Freedom Clarity Vs Aera 500
 

Hi All,

This has no doubt been covered before, so please bear with me. I need some feedback from anyone who has used these two portable handheld GPS units.

The fact the Freedom Clarity uses CAA charts makes me wonder if the 4.3 screen size becomes too cluttered for meaningful use. Likewise does the Aera 500 provide airspace infringment warnings when using the Jepp based charts.

Both units are priced within reason the same, though I believe that updates for the Freedom Clarity are cheaper per annum.:ugh:

i really like the look of the clarity. People have said the screen res can be an issue but im sure its more than useable! seems perfectly set up for UK VFR pilots.
Came out 1st 1/4 2009 I believe. Id also like to hear from people who have been using it.

The Clarity has the advantage that the display is the 'familiar' 1/2 and 1/4 mill charts, and the disadvantage is the same feature - text is only readable at a very limited zoom range.

Garmin AERA doesn't use Jepp charts, it uses Garmin proprietary chart display and Jepp aviation/obstacle databases (the Clarity doesn't have obstacle display/warnings except for the chart graphic). It does give airspace warnings for the airspace you specify (all, by class, below XXXXft etc).

Clarity updates are about £100 for UK only, Garmin about £40 for 1/3 of the world.

Garmin has a very good road mapping/direction mode, but if you already have a TomTom or equivalent that wouldn't be a factor.

The only way to decide which you prefer is go into a decent pilot shop and look at both in operation - the last two customers I had in the shop each made a different choice, horses for courses.

Clarity updates are £60 per annum for 1:500,000 charts and will utilise the NATS airspace definitions from next month (these will be free).

Clarity will also have a full European vector map available in 2010 extending to the rest of the world in 2011.

Airbox also incorporating weather and NOTAMs this summer.

If you don't need all the features of the Clarity, remember the NATS cut down version called AWARE will be available this year for £149. Even with the flight planning "add-on", it'll be cheaper than the Clarity, but has the same CAA chart display.

Aside from that - go play with them - it's personal preference whether you want the chart or the vector map (I find the vector map nicer as I can selectively add/remove info from it at various zoom levels, and it reads fine at any zoom, but that may be possible on the Clarity also - I've not got one, but played with one).

I am not convinced that automatic airspace warnings are worth a huge amount - so long as one keeps at least half an eye on the map display.

The CAA VFR charts are highly readable, but as stated one does need a decent size screen and IMHO at least 6-7 inches diagonal to see a sufficient piece of the chart to more or less always see the airspace label which tells you the airspace's vertical extents.

I have run these charts on a standard 4" PDA (Toshiba E800, HX4700 and LOOX N560) and while this is way better than nothing, and way better than the crappy Jepp-map displays on the garmin x96 products (I have a yoke mounted 496), one often cannot see enough of the map to see the airspace min/max labels.

On something with a 7" or bigger diagonal it works great (and one could say the same for any other VFR chart too e.g. the 1:500k Jepp "VFR/GPS" chart which I have also run as a moving map, with a more convoluted setup, and which is the only non-UK option).

The value of automated airspace warnings must depend on the kind of flying one does. Normally, even with a VFR flight, one pre-plans the route and pre-plans the altitude at the same time by reference to the VFR chart, and this preplanned altitude (or a lower one, subject to MSA) should be flown. And then airspace busts are very hard to do.

It is with departures from the planned route, or flying around in a more or less random manner, or not paying attention to the plan, that automated warnings are handy...

However, I have been flying with the CAA VFR chart as a GPS moving map (displayed on an 8" tablet computer running either Memory Map or Oziexplorer) and have always found it to be very adequate. I did one CAS bust a year or so ago (didn't get into any trouble for it) by flying the planned route but due to talking to a passenger I wasn't paying attention to the vertical profile...

Personally, I would choose the biggest-screen and the most sunlight-readable GPS every time. If this is going to be one's only GPS, the ability to load the route into it from say Navbox is a huge bonus.

I've looked at the AWARE £149 moving map and it looks very good.
However, I looked at the 1:250000 chart updates, which add another £120, if you want the whole country.
Then the updates for the aforementioned charts which are "yearly subscription charges are £25 per paper chart". Of course there are eight charts for the U.K.
It all adds up.
If you include their navigation upgrade, well you might as well go for the £500 -600 alternatives.

Thanks folks for information.

I fully appreciate that its all down to personal preference, but it just good to read other's points of view and +/- attributes.

I wish I could extend the budget to a 7 Inch model, but at present it looks as if its gonna be the Garmin Aera 500, it just has the edge.

Great guys! Thanks once again:ok:

Recently bought the Freedom Clarity with FastPlan navigation software. The screen is only 4.3 inches but the CAA maps are pin sharp. Finds a GPS fix very quickly. Touchscreen works well too. Perfect for mounting on a kneeboard or with a suction mount.

Planning software includes the CAA maps and also allows you to simulate the flight on Google earth with an airspace overlay.

Early days - but looks like a good system for the price.

think i will choose the clarity too, read some positive reviews on it.

The Clarity certainly seems to be getting some very good write-ups as does the AWARE. Ignoring the cost of these units, the functionality to me is one of the key aspects. Its all very well having an all singing all dancing unit, but if the user is only going to use 50% of its functionality, then what it the point of having functions that will not be used. These latest units have certainly opened up the markets in the portable GPS arena.:D

Anyone know how the battery life is in the Clarity?
Apparently the NATS version has been criticised in this aspect.

the comparison chart online suggests the clarity is significantly better than thet NATS versionC

3 hours for the Clarity. just over 1 for the Aware (but buyers are warned about this prior to purchasing)

Clarity battery life...
 

The Clarity battery life is officialy is 2-3 hours.

Airplan Flight Equipment (who I bought mine from) are doing it with a free external power pack at the moment.
Airbox Freedom Clarity : Airbox - Airplan Flight Equipment

It holds 2x 'AA' rechargeable batteries (supplied) and comes with adaptors to charge USB devices, phones and ipod. Extends battery life on the Clarity unit to approx 8 hours. The power pack itself is charged from a USB port.

thats a good deal.

I called in to the Airbox office in Wantage recently to get the updated software. Very impressed -genuine people who took the time to upload the new software and explain the product to me. I've got the Clarity and it's been very good so far - no issues with resolution for me.

I've just tired the Clarity in a Cessna 152 today - the sucker mount wouldn't grip to the curved screen or perspex side windows. I'll need to get the optional yoke mount. - May be useful for potential buyers to know.

Can the software be updated over the internet at home as well?

yes via the free desktop flightplanner launching this week.