Garmin Introduces New, All-Digital Bluetooth GMA 350c Audio Panel

Garmin is thrilled today to announce an all-digital series of Bluetooth enabled audio panels, the GMA 350c, GMA 35c and GMA 350Hc. Designed for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, the GMA 350c series incorporates Bluetooth technology for wireless access to music, phone, Garmin Pilot alerts and more. This adds to an impressive list of features, including industry-first Telligence Voice Command technology and 3D Audio processing, as well as enhanced auto squelch capability and more. These features decrease heads-down time and increase overall situational awareness in the cockpit.  

The all-digital GMA 350c Bluetooth audio panel incorporates patented features and superior voice control to provide pilots with an exclusive feature set unmatched by any other audio panels on the market. Bluetooth technology provides more functionality in the cockpit, giving pilots the option to wirelessly connect a smartphone or tablet to the GMA 350c to easily make phone calls or to stream audio entertainment. Additionally, the GMA 350c series can be paired with the Garmin Pilot app to transmit terrain, obstacle or traffic alerts while in-flight. Pilot-controlled audio distribution ensures the appropriate communications are dispersed to passengers and crew accordingly.   

Integration with VIRB^® XE, Garmin’s next generation HD action camera, brings a new level of capability to the GMA 350c series. Bluetooth Audio connectivity offered by the GMA 350c allows pilots to connect wirelessly to VIRB XE in place of a headset audio cable to conveniently overlay intercom audio and air traffic control communications while capturing rich, high definition video.

Telligence Voice Command allows pilots to activate select audio panel functions by spoken commands. For example, when workload is the highest, pilots can switch from approach to tower frequency with ease by simply stating “COMM one.” With stereo headsets, three-dimensional sound is simulated with 3D Audio, which mimics how pilots hear and process multiple audio sources. This technology differentiates the audio sources and their unique locations or seat position so they are easier to distinguish. For example, sound from COMM 1 will come from the left, whereas sound from COMM 2 will seem as though it’s coming from the right. 

Advanced auto squelch automatically adapts to the volume level within the cockpit. An internal microphone senses ambient noise and adjusts cockpit speaker volume level to ensure important audio transmissions are heard throughout all phases of flight. The GMA 350c analyzes cockpit noise levels and adjusts speaker volume accordingly to ensure alerts are quieter on the ground and louder in-flight. The GMA 350c series includes pilot, copilot and up to five passenger stereo intercom. It also supports three stereo music inputs, as well as dual COMM, NAV and AUX audio inputs. A built-in digital clearance recorder can record up to 2.5 minutes of selected COMM radio transmissions, so pilots can optionally play back clearances or unclear radio transmissions.

Contributing to an easy and convenient upgrade path, the GMA 350c is pin-compatible with the GMA 340 and GMA 350. The GMA 350c is designed as a direct replacement for existing GMA audio panel installations and as a slide-in replacement for the GMA 350. In addition to enhanced Bluetooth capabilities, the GTN 750 series has tightly integrated audio compatibility with the GMA 35c remote audio processor. For use in helicopters, the GMA 350Hc has the same core features as the GMA 350c, adding three COMM support, night vision compatibility and more.

The GMA 350c, GMA 35c and GMA 350Hc are expected to be available Q3 2015 starting at $2,495*. For additional information, visit www.garmin.com/aviation or contact a local Garmin authorized dealer.

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