New Garmin 660 VFR GPS

[piperboy84]

I was wondering if anyone has bought or had a chance to use the new Garmin 660? I have a panel mounted 496 which is the dogs bollox but the screen is starting to get a little small for my tired eyes. The dimensions of 660 look like they are close enough to the old 496 that a swap out would involve minimal panel work but with a larger screen.

If you've got one let me know how it's stacks up against the 496 and if you lost any features in the upgrade .

[Fly4Business]

I was looking into the 660 to replace my venerable 296 and had the same question. Maybe Airgizmo can tell? They should be in the works already to make a dock for it.

[piperboy84]

Sure would be nice if the dock was a straight swap, however I'm sure the wiring will need to be changed if you have frequency push to the radios etc

[Genghis the Engineer]

Frequency push on the radios? These are simple standalone portable GPS units, that some people happen to put in the panel. That said, it does seem to have an ADS-B interface, and generally speaking I'm sure that the mountings will be different, as Garmin seldom leave that stuff the same...

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/in-the-air/portable-gps/aera-660/prod520775.html

I've an Aera 500 which I'm very happy with, but this 660 does look like a step improvement: I'm certainly going to angle for a play with one once they're readily available.

G

[piperboy84]

GTE, I have frequency push to my Garmin 30 Com from the old Garmin 496 right now, its a nice feature.

The only concern I have with the 660 is the antenna, i have an external one located out on top of the wing for the 496 using BNC cable connector, the 660 appears to use proprietary connectors that look like they are for internal use only.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I stand corrected - I've not used a Garmin x96 that much, so obviously missed the feature.

My Aera 500 uses an internal antenna - not sure if there's an external option, and it's pretty good, but yes - not flawless - I have certainly seen dropouts where I didn't with a panel mount + external antenna on the same aeroplane.

Just reading through the full spec on the 660, I think I was starting to drool and had to stop reading !

G

[PA28181]

As an avid user & fan of the Aera 500, the 660 does look the dogs dangly's but as the 500 still works so well for me how can I justify laying out more of my benefit money/drinking vouchers on one to 'er indoors?

[flybymike]

I would love to see one of these devices come out with synthetic vision and AHRS attitude all built in to a single unit.
I would buy one in a flash.

[Genghis the Engineer]

It looks like that may be exactly what the 660 is doing, so long as you can give it an external attitude source (which Garmin sell at about US$1000, not sure what other options exist?)

http://www.flyer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Garmin-aera-660-portable-GPS-landscape-1000x698.jpg

G

[flybymike]

Yes the unit gives basic bank angle only based on rate of turn, but no pitch information without external AHRS source.
Not sure whether one of those "levil" units would work with it. They might be a bit cheaper than one of the garmin recommended ones, but then if you are looking at separate units I suppose you might as well use a tablet app that runs synthetic vision such as Easy VFR.
On the other hand garmin stuff is rock solid and tablets less so!

[Genghis the Engineer]

I do have a working rule - anything with a GPS in it, I like it built by Garmin! Every other brand I've had problems with sooner or later.

Looking up the Levil units you mentioned, on the Aircraft Spruce website, they seem more expensive than the Garmin product, which isn't an obvious recommendation.

G

[flybymike]

Ah yes, they are more expensive. I was mixing up my dollars and pounds!

[piperboy84]

Still trying to figure out if I need the GDL39 3D or the Flight Stream 110, or both, to connect to the 660 for synthetic vision, Ads-b IN and the ability to push AHRS to an IPAD in addition to the 660.

[rjtjrt]

Post 5 .... only concern I have with the 660 is the antenna, i have an external one located out on top of the wing for the 496 using BNC cable connector, the 660 appears to use proprietary connectors that look like they are for internal use only.

I think the external antenna for the new 660 uses the small cable connector that the Aera 500 series use, not the big bnc type connector used by the GPSMAP series.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/shop-by-accessories/antennas/ga-25mcx-remote-gps-antenna-low-profile-/prod1326_010-10702-00.html

[piperboy84]

Post 5

I think the external antenna for the new 660 uses the small cable connector that the Aera 500 series use, not the big bnc type connector used by the GPSMAP series.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/shop-by-accessories/antennas/ga-25mcx-remote-gps-antenna-low-profile-/prod1326_010-10702-00.html

Yes, I think I can get a BNC To MCX connector so I can reuse the existing 496 GPS cable and external antenna

[rjtjrt]

If you can do that can you post here where you get the connector?
Edit - just found they aren't hard to find.

[piperboy84]

I was looking into the 660 to replace my venerable 296 and had the same question. Maybe Airgizmo can tell? They should be in the works already to make a dock for it.

