GDU 370 And GDU 375 Based On Recently-Intro'd GPSMap 696

Garmin will kick off this year's US Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL with the announcement of its new GDU 370 and GDU 375, full function multi-function displays (MFDs) developed for the light sport retrofit and experimental aircraft segments.

The non-certified GDU 370 and GDU 375 are based on Garmin's 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," said 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 designed to be readable day or night. 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/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 and XM antennas, and a 50 pin connector for power/ground and interfaces.

Both units are designed to 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.

The GDU 370 and GDU 375 are expected to be available in March 2009, for an expected street price of $3,295.00 and $3,995.00, respectively. The complete G3X system – GDU 370/375 displays, ADAHRS and EIS, magnetometer and temperature probe -- is expected to be on display at the upcoming Lakeland 2009 show in late April, with availability slated for the second half of 2009.

A full G3X kit is expected to be priced at around $10,000.

FMI: www.garmin.com