Garmin Upgrades G500/600 Retrofit PFD
Garmin’s new software for the G500 and G600 provides several improvements that owners have been waiting for. This includes better ADS-B traffic symbology, in addition to georeferenced Flite Charts and more weather data capability.
It's been nearly nine years since Garmin released its G600 retrofit primary flight display system and although the company has been making small improvements along the way, it previously lacked some features that owners might expect in a modern PFD/MFD, including georeferencing of Garmin's Flite Chart approach procedures, ADS-B traffic symbology, plus more weather data and a speedier feature set.
The latest update to the G600 and G500 systems address these issues, plus it adds more functionality and performance gains. This includes dynamic mapping technology, which is found in Garmin's GTN-series touchscreen navigator, although the G600/G500 doesn't have a touchscreen feature set. But it now has a more efficient feature set, resulting in faster map rendering and georeferenced Flite Charts. It also includes Garmin's WireAware powerline strike avoidance functionality—useful for helicopter operations.
The field-capable upgrade, which requires replacement of the system's SD software data card, enables compatibility with Garmin's GDL88 ADS-B traffic and weather receiver, resulting in true ADS-B traffic symbology overlay, more ADS-B FIS-B weather data and Garmin's TargetTrend relative motion symbology—which better represents the actual movement of ADS-B traffic targets. Additionally, the system displays Garmin's TerminalTraffic function, a feature that enables the display of ADS-B-equipped ground vehicles—distinguishing taxiing aircraft from moving vehicles in the terminal environment.
The upgrade also enables compatibility with the L3 WX500 remote Stormscope system, provides more weather data when interfaced with Garmin's GDL69-series XM weather receiver (including Canadian weather, icing, turbulence and PIREP data), plus addsinterfacability with Garmin's radar altimeters. It also enables interfacing with certain Cessna autopilot altitude preselect systems. Last, the upgrade adds support for displaying full-screen video imaging on the MFD.
Garmin said pricing for the upgrade will depend on the current configuration of the G600 and G500 system, but will be offered as a free upgrade with the purchase of a qualifying ADS-B system. For more information, visit Garmin.com.
