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Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B / GPS Receiver

37 Reviews 41 Answered Questions
$850.00/Each
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Part# 11-16232
MFR Model# 010-01561-00

Overview

Note 1: GDL 50 ADS-B WILL work for traffic internationally on the second frequency, 1090ES. These receivers (all ADS-B receivers) will NOT receive FIS-B weather products outside the USA as that is a USA only system. They will not receive traffic on frequency 978 outside the USA but WILL work internationally on frequency 1090ES.

 

Wirelessly Link to Weather, Traffic, GPS and More

  • Receive subscription-free animated U.S. datalink weather¹ via ADS-B “In”
  • ADS-B “dual-link” traffic with TargetTrend™ and TerminalTraffic™ technology3
  • Wireless connectivity to Garmin Pilot™, FltPlan Go and ForeFlight apps as well as select Garmin portables.
  • Compact device with rechargeable battery; designed to sit on aircraft glareshield
  • Provides GPS position data, backup attitude and more
Providing an easy-to-use and completely portable aviation datalink, the compact GDL 50 ADS-B receiver lets you access the subscription-free ADS-B weather and traffic services available in the U.S. — all while providing GPS position, speed and altitude information as well as backup attitude reference. Better still, you can use our Connext® wireless connectivity to stream this information onto multiple Garmin aviation portables (including aera® 660, aera 796 or aera 795 series) as well as iPad® tablets and mobile devices with the Garmin Pilot™ app.

 Track Aviation Weather
Featuring ADS-B “In” datalink technology, the GDL 50 receiver allows reception of subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather information. With this, your compatible devices² can display animated graphical weather plus METARs, TAFs, winds and temperatures aloft, PIREPs, NOTAMs and other features linked from ADS-B. And to help you maintain the most current weather picture, your GDL 50 receiver can queue the ADS-B weather data display while your display device is sleeping or turned off, so it automatically updates when you turn the screen back on.

Spot Potential Traffic Threats

To aid in situational awareness, GDL 50 can also receive ADS-B position reports directly from other aircraft in your vicinity. In the U.S., 2 frequencies (978 UAT and 1090 ES) are approved by the FAA for ADS-B broadcasts, so the GDL 50 series offers access to both frequencies. This allows you to see the most comprehensive view of all ADS-B “Out” equipped targets in your vicinity. Your compatible display³ will alert you by announcing traffic targets both audibly and visually. Spoken audio alerts announce “Traffic, Traffic” to get you looking right away.

View Enhanced Traffic Features

To further extend your display’s traffic monitoring capability (on compatible displays), the GDL 50 receiver also allows access to our TargetTrend relative motion tracking technology. This feature gives you a faster, more intuitive way to judge the direction and closure rate of intruding targets relative to your aircraft’s position. So, rather than a fixed “snapshot” of the traffic situation, TargetTrend provides a more dynamic “velocity-based” display that shows which aircraft trajectories are most likely to converge with your own. For example, if traffic is ahead of you and traveling along the same track but at a slower rate, the motion vector would point opposite of its indicated direction of flight to show you are overtaking the traffic. The result — you’re able to make faster, better target avoidance decisions.

For airport operations, TerminalTraffic technology (a part of the comprehensive Garmin suite of Terminal Safety Solutions) enables ADS-B-equipped surface targets to be displayed on your device’s SafeTaxi® diagram so you can see what’s happening with traffic on busy runways and taxiways. ADS-B-equipped aircraft in-flight are easily distinguished from ground vehicles and taxiing aircraft, which are displayed using distinct colors and symbols. Thus, TerminalTraffic provides a clear, real-time overview of on-surface activity in the airport environment.

Built-in GPS and Attitude Sensors for SVX™ Display

In addition to its weather and traffic capabilities, your GDL 50 feature set includes a built-in WAAS GPS receiver. This enables GDL 50 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 reference 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 50 is a true go-anywhere device. A rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery allows GDL 50 to operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge. And for operation connected to power, you can plug it into your aircraft’s 12 V power outlet with the included adapter cable, or use the microUSB port positioned on the side of the receiver.

Link up with the Benefits of ADS-B

For pilots who want subscription-free U.S. datalink weather and traffic, the compact GDL 50 portable ADS-B receiver offers a versatile solution with an array of additional capabilities. 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.

GDL 50 is a noncertified receive-only product. It does not provide ADS-B “Out” capability to satisfy FAA mandate requirements.
¹Not all ADS-B weather products may be available across all devices. Check your Pilot’s Guide for specifics about which products are available on your device.
2Audible traffic alerting, TargetTrend and TerminalTraffic require compatible displays. Check your Pilot’s Guide for specific capabilities available on your display.
3The attitude information provided by GDL 50 is not intended to be a source of attitude information for flight in instrument meteorological conditions

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Features

  • Compatible with G3X Touch™, aera® 660 and aera 795/796 aviation portables, the Garmin Pilot™ app on Apple® or Android™ mobile devices, and FltPlan Go.
  • GDL 50 can simultaneously support up to: 2 wireless display devices and 2 wired display devices.
  • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows the GDL 50 to operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Specifications

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 (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: 5 hours
Connections
  • 18-pin power and data connector
  • microUSB
  • ADS-B MCX antenna port
  • GPS MCX antenna port
  • Wireless Connext™ (Bluetooth®)

In The Box

  • GDL 50 portable receiver
  • Suction cup for cable placement
  • Mounting bracket
  • Trial subscription to Garmin Pilot™ app
  • Vehicle power cable
  • Documentation

Reviews

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My Stratus 2S died and this was the perfect replacement for it. I like that its small and compact, but even more so, on the panel of the airplane it does not reflect the windscreen because its dark in color. It was the perfect choice for me.

