Garmin® introduces industry-first, all-in-one portable ADS-B and SiriusXM Aviation receiver

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd.announced the GDL 52/51, a series of portable receivers that are capable of receiving Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and weather, as well as SiriusXM Aviation weather1 and audio for display and control on select portables and mobile devices. The flagship GDL 52 combines all of these functions into a single device, while the GDL 51 specifically provides SiriusXM1 Aviation weather and audio entertainment. Both variants also receive GPS position data and display back-up attitude information2 within compatible portable devices. Wireless and hardwired compatibility is extended to include G3X™ Touch, the aera® 660 and aera 795/796 aviation portables, as well as wireless connectivity with the Garmin Pilot app, giving customers access to a full-featured suite of weather products, ADS-B traffic and more using a single device.

“With the introduction of the new GDL series, we are reaffirming our leadership position and commitment to providing pilots with the most comprehensive in-flight traffic and weather solutions available on the market,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “With the GDL 52, we’re excited to be the first to bring the most economical and all-inclusive portable receiver to pilots who want to access the benefits of ADS-B in weather and traffic without compromising the advantages of SiriusXM Aviation weather and audio entertainment.”

The GDL 52 combines a dual-link ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver in one, supplying ADS-B traffic, a wide range of Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather products, as well as SiriusXM Aviation weather and audio to compatible Connext® products via Bluetooth® wireless technology or hardwired connections. The GDL 51 specifically provides SiriusXM1 Aviation weather and audio. The GDL 52/51 also receive GPS position and back-up attitude information2 for display on select portables and mobile devices.

In addition to comprehensive weather data, pilots utilizing the GDL 52 can receive ADS-B traffic information and audible alerts to easily identify potential traffic conflicts. ADS-B traffic is overlaid on the dedicated traffic page, the moving map, as well as IFR/VFR charts on compatible devices. Exclusive to Garmin products, patented TargetTrend™ and TerminalTraffic™ further enhance the traffic picture. TargetTrend provides pilots with a more intuitive method of judging target trajectories and closure rates, while TerminalTraffic displays a comprehensive picture of ADS-B-equipped aircraft and ground vehicles throughout the airport environment on the moving map and SafeTaxi® airport diagram.

Boasting superior battery life, a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery allows the GDL 52 to receive ADS-B and SiriusXM data for up to 5 hours on a single charge, while the GDL 51 can receive SiriusXM data for up to 7 hours. Pilots also have access to the most recent data as the GDL series continually downloads traffic and weather information in the background - even while the display is sleeping. Capable of wirelessly streaming data to two devices and making hardwired connections to two additional devices simultaneously, the GDL series offer quick and convenient access to essential information throughout the cockpit. Remote-mount versions of the GDL series, the GDL 52R/51R, can also be wired to external power. The GDL 52/52R/51/51R can hardwire or wirelessly connect to G3X Touch, the aera 660 and aera 795/796, while also wirelessly connecting to the Garmin Pilot app.

By simply connecting a compatible Bluetooth headset to the GDL series, pilots can wirelessly listen to audio services provided by SiriusXM1. Volume adjustments and station selection are completed through a compatible display. Additionally, pilots with a compatible audio panel installed in the cockpit, such as the GMA™ 245/245R, GMA 345 and GMA 35c/350c/350Hc may connect the GDL 52/51 to the audio panel via Bluetooth to wirelessly access SiriusXM audio. Audio panels with a wired music input can also connect to the GDL 52/51 using a wired connection. Additionally, a 3.5mm audio out jack is positioned on the side of the portable receiver to so it’s easy to connect an audio panel to the GDL series.

The GDL 52/51 are compatible with G3X Touch, the aera 660 and aera 795/796 aviation portables and the Garmin Pilot app on Apple and Android mobile devices. The GDL 51/51R are expected to be available for an expected street price of $649. The GDL 52/52R are expected to be available for an expected street price of $1,149. The GDL 52R and GDL 51/51R will be available next week through Garmin dealers at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24-30, 2017. Garmin dealers will be taking orders for the portable GDL 52, which is anticipated to be available Q4 2017.