Garmin Adds EIS Capability to G3X Panel

January 21, 2010 — Garmin announced today at the Sebring 2010 U.S. Sport Aviation Expo the addition of an electronic engine monitor (EIS) capability to their G3X panel mounted displays. Based on their GDU 370/375 systems, the non-TSO'd G3X is aimed at the light-sport aircraft and experimental markets, and combines full primary flight attitude and direction, engine monitoring, moving-map, NEXRAD imaging and XM WX satellite weather displays. Dual 7-inch diagonal color sunlight-readable displays were demonstrated in Sebring. Up to three such displays may be interlinked through a built-in network, with automatic full reversionary backup mode for safety and redundancy.

The new EIS requires a sensor kit consisting of engine oil temperature and pressure sensors, EGT, CHT, MP and fuel rate sensors. Kits for all four and six cylinder engines from Continental, Jabiru, Lycoming, and Rotax will be available soon. The cost for the sensor kits range from $850 for a simple 4-cylinder engine to $1250 for a more complex 6-cylinder engine.

Autopilot Inetegration
Garmin also announced a tighter integration with the TruTrak “GX Pilot” autopilot, a soon-to-be-released product from TruTrak that has been designed with the G3X in mind. Pilots will be able to access the GX Pilot's full capabilities from the G3X panel, including heading and navigation modes, altitude hold and rate of descent altitude change. A single G3X unit including the ADAHRS and sensors weighs around 6 pounds and costs approximately $10,000. A dual-panel G3X weighs 8 pounds and costs around $14,500.

Representatives from Garmin said that aviation products represent a few tenths of one percent of their company's total business, however it remains their “market of pride” since the company has its roots in avionics.