GDL® 51
Get the Weather You Need and Entertainment You Want
- Receive SiriusXM® satellite aviation weather and digital audio entertainment¹
- Wireless connectivity for display on select mobile device apps and Garmin portables
- Compact device with rechargeable battery; designed to sit on aircraft glareshield
- Access high-resolution NEXRAD imagery and METARs weather information
- Provides GPS position data, backup attitude3 and more
Providing an easy-to-use and completely portable aviation satellite link, the compact GDL 51 SiriusXM receiver lets you access continuous, detailed weather information — plus more than 150 channels of digital-quality music, news, sports and other entertainment programming. Better still, you can use our Connext® wireless connectivity to stream SiriusXM services onto multiple Garmin aviation portables (including aera® 660, aera 796 or aera 795 series) as well as iPad® tablets and other mobile devices with the Garmin Pilot™ app. So you get more access — on more devices — without spending more money.
Satellite-delivered Weather
Continuous 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 at any altitude 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 as well as current reports on precipitation, lightning, winds aloft, echo tops, turbulence, freezing levels, TFRs and more¹. And to help you maintain the most current weather picture, your GDL 51 receiver can queue the weather from SiriusXM while your display device is sleeping or turned off so it automatically updates when you turn the screen back on.
Great Sound Made Easy
By simply connecting a compatible Bluetooth® headset or audio panel to GDL 51, 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 51 makes it easy to provide a hardwired audio out connection to an auxiliary device or audio panel in your aircraft.
Built-in GPS and Attitude Sensors for SVX™ Display
In addition to its satellite weather and audio entertainment capabilities, your GDL 51 receiver’s feature set includes a built-in WAAS GPS receiver. This enables GDL 51 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 reference3 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 51 is a true go-anywhere device. A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows GDL 51 to wirelessly receive SiriusXM data for up to 7 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.
Get Sirius
For pilots who want advanced weather capabilities plus an array of audio entertainment options, the GDL 51 SiriusXM receiver does both — anywhere you want to fly, 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.
¹Subscription required and sold separately. See SiriusXM.com/aviation for details. Not all SiriusXM weather products may be available across all devices. Check your Pilot’s Guide for specifics about which products are available on your device
²See our growing list of compatible devices
3The attitude information provided by GDL 51 is not intended to be a source of attitude information for flight in instrument meteorological conditions
Apple and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
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 (on 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: 7 hours
Connections
- 18-pin power and data connector
- microUSB
- SiriusXM® MCX antenna port
- GPS MCX antenna port
- 3.5 mm audio jack (audio out only)
- Wireless Connext™ (Bluetooth®)
- GDL 51 portable receiver
- Suction cup for cable placement
- Mounting bracket
- Trial subscription to Garmin Pilot™ app
- Vehicle power cable
- Documentation