Tomorrow is the opening day of AOPA Summit and we've heard from numerous customers who plan to attend the show so that they can see our new touchscreen portable GPS, the aera. If you're one of the many that will be at AOPA Summit, make sure you visit us at booth #1213. Since announcing the aera, many of our customers have asked how the new product line compares to our traditional GPSMAP aviation handheld series. If you're familiar with the GPSMAP series, it may be helpful to know that the aera 500 has similar features to the GPSMAP 296, the aera 510 has similar features to the GPSMAP 396, the aera 550 has similar features to the GPSMAP 495, and the aera 560 has similar features to the GPSMAP 496. For a direct side-by-side comparison of the aera product line, click on the jump to see a chart and a short video.

	aera 500	aera 510	aera 550	aera 560
5 HZ GPS update rate for near-real-time updates of panel page	X	X	X	X
Patented aviation panel page	X	X	X	X
Terrain and obstacle data	X	X	X	X
Private Airport data	X	X	X	X
XM WX capable and GXM™ 40 antenna included (XM WX subscription required)		X		X
Standard 30 arc second terrain/obstacle data	X	X
High resolution 9 arc second terrain/obstacle data for a more vivid depiction of proximity hazards (over 11 times more onscreen resolution than the standard 30 arc-second)			X	X
SafeTaxi® with over 950 US airports			X	X
AOPA Airport Directory			X	X
One year complimentary aviation database updates (obstacles, terrain, SafeTaxi, NavData and AOPA Airport Directory)			X	X
Preloaded auto maps with voice prompted directions that speak street names, “turn right on main street”	X	X	X	X
Bluetooth capability in automotive mode	X	X	X	X
Ruggedized and waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards)	X	X	X	X
Enhanced auto features (lane assist, junction view, and speed limit notification)			X	X
NAVTEQ automotive traffic compatible (requires purchase of accessory cigarette lighter adapter with integrated FM traffic receiver)			X	X