Looking at GRT Sport SX

[pilotmansam]

I am wanting to install a GRT Sport SX to my steam gauge RV-6. But after doing a lot of studying on line, I still have several question regarding features and pricing, so I am looking for a GRT guru for more input. I am planning on buying their $2600 package, but here are some questions:

AOA: Sport EX information says $250 upgrade plus the pitot so is this the same price upgrade for the Sport SX?
Touchscreen: Sport EX information says $275 upgrade, is this the same for the SX?
I seem to recall that an altitude encoder is standard. If so, does this include both gray code and serial outputs?
What option is required to be able to display ADSB traffic and weather once you interface an ADSB receiver?
A bluetooth interface is discussed. Seems to be a $40 upgrade for the EX. Same for the SX?

[BobTurner]

Per the GRT manual, the SX (and only the SX) will output altitude encoder data in either gray code or in serial (RS232) format.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

What option is required to be able to display ADSB traffic and weather once you interface an ADSB receiver?
X?

See the GRT web site for supported receivers. If the interface is RS232 then nothing additional is required. If the receiver puts out USB then a powered USB hub is required.

[Isaac]

I have the GRT Sport HS (older version that was superceded by the SX) and I have been happy with it. In hindsight though I wish I had installed the Horizon Hx from the git go. The Hx is a little more expensive initially (mabe $700 or so) but has more serial I/O ports and has 8 analog inputs that the Sport doesn't have that can be use for analog fuel tank sensors, flap and trim position sensors etc. Also, even though the website indicates otherwise, the Hx comes standard with the Arinc 429 interface but it's a $450 upgrade for the Sport and requires installing an external module. The Hx has 2 USB input ports.

AOA: Sport EX information says $250 upgrade plus the pitot so is this the same price upgrade for the Sport SX?
- The Product Guide pricing info on GRT's web site (in the pull down under products) shows the AOA option for Sport SX as costing $250

Touchscreen: Sport EX information says $275 upgrade, is this the same for the SX?
- To my knowledge, Touch screen isn't available for the Sport SX.

I seem to recall that an altitude encoder is standard. If so, does this include both gray code and serial outputs?
- The Sport SX supports both serial and Gray-Code altitude encoder outputs

What option is required to be able to display ADSB traffic and weather once you interface an ADSB receiver?
- The capability to display ADS-B is a standard feature included with the Sport SX. It supports a number of different mfg. ADS-B input receivers mostly via one of the RS-232 serial port inputs but some can use the USB port.

A bluetooth interface is discussed. Seems to be a $40 upgrade for the EX. Same for the SX?
- A Bluetooth USB dongle is required for connectivity with HXr, HX, and SX EFIS systems. Sport SX require the installation of a powered USB hub (needs to be connected to aircraft power). The Sport SX only has a single USB input port.

[BobTurner]

+1 on the last post. RS232 ports get used up fast! Remember that if a given port input is run at 9600, then that port's output must also run at 9600. Before settling for a Sport be sure you will have enough ports. However, I think the OP is correct about ARINC. It used to be included with the HX, but a few years ago the HX price was lowered but ARINC became an option.

[h&jeuropa]

I would encourage you to purchase Sport EX.

It is GRT's current offering. That means it has a fast processor, better memory, current display and latest features. It also means GRT has parts available for repair if needed. Some Sport SX components may no longer be available. The Sport SX has been around since roughly 2008.

Touchscreen is not available on Sport SX.

I think AOA requires adaptive AHRS.

ADSB is an option on Sport EX.

If you have 4 serial ports, one in for magnetometer, one in for EIS, one in/out for ARINC but you get a serial port as bonus, one out for encoder, perhaps one in for ADSB wx. It will work. You would even have a serial left for autopilot.

Call GRT and talk to them.

Jim Butcher
Dual Sport HS since 2005

[Mel]

I was ready to purchase the Sport SX when the EX was announced for Oshkosh 2016. I had already cut my panel for the SX. The EX turned out to be a much better deal. The physical size of the EX is smaller in both vertical and depth dimensions, but the screen is actually larger. I had to redo my panel overlay but it was worth it. I love the EX!

[bullojm1]

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

I am wanting to install a GRT Sport SX to my steam gauge RV-6.

Good choice on the Sport SX. I originally bought a Sport HS back in 2008 and just recently upgraded to the SX. It never let me down, and it a GREAT product with AWESOME support.

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

AOA: Sport EX information says $250 upgrade plus the pitot so is this the same price upgrade for the Sport SX?

Yes, there is a $250 extra module needed for the Sport SX to have true AOA. As it is, however, the Sport SX has "derived AOA" for free which works pretty good!

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

Touchscreen: Sport EX information says $275 upgrade, is this the same for the SX?

I don't believe there is a touch option for the SX.

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

I seem to recall that an altitude encoder is standard. If so, does this include both gray code and serial outputs?

Yes, the Sport SX has both gray code and serial output for an encoder. Please see the wiring diagram at http://www.grtavionics.com/Sport%20S...ril%202017.pdf , page 44 for the pin-out.

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

What option is required to be able to display ADSB traffic and weather once you interface an ADSB receiver?

ADS-B Traffic and Weather come in on one serial port using the GDL90 protocol. Compatible receivers include the NAVWorx and uAvionix UAT Transceivers, among others. Here's a somewhat dated document on what GRT supports for ADS-B: http://www.grtavionics.com/adsb.html

Originally Posted by pilotmansam

A bluetooth interface is discussed. Seems to be a $40 upgrade for the EX. Same for the SX?

Same for the SX. However, you will need a separate USB powered hub to supply power to the Bluetooth dongle, as the Sport doesn't have enough power on it's USB port.


Also, don't worry about your serial ports getting used up. GRT has a serial port combiner/expander as part of their 2020 compliant GPS which adds 3 serial ports (GPS-2020, $495) or a stand-alone version (adds 4 serial ports) with no GPS (RM-SC-01, $295). IMHO, you should probably get the GPS-2020 and have it drive your ADS-B transceiver as a FAA compliant 2020 GPS source.

[Reckoner]

The SX does not have a touchscreen. The changes required to add a touchscreen are significant. It is far enough in it's life cycle that it doesn't make sense to add touch now.

The SX does have built in gray code altitude encoding as well as RS232. The EX only has the RS232 altitude encoding built in, but we do have an optional remote RS232 to gray code adapter if that is needed. It also has a serial port pass through. That means while it does use a serial port, it adds another one on the module itself so you won't lose a serial port by using one.

As a side note, the HX/HXr was going to have the ARINC removed and become an external add on. We ended up deciding to leave it in. The EX and SX both have it available as an external add on.

The Sport SX was released in 2010, concerns of it being long in the tooth are valid to an extent. We do actively support all of our products as long as we can. I have the grey hair to prove it from maintaining products through parts going obsolete. The SX is still a good choice for upgrade from a Sport HS because of the simplicity of upgrading. The SX isn't getting any younger. The EX is a new design having been released in 2016. Given all things equal or close to equal, I would recommend the EX. In most cases, things are not equal and are in favor of the EX.

-Marc Robertson
Project Manager
GRT Avionics

[Fearless]

Reckoner,

I now have an SX in my panel. When I go to a second display I intend to go with the EX and place it on the pilot side and move my SX to the passenger side. Will the two EFIS's play nice together? I know the magnetometers are different.