Garmin GDL 50 ADS-B Receiver

ADS-B Weather, Traffic, GPS and More

Garmin's GDL family of portable devices offers a variety of options for receiving weather and GPS information in flight. The compact GDL 50 ADS-B receiver lets you access the subscription-free ADS-B weather and traffic services available in the U.S. — all while providing GPS position, speed and altitude information as well as backup attitude reference. Better still, you can use Garmin Connext wireless connectivity to stream this information onto multiple Garmin aviation portables (including aera 660, aera 796 or aera 795 series) as well as iPad tablets and mobile devices with the Garmin Pilot app. It's also compatible with ForeFlight.

Features:

• Receive subscription-free animated U.S. datalink weather via ADS-B In
• ADS-B dual-band traffic with TargetTrend™ and TerminalTraffic™ technology
• Wireless connectivity for display on iOS and Android devices (Garmin Pilot app and ForeFlight) and Garmin portable GPSs
• Compact device with rechargeable battery; designed to sit on aircraft glareshield
• Provides GPS position data and backup attitude

Track Aviation Weather

Featuring ADS-B “In” datalink technology, the GDL 50 receiver allows reception of subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather information. With this, your compatible devices can display animated graphical weather plus METARs, TAFs, winds and temperatures aloft, PIREPs, NOTAMs and other features linked from ADS-B. And to help you maintain the most current weather picture, your GDL 50 receiver can queue the ADS-B weather data display while your display device is sleeping or turned off, so it automatically updates when you turn the screen back on.

Spot Potential Traffic Threats

To aid in situational awareness, GDL 50 can also receive ADS-B position reports directly from other aircraft in your vicinity. In the US, two frequencies (978 UAT and 1090 ES) are approved by the FAA for ADS-B broadcasts, so the GDL 50 series offers access to both frequencies. This allows you to see the most comprehensive view of all ADS-B “Out” equipped targets in your vicinity. Your compatible display will alert you by announcing traffic targets both audibly and visually. Spoken audio alerts announce “Traffic, Traffic” to get you looking right away. NOTE: ADS-B traffic is limited unless your airplane is equipped with ADS-B Out in the panel.

View Enhanced Traffic Features

To further extend your display’s traffic monitoring capability (on compatible displays), the GDL 50 receiver also allows access to Garmin TargetTrend relative motion tracking technology. This feature gives you a faster, more intuitive way to judge the direction and closure rate of intruding targets relative to your aircraft’s position. So, rather than a fixed “snapshot” of the traffic situation, TargetTrend provides a more dynamic “velocity-based” display that shows which aircraft trajectories are most likely to converge with your own. For example, if traffic is ahead of you and traveling along the same track but at a slower rate, the motion vector would point opposite of its indicated direction of flight to show you are overtaking the traffic. The result — you’re able to make faster, better target avoidance decisions.

For airport operations, TerminalTraffic technology (a part of the comprehensive Garmin suite of Terminal Safety Solutions) enables ADS-B equipped surface targets to be displayed on your device’s SafeTaxi® diagram, so you can see what’s happening with traffic on busy runways and taxiways. ADS-B equipped aircraft in flight are easily distinguished from ground vehicles and taxiing aircraft, which are displayed using distinct colors and symbols. Thus, TerminalTraffic provides a clear, real-time overview of on-surface activity in the airport environment.

Built-in GPS and Attitude Sensors for synthetic vision

In addition to its weather and traffic capabilities, the GDL 50 also includes a built-in WAAS GPS receiver. This enables GDL 50 to deliver highly accurate aircraft position, speed and altitude information to your compatible mobile device app. Also, built-in attitude sensors enable select Garmin aviation portables and apps with Garmin's SVX synthetic vision technology to serve as a backup attitude reference during your flights. With virtual terrain, obstacles, runways, horizon cues, HSI, GPS speed, altitude and more, this brings a whole new perspective to your portable navigation.

Battery Power for Hours

GDL 50 is a true go-anywhere device. A rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery allows GDL 50 to operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge. And for operation connected to power, you can plug it into your aircraft’s 12V power outlet with the included adapter cable, or use the microUSB port positioned on the side of the receiver.

In the box

• GDL 50 portable receiver
• Suction cup for cable placement
• Mounting bracket
• Trial subscription to Garmin Pilot™ app
• Vehicle power cable
• Documentation

Specifications

Physical

• Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 4.9" x 1.3" x 3.4" (12.44 x 3.30 x 8.64 cm)
• Weight: 0.75 lbs (0.34 kg)
• Anti-slip mat (bottom of unit only)

Performance

• Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
• Operating altitude: To 55,000 ft
• Nominal operating velocity range: 0 – 800 kts (411 m/s)
• Power input: 10 to 32 VDC, 3.5 W max.
• Battery type: Lithium-ion rechargeable (built-in)
• Charge temperature: Unit may not charge at extreme temperatures below 0° C (32° F) or above 32° C (90° F)
• Typical battery operating time: 8 hours

Connections

• 18-pin power and data connector
• microUSB
• ADS-B MCX antenna port
• GPS MCX antenna port
• Wireless Connext™ (Bluetooth®)

Compatibility