What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

G4X: Connecting the Dots

egdeltur

egdeltur

Member
Our EAA chapter is building a second 12iS and I've spent a lot of time digging into whether to buy avionics now or wait. I'm convinced Garmin is announcing a G4X at Oshkosh 2026. Here's the evidence.

The GDU 460 is 12 years old. Shipped April 2014. Infrared touch, fat bezels. Every other Garmin display line has been refreshed (430 → GTN 650 → 650Xi, G1000 → NXi, G500 → TXi). The G3X is now the oldest un-refreshed display Garmin sells.

TeamX has gone quiet. Last G3X Touch update was v9.52 in March 2025. That was 11 months ago. Before that, Garmin was shipping 3-5 updates per year (v9.21 through v9.51 across 2023-2024). G3xpert hasn't posted a release thread on VAF since. When a team that engaged the community every few months goes silent for almost a year, their engineering resources are pointed somewhere else.

Garmin already built the next-gen hardware. G3000 PRIME (October 2024, TSO certified) is shipping in the PC-12 PRO and selected for the CJ4 Gen3 (entering service 2026). Edge-to-edge capacitive touch, multi-core processors, 4x memory, gigabit system connectivity, 10-point multi-touch with palm rejection. The 7" SDU is basically a next-gen GDU 470 already in production. They just need to package it for experimental.

RV-12iS avionics kit lead time jumped from ~8 weeks to 30 weeks. Mid-2025 to January 2026. That's the longest-lead sub-kit for the 12 by a wide margin. That's mid-august perfect for an OSH '26 launch and delivery right after.

The 2026 RV-12iS electrical system tells you exactly what's coming. Van's added an auxiliary 30-amp alternator, doubling avionics bus capacity from ~30A/420W to ~60A/840W. A VAF member measured the current G3X stack with everything on (dual screens, all lights, autopilot) at 11-12A. The 2026 model adds a heated pitot (GAP 26) that draws up to 12A on cold soak. On the old single 30A bus that puts you at 24A. Tight, but 6A of margin. Now swap in G4X displays. If they draw anything like the TXi (70W per display vs the G3X's 30W), that's ~6A more for a dual-screen setup. 12A base + 12A pitot + 6A display delta = 30A. You're at the wall. The old bus literally cannot run next-gen displays and a heated pitot at the same time. Van's added that second alternator because the hardware coming from Garmin requires it.

My bet: Same panel cutout, capacitive touch, thinner bezels, faster processors. New displays probably move to Ethernet between screens (like PRIME) but still talk to existing LRUs (GSA 28, GEA 24, GSU 25, GMA 245, GTN Xi) over the same interfaces they use today.

Anyone hearing anything from TeamX or dealer channels?
 
Last edited:
I don’t agree that the RV12 alternator change is indicative of anything new from Garmin, though the other points are valid.

The G3X is definitely long in the tooth, but at least it’s not a Dynon 😉

Even if they don’t announce it at Osh this year, I agree they must be working on a replacement by this point
 
egdeltur said:
Our EAA chapter is building a second 12iS and I've spent a lot of time digging into whether to buy avionics now or wait. I'm convinced Garmin is announcing a G4X at Oshkosh 2026. Here's the evidence.

The GDU 460 is 12 years old. Shipped April 2014. Infrared touch, fat bezels. Every other Garmin display line has been refreshed (430 → GTN 650 → 650Xi, G1000 → NXi, G500 → TXi). The G3X is now the oldest un-refreshed display Garmin sells.

TeamX has gone quiet. Last G3X Touch update was v9.52 in March 2025. That was 11 months ago. Before that, Garmin was shipping 3-5 updates per year (v9.21 through v9.51 across 2023-2024). G3xpert hasn't posted a release thread on VAF since. When a team that engaged the community every few months goes silent for almost a year, their engineering resources are pointed somewhere else.

Garmin already built the next-gen hardware. G3000 PRIME (October 2024, TSO certified) is shipping in the PC-12 PRO and selected for the CJ4 Gen3 (entering service 2026). Edge-to-edge capacitive touch, multi-core processors, 4x memory, gigabit system connectivity, 10-point multi-touch with palm rejection. The 7" SDU is basically a next-gen GDU 470 already in production. They just need to package it for experimental.

