Touch upgrade almost complete....
Got my new GDU465 G3X Touch screen and CNC'd adapter plate and the plug for the PFD2 side from Stein on Friday.
The CNC'd parts look and worked perfectly to convert the original 3 screen setup. All I had to do was take a dremel and cut the small piece out of the middle that was between the two portrait screens. The plug for the PFD2 fit like a glove and it was made with 2 pieces so that it comes out flush with the face of the panel.
All that is left to do is for me to paint the adapter/plug and tie in the bare wire cable for the 796.
I recently upgraded the remote mounted GDL39 to the 3D version in anticipation of using it with the 796 to give pilot passengers and the occasional Young Eagle something to look at on that side. In the past I used to run that screen in full screen traffic mode 98% of the time. The 796 still has that capability via Blue Tooth to the GDL39 3D.
As for wiring changes, they were pretty easy to do. Since I had 9 serial ports before with 3 screens, I had plenty of ports and a few spares. Now with the new Touch, I am limited to 5 ports and I had to move some of the connected devices from the MFD connector to the PFD1 connector. I also had to move my mono and stereo audio connections from the MFD to the PFD1 connector. And finally I had to move the power lead from the VP-X Pro from the MFD to the PFD1 connector since the VP- X Pro wants the screen that controls the VP-X Pro connected to a specific pin and moving the wire in the G3X connectors was way easier than switching em at the VP-X Pro.
After getting everything reconnected and talking, the challenge was to configure the system. Before ripping out my original screens, I took screen shots of all configuration pages and engine monitor setup. I also made sure to backup my fuel tank calibration files. I had these pages all printed and ready for the new install. The touch features make this process a dream compared to all of the knob twisting of the original screens.
I did manage to get a short flight in yesterday and it was really bumpy. This proved to be a non-issue with the new Touch as it appears that Garmin took a ground up approach to designing the user interface for this box. Everything appears to have been optimized for touch and making it easy to use in the bumps. The knobs are there for stuff that just feel more natural with a twisting action like changing the heading bug, selecting altitudes and adjusting the baro. I love having a dedicated HDG knob that works all the time without having to push a button first!
The performance/processing power of the screen appears to be a major leap over the original portrait displays. Everything is smooth and fluid, with fast refresh rates and drawing of maps and charts.
My jury is still out on how useful the 3D function of the GDL 39 is. I consider it a backup to the backup. It lacks any sort of fixed offset feature that persist across power cycles and always aligns itself as straight and level on boot. This requires the pilot to center it up after you get straight and level and in smooth air. Hopefully Garmin is still working on it and we will continue to see it improve.
That's about it for now. I will get some more time behind the new setup and give a more thorough review later.