My Garmin Aera 510 finally went bad. Somehow the screen cracked and the touch functionality stopped working.

I am thinking of replacing it with a Garmin Aera 660. Are people generally happy with these units? Or, is there something else I should consider? Do I need an external antenna, or does the internal one work?

For context: I fly a Husky A1-B and use an iPad with Foreflight. Foreflight is great - especially for planning - but en route, I want something additional as backup. (Plus, some of the non-zoomable text in Foreflight is too small and requires reading glasses.)

Thanks for your thoughts,

Alex

I have a 660 in my husky A1B. I also have a GTN -650. The 660 is great.

I’m flying with a panel mount 660 without an external antenna and love it! Give me a shout if you want to check out! Hope you’re doing well!

I just bought my A-1B and it was already installed - Have about 15 hours on it and love it. No external antenna, flying across the country I didn't need one. All the ADSB stuff worked perfectly - I think I'm going to like it and I don't feel like I have room for an iPad other than on my knee and I'd rather be looking outside. Here is a pic of mine:

Great unit, and no external antenna needed if reasonable view of the sky.

MTV

Best Garmin GPS ever. In Alaska there is the bonus option of paying $100 to get a super detailed topo card, well worth it. I use my 660 everyday flying 50hours/week at work as the only gps in the plane. Never had an issue, never used an external antenna. I like it best in portrait mode.

It sounds like it's a winner. Thanks all for the guidance.

Alex

Consider waiting a couple of weeks in case Garmin announces a new portable at Oshkosh (July 25-31,2022; I've no inside knowledge, but Garmin often intros at OSH)

While it's twice the price, I went with the 760 for the larger display since it's getting stuck to my panel.

Thank you for the input. But, I'm not sure I need something bigger. I will use the iPad for bigger. And route planning while on the ground. I also use the iPad in flight but want a back-up and something mounted up high so I don't always have to look down at my knees.

I hope all is well way out there! Cant wait to see some float flying pics.

Alex

Alex, I had (still have it actually) 660 for my Husky. I bought a 760 and have been using it since. My buddy did the exact same thing, he much prefers his 760 as do I. The 660 is great but the bigger display is so much better for aging eyes.

Kurt

I have found my ipad has become obsolete after getting the 660. I was an ipad-only person prior to the 660. I think the 760 would be nice if the panel space was available, but only as a flush mount situation

The Aera 660 is the centerpiece (in dock) in my Bearhawk Patrol. To say that it’s awesome would be an understatement. Remote Gdl 50 feeding it. I complete agree that it makes the iPad unnecessary. I haven’t used an iPad in 5 years, since I got the 660. Best handheld Garmin has ever made. Put one in a Mooney M20E as a compliment to a GNC355 gps/com. It is equally amazing as a bigger screen repeater for the 355, showing procedure turns, holds, etc..and it’s a great efb. I have a 760 going into a dock in my 185, I’m sure it’s going to be even better.
Mike

Alex wrote: (Plus, some of the non-zoomable text in Foreflight is too small and requires reading glasses.)

FYI, this might be my only bitch about the 660. There is a lot of 660 text that won't zoom as well, and is teeny tiny. I still love the unit, but there are times I'm cussing Garmin because I can't read something at a glance, have to stare for a minute for my eyes to decipher something.