RV-12iS avionics kit lead time jumped from ~8 weeks to 30 weeks. Mid-2025 to January 2026. That's the longest-lead sub-kit for the 12 by a wide margin. That's mid-august perfect for an OSH '26 launch and delivery right after.

The 2026 RV-12iS electrical system tells you exactly what's coming. Van's added an auxiliary 30-amp alternator, doubling avionics bus capacity from ~30A/420W to ~60A/840W. A VAF member measured the current G3X stack with everything on (dual screens, all lights, autopilot) at 11-12A. The 2026 model adds a heated pitot (GAP 26) that draws up to 12A on cold soak. On the old single 30A bus that puts you at 24A. Tight, but 6A of margin. Now swap in G4X displays. If they draw anything like the TXi (70W per display vs the G3X's 30W), that's ~6A more for a dual-screen setup. 12A base + 12A pitot + 6A display delta = 30A. You're at the wall. The old bus literally cannot run next-gen displays and a heated pitot at the same time. Van's added that second alternator because the hardware coming from Garmin requires it.

My bet: Same panel cutout, capacitive touch, thinner bezels, faster processors. New displays probably move to Ethernet between screens (like PRIME) but still talk to existing LRUs (GSA 28, GEA 24, GSU 25, GMA 245, GTN Xi) over the same interfaces they use today.

Anyone hearing anything from TeamX or dealer channels?
Click to expand...
At this point my only hope is that when G4X comes, it will be lift and drop to replace G3X. So that people can easily upgrade the GDUs. But looking at the newer units I think it wont be the case.
 
Estevanb said:
At this point my only hope is that when G4X comes, it will be lift and drop to replace G3X. So that people can easily upgrade the GDUs. But looking at the newer units I think it wont be the case.
Click to expand...
I’m still laughing. They’ll make it just slightly different so we’ll have to buy $12k worth of screens and another $5k of adapters/sensors. It’s a Garmin thing and you’ll pay. They don’t include important items in install manuals so most are forced to go to dealers and I use Garmin.
FYI: anyone installing Gco14 on gi275(possibly other as well) on non adc, non pressurized; configure as pressurized or it won’t recognize. Not in install manuals.

The g3x(touch) is still light years ahead of what I use at work in the 121 world.
 
2theskyy said:
I’m still laughing. They’ll make it just slightly different so we’ll have to buy $12k worth of screens and another $5k of adapters/sensors. It’s a Garmin thing and you’ll pay. They don’t include important items in install manuals so most are forced to go to dealers and I use Garmin.
FYI: anyone installing Gco14 on gi275(possibly other as well) on non adc, non pressurized; configure as pressurized or it won’t recognize. Not in install manuals.

The g3x(touch) is still light years ahead of what I use at work in the 121 world.
Click to expand...
one should always have hope :ROFLMAO:
 
Being someone that knows a little tiny bit about how Garmin works under the hood, you are most likely way over estimating the collaboration between Vans and Garmin.
Van's was given a huge notice about the GTR200 becoming obsolete and unavailable and they did not react to that fact for months after they could no longer purchase them. Anything you hear off the street is pure speculation because Garmin does not give even their best distributors much notice about when new products are going to hit the street. One well known and respected distributor tells me that it is typically just a few days notice.

Unfortunately Garmin does not have the best track record of making things plug and play backwards compatible so there is a good chance that trend will continue with the next generation. Hope not but who knows.

One thing is for sure, Garmin is not sitting on their hands and there will be a refresh eventually but trying to read the tea leaves on when that will be is pretty much a waste of time.
 
Every year, for several years now, threads and thoughts like this have been shared. Every year, they’ve been wrong. Eventually the G3X will be replaced/updated, but for several years now, it has been proven that the hints/evidence that people are sure that they see have been meaningless.
 
egdeltur said:
The 2026 RV-12iS electrical system tells you exactly what's coming. Van's added an auxiliary 30-amp alternator, doubling avionics bus capacity from ~30A/420W to ~60A/840W. A VAF member measured the current G3X stack with everything on (dual screens, all lights, autopilot) at 11-12A. The 2026 model adds a heated pitot (GAP 26) that draws up to 12A on cold soak. On the old single 30A bus that puts you at 24A. Tight, but 6A of margin. Now swap in G4X displays. If they draw anything like the TXi (70W per display vs the G3X's 30W), that's ~6A more for a dual-screen setup. 12A base + 12A pitot + 6A display delta = 30A. You're at the wall. The old bus literally cannot run next-gen displays and a heated pitot at the same time. Van's added that second alternator because the hardware coming from Garmin requires it.
Click to expand...
When I talked to Vans at Osh, they stated the original electrical system had enough capacity to add the heated pitot tube. However, with everything on it exceeded the 80% of system capacity allowed by the ASTM standards. So additional charging was required.
 
