Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today G3X Touch, a large touchscreen, glass flight display system for installation in experimental amateur-built and light sport aircraft (LSA). The non-certified G3X Touch system offers pilots easy-to-read, easy-to-use, high-resolution 10.6-inch flight displays with split-screen functionality and a host of advanced interface options – all at a great price.

G3X Touch (Photo: Business Wire)

G3X Touch (Photo: Business Wire)

“Our dedicated experimental engineering team, better known as ‘Team X’, continues to raise the bar with the introduction of G3X Touch. This team of pilots and homebuilders have done it once again by continuing to introduce innovative avionics to the sport aircraft market,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “Team X listened to the requests of our customers and as builders themselves – designing products for the activity they love – have delivered a large, intuitive touchscreen flight display, which offers a number of enhanced capabilities that give our amateur-built and light sport customers what they asked for, and more.”

Large Touch Display

On the exterior, G3X Touch offers a sleek and clean appearance with a large 10.6-inch display. Since G3X Touch is scalable and easily configurable, pilots can choose to install up to three G3X Touch displays in their panel. Incorporating the latest in infrared touchscreen technology, the display offers a resilient, high-resolution, sunlight readable screen that demonstrates Garmin’s industry-leading experience in integrated flight decks. The touchscreen provides a simple user-interface, which is easy to learn and offers efficient access to information. The bezel contains four dedicated buttons and two rotary knobs, which provide increased efficiency in performing common in-flight functions like direct-to navigation, setting altitude, changing heading or radio tuning.

Enhanced Functionality and Situational Awareness

The G3X Touch display provides pilots with an intuitive split-screen mode with the option to view PFD, MFD, and engine information on a single display. Synthetic vision (SVX™) is a standard feature on G3X Touch, which provides a rich, three-dimensional depiction of terrain, obstacles, water features, the runway environment, and more. G3X Touch conveniently displays VFR Sectionals and IFR Enroute Charts, which provide pertinent information in-flight while on an IFR or VFR flight plan. A version of G3X Touch also includes SiriusXM Aviation Weather and Radio capability, which allows pilots to receive NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, winds aloft, and more. SiriusXM Satellite Radio is also accessible via G3X Touch; both weather and audio capabilities require purchase of a subscription from SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. The new GDL 39R (remotely mounted ADS-B receiver) is also compatible with G3X Touch and offers pilots an excellent solution to display ADS-B traffic and subscription-free weather.

Seamless Integration and Familiar Interface

G3X Touch interfaces with Garmin’s industry-leading experimental autopilot, which gives pilots autopilot control through the touchscreen interface, while still supporting the optional, stand-alone GMC 305 autopilot control panel. G3X Touch gives pilots access to all autopilot modes from the touchscreen display, including indicated airspeed hold, yaw damper, flight director, and level modes. Touchscreen control functionality for the remote-mounted GTX 23 ES transponder is provided on the display, as well. Team X has incorporated a user-interface that is similar to other Garmin touchscreen aviation products, so pilots can easily find pertinent in-flight information quickly.

New Comm Radio and AOA Indicator Support

Tucked away behind G3X Touch, pilots can choose to integrate the new GTR 20 remote transceiver for added functionality. The GTR 20 offers pilots an ideal solution for a clear, powerful communication radio and intercom, which is controlled from the G3X Touch display. The 10-watt radio provides advanced features such as 3D audio, stereo intercom, stereo music input, alert inputs, and standby frequency monitoring. Even more, frequency identification is available on the display of G3X Touch so identifiers such as, “KOSH ATIS” are displayed as the pilot tunes the frequency. For pilots who have incorporated the GTR 200 panel mount comm radio into their panel, full touchscreen control is also available through G3X Touch. The combination of the remote comm transceiver and transponder provide pilots the option to fly VFR with everything they need controlled from the display of G3X Touch, saving space and offering an immaculate panel.

In addition to G3X, the new G3X Touch can display angle of attack (AOA) information, when installed with the GSU 25 ADAHRS and GAP 26 probe. Optionally, the new GI 260 angle of attack indicator provides pilots with a visualized indication of AOA using a combination of colors and chevrons and may be mounted on the glare shield in the primary field of view. The AOA system offers progressive audible and visual alerts as the aircraft nears the critical angle of attack. In conjunction with G3X Touch, the GI 260 is designed to give pilots a quick, at-a-glance understanding of AOA during critical phases of flight and offers audible alerts during high-workload situations.

Upgrade To G3X Touch With Ease

Current G3X customers have the opportunity to take advantage of a low-cost and easy path to upgrade to the G3X Touch system. Because the same sensors and connectors from G3X are incorporated into G3X Touch, customers can easily integrate the new display with their existing ADAHRS, engine indicating systems (EIS) and autopilot, so there is no need to replace existing equipment behind the panel. GPS and XM antennas installed on an existing G3X system, conveniently plug into the back of the new display without the need for cabling or antenna changes. A composite video connection (BNC) is provided, which provides a way to connect to VIRB™, Garmin’s HD action camera or other compatible camera, to show video in the PFD inset window or on the MFD.

Chosen By Industry-Leading Manufacturers

Five light sport aircraft manufacturers encompassing thirteen (13) aircraft models have chosen the latest in avionics technology for amateur-built and light sport aircraft and will offer G3X Touch as an option, including:

Van’s Aircraft

  • RV 12

CubCrafters

  • Carbon Cub

Flight Design

  • C4
  • CTLS

Pipistrel

  • Panthera Experimental Version
  • Virus 912
  • Virus SW
  • Sinus 912
  • Sinus Flex

Tecnam

  • P2008
  • P92 Eaglet
  • ASTORE
  • P92 Tail Dragger

Product Support, Pricing and Availability

Team X is committed to offering industry-leading avionics to the experimental market, which are backed by Garmin’s award-winning aviation support team. A well-equipped, single display G3X Touch system, which includes SVX, video input, a built-in WAAS GPS receiver, ADAHRS, magnetometer, OAT probe, interactive mapping and more, starts at $5,499* and G3X Touch with EIS starts at $6,099*. The GTR 20 remote comm transceiver is available for $995** and the GI 260 AOA indicator is available for $249***. Customers may also take advantage of new, lower database prices for G3X and G3X Touch, for more information visit www.flyGarmin.com. For additional information visit www.garmin.com/experimental.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, surveillance, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.

About Garmin International Inc.

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark and G3X, SVX, and VIRB are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2013, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

* Manufacturer’s Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) for the G3X Touch flight system only. Antennas and connector kits sold separately

** Manufacturer’s Minimum Advertised Price (MAP)

*** Manufacturer’s Minimum Resale Price (MRP)