Question about Garmin SBs for G3X Touch software updates

[Rick Junkin]

The last time Garmin issued a service bulletin for a G3X Touch Certified software update was for version 9.16 in October of 2023. There were no SBs issued for v9.17 in February 2024 or v9.18 in September 2024. And I didn't receive any email communication from Garmin announcing the updates, even though I'm registered and signed up for the emails. The only way I've learned about the recent updates is by checking the G3X Touch Certified Updates & Downloads page on the Garmin website https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=14567)

Does anyone have insight as to why the SBs are no longer issued? Is there another avenue to get notifications of updates from Garmin?

I haven't been receiving any notifications about other Garmin SBs or updates either, specifically for my GTN650Xi. I checked with Garmin and they said I'm signed up. Is anyone else getting SB notifications?

 

[Pinecone]

May not be a "required" update, so no SB issued.

[Rick Junkin]

3 hours ago, Pinecone said:

May not be a "required" update, so no SB issued.

I was thinking the same thing, but then I looked at 9.16 and it is also just a recommended update.

Is there another form of notification of software revisions sent out to Garmin shops/dealers? 

[Marc_B]

I was told that if you register your equipment on Garmin website that they’d send you updates and service bulletins I’ve NOT found that to be the case. 

https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/devices/warranty-registration

From time to time I’ll peruse the service alerts (link below) to see if anything is applicable. This is about the best way I’ve found.  Relying on my dealer or Garmin to notify me of updates isn’t very effective it seems…

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/6uYPdAQOaS9FzhhL5yaOf5/

I keep a list of my serial numbers and unit IDs on my squawk file on my computer. If I find an update release, I keep my file updated with the software version I have and note the version available. If it’s something needed, helpful or required I have my shop update all the units that need it. Otherwise I’ll just keep a list until it’s a good time to stop by the shop. 

[PT20J]

Garmin changed its notification system a couple of years ago and I stopped getting emails. I contacted the warranty dept and they straightened it out. I now get emails when service literature is published for my registered equipment. However, I did not receive notification of the release of G3X 9.17 or 9.18 and there are no service bulletins for them as @Rick Junkin noted. I sent and email to aviation support at Garmin and asked what's up. I'll report back if I get an answer. I reported to them some time back that the GTN software webpage did not show the most current release and they thanked me for letting them know, but it still shows 20.31 even though 20.42 is current.

 

[Marc_B]

8 hours ago, PT20J said:

I contacted the warranty dept and they straightened it out. I now get emails when service literature is published

That's interesting.  I've reached out to Garmin, made sure my equipment is registered, and I don't think I ever have.

[ArtVandelay]

That's interesting.  I've reached out to Garmin, made sure my equipment is registered, and I don't think I ever have.

Me neither, but I get the promotional emails.

[PT20J]

I just received an answer from Garmin regarding the lack of service bulletins for recent G3X certified updates. It's not very satisfying or illuminating:

Bulletins are not always released for the G3x Touch Certified Software.

The last two releases 9.16 and 9.17 only describe the changes as "General improvements to system operation", whatever that means.

I suspect that Garmin is only issuing a Service Bulletin when a release fixes a problem noted in an earlier bulletin or introduces some new feature -- but that's just a guess. Garmin's software management system defies understanding.

[Rick Junkin]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

I just received an answer from Garmin regarding the lack of service bulletins for recent G3X certified updates. It's not very satisfying or illuminating:

Bulletins are not always released for the G3x Touch Certified Software.

The last two releases 9.16 and 9.17 only describe the changes as "General improvements to system operation", whatever that means.

I suspect that Garmin is only issuing a Service Bulletin when a release fixes a problem noted in an earlier bulletin or introduces some new feature -- but that's just a guess. Garmin's software management system defies understanding.

The latest SB released that includes 9.18 bears out your suspicion. It also addresses engine indication problems remedied with MOD 1 of the GEA 24B. https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/rCYsB4RqNw7kpctBrLfni6?keywordSearch=service+bulletin

I guess Garmin doesn't care if we know when the new s/w releases come out if they don't, as you said, fix a noted problem or add a new feature. I've already grown weary of routinely checking the update site for new releases in hopes they'll explain and fix the disconnect problems reported on Beechtalk and here on MS, as well as finally give us things like CHT/EGT normalize mode that's already in the experimental s/w versions.

[PT20J]

I replied to the email with the following question:

If Garmin does not issue a service bulletin, how will I know when a software update is available so that I can take the airplane to my Garmin dealer to have it installed?

I must have caught support on a slow day because I got a reply right away:

 

Not every software update requires the issuance of a bulletin.

Not every software update is required either.

I would recommend you stay in touch with your Garmin Dealer. Due to the nature of certified software, software updates only happen once or twice a year.

Most customers update their software once a year unless a major software update was released. Major updates normally do have a bulletin.

So, I guess if Garmin thinks it is important, it issues a service bulletin which should come in the email if you are signed up. This might be a ploy to avoid customers complaining about the cost of installing Garmin's frequent updates. Even though Garmin makes the software available at no charge, Garmin dealers need to charge for installing it, printing out any accompanying documentation and making the logbook entry. 