Frankly, at this point I don't care if Garmin ever comes out with anything new. The G3X with touch screens does everything I could ever ask for in a piston single, except maybe make coffee.

Having said that, Garmin is undoubtedly working on an upgrade and we'll see it when they decide they aren't making enough money selling G3X systems.
 
I delayed ordering my avionics as long as I could assuming a G4X was imminent. Finally had to bite the bullet and order stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if the G4X is released before my engine arrives.
 
I just bought avionics for my Rv-14A. I spoke with a few folks who should know and I came to two conclusions.
1) you are almost certainly right about the timing.
2) that timing did not work for me unless I want to sit on my hands for several months waiting…

I was also told there will almost certainly be”Be a path to upgrade” in the future. Whatever that means.

I will be jealous of the new stuff, but will be in the air sooner, so there is that.
 
egdeltur said:
My bet: Same panel cutout, capacitive touch, thinner bezels, faster processors. New displays probably move to Ethernet between screens (like PRIME) but still talk to existing LRUs (GSA 28, GEA 24, GSU 25, GMA 245, GTN Xi) over the same interfaces they use today.

Anyone hearing anything from TeamX or dealer channels?
Click to expand...

This 'bet', do you have a suggestion for a wager? And..the Oshkosh 2026 deadline would hold, right?
 
Cessnadog said:
I just bought avionics for my Rv-14A. I spoke with a few folks who should know and I came to two conclusions.
1) you are almost certainly right about the timing.
2) that timing did not work for me unless I want to sit on my hands for several months waiting…

I was also told there will almost certainly be”Be a path to upgrade” in the future. Whatever that means.

I will be jealous of the new stuff, but will be in the air sooner, so there is that.
Click to expand...
This is really interesting, especially the "path to upgrade" comment. Did they give you any sense of what that means? Same panel cutout so you can swap displays, or more like a trade-in program? And when you say the timing is right, were they hinting at Oshkosh specifically or just "soon"?

You made the right call not waiting, by the way. Flying beats speculating every time. :)
 
Brantel said:
Being someone that knows a little tiny bit about how Garmin works under the hood, you are most likely way over estimating the collaboration between Vans and Garmin.
Van's was given a huge notice about the GTR200 becoming obsolete and unavailable and they did not react to that fact for months after they could no longer purchase them. Anything you hear off the street is pure speculation because Garmin does not give even their best distributors much notice about when new products are going to hit the street. One well known and respected distributor tells me that it is typically just a few days notice.

Unfortunately Garmin does not have the best track record of making things plug and play backwards compatible so there is a good chance that trend will continue with the next generation. Hope not but who knows.

One thing is for sure, Garmin is not sitting on their hands and there will be a refresh eventually but trying to read the tea leaves on when that will be is pretty much a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Fair point on Garmin's secrecy. I'm not sure if Van's got a phone call saying "G4X is coming." None of the signals I listed require that. The GDU 460 being 12 years old is just a fact. TeamX going quiet is observable, PRIME is public and lead time jump for avionics is what's on Van's site.

These are all independent data points.. It's that the technical and product signals are all pointing the same direction at the same time.
 
rv12is said:
When I talked to Vans at Osh, they stated the original electrical system had enough capacity to add the heated pitot tube. However, with everything on it exceeded the 80% of system capacity allowed by the ASTM standards. So additional charging was required.
Click to expand...
That's a great data point, thanks. The ASTM 80% threshold actually tightens the math even further. 80% of 30A is 24A. Current stack at 11-12A plus the GAP 26 at 12A cold soak puts you right at 23-24A. Compliant, but with zero margin.

If this was only about clearing ASTM with the heated pitot, the smallest available external alternator (20A) would have been more than enough. Van's went with 30A, putting total bus capacity at 60A for an airplane that currently draws 24A peak. That's 40% utilization. You don't engineer that much headroom for equipment you already have.
 
egdeltur said:
Absolutely. Garmin announces a G3X Touch successor at Oshkosh 2026. Loser buys the other a drink at the show. Deal?
Click to expand...
Sure, but my plans to make it are highly uncertain right now. If I can't make it then we're probably local enough to switch it to pancakes at fly-in or lunch at Harris.
 
