. I loaded topo maps for western canada to a miniSD card and inserted it into the aera. The topo shows very well in automobile mode, when in aviation mode it intermittently displays all the topo information over top the standard aviation basemap. It loads so many points of interest, parks, names etc that it overpopulates the screen and its very difficult to see airspace/airports amongst the clutter. Again, this only intermittently flashes up, but the topo lines show very well when it does, and I would like to have that level of detail minus all the names at all times in aviation mode

Jordan GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #3 on Jul 7, 2011, 10:12am

Hello Colin,

I have loaded it in the unit but only use it in Automotive mode. The unit has its terrain DB for Aviation mode. I am not sure if Garmin has changed that. I don't have a unit handy but you may also want to turn off the terrain DB. Try looking in the map settings. You will also want to reduce the detail to eliminate too much info on the screen.

I suggest updating the unit to see if that helps. Also please pass your feedback onto Garmin aviation also, so they know of the issue you are having. The more people who tell them the more likely they will fix it right away.

Hope the above helps.

Cheers

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