OLATHE, Kan., 4 Feb. 2009Garmin International Inc. announced the GDU 370 and GDU 375, avionics multi-function displays (MFDs) for the light sport retrofit and experimental aircraft markets. The non-certified GDU 370 and GDU 375 are based on Garmin's popular portable GPSMAP 695 and GPSMAP 696, and are designed to be networked with other Garmin products so that in the future the GDU 370 and GDU 375 can provide complete primary flight display (PFD) and MFD capability.
"The beauty of the GDU 370 and GDU 375 are that they are like building-blocks; they're expandable and can be interconnected with other Garmin components," says Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Customers will be able to choose one, two, or three GDU displays – whatever works best for their aircraft. When customers are ready to expand upon the GDU's MFD capabilities, they can install other Garmin components that will add PFD capabilities to the GDU's. Since all components were designed and manufactured by Garmin, customers have added peace of mind knowing that they will integrate and communicate with each other."
The GDU 370 and GDU 375 are large, seven-inch, portrait displays that incorporate Garmin's latest technology to ensure that pilots can read the display day or night. The bezel that frames the bright screen has multiple keys on the bottom and right sides. The soft keys at the bottom of the display control the most commonly used features of the current page, such as turning the weather display on or off.
The dedicated keys on the display's right side have specific functions such as nearest, direct to, flight plan, zoom in/out, and menu. Also on the display's right side is a rotary knob/joystick, similar to the G1000's joystick, that lets pilots enter airport identifiers, pan the map, or scroll to page and sub-page groups. Unlike the GPSMAP 695/696, the GDU 370 and GDU 375 are designed for panel mounting, have redundant power inputs, and a front mounted SD card slot.
The back of the GDU 370 and GDU 375 have connection ports for external GPS (global positioning system) and XM antennas, and a 50 pin connector for power/ground and interfaces. These rear connectors make it possible for customers to install the MFD easily, without unsightly wires protruding from the panel. The GDU 370 and GDU 375 can also interface with yet to be released Garmin components that will transform the GDU 370 and GDU 375 MFD into a full functioning PFD/MFD avionics panel with primary flight display and engine data. When all components are purchased and interconnected – GDU 370 and/or GDU 375 display, ADAHRS and EIS, magnetometer and temperature probe – the system will be known as the Garmin G3X.
The GDU 375 includes an XM WX Satellite Weather receiver that provides next generation radar (NEXRAD), aviation routine weather reports (METARs), terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs), temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), lightning, winds aloft, turbulence forecasts, PIREPs, icing forecast information and several other important weather products. The weather data may be laid directly over the unit's navigation and topographic map databases, similar to the GPSMAP 696. The GDU 370 does not include XM WX Satellite Weather.
Other MFD features include obstacles and terrain information, IFR map mode, FliteCharts, smart airspace, SafeTax, and AOPA Airport Directory data.
