Designed around the GDU 370/375 series of panel-mount displays, the G3X suite provides an easy-to-install, non-TSO’d option that lets you grow your system as your needs and budget dictate. For example, you can start with a single glass display that combines full primary flight (PFD) attitude/directional guidance with electronic engine monitoring and detailed moving-map multifunction (MFD) capabilities. Then, should you choose to expand your cockpit configu­ration, you can opt for separate PFD and MFD screens – or even add a co-pilot’s flight display. A built-in network interface allows up to three displays to be interlinked in the panel, with full reversionary backup for added safety and redundancy.

Simplicity meets sophistication in the G3X flight deck. Using sophisticated graphics modeling, the integrated SVX™ synthetic vision technology provides a 3-D “virtual reality” perspective of what lies ahead. The system pulls together information from the built-in aviation basemap and terrain elevation database, letting you clearly visualize terrain features, obstacles, waterways and airport locations on the 7-inch high-definition display. By adding a GTX 330 Mode S transponder, your G3X display Traffic Information Service (TIS) alerts to help identify aircraft in your proximity. The system can also be coupled with the TruTrak GX Pilot autopilot system to provide sophisticated flight control modes including altitude preselect and capture, heading hold and GPS navigation. The autopilot can even be used to fly WAAS approaches when used in conjunction with a GNS 400W/500W series unit.

The G3X system uses the latest in GPS-aided digital ADAHRS (Air Data and Attitude Heading and Reference Systems). Leveraging solid-state sensors and sophisticated attitude determination and integrity monitoring algorithms used in Garmin’s high-end G1000 system, the G3X’s ADAHRS provides highly accurate and reliable referencing of your aircraft position, rate, vector and accelera­tion data. Better still, the complete sensor package – ADAHRS and EIS engine monitoring¹, plus magnetometer and temperature probe – takes up just a fraction of the space and weight previously required by conventional gyro-based instrument systems.

In addition to its detailed terrain map, the G3X system comes preloaded with geo-referenced Garmin FliteCharts®, which displays a graphical representation of your aircraft overlaid directly onto NACO-format IFR approach plates. FliteCharts also allows you to easily find and view all U.S. AeroNav Services, standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) and more. For pilots who prefer Jeppesen charts and diagrams, Garmin also offers ChartView™, which utilizes Jeppesen’s extensive library to provide global geo-referenced charting capabilities. The Garmin SafeTaxi® service is also built-in, providing geo-referenced diagrams for over 900 U.S. airports. Plus, AOPA Airport Directory data puts detailed information on more than 7,400 U.S. Airports right at your fingertips.

To create the ideal glass package for your aircraft, the G3X will integrate seamlessly with a wide array of Garmin avionics and sensors. The affordable SL40 VHF Comm or SL30 Nav/Comm units offer space-saving 1.3-inch high formats that fit easily in most smaller panels. To augment the G3X’s non-TSO’d internal VFR GPS, you can opt to add Garmin’s popular GNS 430W or 530W WAAS-certified IFR GPS/Nav/Comm units for even more capability. Another great choice is the GMA 240 non-TSO’d audio panel: It supports dual COMM and NAV receivers, has two music inputs, and lets you hear G3X audio alerts through your headset. You can even connect cellphone calls or iPod/MP3/XM Radio players – which the system will override with instant muting when radio transmis­sions are received from ATC.

Weather is always moving and changing. So, the Garmin G3X system makes weather watching easier with optional XM™ WX satellite datalink capability (XM subscription required). It’s available with the GDU 375 display module, which features a built-in XM receiver. (The GDU 370 model does not include XM capability.)

Providing critical weather information for the U.S. and parts of Canada, the XM receiver offers you access to graphical NEXRAD imagery, METARS, TAFs, TFRs, winds aloft, echo tops, lightning strikes, storm cell data, and more. (Subscriptions required; sold separately) The graphical weather data can be overlaid directly on the MFD’s topographic map. And there’s even a user interface that lets you use the XM receiver to enjoy more than 170 channels of digital inflight entertainment via XM Radio. All in all, it’s a smarter, safer and infinitely more enjoyable way to fly.