Garmin has developed a new series of retrofit touchscreen displays, the new TXi line, that updates the G500 and G600 and adds a new G700 display and a standalone engine information system (EIS) unit, as well as EIS available on the individual displays.

The new touchscreens come in three versions: a 10.6-inch display and two 7-inch displays (one landscape, one portrait orientation). Each of the primary categories targets certain aircraft classes by mtow, starting with G500 for Part 23 Class I/II (airplanes weighing less than 6,000 pounds); G600 for Class III aircraft up to 12,500 pounds; and G700 for Part 23 Class IV and Part 25 airplanes that weigh more than 12,500 pounds. Garmin is not yet targeting the helicopter market with the TXi displays, although that might be a future offering.

An approved model list STC covering more than 600 airplane makes and models is expected in the fourth quarter for the G500 and G600 TXi displays. Prices start at $11,995 for the 7-inch G500 TXi and $15,995 for the 10.6-inch G500 TXi. EIS can be added to a G500 TXi display for $4,995.

The G600 TXi 7-inch display will start at $18,995, and the 10.6-inch G600 TXi will start at $24,995. Garmin’s synthetic vision technology is standard on the G600 and a $2,995 option on the G500. Garmin is offering trade-ins for airworthy G500/G600 displays, and customers that do so can transfer “enablements” from the old system to the new without paying additional fees for those enablement features.

An example of a standalone 7-inch EIS TXi display is one for a Beechcraft Baron with Continental six-cylinder engines, and its price starts at $17,935. The EIS capability and standalone EIS display is currently available only for piston engines, but Garmin hopes to offer turbine-engine capability later.

Pricing for the G700 displays will be announced at a later date.

Customization Options

What makes the TXi lineup compelling as a retrofit option is the variety of ways the new displays can populate a cockpit. The initial AML-STC will offer up to 26 different configurations, ranging from a single 7-inch display to combinations of 10.-6-inch displays with single or dual 7-inch displays and an additional 7-inch display as a standalone EIS. Up to four displays can be installed in a cockpit.

On the displays themselves, customers will have more options for the way information is formatted. For example, the 10.6-inch displays can be configured as a PFD, MFD and EIS, with three separate panes, one for each function. The 7-inch display can be set up by installers as standalone displays for each of those functions. Additionally, the HSI on the PFD is the new style that Garmin introduced with the NXi upgrade to the G1000 flight deck, with overlay options on the HSI such as map information, Nexrad weather, terrain, traffic and more.

The touchscreen isn’t the only way to control the displays, and each comes with two concentric knobs that can provide access to all the features. Garmin redesigned the touchscreen zoom so that the user can use just one finger to zoom in and out, or optionally the traditional pinch-zoom gesture. The touchscreen user interface is modeled on the GTN navigator design, so there is harmony between the new displays and Garmin’s current line of touchscreen avionics.

A separate navigator is required to provide GPS and flight planning information for the new displays, and this can be any of the Garmin GNS (including the GNS 480) or GTN units. TXi displays are compatible with Garmin’s new GFC 600 autopilot and other types of autopilots.

Each TXi display can be purchased with an integrated attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) and a display-mounted air data computer (ADC), or a remote-mounted ADAHRS (combined ADC and AHRS) can be used. When trading up from G500/G600 systems, the existing Garmin sensors can be retained.

The benefits of the TXi EIS include the ability to download engine and flight information automatically to the Garmin Pilot iOS app, when the TXi is paired with a GTN 650 or 750 equipped with the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway. The TXi EIS can also store data on SD cards. Data can be viewed on the fly Garmin website.

While the TXi displays are compatible with most third-party standby displays, when two 7-inch TXi displays are installed with the optional back-up battery and dual ADAHRS, a standby instrument is not required.

Other features that come with or are optional on the TXi displays are customizable crew profiles; compatibility with Garmin’s GWX 70 weather radar with optional turbulence detection and ground-clutter suppression; Smart Airspace highlights of nearby airspace keyed to the current altitude; WireAware wire-strike avoidance technology on the moving map; optional Class B TAWS; compatibility with Garmin’s GRA 55 radar altimeter; optional RVSM support; and an optional PFD controller for heading bug, baro setting, altitude bug and other controls.