Garmin Avionics I Want in my RV

[JohnD.TF4]

I'm a huge fan of Garmin avionics. As of late I have been looking at some of the nice certified equipment and wondered if experimental variants of these avionics could be made to work with a G3X system so here goes: my top 3 avionics units that should have experimental variants.

3: GTC 580 Touchscreen Controller


These guys are in use in the Cirrus Vision Jet among other aircraft. In addition to all of the awesome functions similar to the GTN series navigators like controls for com, nav, xpndr, map, traffic, and others, this unit has a built in back up flight display should your primary ADAHRS fail. Currently the best backup instrument IMO is the Garmin G5. the downside to that unit is that unless your PFD has failed the instrument is dead weight that takes up panel space. the GTC580 is able to display other useful information when not in a backup display mode.

2: GHD 1200 Heads Up Display


What can I say... HUDs are cool! I'm sure you all have heard of the safety and situational awareness improvement with a HUD. Currently available experimental HUDs are very limited. All experimental variants that I have encountered are more or less jurry-rigged automotive displays using a bluetooth connection to your PFD. If a GHD1200 display could be linked to a G3X system as an additional display (much like an MFD) that would be awesome!

As far as purpose built, wired displays the best I have found was the MyGoFlight display which according to the site will sell for between $15,500-$29,500 which is a bit out of my budget.

There is also the Epic Optix display which I've eliminated from my shopping list for similar reasons.

1: remote mount WAAS IFR capable GPS

Finally, a remote mount IFR GPS much like the G1000 systems. More panel space, easier IFR retrofit, and save some weight (maybe?). What's not to like?

I couldn't help throwing in an honorable mention. vertical variant of the GMC 307 autopilot panel to fit alongside a 10" G3x screen in the same fashion as the G1000 audio panel.

As always, comments and suggestions are welcome. Stay safe and have fun!

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[tfoster100]

+ 1 vote for heads up display. Hope that comes along in a lower cost experimental product soon.

[BobTurner]

Don?t hold your breath looking for a remote mounted ?IFR GPS? (I presume you meant a TSO 144/145 gps).
1. These boxes have required annunciations that would have to be panel mounted.
2. Data card loading needs to be accessible.
3. Biggest reason: these boxes are expensive, but would be even more so if restricted to EAB and a few GA airplanes. Most GA planes don?t have an EFIS for the moving maps, annunciators, control functions, etc. So the market is too small.

[JohnD.TF4]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

Don?t hold your breath looking for a remote mounted ?IFR GPS? (I presume you meant a TSO 144/145 gps).
1. These boxes have required annunciations that would have to be panel mounted.
2. Data card loading needs to be accessible.
3. Biggest reason: these boxes are expensive, but would be even more so if restricted to EAB and a few GA airplanes. Most GA planes don?t have an EFIS for the moving maps, annunciators, control functions, etc. So the market is too small.

Bob,

On the annunciations and data card access, I?m sure you could access these through the G3Xs interface like the G1000 system does. As to your point on the expense, you?re right it would be expensive. Although paying between $6-12k for a GTN or GNS navigator seems up there as well. Hopefully more of the old certified aircraft move over to the certified G3X or other EFIS systems so this option can become available.