The GPS 500 is for serious IFR pilots who want big-picture situational awareness. With its FMS-like attributes, the GPS 500 can simultaneously give aviators vital approach information and weather and traffic data in relation to their position on a large, color moving map display.

The GPS 500 vividly presents critical flight data in a manner that pilots and aircraft owners have come to expect in Garmin panel-mount avionics. Thanks to a high-contrast color display, the information can be easily read from wide viewing angles even in direct sunlight. Its color moving map features a built-in database that shows cities, highways, railroads, rivers, lakes, coastlines, and a complete Jeppesen database. The huge Jeppesen database (that can be updated with a front-loading data card) contains all airports, VORs, NDBs, Intersections, FSS, Approach, DPs/STARs and SUA information.

The GPS 500 is TSO C129a certified for GPS non-precision approaches.

The GPS 500 has plenty of growth potential, as there are upgrade paths for WAAS compatibility, TAWS, and Terrain awareness. Pilots will enjoy the GPS 500 as an MFD, especially when it is coupled with traffic, lightning detection, and weather interfaces like Ryan TCAD, TIS from the Garmin GTX 330 Mode S transponder, or Goodrich SKYWATCH™, STORMSCOPE® WX 500. For the latest in graphical and textual weather information, the GNS 530 can connect to XM Satellite Radio's XM WX Weather Service via the GDL 69 datalink receiver. With the FDE prediction program, the GNS 530 may be used for oceanic or remote operations.