Talked to the folk at Airgizmo they say they should have a panel doc for the Garmin 660 finished and available for shipping in 1 month AND it will fit into the same space as the old X96 Airgizmo panel doc.:ok:

Seriously considering buying the 660/Airgizmo setup to replace my trusty but small screened old panel mounted 496 and adding a GDL 39 3D for AHRS on the synthetic vis. Seems like a lot of good features and kit for around $2000. I see the 660 can be ordered with a "bare wire " accessory but wonder how much bollocking about it is to replicate the comms push connectivity, existing BNC antenna cable etc, and I assume I would have to update my wing mounted Garmin 496 antenna for a waas capable one also.

If I'm thinking correctly the GDL 39 will give me dual band adsb IN and if I do a software upgrade to my existing Garmin 330E transponder to a ES version I can use the GDL 39 for the adsb OUT positioning source giving me the whole shooting match of adsb, geo referenced IAP's, synthetic vision and back up AHRS to the old vacuum system. My dream panel setup. Am I on the right track or am I missing anything?

Project for over the summer me thinks !

[piperboy84]

Just bought the 660 and it's the absolute dogs bollocks, really takes all the great features of the trusty old GPSMAP X96 and expands and improves them. On the flip side I just spend a full day trying to get my head around the Garmin Pilot app on my IPad and have concluded 2 things. Firstly, the user interface menus and features must have been designed by a chimpanzee high on crack, it's an absolute piece of ****. And secondly it makes me appreciate how user friendly and what an excellent tool SkyDemon is compared to the Garmin app.

[fujii]

I have an Aera 500. What I don't like about Garmin is the non-aviation map format and the rip off cost of updates. These days it's a back only.

[Katamarino]

Would you say the 660 is a worthwhile upgrade from something like the 550?

[RO13FLY]

I have both Aera 550 and the new 660. The difference between the two is a amazing. The 660 is easier to use and the screen is daylight readable.

[rjtjrt]

Can the Aera 660 be charged at home with a mains power charger?
I have an earlier aera 500 and find that it can only charge battery at home if I use a mains to 12 volt power supply and connect that to the yolk mount with the cig lighter cable!
I don't want to take all that paraphernalia with me a trip I am planning in an aircraft with no 12 volt outlet in cabin, so will have to rely on charging aera 660 in hotel room.

[rjtjrt]

Can the Aera 660 be charged at home with a mains power charger?
I have an earlier aera 500 and find that it can only charge battery at home if I use a mains to 12 volt power supply and connect that to the yolk mount with the cig lighter cable!
I don't want to take all that paraphernalia with me a trip I am planning in an aircraft with no 12 volt outlet in cabin, so will have to rely on charging aera 660 in hotel room.

Just found out from Garmin rep that 660 comes with USB port that is used as a charge point with a mains USB charger.

[tmmorris]

Also I believe you can buy a cradle to keep it in at home, communicate with computer etc

[djtaylor]

I bought a 660 last summer, it is a great unit, the one field missing compared with the 496 is the Direct To one. On a solo trip to Hahnweide last year I used the 496 for the course and the moving map of the 660 for location and airspace which is excellent. I have an aircraft mounted aerial for the 496 but the internal 660 internal aerial worked 100% of the time.

[piperboy84]

Been using the 660 for a while now and love it, BUT there is one thing missing that would make a huge difference, specifically, the ability to retrieve notams, ATIS and "Garmin" radar and IR weather thru it's wifi link (to my mobile phone) from the internet like the Garmin Pilot app does, its strange they never made that a feature.

[Ebbie 2003]

Can't say I agree with the earlier comment about Garmin Pilot - I think it is brilliant.

I run it on my S3 tablet on a yoke mount and have an AV8OR in an AirGizmo in the panel - $70 for Garmin Pilot and $130 to buy my AV8OR brand new a few years back - the Airgizmo cost $90 - so a good cheapie set up.

I thus have 2 GPS set ups for next to nothing - I do not update the AV8OR (I have found the islands tend not to move;) I use the Garmon Pilot as primary with updates, I cross check both with each other and with VOR/DME when I get it.

A great set up and essential for flying between islands.

My only issue is that my S3 is getting on a bit and will have to get upgraded soon, it does not like the heat so much.

Would like one those whizzy new Garmins - but the import duties and levies make it too expensive just now.

[piperboy84]

Having a bit trouble figuring this one out, I have my iPad and garmin 660 bluetoothed to the GDL 39 3D, I know the iPad when connected this way derives its GPS positioning data from the GDL 39 but does the Garmin 660 also use the GDL for its positioning or does it continue to use its internal receiver. I'm going to run an antenna and trying to figure out which config will make for the best reception