Brantel said:
Unfortunately Garmin does not have the best track record of making things plug and play backwards compatible
Click to expand...
It still amazes me that they never came out with a slide in replacement for the zillions of 430/530s out there - and Avidyne did!

Cessnadog said:
I was also told there will almost certainly be”Be a path to upgrade” in the future. Whatever that means.
Click to expand...
They once told me the upgrade path from the short-lived GMC 307 to the 507 was to buy a 507 at full retail. 🤣

I can understand not wanting to pull the trigger on a G3X if a G4X is looming, but we also shouldn’t underestimate the possible arrows in the backs awaiting the G4X pioneers. With gear and software this complex, teething pain can be real.
 
Dugaru said:
It still amazes me that they never came out with a slide in replacement for the zillions of 430/530s out there - and Avidyne did!


They once told me the upgrade path from the short-lived GMC 307 to the 507 was to buy a 507 at full retail. 🤣

I can understand not wanting to pull the trigger on a G3X if a G4X is looming, but we also shouldn’t underestimate the possible arrows in the backs awaiting the G4X pioneers. With gear and software this complex, teething pain can be real.
Click to expand...
The GMC 307 story is painfully on-brand. "Path to upgrade" might just mean "we'll happily sell you new hardware."

The early adopter point is fair, but I think this one may be different. PRIME hardware is already flying in certified PC-12 PROs and will be in CJ4 Gen3s this year. Whatever silicon and touch technology ends up in a G4X won't be unproven. It'll be the same platform downscaled for experimental. The teething pain with G3X Touch was Garmin building something from scratch. This time the foundation already exists and is accumulating hours in the field.
 
I would not put money on it…
I have heard Garmin state that any GDU 460 replacement will be the same form factor, that is not new. It is clear Garmin is moving to Ethernet connectivity rather than Canbus as even the GTR 205 has an ethernet port. Although nav systems are the only hardware that really need the additional data rate. From my perspective the GDU 1060 or 1210 is likely to be the pattern for the “new” display. It seems logical that the units that do not currently have an Ethernet port (GEA 25, GSU 25) will get one, or the AHRS will preferably be integral to the GDU. I don’t see the autopilot (GSA, GMU) moving to an ethernet basis any time soon as that would be too much development effort for certified autopilots.

Perhaps there are development problems in achieving compatibility with the existing infrastructure boxes? I’m only speculating. I agree with the post above that said do not read too much into what is happening with the RV-12, probably unconnected, but who knows? Garmin is always very tight lipped about product developments, the only surprise is that this thread has started so far in advance of Oshkosh!!
 
bertschb said:
I delayed ordering my avionics as long as I could assuming a G4X was imminent. Finally had to bite the bullet and order stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if the G4X is released before my engine arrives.
Click to expand...
What I did is ordered all of the installation kits and worked with Stein to get the mounting brackets/install kits separated from the avionics for the items where you couldn't normally buy them separate. I then 3D-printed the components so I could lay out my avionics bay. My goal was to defer the avionics purchase as long as necessary -- to defer the capital outlay, to hopefully not miss new GDUs, and to make sure the warranty is still active when I start flying.

I'll probably do the final avionics wiring after Oshkosh this year, so Garmin has one last chance to sell me newer avionics! I just hope it works OK in my panel cutouts and my avionics bay layout. I still plan to wait to order the avionics until right before I'm ready to start flying.
 
There were a lot of rumblings about an addition to the G3X fleet last year at OSH, I'm crossing my fingers (and flying behind steam gauges) until the new product is released. As stated, the G3X is 12 years old now. That's an eternity in the electronics world.
 
Southern Pete said:
I would not put money on it…
I have heard Garmin state that any GDU 460 replacement will be the same form factor, that is not new. It is clear Garmin is moving to Ethernet connectivity rather than Canbus as even the GTR 205 has an ethernet port. Although nav systems are the only hardware that really need the additional data rate. From my perspective the GDU 1060 or 1210 is likely to be the pattern for the “new” display. It seems logical that the units that do not currently have an Ethernet port (GEA 25, GSU 25) will get one, or the AHRS will preferably be integral to the GDU. I don’t see the autopilot (GSA, GMU) moving to an ethernet basis any time soon as that would be too much development effort for certified autopilots.