Paul R Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
July 2, 2025

Works much better than my Dynon Drx .

Victor B Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
September 20, 2023

Didn’t want my son flying his Super Cub without ADSB. I trust Garmin to perform well. Grand kids and kids are worth the investment.

Jeffery L Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
June 14, 2023

Santiago E Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
May 21, 2023

Its smaller than I imagined - a good thing. Its pairing perfectly and showing traffic/weather/TFR on the Area 760 in my gyro.

Steve C Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
April 28, 2023

Great product. Excellent reception. Does everything as advertised and I particularly enjoy the rubber base, so it doen’t slide on the glareshield.

Gary S Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
February 2, 2023

James B Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
December 20, 2022

Works as expected. Seems to pick up traffic, satellites and asb towers faster than dual 170d. Switching from dual because Garmin pilot doesn’t support dual.

Alexandre M Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
November 26, 2022

Asome really works great

Jims G Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
July 8, 2022

Biggest Safety improvement Ive ever made for my plane. Will never fly without it. I use Garmin Pilot app on android and this pairs up within seconds and is displaying traffic within a few second more. Highly recommend this.

Mitchell R Verified Purchase

Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B Receiver
February 8, 2022

Q&A

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Please note, Aircraft Spruce ®'s personnel are not certified aircraft mechanics and can only provide general support and ideas, which should not be relied upon or implemented in lieu of consulting an A&P or other qualified technician. Aircraft Spruce ® assumes no responsibility or liability for any issue or problem which may arise from any repair, modification or other work done from this knowledge base. Any product eligibility information provided here is based on general application guides and we recommend always referring to your specific aircraft parts manual, the parts manufacturer or consulting with a qualified mechanic.

Q: Does the GDL 50 remote mounted version come with a mount and wiring harness for the aircraft? If not...what else is needed for the installation?

Per the manual this does not come with a mount or wiring harness. This has holes for hardware and it comes with a connector to make a wiring harness. You will need male BNC's for the antennas. One for GPS/WAAS and one to receive the ADS-B frequency. The GA 35 and AV-74 antennas would be good choices.

Q: What is the difference between the GDL39 3D and the GDL50?

The only difference is the form factor of the units, and at this time, the GDL 50 is only compatible with Garmin portable GPS units and the Garmin Pilot app.

Q: I believe there is an error in your opening note about this GDL 50R (& GDL 50,51,52). ADS-B WILL work for traffic internationally on the second frequency, 1090ES. These receivers (all ADS-B receivers) will NOT receive FIS-B weather products outside the USA as that is a US only system. They will not receive traffic on frequency 978 outside the USA. Again they WILL work internationally on frequency 1090ES.

Thank you for your note on this. We will post it for other customers to review.

Q: Will the portable model Garmin GDL 50 work with ForeFlight?

Yes, per Garmin, this will work with Foreflight.

Q: Will the portable GDL 50 mounted on the dash by the windscreen receive ADS weather and traffic? What I want to avoid is putting another WAAS and transponder antenna to power the GDL 50 when I mount it by the windscreen on the dash. Also can I wire it into the main buss?(my plane is a 24V buss). Your overview says 12V but the specs say 10-32V.

Yes the GDL 50 will work on glare shield without any external antennas. The only exception would be an aircraft with a heated windshield. Voltage is 10-32vdc rated.

Q: Is there any monthly/annual subscription needed for the GDL 50? I am confused by one answer, it seems the GDL50only works with Garmin devices and apps and another answer says it will work with Foreflight. Can you clarify?

The GDL 50 is an ADS-B in receiver. As such, it does not require a subscription to receive and display the free FAA weather and traffic. The unit will work with Garmin devices and apps, as well as Foreflight and numerous other EFB apps.

Q: Will this work with a Garmin 696? I have a GDL39 power cable, that goes to the GDL 39 and the 696. Could I use this power cable with the GDL 50?

They use the same connectors, so this will work as long as you have the most recent software for your 696.

Q: Does the GDL50R also have a battery?

No, unlike this GDL 50 portable model, the GDL 50R remote mount model does not have a built-in battery backup

Q: Can this Garmin GDL 50 supply data (traffic & weather) to a GTN 750 via Bluetooth?

No, this is not designed to interface with the GTN 750.

Q: Is there a way to hard wire the GDL 50R to my Area 796 that is panel mounter in an Air Gizmo Dock or does the Blue Tooth work well enough?

The Bluetooth works well, but you can use Part# 11-10736 for a hard wire if you prefer.

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