Garmin G3X Touch v3.00 Software Available

[g3xpert]

We are very pleased to announce new G3X Touch software v3.00 is now available. As usual, the software can be downloaded for free from our website here.

A complete list of changes is included on our website and at the bottom of this posting. But here are some additional details for the key new features of this release.

Connext Capability

G3X Touch v3.00 adds the benefits of Connext cockpit connectivity. Pilots are offered the convenience of flight planning on a tablet using Garmin Pilot? and the simplicity of wirelessly transferring flight plans via Bluetooth? to the following equipment:

• G3X Touch internal flight plan
• GNS 430W or 530W (V5.20 or later system software)
• All GTN series navigators (V5.13 or later system software)

A G3X Touch system with a GDL 39/39R ADS-B traffic and weather receiver shares GPS, attitude, traffic and weather data with a mobile device for display using Garmin Pilot?. You can have much of the the same data displayed on your phone or tablet that is being used on your panel mount displays.

Please note that full support for Connext will be completed through an update to Garmin Pilot? software expected later this month. Here is a Garmin Pilot? screenshot showing the Connext status page:



Garmin Pilot? can be set to synchronize to the flight plan in the panel mount avionics, or nominate the flight plan as illustrated in the next two screenshots:



Here the G3X Touch system has received the nominated flight plan which can now be activated, stored, or ignored.



User Defined Gauges

We are excited to add a higher level of flexibility when configuring gauges for the system. This unlocks the potential for monitoring any signal that is electrically compatible with an open input on the GEA 24. For example, if you have an electronic ignition timing signal, this new capability allows you to customize a timing advance gauge. You can create a custom name, configure color bands, calibrate and even add a tick mark per your personal preference.





New COM Tuning Interfaces

Customers have been asking for it, and we're listening! We?ve always supported the ability to send standby frequencies to panel mount radios like the GTR 225 and GNC 255, as well as supporting complete control of the GTR 20 and GTR 200 comm radios. This software release adds support for complete comm radio control for more Garmin panel mount equipment including the GTN series, GTR 225 and GNC 255. This change will let you tune and flip-flop the active and standby comm frequencies, change the volume, and toggle SQ and MON modes on the above radios, all from your G3X Touch display.

Please note a GTN, GTR 225 or GNC 255 software update will also be required and we anticipate those software updates will be available later this year. Additionally, this interface will require a bi-directional RS-232 interface between the unit being tuned and your G3X Touch display. Wiring and configuration guidance will be documented in the next revision of the G3X installation manual. Or feel free to contact us directly at g3xpert@garmin.com if you need immediate guidance for your installation.



Changes made from version 2.90 to 3.00:

• Add support for additional Connext features
• Add support for oil pressure, fuel pressure, manifold pressure, fuel flow, and RPM user-defined sensors
• Add support for miscellaneous temperature, pressure, and analog voltage measurement user-customized gauges
• Add support for turbine engine gauges
• Add remote control of GTN comm radio via MapMX RS-232 interface support for a future GTN software update
• Add forward and return flow display when calibrating differential fuel flow
• Add ability to switch between internal and external flight plan source from direct-to page
• Add compass arc to terrain map page
• Improve map display of terrain awareness shading when the aircraft is on the ground
• Improve config mode audio volume test
• Improve fuel flow display with noisy signals
• Change flight director GS and GP modes to allow capture from both above and below
• General improvements to system operation
• Includes GDL 39 software version 4.20

Thanks,
Brian

[Ironflight]

Geez....and I just downloaded and installed 2.90 a couple of days ago!! Can't keep up....

[jthocker]

Wow, what a great night to bring all my SD cards home for updating!

[digidocs]

The custom gauges are a huge win. Thanks guys!

[bkthomps]

remote control/integration with GTN series, awesome!!!

[humptybump]

I am assuming the following is actually a couple of different discrete statements ...

Connext Capability: G3X Touch v3.00 adds the benefits of Connext cockpit connectivity. Pilots are offered the convenience of flight planning on a tablet using Garmin Pilot? and the simplicity of wirelessly transferring flight plans via Bluetooth? to the following equipment:
G3X Touch internal flight plan
GNS 430W or 530W
All GTN series navigators

Can G3Xpert confirm my assumptions ..

1. G3X Touch now has integrated Connext capability for receiving VFR flight plans from Garmin Pilot.
2. GNS 430W and 530W require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
3. GTN series navigators require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
4. G3X Touch can not transfer flight plan information to GNS or GTN series navigator

Am I correct with these ?

Thanks.

[NovaBandit]

Originally Posted by humptybump

I am assuming the following is actually a couple of different discrete statements ...



Can G3Xpert confirm my assumptions ..

1. G3X Touch now has integrated Connext capability for receiving VFR flight plans from Garmin Pilot.
2. GNS 430W and 530W require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
3. GTN series navigators require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
4. G3X Touch can not transfer flight plan information to GNS or GTN series navigator

Am I correct with these ?

Thanks.

Here's my understanding:

1-3: The G3X Touch basically has the flightstream capabilities built into it. No extra flightstream box required.
4: This is what they keep telling me, but I keep hoping it will change to allow this!

[NovaBandit]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

• Add support for miscellaneous temperature, pressure, and analog voltage measurement user-customized gauges
  

Thanks,
Brian

Great update guys! Keep up the good work!!

One question about the custom gauge feature: Will I be able to use this to gain what's basically an extra few discrete inputs? For example, I have electric cowl flaps. Can I run a line to an analog input, and at 0v, display the gauge for cowl flaps as closed (and in the green), but then at >11 volts, show the cowl flaps as open an in the caution (yellow) range?

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by humptybump

I am assuming the following is actually a couple of different discrete statements ...

Can G3Xpert confirm my assumptions ..

1. G3X Touch now has integrated Connext capability for receiving VFR flight plans from Garmin Pilot.
2. GNS 430W and 530W require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
3. GTN series navigators require the FlightStream 210 to enable Connext capability
4. G3X Touch can not transfer flight plan information to GNS or GTN series navigator

Am I correct with these ?

Thanks.

1. No, not quite limited to VFR information. The Garmin Pilot? application has the ability to load things like SIDs, STARs, and airways to it's fight plan. All of these items can be transferred to the G3X Touch system or to the GTN. Procedures that are sent to G3X Touch in this manner will be added to the flight plan as a series of waypoints such as VORs and intersections (i.e. not the actual procedure). It would certainly be useful for situational awareness, but of course you would be following signals from the IFR navigator if you were actually flying IFR. Please note Garmin Pilot? does not have the ability to load approaches. Approaches must be selected on the IFR navigator.
2. No, a Flight Stream unit is not required. All G3X Touch displays have built-in BT capability that is used to connect to Garmin Pilot?.
3. Same answer as 2.
4. Correct, G3X Touch cannot directly transfer flight plans to the GTN. However, as noted before we are adding the control of COM functions, so we are listening .

Thanks,
Brian

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by NovaBandit

Great update guys! Keep up the good work!!

One question about the custom gauge feature: Will I be able to use this to gain what's basically an extra few discrete inputs? For example, I have electric cowl flaps. Can I run a line to an analog input, and at 0v, display the gauge for cowl flaps as closed (and in the green), but then at >11 volts, show the cowl flaps as open an in the caution (yellow) range?

Yes, one possible solution is to create a custom gauge and do exactly what you are saying. Simply set the color bands and corresponding alerting so it annunciates when you want it to. And you could do this with any unused input on the GEA that is electrically compatible. If you don't want to see the gauge full time, select the "HIDE" option in config mode to ensure it will only be shown on the full EIS page.

Thanks,
Brian