Datalink Weather, Text And Voice All Available

Garmin has announced expanded Connext weather and data service packages that provide new, cost-effective pricing tiers offering all-inclusive rate plans designed to suit pilots’ flying needs for global weather and connectivity.

Based on annual aircraft utilization, two new rate plans are available, each combining continuous weather updates, voice calling and unlimited text messaging. Aircraft equipped with the GSR 56 satellite datalink transceiver and compatible avionics can take advantage of these new rate plans starting as low as $79.99 per month. Additionally, promotional pricing for the GSR 56 is also extended to aircraft owners who have a GTN 650/750, offering significant savings for a limited time.

"Monitoring weather and staying connected has become an important part of the flying experience,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “With the new Connext weather, text and voice service plans, pilots now have affordable access to global weather products and easy ways for crew and/or passengers to stay in touch with those on the ground while in-flight.”

For both new and existing customers, cost-effective rate plans are available for the GSR 56 satellite datalink transceiver and are applicable to a wide range of operators around the world1. Voice calling and unlimited text messaging accompany worldwide weather data in two packages, which are tailored to how frequent customers fly.

Recreational flyers and corporate operators with a GSR 56 can take advantage of new all-inclusive plans below:

• Garmin Connext Weather 150 $79.99 monthly
• Garmin Connext Weather 400 $174.99 monthly

Each plan is tailored to the number of hours that pilots typically operate throughout the year. For example, Connext Weather 150 is designed for customers that operate 150 hours per year or less and provides worldwide weather updates at 10-minute intervals. This package also includes 30 minutes of voice per month and unlimited text messaging. Connext Weather 400 offers customers averaging 400 flight hours per year access to worldwide weather at five-minute request intervals, the maximum available. Connext Weather 400 also adds unlimited voice usage and unlimited text messaging. Operators are protected from extraneous overage fees as Garmin will monitor customer usage to ensure they are enrolled in the most appropriate plan. For customers with additional weather, text and voice needs, contact Garmin for additional plan information.

Customers who own or install a GTN 750 or GTN 650 can take advantage of a new promotion that offers significant savings when a new GSR 56 is purchased with a new Connext data subscription. Now through December 31, 2016 customers who purchase any one of the data plans listed above, can purchase a new GSR 56 with a Flight Stream 510 for $9,9953, offering a savings of over $1,800. See a Garmin Authorized Dealer for additional details.

Existing GSR 56 customers can receive a three-month account credit upon enrollment in a new, 12-month subscription contract when taking advantage of these new data plans. Customers who have not activated service for their GSR 56 prior to July 1st, 2016 can subscribe under any of the new rate plans before December 31st, 2016 to receive this credit.

With a GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigator and the newly announced Flight Stream 510, customers receive additional connectivity benefits. Flight Stream 510 is a small, patented Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled MultiMediaCard (MMC) that enables communication between the GTN 650/750 and two compatible Apple or Android mobile devices operating Garmin Pilot. With Flight Stream 510, customers can pair an Apple mobile device operating Garmin Pilot to the GTN to access text and voice services enabled by a GSR 56 datalink4. While in-flight and on the ground, pilots can quickly send and receive text messages with a mobile device using a familiar conversation format and conveniently utilize the phone’s existing contact database.

Similarly, customers can initiate phone calls on an Apple mobile device within Garmin Pilot, so it’s easier to complete phone calls over a headset while in flight. Enhancing its wireless capabilities, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity is specifically for Database Concierge wireless database transfer and Bluetooth allows for a wide variety of additional capabilities, including flight plan transfer to/from the GTN 650/750.

The new Connext service plans for the GSR 56 datalink transceiver are expected to be available in August.

(Source: Garmin news release. Images from file)

FMI: www.garmin.com/aviation