Perhaps there are development problems in achieving compatibility with the existing infrastructure boxes? I’m only speculating. I agree with the post above that said do not read too much into what is happening with the RV-12, probably unconnected, but who knows? Garmin is always very tight lipped about product developments, the only surprise is that this thread has started so far in advance of Oshkosh!!
Click to expand...
Good call on the GTR 205 Ethernet port, missed that data point.

The AHRS moving to integrated in GDU idea is interesting too. Do you know if the PRIME has it integrated already?
 
kirkbauer said:
What I did is ordered all of the installation kits and worked with Stein to get the mounting brackets/install kits separated from the avionics for the items where you couldn't normally buy them separate. I then 3D-printed the components so I could lay out my avionics bay. My goal was to defer the avionics purchase as long as necessary -- to defer the capital outlay, to hopefully not miss new GDUs, and to make sure the warranty is still active when I start flying.

I'll probably do the final avionics wiring after Oshkosh this year, so Garmin has one last chance to sell me newer avionics! I just hope it works OK in my panel cutouts and my avionics bay layout. I still plan to wait to order the avionics until right before I'm ready to start flying.
Click to expand...
Smart approach to 3D printing the components for layout while deferring the actual purchase. Hope Garmin cooperates with your schedule!
 
I’m not speculating just repeating what I’ve heard from a highly reputable garmin dealer that the new upgrade is a different form factor, will not fit in existing panel cutout, will not be backward compatible with the G3X touch system, and will be introduced to market this year.
 
bonefishdave said:
I’m not speculating just repeating what I’ve heard from a highly reputable garmin dealer that the new upgrade is a different form factor, will not fit in existing panel cutout, will not be backward compatible with the G3X touch system, and will be introduced to market this year.
Click to expand...
Interesting intel thanks @bonefishdave !
 
So, for bonefishdave......my votes on your answers are true, false, false, and true.

For egdeltur, your insights are very......insightful.

Garmin is not going to abandon the CAN bus, there is way too much invested in the GSA 28 autopilots that depend on it. But to get 4 HSDB ports (like the other PFDS such as G500Txi) you need 16 pins freed up in the G3X wiring setup, yet still retain the standard density d-subs.

And the development environment now is vastly different than when the G3X first came out. Then, in 2010, there were no mid-market GIFD installations in the field, and Chelton and Aspen were taking that market. The 2004 era G1000/900/600/500 were very expensive by comparison. The G3X was released to the EAB market first in 2010 and the certified installations came later. Today there is a huge base of G3X and G3X Touch installations fielded in EAB, Part 23 airplanes, and very soon in Part 22 airplanes that are just around the corner. All of those are retrofit/new install candidates. My guess is that the "G4X" will need to work for all of those airplanes, so the development would be concurrent and would paced by Part 23 requirements.

Thinking that would be the reason we haven't seen a product yet.

I wonder how much business the take out pizza places near the Olathe campus are seeing. The ones near the Pentagon are super busy when there is a war coming. :cool:
 
testwest said:
So, for bonefishdave......my votes on your answers are true, false, false, and true.

For egdeltur, your insights are very......insightful.

Garmin is not going to abandon the CAN bus, there is way too much invested in the GSA 28 autopilots that depend on it. But to get 4 HSDB ports (like the other PFDS such as G500Txi) you need 16 pins freed up in the G3X wiring setup, yet still retain the standard density d-subs.

And the development environment now is vastly different than when the G3X first came out. Then, in 2010, there were no mid-market GIFD installations in the field, and Chelton and Aspen were taking that market. The 2004 era G1000/900/600/500 were very expensive by comparison. The G3X was released to the EAB market first in 2010 and the certified installations came later. Today there is a huge base of G3X and G3X Touch installations fielded in EAB, Part 23 airplanes, and very soon in Part 22 airplanes that are just around the corner. All of those are retrofit/new install candidates. My guess is that the "G4X" will need to work for all of those airplanes, so the development would be concurrent and would paced by Part 23 requirements.

Thinking that would be the reason we haven't seen a product yet.

