Updated - May 22nd, 2007

Below is a detailed description of specific differences in capabilities and functionality between the PMA8000B and the GARMIN GMA340 and GMA347*. These comparisons were made using side by side functional tests of production units on March 27, 2006. These comparisons were made in a laboratory environment and every effort was made to make these comparisons as accurate as possible. However, PS Engineering does not warrant the accuracy of these comparisons and provides this information for reference only.   

Items that are highlighted in Yellow are exclusive features or are functions that we believe are significantly different from the GARMIN GMA340 and/or GMA347

1. Auto Squelch. The GMA347 offers auto squelch along with manual capability. PS Engineering has delivered over 18,000 IntelliVox® systems operational and has 10 years of in-field service. IntelliVox® has proven to be a very robust and reliable system that has eliminated the need for manually adjust VOX.
2. Cellular Telephone Interface. PMA8000B - When TEL is pressed, the music for all individuals who are on the phone will have their music automatically muted. GMA347 - Music only mutes when a microphone is spoken into, leaving music active when the party on the land line is talking. Audio from cellular telephone does not mute the music. GARMIN supports Satellite Phones only.
3. Front Panel Utility Jack. PMA8000B allows you to directly interface (using the front panel utility jack) a music source (iPOD), cellular telephone or audio advisories like the advisories from the GARMIN GPS396. This jack allows all of the capabilities of the PMA8000B to be immediately realized when it replaces the GMA340. There are no additional jacks, buttons, or wires necessary. The PMA8000 is a plug and play with the GMA340 while the GMA347 is not
4. Front panel Smart Function Keys (SFK). There are six unique functions that allow the pilot to configure their audio panel to satisfy their needs.

Function A: “Standard or Alternate Intercom Function”. Standard mode provides the traditional Isolate, All, and Crew modes. Alternate mode allows the Crew to hear the Passengers conversation but when the Com radio becomes active the passenger’s mics are muted for the Crew. Passengers will not hear aircraft radio. This mode keeps everyone in the loop without distracting each other.  

Function B: Front Panel Utility Jack Distribution. This function sets up the front panel jack to either go to all headsets regardless of intercom mode (Note: in ISO music is not heard by the pilot) or be distributed only Crew only.

Function C: “Standard or Alternate Music Distribution”. Standard places Music #1 to Crew and Music #2 to passengers. Alternate music distribution works like the GMA340. In All mode, all headsets hear Music #1, in Crew mode, Music #2 turns on for the passengers. The PMA8000B provides both mode, the GMA347 only provides the Standard mode, and the GMA340 provides Alternate mode.

5. Front panel utility jack is “Smart”. If a music device is active and connected to Music #1 input and an audio source is connected to the utility jack, (like a GARMIN 396) then the front panel utility jack will automatically be set to act as an unswitched input.
6. PMA8000B has VTS (Virtual Tech Support) when using the Smart Function Keys. VTS provides audible annunciations that let the pilot know what function has been selected.
7. Crew Music Muting Control. PMA8000B has a front panel button labeled MUTE. When selected, music will not mute during intercom or radio communication allowing the music to play in the background.. The GMA340 requires an external switch, and when enabled, only disables muting by the intercom, not the radio. The GMA347 uses the MKR/MUTE switch and only disables muting for radio reception. To disable muting by the intercom, the unit has to be removed from the aircraft and reprogrammed by a GARMIN  authorized dealer. Once changed, the intercom will not mute the music, however, to re-enable the muting for intercom, it once again has to be reprogrammed by the shop's computer.
8. Passenger Muting Control. The PMA8000B can be wired so that the AUX button will control the Mute function for passenger’s music. The GMA347 has no muting function, so the passenger’s music will not mute by either intercom or radio activity.
9. The PMA8000B has front panel selectable AUX input. The GMA347 has an AUX input but it must be activated with an externally switch.
10. Easy access adjustable gains. PMA8000B- Speaker, Phone receive, Marker, Function Annunciations, and Unswitched #3 are adjustable from the top and bottom of the chassis. GMA347 requires an authorized GARMIN dealer to program the audio panel by way of the shop's computer and interfacing software.
11. The PMA8000B comes standard with our Internal Recorder System and has a recording length of 45 seconds while the recording length of the GMA347 is 2 ½ minutes. The PMA8000B uses an internal jumper to set either Pilot only or Pilot and Copilot to hear the playback. The GMA347 can be configured so the playback can be heard in any headphones that can hear selected radio, which depends on the ICS mode selected at the time of playback.
12. External ground trigger for the GNS480 (CNX80). PMA8000B has, but no mention of this capability in the installation manual for the GMA347. This discrete digital output tells the GNS480 to delay any aural warning during incoming radio reception.
13. PMA8000B has adjustable cell phone potentiometer to increase or decrease the cell phone audio. GMA347 is fixed.
14. If the PMA8000B is either turned off or the power is lost, the pilot will continue to hear Unswitched audio #1 and be able to continue to hear and transmit on Com 1.  When the GMA347 is turned off or if power is lost, Com 1 can still be heard and transmitted on while no unswitched audio be heard. Note: a separate pin (fail-safe warning) accommodates warnings that are directly wired to the pilot's headset in the event of a failsafe mode.
15. PMA8000B uses dual 44 pin connectors and is Plug and Play* with the GMA340. The GMA347 uses dual 78 pin connectors which makes it incompatible to its sister panel.
16. PMA8000B has a 3-year warranty ProSupport. The ProSupport warranty guarantees a warranty exchange unit to be shipped to our dealer if warranty call is placed by 4:00PM EST. 1^st year shipping costs paid by PS Engineering. GARMIN has 2-year warranty and GARMIN does not guarantee same day warranty exchanges.  

* See Installation Manual for details

Comparison Chart  

*GARMIN, GMA340, and GMA347 are trademarks of GARMIN, Ltd. PS Engineering is not affiliated with GARMIN in any way.