I just installed an HX in my DU #1 slot last evening, and took it for a quick flight. My first impression is....AWESOME! Very crisp, smooth graphics, nice contrast, and a highly detailed terrain database. The screen is nice and bright, just like on the HS, and better than the WS (The original GRT EFIS), which was plenty bright, even in a sunlit RV-8 cockpit. The HX has the same screen as the HS, but the processor is faster, with more memory, and supports Synthetic Vision software, and it is clear that GRT has spent a lot of time getting it right. Todd told me that there are parts of it that he’s still working on (runway representation for instance), but the natural terrain is great. I remember how quickly features were added to the original WS software once the box was released, and I think that cool stuff is going to keep appearing in the HX as the basics work and they have time to work on refinements.
You must remember that I am living on the Gulf coast, so there is no relief to speak of in the terrain for about 100 miles - but looking at the water down by the coast, the outlines are really remarkably accurate and detailed - right down to the intercoastal waterway, and little man-made canals on Galveston Island (what's left of it!). I am planning on flying to LOE out in El Paso next weekend, and should get to try it out in mountainous terrain then - I'll try to remember to record some demos, and get some video. The shading in the Synthetic Vision appeared to show stream beds here on the coastal flats that correlate with real creeks – it is THAT good!
Installation was really simple, took me about 30 minutes, and I was able to keep my RAIM GPS module. I had it on DU #1, and an ARINC on DU #2. Since the HX has built-in ARINC, I put the GPS on DU#2, did a couple of quick config changes, and all was operating well. Yes, the HX has an internal cooling fan, and Todd from GRT recommends an external fan as a backup - I hope to engineer something this week before the trip. But overall, if you have HS's, the HX will drop right in. Make sure to back up the config before taking out the old unit, then upload the backup to the replacement, and you should be ready to go. Operationally, there is nothing new – if you can operate the original EFIS, you can operate the HS, or HX – there are just more displays available, and more goodies….The HX and HS seem to play together perfectly, with data interchange seamless, just as if they were identical units.
Can't wait to go flying with it again today - but I think we're taking the RV-6 somewhere, and it has those "other" systems in the panel...oh well, we'll get more time on Sunday!
Paul
(Volunteer GRT Beta Tester)
You must remember that I am living on the Gulf coast, so there is no relief to speak of in the terrain for about 100 miles - but looking at the water down by the coast, the outlines are really remarkably accurate and detailed - right down to the intercoastal waterway, and little man-made canals on Galveston Island (what's left of it!). I am planning on flying to LOE out in El Paso next weekend, and should get to try it out in mountainous terrain then - I'll try to remember to record some demos, and get some video. The shading in the Synthetic Vision appeared to show stream beds here on the coastal flats that correlate with real creeks – it is THAT good!
Installation was really simple, took me about 30 minutes, and I was able to keep my RAIM GPS module. I had it on DU #1, and an ARINC on DU #2. Since the HX has built-in ARINC, I put the GPS on DU#2, did a couple of quick config changes, and all was operating well. Yes, the HX has an internal cooling fan, and Todd from GRT recommends an external fan as a backup - I hope to engineer something this week before the trip. But overall, if you have HS's, the HX will drop right in. Make sure to back up the config before taking out the old unit, then upload the backup to the replacement, and you should be ready to go. Operationally, there is nothing new – if you can operate the original EFIS, you can operate the HS, or HX – there are just more displays available, and more goodies….The HX and HS seem to play together perfectly, with data interchange seamless, just as if they were identical units.
Can't wait to go flying with it again today - but I think we're taking the RV-6 somewhere, and it has those "other" systems in the panel...oh well, we'll get more time on Sunday!
Paul
(Volunteer GRT Beta Tester)
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