I wonder how much business the take out pizza places near the Olathe campus are seeing. The ones near the Pentagon are super busy when there is a war coming. :cool:
Click to expand...
Haha, thanks Norman, appreciate that coming from you. :)

Help me understand the HSDB pin math. Are the 16 pins freed up by moving inter-display comms off CAN and onto Ethernet? Or are there other legacy signals on the current D-sub that a new architecture could eliminate?

And yes we should be watching the pizza situation near Olathe. 🍕
 
If you have access to EAA videos, fast forward to 1:02:18 to hear comments from Garmin re G4X. Here are my notes from that Q&A:
  • We get this question every year
  • The g3x touch has been a very robust platform
  • We have been able to bring in so many features via software updates
  • Still our current market offering
  • We will upgrade and update in the future. No timelines.
  • Someday you will see an update
  • Come to shows this year to see the G3X.
I asked in email about waiting to purchase until after Sun N Fun and I got back:
We’ll be showing this equipment (G3XT) at Sun N Fun. If you’re in attendance feel free to stop by and say hello, play with the system, and let me know if you have any additional questions. What stage of the project are you in? Always good to wait to purchase electronics last just due to warranty considerations, so while you can get a good plan together now there’s a lot of prep work we can do before ordering the big stuff (I had my avionics harness in my airplane probably a year before I started purchasing the avionics, but I know I was going to be a slow builder).
Click to expand...

My guess is they will keep advancing the platform but no big G3X updates this year. If they are thinking about an upgrade, they are better at hiding it then most!
 
finack said:
If you have access to EAA videos, fast forward to 1:02:18 to hear comments from Garmin re G4X. Here are my notes from that Q&A:
  • We get this question every year
  • The g3x touch has been a very robust platform
  • We have been able to bring in so many features via software updates
  • Still our current market offering
  • We will upgrade and update in the future. No timelines.
  • Someday you will see an update
  • Come to shows this year to see the G3X.
I asked in email about waiting to purchase until after Sun N Fun and I got back:


My guess is they will keep advancing the platform but no big G3X updates this year. If they are thinking about an upgrade, they are better at hiding it then most!
Click to expand...

Thanks for digging that up Peter. The Q&A language is textbook non-denial: "no timelines," "someday," "still our current offering" is exactly what they'd say whether they're announcing next month or in three years. They can't telegraph a launch and kill current sales.

But your email exchange is the more interesting signal. The rep didn't say "go ahead and order." He said do your harness now, buy the big stuff last, and come to shows this year. That's every reason to wait without being able to tell you why. If nothing was coming, the natural sales move is the opposite: "order now, lead times are long, lock in pricing." Btw the video you linked didn't work had to add /videos/: https://www.eaa.org/videos/6211979002001

Also cool that you're at KCCR come visit KSQL!
 
Given current prices of DRAM and flash, I'm not sure you'll want to see the price of a new display that was equipped with more of them :)

Other than the bezel and perhaps screen brightness, it's hard to see what else the G3X Touch needs to provide that can't be provided by software.

Consider cellphones: They all run iOS or Android, so they all have the same app availability. We're far enough down the evolution line that they all have the same package of sensors and radios, so they all do WiFi, GPS, 5G. The biggest differentiator between them is the pixel count and dynamic range of their cameras, but we're far enough into phone evolution that even that stuff is very hard to care about now. So when the black rectangle in my pocket runs out of life I'm going to replace it with a new black rectangle which will be approximately the same size with approximately the same capabilities, there's no compelling reason to spend $1200 for new features because there aren't any.

Apply that principle to the G3X Touch platform: The sensors and actuators are all external, and unaffected by the displays; The set of features we get is almost exclusively a matter for software. Pick any feature you think is missing, and chances are a software upgrade would fix it. They have enough CPU and GPU grunt to display full screen synthetic vision at a decent frame rate with transparent overlays. Screen resolution and brightness could be higher but meets/exceeds the requirements of the application.

So what would a "G4X" offer that a G3X can't do? Slightly bigger and brighter display with no bezel? Incrementally better responsiveness? That'd be nice, but it's not $12k-worth-of-new-displays nice.

Unless and until we're at a point where the G3X is running out of CPU, RAM or flash, or the component supply chain is aging out, there's not much need to upgrade it. It's an embedded real-time system. It has one job. It does that job with aplomb, and remains competitive with the best the market has on offer. It's a small market, R&D costs take a long time to recoup, "sweating the asset" until people stop buying it is a sensible business strategy.

