When the Garmin 495 was released by Garmin, it provided all the features of its counterpart the Garmin 496, but without XM Weather and pre-loaded City Navigator NT and gave it a smaller price tag. The 495 kept popular features such as SafeTaxi and AOPA’s Airport Directory data. With the new Garmin aera series release, the Garmin aera 550 is the perfect replacement to upgrade from the GPSMAP 495. Similar to the Garmin aera 560, the aera 550 only lacks the XM Weather. Like the 3 other aera series GPS’, Garmin has turned the aera 550 into a fully intuitive touch screen system, giving the user a larger screen than the Garmin 495 in an overall smaller unit. The aera 550 graphical Terrain page offer both overhead and vertical profile views of the topography you’re flying over. The database-driven terrain advisory feature offers TAWS-like color coding and pop-up obstruction alerts. Like all the units in Garmin’s new aera series, this piece of hardware is great for the Road Warriors as well as aviators, providing built-in Bluetooth and voice-guided driving directions.

Garmin aera 550 & Garmin GPSMAP® 495 Side-By-Side Comparison

As I mentioned, the 550 is not as fully functioning as the Garmin aero 560, but it is a more then suitable upgrade to it previous counterpart, providing the users with the option fly/drive option.

For a limited time and while supplies last, any flight bag purchased will include a free large cooler bag and any PLB purchased will include a mini flashlight combo pack. Purchases must made online at TropicAero.com.

Click here to view flight bags
Click here to view PLB’s

During this economic time, saving a few bucks when buying something you need is always a good thing. Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) is running a special on Bose Headsets from now until the end of May. This offer gives customers a chance to trade up and get a new Bose Aviation Headset X for $150.00 off the regular price. With the price adjusted at the point of sale, there is no rebate form, delay, or complications to deal with, just a simple savings.

Not only is this special being offered at Hangar63 but it is available to aviation enthusiasts around the world through our online store Tropicare.com. They are even sweetening the pot by providing FREE 2-day FedEx shipping to anywhere in the Continental U.S. and Alaska!

To learn more about the Bose Aviation Headset X visit TropicAero.com

*Disclaimer:

Offer valid April 1 – May 31, 2010. Restrictions apply. Aviation Headset X is a registered trademark of Bose Corporation in the U.S.

The Garmin 296 was built on the traditional Garmin aviation handhelds and offered a faster speed, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery back, and an automatic logbook that calculated your flight time then prior GPS’. But with time comes new products and the Garmin aera 500 is now lined up to replace this now discontinued Garmin 296. The Garmin aera series is a dual-duty GPS providing users with a simple transition from flying to driving. The Garmin aera 500 is the most affordable of the touch screen models and what some would consider an entry-level model. The Garmin aera 500 comes pre-loaded with topographical mapping to help you view surrounding terrain. It is capable of holding up to 50 flight plans with up to 300 points each. The Garmin aera 500 is ready for use straight out of box. 

Garmin aera 500 & Garmin 296 Side-By-Side Comparison

Although the Garmin 296 was one of the first to have many of the now standard features at a reasonable price, the Garmin aera 500 is just as user friendly with a sleeker look and wider screen. Want more information on the Garmin aera 500? Click Here.

This is a brief thank you video created by Betty Ballew for all the “Unsung Heroes” who are making a difference in helping with the 2010 Haiti earthquake.