Garmin today introduced a larger-screen version of its aera navigator. The aera 760 boasts a 7-inch screen, which is 2 inches larger than the current aera 660, and packs all the expected features, including onboard GPS/GLONASS receiver, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and VFR and IFR flight charts. It’ll be available in May for $1,599. It will have a full-featured moving map with synthetic vision, and be capable of displaying traffic and weather from outboard sources like ADS-B/TIS and satellite.
“On behalf of our innovative and nimble TeamX gang of aviation enthusiasts, we’re excited to introduce the latest edition to the distinguished family of Garmin portable GPS products, the feature-packed aera 760,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “For nearly three decades, Garmin has sold hundreds of thousands of portable GPS products for aircraft big and small. Building upon our acclaimed portable aviation GPS line-up, the aera 760 has the most robust aviation feature set to-date, that is designed exclusively by pilots—for pilots.”
Garmin says the “sunlight readable” touchscreen display can be run on the internal battery for up to four hours, but most pilots will probably power the aera from the aircraft. They will have the choice of a more conventional cradle and hard wiring or simply to power via the bezel-mounted, industry-standard USB-C connection. Hard wiring will provide access to dual RS-232 data channels, audio output and another option for powering the unit. The aera 760 can also send communications data to a GTR 225, GNC 255 or GTR 200 via serial connection, and the 760 will connect to “select” autopilots for simple point-to-point navigation. Most will probably connect through the wireless channels; the aero 760 is compatible with all Connext-equipped Garmin navigators and data sources, such as the GDL 5X boxes.
According to Garmin, “When the aera 760 is panel mounted or paired with a compatible attitude source such as a GDL 52 or GTX 345, pilots can view synthetic vision (SVX), which adds the display of back-up attitude information on the portable.”
In the era of the iPad and EFB apps, this $1,600 price-point device must rank as one of the most ill-conceived products ever to be deployed by Garmin.
It doesn’t appear to offer any meaningful features over a Foreflight/Garmin Pilot equipped iPad Pro — or the pilot-preferred iPad — to warrant a place in the GA cockpit.
Even the Aera 660 was a niche product and a “hard sell”, and I simply cannot fathom how a successor product that doubles the 660’s price can be remotely be considered “moving the (avionics) ball forward.” Clearly a minimum amount of development costs were invested in the 760. Other than “super-sizing” the case, it differs little from the 660.
Consumers will find their hard-earned cash better spent elsewhere.
Nice unit BUT high price point, Garmin compatible ADSB only and fairly expensive updates.
This “new” area does not offer much that my Aera 796 that I bought in 2012 does’nt. Same size screen and presumably the same reasonably priced database subscription. I have been very happy with my 796 though have never subscribed to XM weather though it is capable as received with antenna and all. I use the GDL 39 3D for ADS-B in and attitude and synthetic vision. I guess the WiFi function is a nice addition, but I don’t need it.
I just hope that I can continue to get updates for my 796. Garmin is famous for obsoleting equipment while it still functions perfectly. Since I have two planes and can only fly one at a time my Aera 796 fits my needs perfectly.
I have always refused to buy any overpriced Apple products which really are not designed for aviation use.
I am sure the Aera 660 is a nice unit but see no need to replace my Aera 796 which came with an external antenna and the other capabilities and has had software updates to keep it up to date.
Larry
I too am happy with my 796. Would love to see some info on what the. new unit offers that we don’t already have. Frankly, the price doesn’t seem too out of line to me for what it seems to offer. Can’t remember for sure but I think I aid more for the 796 years ago and it has proven rock solid.
I forgot to mention that in 2017 I replaced both my aging Narco AT50 transponders with the Garmin GTX 335 which gives me ADS-B out in both planes at a reasonable price considering I needed to replace both the Narcos anyway.