Garmin Aera 660 GPX File Installation Procedure

Quebec Kilo
Quebec Kilo
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Published 2020-06-14
This video demonstrates how to load a GPX file (i.e. a file containing GPS Waypoint definitions) into a Garmin Aera 660 GPS. This is a useful procedure, especially when you have large numbers of waypoints to enter. Like most Garmin GPS receivers there is a manual way to enter user waypoints via the user interface. That's great when there are just a few to enter, but for large numbers it would be an error-prone procedure, especially when entering the latitude and longitude numbers where even a small mistake in entry could result in the waypoint being a long way off where it was meant to be. It's far easier to enter the information using a computer and keyboard; it's more comfortable, there are better tools available (e.g. spreadsheets) and corrections can be spotted and fixed. Best of all, the GPS information can be shared with others, so you do the work once and many can benefit from it.



In this video I used the 44th edition of the Vancouver VTA chart, which contains some 117 VFR Checkpoints, scattered all over the map. It's useful to me to be able to call up one or more of these checkpoints while flying and use them for navigation or for referencing my exact location relative to one of them when communicating with ATC.



I don't go into any real detail on how to create a GPX file - so I'll say it here, though it's implied in the video. If enough viewers request a tutorial on GPX files I'll go ahead and make a video about those too.
All Comments (4)
  • @QXZ9027MKII
    Top Notch Sir, Much Obliged for the walk through. you did me a service.
  • @sturnira00
    Please do make a tutorial on creating a GPX file. We have custom user waypoints in .wpt format for the GTN750 for survey work that we're looking at get into the 660. Goal with the 660 in addition to the GTN 750 is to have a device that also shows a breadcrumb trail (to be clear what we've completed), similar to how the olf 496 used to work. Thank you!
  • @stevew8614
    thanks for the video! Howdy from YNJ. I just created the CSV file for YVR VTA Checkpoints and loaded that onto Garmin Pilot but now I guess I need to somehow convert that to a GPX file? or is there another way? thanks again.