GTN PIREP

[flyboy0681]

 

I finally had a chance to fly with the GTN750 today.

It’s quite obvious that Garmin took their time and sought input from pilots when developing this system. As we all know, manufactures and software developers don’t always take users into account when designing new systems and we are often left scratching our heads why things were designed the way they are. I am happy to report that Garmin put a lot of thought into the new system. The functionality is well thought out and easy to work with.

My initial impression was the screen. It’s big, bright and extremely sharp with excellent color presentation. I liken it to looking at a high resolution photo on an iPad. When moving along, the "ownship" symbol moves smoothly along the route, not the every second update where it "jumps" to the next position as on all other systems.

Entering a flight plan is as simple as Garmin portrays it in their promotional material. Either go to the flight plan page and enter the waypoints manually (by punching in the identifiers) or drag your finger along the screen to the place you want to go, with points along the way. I entered a simple flight plan manually and decided to insert a waypoint by simply dragging by finger and “rubber banding” the new point. I then pressed a button on the screen and it was inserted effortlessly.

When asked what the best part of the system is, I would say it’s the wealth of information displayed on the map page. For those installations like mine which do not have the integrated transponder and audio panel, the top portion of the screen displays all of the information that you are accustomed to on the 4/530W from the default navigation page, such as the Desired Track, Distance, Speed, ETE as well as a CDI. This does not show up in the Garmin promotional material because they are always displaying installations containing the remote transponder and audio unit, which displays their own related set of goodies occupied in the same space at the top of the display between the COM and VOR frequencies.

Another great thing in addition to the default navigation information is the ability to select other information that you want displayed. The screen has four data fields which you can customize simply by touching the field on the screen and selecting the item you want displayed from a long list of 24 different choices. This is a great feature. But better yet, for those of you that share the plane, you don’t have to live with the default values somebody else setup. On the GTN you can set them on the fly. No more wading through multiple levels of confusing menus to get the items you want.

The ease of use is something one has to see to believe. You are never more than one key away from the menu. The number of setup options is impressive and it’s very easy to customize things to just how you like them, right down to the volume of the touch screen clicking sound. Well done Garmin, well done.

Selecting frequencies is a blast. Bring up the airport and touch the frequency tab to display a list of frequencies. Tap on the one you want and it’s placed in the standby corner.

My brief flight did encounter slightly choppy air and entering information didn’t prove much of a problem. I also employed use of the concentric knobs for entering frequencies manually to see how well it works.

I think the people from Kansas have a real winner on their hands. The only thing conspicuously missing is a reminder to switch tanks. I looked high and low and couldn’t find it. I know there are some customizable timers so that may work somehow.

 

More to come.

 

 [ Sorry fellas, I have some pictures to upload but the site crashes each time I try to attach them. I'll keep trying.]

 

 

 

[PTK]

I'm happy to hear you are loving it!  Hope you enjoy it and safe flying.  Sounds like you are!  I can't wait to get my hands on mine.  I'll be picking it up the weekend of the 20th.  

How is the touch screen really in the chop you mention.  Dis you find you had to use the knob instead?

 

[flyboy0681]

Although it was light chop, I didn't have any problems punching in what I wanted. I think this will turn out to be a non-issue which garnered a lot of concern early on when the concept of the touch screen was first mentioned in press releases.

[M016576]

Quote: flyboy0681

Although it was light chop, I didn't have any problems punching in what I wanted. I think this will turn out to be a non-issue which garnered a lot of concern early on when the concept of the touch screen was first mentioned in press releases.

[PTK]

Quote: M016576

 

The GTN sounds every bit as amazing as I was hoping!  Fantastic write up and glad to hear that it's the piece of gear we've all been waiting for!!!

On the touch screen issue: We use one in the F-18E/F.  At first I thought it would be difficult to use in chop, but after 1500 hours using one, I can tell you it a non-issue, even in moderate-heavy chop.  Why?  Well, you use your fingers to brace your hand on the right side of the display, then use your thumb to make the entries.  Trust me on this... your hand is very stable when this happens, and you have no problems entering frequencies, changing the radalt, entering tacan info, etc.  And our touchscreen is much smaller than the GTN750 screen...  Along those lines, it looks like (and from the press releases states) that their is a hand brace on the right side of the device.  Did you use the GTN750 in this fashion (ie bracing your fingers on the right side and using your thumb?)?  Or did you just point and push? 

Again, awesome write up... I hope to get the funds to install a GTN750 myself some day!

        -Job

[Piloto]

 

It actually has hand braces on right left and bottom!  The only concern I have, since I'm getting both remote units audio panel and transponder, if something goes wrong all three would be rendered inop??  I have to clarify this still. I'm a bit unclear.  I would revert to my number 2 of course but no audio panel and no transponder?  How is this going to happen??

