New Connext Packages Offer Expanded Value And Increased Flexibility For Customers

Garmin has announced expanded Connext weather and data service packages at NBAA-BACE that provide additional cost-effective pricing tiers offering all-inclusive rate plans designed to suit operational needs for global weather and connectivity. 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, qualifying customers with a GSR 56 installed in their aircraft that do not currently have an active subscription are eligible for a complimentary three-month promotional service plan.

"Monitoring weather and staying connected is an integral part of flying whether it’s local or transcontinental,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “The addition of these new Connext service plans not only allow crew and passengers to utilize text and voice capability, but help the flight crew make more strategic, weather-related decisions while flight. These plans also provide a more economical path to incorporate other value-added services such as position and maintenance reporting, so customers can fully utilize their GSR 56 in the most affordable way.”

A new, ‘Get Acquainted’ promotional rate plan provides qualified customers with complimentary access to text and weather services for the first three months. Once the promotional period expires, customers are automatically enrolled into the Connext 150 service plan. For customers who do not currently have active service, this new incentive offers an even more cost-effective path to subscribing to the Connext weather and data service packages via the GSR 56.

For new and existing customers, cost-effective rate plans that are applicable to a wide range of operators around the world are available. Voice calling and text messaging accompany worldwide weather data in three packages, which are tailored to how frequent customers fly. Recreational and corporate operators with a GSR 56 can take advantage of the all-inclusive plans below:

• Garmin Connext Weather 150 $79.99 monthly
• Garmin Connext Weather 400 $174.99 monthly
• Garmin Connext Weather 800 (new rate plan) $249.99 monthly

Each plan is tailored to the number of hours that pilots typically operate throughout the year. For example, Connext Weather 150 is ideal for customers that operate 150 hours or less per year 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 800 offers customers averaging 800 flight hours per year, access to worldwide weather updates at five-minute intervals. Connext Weather 800 also includes 180 minutes of voice and 500 text messages per month.

With a compatible G1000 NXi integrated flight deck or GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigator and the Flight Stream 510, customers receive additional Connext service benefits. Flight Stream 510 is a small MultiMediaCard (MMC) that enables communication between the G1000 NXi or GTN 650/750 and up to two compatible Apple mobile devices operating Garmin Pilot. With Flight Stream 510, customers can pair an Apple mobile device operating Garmin Pilot to the G1000 NXi or GTN to access text and voice services enabled by a GSR 56 satellite datalink3. While in-flight and on the ground, pilots can quickly send and receive text messages with a mobile device 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.

(Source: Garmin news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.garmin.com/aviation