 

 

[Rick Junkin]

26 minutes ago, PT20J said:

Even though Garmin makes the software available at no charge, Garmin dealers need to charge for installing it, printing out any accompanying documentation and making the logbook entry. 

An engaged and enterprising owner can have everything downloaded, printed and prepared for installation and signature, requiring less than 5 minutes of an appropriately certificated individual's time. Garmin at least makes THAT easy to do.

Once or twice a year? In the year I have had my G3X Garmin released 9.15, 9.16, 9.17, and 9.18. 

Rather than complain I would really like to find an avenue for better collaboration and communication. My avionics shop is a Platinum Garmin Dealer and regularly has Garmin's ear on the engineering and support side. I'll try to set something up with him.

[PT20J]

5 minutes ago, Rick Junkin said:

An engaged and enterprising owner can have everything downloaded, printed and prepared for installation and signature, requiring less than 5 minutes of an appropriately certificated individual's time. Garmin at least makes THAT easy to do.

Better yet, if you can find an accommodating A&P, you can do all the paperwork, download the software and have the A&P look over your shoulder when you install it and then sign the logbook. The G3X update is not supposed to alter any configuration parameters. However, I've been told that some GTN updates can change configuration parameters that are not stored in the configuration module and so the instructions call for verifying the configuration after installation. I wonder how many shops do that? There are a LOT of configuration parameters for my GTN 650Xi.

[Rick Junkin]

40 minutes ago, PT20J said:

Better yet, if you can find an accommodating A&P…

That’s the appropriately certificated individual I was talking about . I’ve done all of my updates in this manner.

[Max Clark]

Anyone know an appropriately accommodating A&P in the Dallas area?

[DC_Brasil]

May be a dumb question but... can't we update the software ourselves? Are we required to use an A&P to do it?

[201Mooniac]

2 hours ago, DC_Brasil said:

May be a dumb question but... can't we update the software ourselves? Are we required to use an A&P to do it?

As I understand it (I don't have a G3X) it is installed with an STC and the software update changes the STC which requires a logbook entry by an A&P to sign off the STC change.

[EricJ]

Generally database updates are Preventive Maintenance but software/firmware updates are a bit different.    Usually software/firmware updates are considered maintenance rather than Preventive Maintenance and require an A&P or somebody in a repair station with an appropriate repairman certificate.    If the ICA or update instruction documentation from the manufacturer say otherwise, then you're good to go, but this is rarely the case.    AC 43.216A Par 8.2.4 says only trained maintenance personnel should install software, and 8.6 details recording the update like a new part installation.

[kortopates]

The reality is that only Garmin dealers can download updates for their certified avionics. If you have a relationship with a dealer that would provide the update, supervise you and provide the sign off that would be very rare.


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[DC_Brasil]

Thanks for clarifying. I didn't know. I have a G3X and also didn't know about the update. Will call the avionics shop to check it out.

[Rick Junkin]

1 hour ago, kortopates said:

The reality is that only Garmin dealers can download updates for their certified avionics. If you have a relationship with a dealer that would provide the update, supervise you and provide the sign off that would be very rare.


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The G3X appears to be an exception. Garmin provides the downloadable s/w updates on this page that anyone can access. There is a separate page for the experimental software version update.

https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=14567)

[Ragsf15e]

1 hour ago, Rick Junkin said:

The G3X appears to be an exception. Garmin provides the downloadable s/w updates on this page that anyone can access. There is a separate page for the experimental software version update.

https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=14567)

Yes, I think the G5 has similar.  Could possibly be because of how they were certified: experimental first, then certified.  You can download certified g5 updates from a similar site.

[PT20J]

It used to be that only Garmin dealers had access to the software. I'm not sure why Garmin gives open access to the software for the certified G3X/G5 (I have stopped asking Garmin questions the begin with "why" because the answers are generally unsatisfying). But as stated earlier, installing it is maintenance, not preventive maintenance, and requires a logbook entry signed by someone authorized to return the airplane to service (like an A&P or a repair station).

Another interesting twist is that Garmin sells a lot of certified equipment to the experimental market and allows experimental owners access to the software that is the same as the certified software for some units. Again, to be legal, you would need it signed off by an A&P. And, you need to know what you are doing because if you screw up and brick the unit, it will have to go back to Garmin for a hefty standard repair fee. Also, the GTN Xi has a warning that you should record ALL the configuration information before upgrading and verify it after upgrading. My avionics tech tells me that he has had a couple of units (usually ones that were several revs back) trash the configuration data after installing new software. Garmin recently added the ability to output the configuration data as a .htm file for your records and it's a good idea to keep a copy just in case. Who wants to go back and figure out what the mic gain should be set at?

Edited Thursday at 03:49 AM by PT20J
Corrected that configuration log file is htm not pdf

[Rick Junkin]

9 hours ago, PT20J said:

Garmin recently added the ability to output the configuration data as a pdf file for your records and it's a good idea to keep a copy just in case.

@PT20J Hey Skip, thanks for this info! Is there any documentation on how to generate the PDF? Is it a fairly intuitive option when in config mode on the GTN Xi? I've got a hand-generated config profile but outputting a PDF for verification would be a good thing.

[PT20J]

Instructions are in the latest version on the maintenance manual.