[PTK]

Quote: Piloto

It actually has hand braces on right left and bottom!  The only concern I have, since I'm getting both remote units audio panel and transponder, if something goes wrong all three would be rendered inop??  I have to clarify this still. I'm a bit unclear.  I would revert to my number 2 of course but no audio panel and no transponder?  How is this going to happen??

[flyboy0681]

In the event the unit dies, the COM is supposed to automatically switch over to 121.5.

But if it dies, 1) how does it know to switch over and 2) what if the unit is so dead it can't phone home?

[flyboy0681]

Oh, almost forgot. The GTN comes with two DVD's, one of which contains simulator software. Garmin really outdid themselves with the GTN simulator as it's an exact replica of the real thing, and as far as I can tell, it contains the entire US database. It also includes a simulator for the G600, which can be inter-connected to the GTN for some heavy duty training sessions.

[fantom]

Quote: allsmiles

[PTK]

Quote: fantom

[PTK]

Quote: fantom

[flyboy0681]

Quote: allsmiles

I have waited for ever it seems for somebody to come up with a new tech gps/nav/comm.  I never liked the 430/530. I thought it was Garmin's first attempt at it and a bit cumbersome.  Finally they did! So I'm going to update my panel. I'm taking out KMA 24, KY197 comm, KNS 80 nav, kr 87 adf, kt 76A tx and decommissioned Loran.  

[PTK]

Quote: flyboy0681

We removed the KY197, KNS80, KR87 and 155XL. We got a $3,500 trade-in allowance for all of it which I think is fair given that I didn't have to deal with selling them myself. Add to the mix that the lenses on most of the equipment was delaminated and cracked.

[fantom]

Quote: allsmiles

[PTK]

Got an answer re what happens to audio panel and tx if the 750 goes down. Apparently at installation the 750 is wired as comm2 but in reality it is comm1.  If 750 goes down a signal is sent to audio panel to activate the real comm2 radio. You have no intercom but do have comm.

For the tx if 750 goes down the tx works on its last squak code. Can't change squak.  An optional extenal ident button can beplaced on the yoke to be able to ident.

Sounds like Garmin thought of everything!

[flyboy0681]

I was finally able to load a few pictures into my gallery. I'll be going up tomorrow so watch for some new ones.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?action=gallery&userGallery=3639

 

[PTK]

Quote: flyboy0681

I was finally able to load a few pictures into my gallery. I'll be going up tomorrow so watch for some new ones.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?action=gallery&userGallery=3639

 

[flyboy0681]

Very crisp indeed. I have looked through the 418 page manual and couldn't find anything in the way of switching the display between remote information and default navigation info, which is really too bad.

 

[LFOD]

That looks great. I wish they would release a G250 since you no longer need the MFD portion after installing the GTN. 

[flyboy0681]

I just got back from another evaluation flight and it keeps getting better. I put the GPS Steering through its paces and it tracked very nicely. The ICARUS roll steering is a very interesting device because of the various other features that it has, including voice alerts for target altitude, GUMPS, DA as well as a half dozen others.

At this point my only wish item for the GTN would be a semi-circle compass rose. Right now it only has a full circle without headings on it. I'd also like a tank reminder.

I just posted a few more pics in my gallery.

[Piloto]

Quote: allsmiles

Got an answer re what happens to audio panel and tx if the 750 goes down. Apparently at installation the 750 is wired as comm2 but in reality it is comm1.  If 750 goes down a signal is sent to audio panel to activate the real comm2 radio. You have no intercom but do have comm.

For the tx if 750 goes down the tx works on its last squak code. Can't change squak.  An optional extenal ident button can beplaced on the yoke to be able to ident.

Sounds like Garmin thought of everything!

[PTK]

Quote: LFOD

That looks great. I wish they would release a G250 since you no longer need the MFD portion after installing the GTN. 

[jlunseth]

Quote: flyboy0681

I just got back from another evaluation flight and it keeps getting better. I put the GPS Steering through its paces and it tracked very nicely. The ICARUS roll steering is a very interesting device because of the various other features that it has, including voice alerts for target altitude, GUMPS, DA as well as a half dozen others.

At this point my only wish item for the GTN would be a semi-circle compass rose. Right now it only has a full circle without headings on it. I'd also like a tank reminder.

I just posted a few more pics in my gallery.

[PTK]

Quote: Piloto

What happens if you need to remove the GTN for repairs or update but need to fly without it. Will COM 2 still functional? How about the transponder? Does a bad GTN in this configuration will ground the plane?

José