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GPS City Q&A » Aviation GPS » Topo Canada and Wapoints not visible in area 500

Aviation GPS (5 replies)

Item

Original Question

Topo Canada and Wapoints not visible in area 500

› Garmin Aera 500

Author

Reply

blackjack
Kelowna

Original question asked on Mar 7, 2010, 10:17pm

I have area 500 with micro SD memory card in it. I first installed all of topo canada into the micro SD card. It took a long time! I have also tried to install a smaller mapset directly into the GPS not using the micro SD card. I have tried by both using the topo Canada progrma to install it and I have also tried by directly pasting the files in there. I am not able to veiw any of the topo information in the GPS. What is the correct way to install topo Canada info to the SD card and why is it not visible even when it does seem to be in there? I think that I have turned off all other layers. Also there does not seem to be any way of having the user waypoints layer visable on the map?

Jordan GPS City
Las Vegas, NV

Reply #1 on Mar 8, 2010, 11:19am

Hello Blackjack,

The topo maps will not view when the unit is in aviation mode because the terrain data takes over. If you put your Garmin aera into car mode then select the topo maps in the map setup you should be fine.

1. Put unit in Vehicle mode. Touch plane icon at the top of the main screen.
2. Turn off all maps except Topo. (Main Screen Tool icon -> Settings -> Map -> Map Info)
3. Zoom into the area you have topo's loaded for. You have to zoom right in to see the data.

I gave it a quick test and found it to work.

Cheers
Jordan

Joe
Wilson, NC

Reply #2 on Jun 24, 2010, 7:34pm

Will the Aera 510 XM Antenna work just off of the internal battery alone or does the cigarette lighter plug have to be installed. In other words can you check WX outside of the airplane or car.

GPS City
Las Vegas, NV

Reply #3 on Jun 25, 2010, 11:06am

Hello Joe,

You shouldn't need to plug the Aera into power to have the XM work but it would be smarter to plug it in. The battery will not last very long without external power while using the XM radio

Cheers
Jordan

kam.
vancouver, bc

Reply #4 on Jul 27, 2011, 7:30am

@ jesse line #2. This defeats purpose of having topo with terrain alerting!!! afterall, the topographic assists me in mountainess terrain navigating and the warning tells me I'm getting too close!!

Is this the case with all Aera's?? If so, I'll keep my 296 and have best of both worlds. Garmin + marketing =Expensive,inferior product that looks nice. (LOL) I wish they kept with the old tradition: It's ugly but works well. )

Jordan GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #5 on Jul 27, 2011, 7:41am

Yes it is the case for all new aviation units. You have to be in the car nav mode to use the topo mapping. Topo is not as accurate as the Terrain DB so it is not recommended to use the Topo maps for flying. For driving, specifically off-roading topo is great.

I agree the older units were much better all around GPS devices. Garmin went to a more simplified unit. I assume to make it easier for everyone. Please also share your feedback with Garmin for they may design a Aviation unit in the future that is as good or better than the 296.

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