Garmin’s G1000 NXi upgrade is now available for installation in Piper’s Meridian single-engine turboprop. The NXi upgrade includes new displays with faster processors, and these fit without any panel modifications in the same footprint and using the same wiring connectors.
The new processors enable many added features as well as faster map rendering, smoother panning, quicker initialization, and LED backlighting for better display brightness and clarity, lower power consumption, and improved dimming.
Key NXi enhancements include Garmin SurfaceWatch runway monitoring, visual approaches, HSI map overlays, display of sectional and en route lo/hi charts on the multifunction display (MFD), decoded com frequencies, decoded terminal aerodrome forecasts, and split-screen functionality.
NXi installations also enable the use of Garmin’s Flite Stream 510 wireless gateway and Connext technology, which allows pilots to update avionics databases wirelessly via the Garmin Pilot app. Pilots can also transfer flight plans between a mobile device and the avionics and view traffic, weather, GPS, and back-up attitude information on the mobile device.
SurfaceWatch gives pilots “visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, on a runway that is too short, or on the wrong runway based on performance data entered during preflight,” according to Garmin.
The visual approach feature is helpful when trying to find a runway during VFR flight and displays a three-degree glideslope from the runway threshold. Pilots can fly an autopilot-coupled visual approach to the runway and set customized minimums as well as choose vectors or straight-in for the final approach intercept.
The HSI map overlay allows the display of Nexrad, weather radar and FIS-B weather imagery, SafeTaxi airport diagrams, traffic, terrain, and other information. The overlay’s location on the bottom of the primary flight display can help the pilot by presenting important information without the need to look at the MFD.
Other NXi features include support for ADS-B In when coupled with Garmin’s GTX 345R remote-mount transponder; the option to overlay European visual reporting points on the moving map; Smart Airspace highlights of nearest airspace based on current altitude; and optional audio panel upgrade with 3D Audio, auto-squelch, and Bluetooth connectivity.