Garmin G500 drivers - Are you upgrading, and if so to what, or staying the course?

GLMS_NC

GLMS_NC

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For all you Garmin G500 drivers what are you thinking with regard to your panel? Are you staying the course and keeping what you have? Are you considering a TXi upgrade? Does Axis make any sense?

My current panel works perfectly. I have zero issues and know the buttonology perfectly. GFC-500 autopilot installed and the combo works flawlessly. But the solution is continuing to age and new features no longer make their way to that platform. For example no glide ring functionality, no touch screen, older synthetic vision, can't change screen sizes, better screen resolution, etc.

In looking at the new Axis platform I don't think this is an upgrade path for G500 drivers. If I was all analog or had a G3X Axis might make sense. But not for the G500 product.

The TXi for the G500 was released in October 2017, almost 9 years ago. Did anyone hear at Osh is there an upgrade planned for the TXi? They staying the course and still investing with that platform? Processing speeds and screen resolutions have improved a lot since 2016-era when this system was designed. The UI for the Axis is better than the UI for the TXi and kinda of surprised the TXi UI hasn't been updated to match that of Axis. Maybe that's coming or is a new solution planned that will have that?

Garmin is also offering some better pricing on the TXi upgrade so is this because they wanna sell more or because something better is in the works?

My current thought is to stay the course a while longer. What I have works but I realize the future is limited. No word Garmin will stop repairs to the platform so there is hardware support for a failure. AXIS is not a solution. The new features like a much larger screen would be nice but it's cherry on the Sundae. Same can be said of the other features.

What are your thoughts?
 
OP was talking G500 specifically. I have same question. It seems early ADHRS are not supported by Axis so there is not a drop in upgrade
 
GLMS_NC said:
For all you Garmin G500 drivers what are you thinking with regard to your panel? Are you staying the course and keeping what you have? Are you considering a TXi upgrade? Does Axis make any sense?

My current panel works perfectly. I have zero issues and know the buttonology perfectly. GFC-500 autopilot installed and the combo works flawlessly. But the solution is continuing to age and new features no longer make their way to that platform. For example no glide ring functionality, no touch screen, older synthetic vision, can't change screen sizes, better screen resolution, etc.

In looking at the new Axis platform I don't think this is an upgrade path for G500 drivers. If I was all analog or had a G3X Axis might make sense. But not for the G500 product.

The TXi for the G500 was released in October 2017, almost 9 years ago. Did anyone hear at Osh is there an upgrade planned for the TXi? They staying the course and still investing with that platform? Processing speeds and screen resolutions have improved a lot since 2016-era when this system was designed. The UI for the Axis is better than the UI for the TXi and kinda of surprised the TXi UI hasn't been updated to match that of Axis. Maybe that's coming or is a new solution planned that will have that?

Garmin is also offering some better pricing on the TXi upgrade so is this because they wanna sell more or because something better is in the works?

My current thought is to stay the course a while longer. What I have works but I realize the future is limited. No word Garmin will stop repairs to the platform so there is hardware support for a failure. AXIS is not a solution. The new features like a much larger screen would be nice but it's cherry on the Sundae. Same can be said of the other features.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

There's always G500 TXi.
 
Hang 4 said:
OP was talking G500 specifically. I have same question. It seems early ADHRS are not supported by Axis so there is not a drop in upgrade
Click to expand...
There's always G500 TXi, which does support the early GDC 74 ADC and GRS 77 AHRS.
 
I have a G500Txi (750/650 xi's/275's). I thinks it is a fantastic set-up. However, if your G500 is working fine and you are comfortable with it, I would sit tight and wait to see what shakes out of Olathe in the future.
 
When you look at product lifecycles, the G500TXi is due for a refresh based on its age. What luck to buy the TXi upgrade now and next year the successor is announced. But maybe the TXi has lots of runway ahead. Garmin is pretty tight-lipped about plans.

I am curious what others with a fully functional G500 are doing and how did they like what they did. Of course doing nothing (stay the course) is doing something. If I was having problems that is one thing. But my setup works great.
 