I'm not saying there won't be or shouldn't be upgrades. I'm saying the product features that'll be driving upgrades are, on the whole, pretty minor.

G4X, when it arrives, will be an upgrade like the ones you get for your phone: Replacing one black rectangle for another slightly different black rectangle which offers more or less the same capabilities, but at a higher cost.

- mark
 
Out of curiosity, has anyone taken apart a GDU 460 to see what hardware (in particular, what SoC) it’s built around?
 
newt said:
Other than the bezel and perhaps screen brightness, it's hard to see what else the G3X Touch needs to provide that can't be provided by software.
Click to expand...
How about...
  • Higher screen resolution (MUCH higher)
  • Faster CPU's (MUCH faster)
  • Smaller footprint behind panel
  • Over the air updates via wifi
 
I do think the AI driven shortage of memory chips cannot be overstated - we're talking the entire world's output already sold out for the next year or two. This will have to factor into any decision by Garmin. It's not even a matter of money right now, it's a matter of there's just no chips to buy.
 
bertschb said:
How about...
  • Higher screen resolution (MUCH higher)
Click to expand...
What is the problem this would solve?

The existing GDU’s have super sharp text and graphics. The tiny little copyright logo on the startup splash screen is not pixelated. The Garmin vector maps, approach plates, etc are super sharp and readable. There is plenty of resolution to make the antialiasing very effective.

More resolution will not improve raster charts or terrain and synthetic vision. Those are limited by the databases that define them.

The size of the display limits the diminishing benefits of higher resolution.

Not trying to change anyone’s opinion, just sharing mine.
 
Last edited:
Brantel said:
What is the problem this would solve?

The existing GDU’s have super sharp text and graphics. The tiny little copyright logo on the startup splash screen is not pixelated. The Garmin vector maps, approach plates, etc are super sharp and readable. There is plenty of resolution to make the antialiasing very effective
Click to expand...

This is one of those subjective things. The graphics look pixelated to my eye. Kind of the difference between 720p and 4k. Definitely lower quality than my several years old iPad. And the reload, zoom and transition times are much slower on the G3X.
 
Brantel said:
What is the problem this would solve?

The existing GDU’s have super sharp text and graphics. The tiny little copyright logo on the startup splash screen is not pixelated. The Garmin vector maps, approach plates, etc are super sharp and readable. There is plenty of resolution to make the antialiasing very effective.

More resolution will not improve raster charts or terrain and synthetic vision. Those are limited by the databases that define them.

The size of the display limits the diminishing benefits of higher resolution.
Click to expand...
There is a very real problem higher screen resolution would solve, particularly for the smaller 7" screen. Mine serves the primary purpose of engine monitoring, and as such the current resolution severely limits the data presentation, much of it constrained to text down the left side of the screen. With greater resolution, data can be more graphically represented, and more of it. Right now there are tabs for fuel/electrical/CHT-EGT. It would be nice to see it all at once, like the good old days with my previous VM1000! Concept proof is the Txi series, they manage to show EIS the right way.
 
N49ex said:
There is a very real problem higher screen resolution would solve, particularly for the smaller 7" screen. Mine serves the primary purpose of engine monitoring, and as such the current resolution severely limits the data presentation, much of it constrained to text down the left side of the screen. With greater resolution, data can be more graphically represented, and more of it. Right now there are tabs for fuel/electrical/CHT-EGT. It would be nice to see it all at once, like the good old days with my previous VM1000! Concept proof is the Txi series, they manage to show EIS the right way.
Click to expand...
The current graphics are not limited by resolution. They are Garmin’s best effort to provide readability vs screen real estate.

They could easily shrink everything they currently display but what good does more info in the screen do if it is so small that the average Joe can’t read it at arms length?

Not trying to change anyone’s opinion, just sharing mine.
 
Last edited:
Ben Ellis said:
This is one of those subjective things. The graphics look pixelated to my eye. Kind of the difference between 720p and 4k. Definitely lower quality than my several years old iPad. And the reload, zoom and transition times are much slower on the G3X.
Click to expand...

Higher rez means more horsepower required to render the display. Horsepower that is better put to use elsewhere.

The only thing pixelated on the G3X is terrain, raster (sectional) maps and some of the synthetic vision effects. Those are database limitations not due to poor screen resolution.

Not trying to change anyone’s opinion, just sharing mine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top