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-   -   Garmin GTN 6XX/7XX Descent Vertical Navigation, July 18, 2018 (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=162365)

g3xpert 09-05-2018 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Dickens (Post 1286085)
I posted this earlier, but I think it got lost in the Labor Day postings. I'd like to get an answer please:

"I went out this morning and set up a short cross country, using a "along track offset" waypoint to see if my Dynon autopilot would couple to the VNAV signal from the 650. Nope. In fact, other than telling me when to descend, that feature was almost useless. No glidepath indication, nothing. Is the 650 not putting out the glidepath info through the A429 stream? It works for LPV approaches, why not enroute VNAV? Am I missing something?"

Hello Mark,

VNAV (VPATH) guidance is different from glidepath/glideslope approach guidance, and thus anyone providing support for VNAV A429 data would need to add this support separately.

Garmin has already added this support and released new V5.50 software for G5 systems (with/without autopilot), and is currently testing the new V6.20 software with this capability for G3X Touch systems.

Thanks,
Steve

Mark Dickens 09-05-2018 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g3xpert (Post 1286093)
Hello Mark,

VNAV (VPATH) guidance is different from glidepath/glideslope approach guidance, and thus anyone providing support for VNAV A429 data would need to add this support separately.

Garmin has already added this support and released new V5.50 software for G5 systems (with/without autopilot), and is currently testing the new V6.20 software with this capability for G3X Touch systems.

Thanks,
Steve

Thank you! I'll go hammer Dynon now

N49ex 09-05-2018 10:31 AM

GTN SW updates - how about GDL-88 too?
 
Hi Steve,

Just installed the GTN750 6.50 SW, and love the keyboard update! AND!!! The DISTd export error on active approaches is fixed!!!! Thanks!!!

So now, can we in experimental world also get the GDL-88 SW updates free please? I get the periodic loss of ADS-B IN data that is referred to in the GDL service bulletin, and the GDL SW can be updated from the GTN...But the local shop wants a bunch of $$.

Thanks!
Reinhard Metz

RONSIM 09-11-2018 09:10 AM

VNAV: UNAVAILABLE:
 
"Barometric altitude lost" ------is the message I am getting on my 650 --- popped up after installing 6.5 --


FAA ADS-B Report says everything is working (transponder, encoder, ads-b_


Suggestions?


Ron

g3xpert 09-11-2018 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RONSIM (Post 1287718)
"Barometric altitude lost" ------is the message I am getting on my 650 --- popped up after installing 6.5 --


FAA ADS-B Report says everything is working (transponder, encoder, ads-b_


Suggestions?


Ron

Hello Ron,

Have you checked to see if the input on your GTN which is supposed to receive this data from some other device in your aircraft is still properly configured?

Feel free to contact us directly by email if you would like.

Thanks,
Steve

RONSIM 09-11-2018 11:16 AM

Thanks for the reply
 
Steve, as always, appreciate your attention ----- before doing the 6.5 update, I took pictures of each of my configuration screens. I have gone back over those and did not detect any changes. I also checked my G327 TXP for any changes --- none detected.

I did notice, on one of the main screens (forget which one -- setup, utilities, etc??? ) there was a window I had not noticed before, something like "VNAV enable" ---- I have that enabled.

Anyway, apparently no one else has experienced this, so I will contact you by email ---- by the way --- Love the keyboard!!

Ron

jthocker 09-11-2018 02:49 PM

Check your ARINC settings on the 650. 650 to G3X touch is EFIS format 2
and GAMA format 1.

When I upgraded a couple of 650/ G3X touches I got that same Baro message.
I had inadvertently set the arinc to EFIS format 1. They had worked flawlessly with that setting until the 650 upgrade.

g3xpert 09-11-2018 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthocker (Post 1287784)
Check your ARINC settings on the 650. 650 to G3X touch is EFIS format 2
and GAMA format 1.

When I upgraded a couple of 650/ G3X touches I got that same Baro message.
I had inadvertently set the arinc to EFIS format 1. They had worked flawlessly with that setting until the 650 upgrade.

Hello Jon,

Needing to configure the GTN EFIS/Airdata input to EFIS Format 2 is nothing new (see page 27-29 of Rev. AF G3X Installation manual), but as you say, perhaps you were getting away with using the other format until this GTN version.

Thanks for sharing this tip.

While we are on the subject of GTN A429 settings, the GTN GPS A429 output will need to be changed from "GAMA FORMAT 1" to "GARMIN 429" when GTN V6.50 is used with G3X Touch V6.20 to allow the new VNAV capability to work.

