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Garmin GDL 52 ADS-B / SiriusXM / GPS Receiver
MFR Model# 010-01561-20
Overview
Providing an easy-to-use and completely portable aviation satellite link, the compact GDL 52 combines SiriusXM coverage — accessible from ground or air — with the subscription-free weather and traffic features of an ADS-B “In” datalink. Together, these 2 network link technologies bring a world of safety-enhancing features — plus access to more than 150 channels of digital-quality music, news, sports and other entertainment programming — directly to your cockpit. Better still, you can use our 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. So you get more access — on more devices — without spending more money.  The Ultimate Weather WatcherContinuous SiriusXM satellite updates — accessible by ground and air — can help you make better, more timely flight decisions. The SiriusXM network’s powerful satellites deliver seamless coverage across the continental U.S. and its coastal regions as well as southern Canada. (See coverage map.) Choose from available SiriusXM Aviation weather packages that provide METAR data and animated NEXRAD imagery plus current reports on precipitation, lightning, winds aloft, echo tops, turbulence, freezing levels, TFRs and more¹. Alternatively, the GDL 52 portable receiver also provides subscription-free access in the U.S. to ADS-B Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather information. With this, your compatible devices3 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 52 receiver can queue the weather from ADS-B and/or SiriusXM while your display device is sleeping or turned off so it automatically updates when you turn the screen back on.  Great Sound Made EasyBy simply connecting a compatible Bluetooth® headset or audio panel to GDL 52, you can wirelessly listen to your choice of high-quality audio entertainment channels provided by SiriusXM¹. Volume adjustments and station selection may be accessed through your compatible Garmin aviation portable or mobile device app. If you prefer, a 3.5 mm stereo audio jack positioned on the side of your GDL 52 makes it easy to provide a hardwired audio out connection to an auxiliary device or audio panel in your aircraft. Spot Potential Traffic Threats To aid in situational awareness, GDL 52 can also receive ADS-B position reports directly from other aircraft in your vicinity. In the U.S., 2 frequencies (978 UAT and 1090 ES) are approved by the FAA for ADS-B broadcasts, so GDL 52 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 display4 will alert you by announcing traffic targets both audibly and visually. Spoken audio alerts announce “Traffic, Traffic” to get you looking right away.  View Enhanced Traffic FeaturesTo further extend your traffic monitoring capability (on compatible displays), the GDL 52 receiver also allows access to our 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 SVX™ DisplayIn addition to its weather, traffic and audio entertainment capabilities, your GDL 52 feature set includes a built-in WAAS GPS receiver. This enables GDL 52 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 our SVX synthetic vision technology to serve as a backup attitude reference4 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 52 is a true go-anywhere device. A rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery allows GDL 52 to operate for up to 5 hours on a single charge. And for operation connected to power, you can plug in via the included vehicle power cable or microUSB port positioned on the side of the receiver. One Solution, Many Possibilities For pilots who want the best in U.S. datalink weather coverage plus an impressive array of traffic, navigation and audio entertainment options, the GDL 52 portable receiver is the ideal 1-box, dual-network solution. With its versatile connections and compact size, you can even enjoy benefits of SiriusXM audio outside the cockpit — anywhere you want to drive, pedal or walk within the SiriusXM coverage area. And by going with Garmin, your receiver will be backed by a comprehensive 1-year warranty — and by the industry’s No. 1-ranked product support team. GDL 52 is a noncertified receive-only product. It does not provide ADS-B “Out” capability to satisfy FAA mandate requirements. |
Click here to visit SiriusXM website for details
Click for detailsFeatures
- Compatible with G3X Touch™, aera® 660 and aera 795/796 aviation portables and the Garmin Pilot™ app on Apple® or Android™ mobile devices.
- Capable of simultaneously supporting up to 2 wireless display devices, 1 wireless audio device, 2 wired display devices and 1 wired audio device.
- GPS position and back-up attitude information for display on select portables and mobile devices.
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows the GDL 52 to receive ADS-B and SiriusXM data for up to 5 hours on a single charge
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)
- 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: 5 hours
- 18-pin power and data connectormicroUSB
- ADS-B MCX antenna port
- SiriusXM® MCX antenna port
- GPS MCX antenna port
- 3.5 mm audio jack (audio out only)
- Wireless Connext™ (Bluetooth®)
ForeFlight
The GDL 52 series datalink receivers are now compatible with the ForeFlight app, allowing customers access to a full featured suite of weather products, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and more by using a single receiver. SiriusXM Aviation weather and ADS-B traffic and weather can now be displayed using software version 10.2 or later, available from ForeFlight. ForeFlight support for GDL 52/51 does not include SiriusXM audio entertainment control at this time.
Pilots using ForeFlight Mobile with the Garmin GDL51 or GDL52 receiver can access two tiers of SiriusXM Aviation weather: 1) Pilot for ForeFlight or 2) Pilot Express. Click here to learn more.
1: The attitude information provided by GDL 52 series portables is not intended to be a source of attitude information for flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and should not be used under these conditions.
