The long-awaited move to bring Garmin’s G3X Touch integrated flight displays to certified aircraft has finally come to pass, with Garmin announcing this morning that G3X Touch is certified in nearly 500 aircraft and will be available in early April. List prices with the display, installation kit, GPS antenna, AHRS sensor, and magnetometer start at $7,995 for a single 7-inch display and $9,995 for a 10.6-inch display. Included in those prices are Garmin’s Connext wireless connectivity and synthetic vision.
The G3X can operate as a standalone VFR navigator; for IFR, it can be paired with Garmin navigators and navcoms such as the new GPS 175/GNX 375, GTN 650/750, GNS 430W/530W, GNS 480, SL 30/40, and GNC 255. The Connext capability allows wireless flight plan transfer and sharing of traffic, weather, and backup attitude information with a compatible mobile device.
G3X Touch can display VFR sectional, IFR en route, and geo-referenced instrument approach charts. When connected to the GEA 24, engine information for engines up to six cylinders can be displayed on G3X Touch, including “engine gauges, color bands, alerts, fuel, and other vital information,” according to Garmin.
Buyers can opt for the GMA 345/342 audio panels, which add auto squelch, 3D Audio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The G3X Touch can control two comm radios such as the GNC 255 navcom, GTR com, and GTN 650/750 navigators. Garmin’s GTS 800 active traffic system is also an option.
For aircraft owners who have already installed a Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument, this can now be a backup instrument for the G3X display. The GFC 500 autopilot can be installed with a G3X Touch display providing attitude information, so the G5 is not needed for the autopilot (although it might be handy as a backup instrument). In a GFC 500 installation with a G3X and G5, if there is a miscompare between the two displays, “the GFC 500 autopilot will choose the best available source and continue to function normally,” according to Garmin.
Coupled IFR and visual approaches, including fully coupled go-arounds during missed approach sequencing, are available when the G3X Touch is paired with the GFC 500 autopilot and a GTN 650/750 or Garmin’s new GPS 175 or GNX 375 navigators.
At the AEA show, Garmin also unveiled two new GPS navigators, the GPS 175 and GNX 375 with included WAAS/LPV approach capability. Both units measure 6.25-inches wide by 2 inches tall, making installation easier where panel space is tight.
The new navigators feature a color touchscreen display, and they are already certified for installation in more than 700 aircraft makes/models (Class I/II aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds).
The two units offer similar capabilities, including moving map, flight planning, display of Garmin SafeTaxi charts, and more, while the GNX 375 has a built-in transponder and provides ADS-B Out and dual-link ADS-B In.
Some of the features of the two navigators include Connext wireless cockpit connectivity for transferring flight plans with Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go EFB apps as well as sharing GPS position and backup attitude information with compatible devices. The GNX 375’s ADS-B In weather information can also be displayed on mobile devices, along with Garmin’s TargetTrend and TerminalTraffic (on Garmin Pilot).
Both navigators are available in April. The GPS 175 retails for $4,995 and the GNX 375 for $7,995. Pilots can learn how to operate the new units with Garmin’s free GPS 175/GNX 375 trainer app for iOS devices.