@GLMS_NC I'm in the same boat. My G500 works fine for me, but I do think about the TXi upgrade from time to time. I could almost get my head wrapped around the roughly 10K for the upgrade, but they wanted an extra $2k or so for the syn vision upgrade (which I already have on my G500) which just seemed ridiculous and irrationally got me off that ledge.

I do have a GTN and a GFC500 AP so I would not be getting a ton of new capability. The G500 screens are pretty old and I suspect they will end up on the same obsolescence path as the GNS series.

Axis looks interesting, but not a clear upgrade path from the G500.
 
Thanks for your reply. Yes, we are in the exact same position. GTN,GFC500 and an older but fully functional G500. Regarding the syn vis, Garmin corp told me to have my dealer press their RSM to throw that in if I traded in my old unit. Challenge is the trade in value is less than what I could sell it for on flea-bay. Add in the syn vis discount and the whole thing is likely a wash. The upgrade is not 10k I will tell you that. It cost more - much more. And AXIS is NOT an upgrade path. AXIS is an upgrade for G3X systems not G500 systems. Or if you are pure analog today Axis makes sense.

Let’s see what others chime in but I think staying the course is the best path for now. That could change if Garmin throws out some nice rebates or adjusts pricing.
 
Upgrade? Well, G500 TXi.

I don't know that there will be a better upgrade coming in the future. The split between the Gx00 line and the G3X was unusual, and happened because the G3X Touch was already available in the experimental market, and they happened to be able to certify it under the newer rules.

They say that they're going to continue to sell the G3X Touch and the G(5/6/7)00 TXi. I bet the G3X is discontinued within a year. I also expect that the TXi displays will not be replaced with a drop-in unit. Instead, I think Garmin will continue to focus on the Axis displays until they're certified for Class III and IV aircraft, and the Gx00 line will be left behind.

So, with that in mind, I'd find yourself a used G500 TXi if you can.
 
GLMS_NC said:
My current panel works perfectly. I have zero issues and know the buttonology perfectly. GFC-500 autopilot installed and the combo works flawlessly.
Click to expand...
I'm not seeing a reason for a change. What you have is working, and working reliably. You have no data that Garmin will not continue to support at this time. You didn't list a set of features and capabilities that you're lacking/that some new system would give you that you want.

So... if it were me, I'd bank the money for now. Maybe some year you'll see something you really want to have, or Garmin stops updating, you cant get parts, etc. But that will happen to any system, including the Axis and G500txi.

Spend money somewhere else, and have fun flying.
 
I have a G600 in my 414. I do contract pilot work occasionally in a 414 with a G600TXi. It’s nice but no way it adds value anywhere close to what the upgrade costs. I’m totally happy with my G600.
 
Lance F said:
I have a G600 in my 414. I do contract pilot work occasionally in a 414 with a G600TXi. It’s nice but no way it adds value anywhere close to what the upgrade costs. I’m totally happy with my G600.
Click to expand...
That 414 wouldn't happen to be N1500G would it?
 
WDD said:
You didn't list a set of features and capabilities that you're lacking/that some new system would give you that you want.
Click to expand...
A glide ring, a larger and more configurable screen, and the ability to add EIS to the existing screen. And of course some additional future-proofing as new features are developed.

Today I have the legacy fuel, tach, MP, oil temp, etc. gauges. I have a JPI830 but it can't be primary so I have two sets of these engine gauges. Why upgrade to the JPI 900 primary when adding Garmin EIS will significantly clean-up the panel and get rid of duplication, and it's the same cost? I know the Garmin EIS is an additional cost to the TXi upgrade.

After spending time with the user interface on the TXi trainer, the Axis user interface is so much better. Too many steps I feel on the TXi to accomplish the same thing on AXIS with fewer touches/actions. I don't see or hear anything that the Axis UI is planned as a TXi upgrade. That makes me wonder if the TXi is not seeing some upgrades like the current Gx00 platform. Pure speculation on that comment.

Again, everything I have works great and I have zero issues. G500/G5/GFC500/GTN750/350C bluetooth audio (with voice capability) and flighstream connectivity. It's a very solid platform. Like everyone else I see common small maintenance items here and there (have to replace a G500 SD data card, JPI probe needs replaced, etc.), but those items are cheap and no way justify a 14k+ upgrade. Staying the course for now I think is the best solution.
 
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