Thanks,
Steve

RONSIM 09-12-2018 05:54 AM

Thanks Jon and Steve --- that did it!
 
I changed my ARINC setting from EFIS Format 3 to EFIS Format 2 ----- the Baro message went away!

As always --- I appreciate the forum and the help it provides!

Have a great day and pray for the folks in the Southeast!

Ron

Spirko 09-14-2018 08:32 AM

Looks like G3X GDU 46x v6.20 is out,

At the top of the list of Changes made from version 6.10 to 6.20 is:
"Add support for GTN vertical navigation guidance"

Thank you Steve and G3X team.

Has anyone loaded it yet? I'm excited to use the new GTN s/w, I'll probably update my GTN and G3X today.

-Craig

TShort 09-14-2018 09:55 AM

I downloaded / installed and test flew the upgrades to both the GTN (6.50) and G3X touch (6.20) on 9/12, didn't have any issues.

The G3X updates took no time at all. The GTN took maybe 7-8 minutes or so.

Spirko 09-15-2018 02:22 AM

Installed G3X v6.20 and GTN v6.5 today, the update went smoothly. On the ARINC 429 config page (of the GTN) I changed the "Out 1 Data" from "Gama Format 1" to "Garmin 429."

Love the VNAV, love the QWERTY keyboard.

One thing I'm bumping up against is explained in section 6.4 of the new (Rev N) GTN Pilot's Guide,
"v5.13 and Earlier or v6.50 and Later; If you build your flight plan with the destination airport at the end and then load an approach procedure, you will navigate all the way to the destination airport before joining the procedure. Be sure when LOADING and not ACTIVATING an approach procedure that the route to be flown is correct."

Please help me understand, in what situation would one ever navigate first to the destination airport and then fly back out to an IAF? Those of you who used GTN v5.13 (and before) would you just delete the airport as soon as you loaded the approach? Why this extra step?

Alternatively, if you "Load and Activate" the Approach Procedure, the GTN wipes out all the waypoints remaining in the flight plan and flies Direct To whatever IAF you've chosen for your approach.

What SOP do you use while flying approaches with a GTN?

Tooch 09-15-2018 07:00 AM

wierd
 
Thats weird but it dosen't happen that way. I just tried it on the new software simulator. I put in a flight plan with the destination airport then put in and activated the approach with vector to the IAP. It navigated to the IAP not the destination airport. Now the airport is still in the flight plan but is overridden by the approach.

RV8iator 09-15-2018 07:23 AM

Big difference between LOADING and LOAD AND ACTIVATE. Loading it does just that. Loads the points of the approach at the end of the flight plan. ACTIVATING it is almost like a DIRECT TO entry. If you LOAD AND ACTIVATE , it will navigate from that point direct to the selected IAF and drop what?s left on the flight plan.
If you select VECTORS TO FINAL it extends the magenta line toward the FAF on the inbound course and uses the FAF as the point. You have to fly the plane to a point where you can intercept the magenta line.

Spirko 09-15-2018 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tooch (Post 1288611)
Thats weird but it dosen't happen that way. I just tried it on the new software simulator. I put in a flight plan with the destination airport then put in and activated the approach with vector to the IAP. It navigated to the IAP not the destination airport. Now the airport is still in the flight plan but is overridden by the approach.

It may not work that way in the software simulator, but it does work that way with the GTN in the plane. If you LOAD an approach, but do not activate, the GTN flies you to the destination airport first, then back to the IAF. If you LOAD AND ACTIVATE the GTN blows away all your waypoints before the IAF.

Tooch 09-15-2018 10:57 AM

?
 
Didn?t I just say that I loaded and activated the approach? I think we are in agreement. And I have tried it in my plane but I went to the simulator to check before I posted. The simulator works exactly like the real thing

RV8iator 09-15-2018 11:17 AM

The vectors selection drops all but the FAF. It doesn?t use the IAF at all. Not sure how you Activated Vectors to the IAF.

Tooch 09-15-2018 11:38 AM

Vectors
 
Before you load and activate the approach, press the vectors button and select the fix

dejavu 09-15-2018 02:39 PM

I had issues with grasping this concept when we installed the GTN-650 also. When one entered the flight plan (Start - Way-point(s) - Dst Airport), then load an approach with an IAF. The GTN will append the approach (IAF - fixes - Dst Airport) at the end of the flight plan while keeping the first Dst Airport. If you arrive at the Dst airport in VFR condition and cancel your IFR flight plan to fly the visual to the runway; it works.

