GI 275 install questions

[Pictreed]

Has anyone installed a 275? I think If Garmin doesn't do it you don't get SVT. I know lots of people have installed the G5 but I haven't heard of anyone installing the 275.

My next question is has anyone used both? The 275 seems to have too much info in one spot. However, it is more compatible and looks really good.

My IA has the G5 so I need to see if I can fly his plane before I decide.

[toto]

The big advantage to the G5 over the 275 is the battery life. If you lose ship’s power in the 275 you have something like 60 minutes of battery, while the G5 is more like four hours. 

The G5 doesn’t have synthetic vision, so if that’s important to you then the G5 will be a disappointment. 

I like the longer battery life of the G5, and I also like the square face, which matches better the rest of my panel. 

[Jake@BevanAviation]

New GI275's come with a 10 hour trial of SVT.  If you like it and want to add it there is a unlock that is needed.    GI275's do a lot more vs G5 and interface with more equipment vs G5.  Depending on the equipment in the aircraft the GI275 could have a advantage over the G5.

[EricJ]

I have dual G5s and love them.   I've flown with 275s as well, and they're very nice and do a lot of interesting things, but I think they try to cram too much into the tiny space of a 3" round gauge.   The square display on the G5 looks less cluttered to me. 

I'm looking at replacing my #2 nav and ancient CDI with a modern nav/com and use a basic 275 for the CDI, and connect it to my IFD to add the map display, etc.   I think they're good for that sort of thing, although it's an expensive solution for that task.

 

 

[DC_Brasil]

When I had to choose my backup attitude indicator I had the choice of G5 versus GI275, and chose the G5.

I had the opportunity to fly briefly with aGI275 equipped C172 and found that, although very capable, the 275 seems to be very small for the amount of information it can display. It felt crowded and polluted (for an ADI). I think the VOR/CDI/MFD GI275 is good and never seen the engine version in person. 

My thoughts were: I will have to rely on that thing if my G3X fail, so let's make sure I have a clear easy picture of attitude with less clutter in front of me.

But that thought is for a BACKUP instrument. 

If you're choosing it for primary, then other considerations apply: which AP, navigator and other equipment you'll have installed. The GI275 is way more compatible with other things: for example it has a version that can drive analog attitude driven autopilots like the KAP 150.

[Utah20Gflyer]

On 3/10/2025 at 10:36 PM, Pictreed said:

Has anyone installed a 275? I think If Garmin doesn't do it you don't get SVT. I know lots of people have installed the G5 but I haven't heard of anyone installing the 275.

My next question is has anyone used both? The 275 seems to have too much info in one spot. However, it is more compatible and looks really good.

My IA has the G5 so I need to see if I can fly his plane before I decide.

My understanding is the GI 275 is only supposed to be installed by Garmin approved shops.  The G5 on the other hand can be installed by any A&P.   

[Utah20Gflyer]

On 3/10/2025 at 10:58 PM, toto said:

The big advantage to the G5 over the 275 is the battery life. If you lose ship’s power in the 275 you have something like 60 minutes of battery, while the G5 is more like four hours. 

The G5 doesn’t have synthetic vision, so if that’s important to you then the G5 will be a disappointment. 

I like the longer battery life of the G5, and I also like the square face, which matches better the rest of my panel. 

My last battery test on my GI 275 went a little over 90 minutes.   4 hours would be nice but an hour and a half seems perfectly adequate to find a place to land at my leisure.  

[PeteMc]

16 minutes ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

My understanding is the GI 275 is only supposed to be installed by Garmin approved shops.

I'm not sure of the specific units, but some GI 275 variants can be installed by an AP, others need to be installed in a Garmin shop.  I think the difference might be with the ADAHRS and Auto Pilot versions. 

 

[Jake@BevanAviation]

Base unit GI275's can be purchased over the count and installed by a AP.  ADAHRS and ADAHRS+AP units need to be purchased via a Garmin dealer.  Base units are typically used for CDI, MFD, HSI, EIS functions.  They do not have the second connector that is used for legacy autopilot interface and do not have ADAHRS functions.

[Pictreed]

1 hour ago, Jake@BevanAviation said:

Base unit GI275's can be purchased over the count and installed by a AP.  ADAHRS and ADAHRS+AP units need to be purchased via a Garmin dealer.  Base units are typically used for CDI, MFD, HSI, EIS functions.  They do not have the second connector that is used for legacy autopilot interface and do not have ADAHRS functions.

This is what I thought too.

I'll get a quote for the 275 install but, based on the work quality from my GPS install, I'd prefer doing it myself unless I can find a good shop I can trust which seems to be difficult.

Most likely I'll be doing the dual G5's recessed in the panel.