In The Box
- GDL 52 portable receiver
- Suction cup for cable placement
- Mounting bracket
- Trial subscription to Garmin Pilot™ app
- Vehicle power cable
- Documentation
Videos
Reviews
Works great
Verified Purchase
GARMIN GDL 52 ADS B GPS SIRIUS XM RECEIVER W/ ATTITUDE
I use my GDL-52 6 days a week in our Garmin G-5000 BeechJets. It does what our $440,000 avionics package will not. It shows other ADS-B traffic. My passengers like me updating them with sporting event scores. The XM music is nice in cruise as well. It also shows weather tops and movements. My last unit broke its audio out socket after about 3000 hrs. Garmin exchanged it for a new unit for $400. I’m very happy with owning it.
ADSB weather does not work in my home area and this provides all the data needed for weather and traffic. I LOVE IT. The XM weather and traffic is fast and reliable everywhere. I have it bluetoothed to my Garmin aera 660 so i get all the same functions as a much more expensive set up! ADSB weather does not work in my home area and this provides all the data needed for weather and traffic. I LOVE IT. The XM weather and traffic is fast and reliable everywhere. I have it bluetoothed to my Garmin aera 660 so i get all the same functions as a much more expensive set up!
Excellent device and well worth the money to me. It connects to my Garmin aera 795 just fine and you can listen to satellite radio as well as getting tons of weather info via the 795. Battery lasts 5 or more hours from full charge
This new unit is replacing my old GDL 39 and Garmin 396 that I had mounted on the glare shield. It provides more information and is much smaller than the two older units.
Overall & thusfar, a reasonably priced “game changer” for use by this Canadian owner/pilot not installing certified avionics. Securing a SiriusXM subscription was “challenging” but eventually was done some calls to Sirius had to be terminated due to agent total unfamiliarity with needed aviation products & Sirius online order entry option was in my view, a “mess”. GDL52 manuals (that in box plus an online Installation manual) bit thin on some details, however aviation service staff at Garmin most helpful agent I spoke with a GDL52 user & shared very useful data. There’s evidently a Garmin carrycase for this unit I’m trying to secure via special order Canadian order would seemingly not process from Garmin site. Care & attention needed to process Canadian rebates/deals currently offered but believe these now correctly done & in process. In summary, very happy with GDL52 purchase & now integrating its data into IFR routines in my PA28.
Works exactly as advertised. Remember to do the firmware upgrade first. Then follow the instructions exactly. Don’t skip steps. I have it set up with the Garmin Pilot on the iPad and the Garmin 660. It works like a charm.
A great device. I mounted in my Cessna 185 amphib, and connected to ForeFlight. Bought a Sirius XM subscription. Everything works perfectly. Very happy with the purchase.
1st trip charging plug pulled the unit inside of the unit out and broke!!! Battery was only lasting 2.5 hours. Unending when plugged in there was an issue. I saw the review about battery life low but bought it anyway. Sending it back hope they take care of me and the new unit is less fragile and battery life is as advertised!!
Another battery problem. II couldnt seem to keep the unit charged while in the air. If I help a little pressure on the usb connector it seemed like it would charge a little, but that is no way to fly. Now it wont charge at all and wont come on. I have tried all of the supplied cables. I am thinking that the real culprit is the cheap micro usb connector. I noticed that the usb plug doesnt insert very deeply leaving it under strain. Garmin needs to fix this and take care of every customer that has one of these units.
Q&A
Please note, Aircraft Spruce's personnel are not certified aircraft mechanics and can only provide general support and ideas, which should not be relied upon or implemented in lieu of consulting an A&P or other qualified technician. Aircraft Spruce assumes no responsibility or liability for any issue or problem which may arise from any repair, modification or other work done from this knowledge base. Any product eligibility information provided here is based on general application guides and we recommend always referring to your specific aircraft parts manual, the parts manufacturer or consulting with a qualified mechanic.
Yes, it will.
Yes, the Garmin GDL 52 is compatible with Foreflight.
Yes, the GDL 52 portable includes an ADS-B antenna that is pictured sticking up from the back of the unit and internal GPS and Sirius XM antennas, however, external antennas can be connected for improved reception. The GDL 52 remote mount requires an external ADS-B antenna, as well as either an external GPS antenna or connection to a Aera 660/795/796 or GDU 4XX for GPS data.
Yes. The GDL 52 has the same power data port as the GDL 39 so the same bare wire cable will work.
Yes, it will accept a charge, however per the manual, Garmin recommends using a wall charger 1 amp or higher on first charge, USB ports on most PC's are .5 amps.
The GDL 52 can Bluetooth the SiriusXM entertainment to a Bluetooth enabled headset or audio panel. Please confirm your David Clark headset has Blueooth capability. If you prefer, a 3.5 mm stereo audio jack positioned on the side of your GDL 52 makes it easy to provide a hardwired audio out connection to an auxiliary device or audio panel in your aircraft.
Per Garmin: The Aera 795 will only get the ADSB features.
In order to connect the GDL 52 to your GPS 696, please look at p/n: 11-10732
No, the GDL 52 is not WAAS and cannot be used to feed GPS signal to the transponder.
Per the manual: A GPS antenna is not required to be connected to a GDL 5XR when the unit is connected to a Garmin Aera 660.