If you keep your IFR flight plan, when approach ATC provide instructions (Direct to IAF, Vectors, etc.) for the approach. Yes, you'll need to Activate the approach and follow ATC's instructions. Activating the approach will jump the pointer to the first way-point on the approach.

I initially thought why Garmin/GTN kept two instances of the Dst airport, why they didn't delete/remove the first Dst airport instance. The present method has the PIC activating the approach at the appropriate time, sort of a confirmation.

Planecrazy232 09-15-2018 07:23 PM

Loading the approach puts the fixes in queue. Activate the approach ONLY when cleared for the approach by ATC. Any waypoints between you and the IAF (or vector) will be eliminated.

RV8iator 09-16-2018 07:14 AM

Careful here.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Tooch (Post 1288666)
Before you load and activate the approach, press the vectors button and select the fix

Unless you are being vectored to the final. This is the reason for the vectors choice. When you touch vectors, it opens the window to display the IAF?s where you can then select your choice. If you leave VECTORS there, it removes everything but thr FAF.

PixelWorker 09-28-2018 01:24 PM

The link to the firmware in the first post isn't working for me. Has it changed?

Spirko 09-28-2018 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixelWorker (Post 1291845)
The link to the firmware in the first post isn't working for me. Has it changed?

The link on the first post brings you to all the Garmin updates. The bottom one is the GTN update and two above that is the support document. Both still work for me.

rwthompson67 11-08-2018 08:56 PM

Trying to find the answer and I'm either too dense when reading the manual or otherwise mentally challenged...How do you update to 6.50? The manual talks about how a "GTN Software Loader Card can be created using a GTN Downloadable Software SD Card P/N 010-01000-00 in conjunction with a GTN software application downloaded from the dealer resource center on garmin's website".

So is this "Downloadable Software SD Card P/N 010-01000-00" something I need to buy from Garmin? Or can i just use a blank SD card? Or do I use one of the SUPP Data SD cards that came with my GTM-650?

Thanks,
Rick

sibriggs 11-08-2018 10:04 PM

Use a regular SD card
 
Software update page for G3X and GTN6XX

https://www8.garmin.com/support/coll...=155&pID=63892

Use this link on the bottom of the Garmin web page.

Service Bulletin 1859 - GTN 6XX/7XX Software Loader Image 006-B1367-3A, Ver. 6.50, as of Aug 29, 2018, Download

g3xpert 11-09-2018 08:37 AM

The GTN software update service bulletin has this note to explain that you do not have to buy a Garmin SD card to perform this update.

"The GTN Downloadable Software Data Card is a blank SD Card. Other commercially available 2-32 Gb standard-size SD cards formatted for FAT32 may be used. ".

Thanks,
Steve

DickF 11-19-2018 10:34 AM

GTN Ver 6.51
 
I have not yet installed GTN ver 6.50. Can I install ver 6.51 without first installing 6.50?

g3xpert 11-19-2018 10:44 AM

DickF,

Yes. You can go ahead and load GTN V6.51 from whatever software version you are currently using. Depending on the version of your current software, you may need to update databases. That information is all contained in the Service Bulletin: https://www8.garmin.com/support/down...s.jsp?id=12529

Thanks,
Levi

backcountry 12-20-2018 09:53 PM

I have upgraded to the G3X Touch ver 6.21 & GTN ver 6.51.
However, I don?t know what the improvements over the 6.20 & 6.50 verisions.
Question is there a write up available for this?

tgmillso 12-20-2018 10:19 PM

Not sure if you'll find a specific page detailing the comparisons between the two, however I generally find everything I need regarding GTN and G3X software updates on this page:
https://www8.garmin.com/support/coll...=155&pID=63892
There is a document there that includes the release notes of GTN 6.51.

Tom.

BillL 12-21-2018 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backcountry (Post 1310918)
I have upgraded to the G3X Touch ver 6.21 & GTN ver 6.51.
However, I don?t know what the improvements over the 6.20 & 6.50 verisions.
Question is there a write up available for this?

The pub should tell all the changes, there are many. To practice, the handbook says we can enter the simulation mode while on the ground to practice. That is my plan. I have the non-touch G3X, so eagerly awaiting announcement of new SW for that.

g3xpert 12-21-2018 10:38 AM

Bill,

I believe you are referring to demo mode, which is currently supported by both the G3X and G3X Touch products. The simplest way to get into demo mode is to boot the display while holding down the Direct To button.


Thanks,
Levi

Team X Project Manager

backcountry 12-21-2018 08:46 PM

I used that document for the instructions for loading the ver 6.25 but it didn?t cover what the upgrade does.
I?m already flying the upgrade but have no ideas what the upgrade does.


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