Alert Garmin AXIS announced to replace Garmin G3X

[Neal]

I saw posts on social media and checked Garmin's website. Also notice no software updates in quite a while for the G3X, I think it's fully baked.

Garmin

Check out this presentation to learn more about the AXIS flight display system from Garmin team members who helped develop it.

www.garmin.com

Something Revolutionary is Coming​

Join us for a special virtual launch event at 10 a.m. CDT (15:00 UTC) on July 8, 2026. Use the Notify Me option on YouTube® to set a reminder to watch our premiere.

You’ll see why your dream panel will never look the sam​

 

[Neal]

 

[ve6yeq]

I saw posts on social media and checked Garmin's website. Also notice no software updates in quite a while for the G3X, I think it's fully baked.

I hope that it is mostly a hardware revision and that the software shares a code base with the G3X / G3X Touch so that the G3X Touch (at least the experimental versions) keep getting improvements. It would be sad if Garmin stops all support for the G3X Touch just so that they can “force” people into a hardware upgrade.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

It would be sad if Garmin stops all support for the G3X Touch just so that they can “force” people into a hardware upgrade.

I would expect Garmin to at least fix known defects in G3X Touch software. Also Gamin has been successful, in part, because they re-use code across multiple platforms.

I'm confident there will be G3X Touch software updates in the future.

What is of more interest to me is how G4X Touch, if it exists, will be compatible with G3X Touch systems. I would expect a new GDU with more processing power that is a drop in replacement for the GDU 46x. Perhaps it will have an additional connector to provide more interfaces. I have used every available RS-232 interface and would like more.

 

[Neal]

Watching now. It's called AXIS. It is mounting compatible with G3X (GDU) mounts and cutouts.

 

[Neal]

Garmin

Next-generation flight displays for experimental and Class I/II certified aircraft with optional built-in IFR GPS/NAV/COMM and audio panel.

garmin.com

Looks interesting and a much needed modernization. Not sure I'd pay to or go through an upgrade of an existing plane, the G3X works well, but I'd be curious of the cost. It will be interesting how manufacturers will handle planes in production now and allow for the upgrade?

 

[Neal]

I think it would be wise for manufacturers such as CubCrafters to come up with an upgrade plan and pricing and send to current customers. It would be a good revenue opportunity in a slow market like we're in now.

 

[Neal]

Here come the videos:

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I did not hear any mention of connector pin compatibility with existing GDU 46x.

This screen grab shows the various connector configurations -

 

[Tsquared]

I think it would be wise for manufacturers such as CubCrafters to come up with an upgrade plan and pricing and send to current customers. It would be a good revenue opportunity in a slow market like we're in now.

Agreed, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

It does look like a really nice piece of kit and if I was in the middle of a build, I’d look seriously at switching to Axis

 

[Cactus Charlie]

The AXIS main feature seems to that it can, optionally, integrate systems that previously required separate LRU (COM radio and GPS IFR navigator).

From a systems availability point of view that may be fine if you have at least two displays that have that functionality.

For a single display system, as in the CubCrafters aircraft, I would find that lack of redundancy unacceptable. If the GDU fails now in my FX-3 I have lost engine indications and the ability to change the transponder squawk code. I still have IFR NAV capability, can fly a coupled RNAV approach, and have full use of my COM radio.

 

[Neal]

Agreed, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

It does look like a really nice piece of kit and if I was in the middle of a build, I’d look seriously at switching to Axis

More modern is always nice, the G3X is quite ancient from the tech perspective but I have to say it performs its task well and I'm very comfortable with it, still learning things with it and think it's a solid avionics component. I haven't heard if SiriusXM will be in the AXIS components or not.

At this point for newer planes it could be a resale issue. Just like glass panels, people want the latest and greatest too. At some point I guess you just have to stop caring and just enjoy what you have.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I haven't heard if SiriusXM will be in the AXIS components or not.

I think I see a GDL 52R in the rear view image I posted earlier. If correct, it implies no built-in SiriusXM.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Perhaps it will have an additional connector to provide more interfaces.

Well that didn't happen.

GDU 46x has connector PX03 which is a DB9 and is "reserved for future use - do not use." The new GDU in the video presentation appears to only have 2 of the 3 connectors fitted to GDU 46x. P4X01 and P4X02 are full with no spare pins so any hope of having additional RS-232 ports with the new GDU seems to have fallen on stony ground.

Maybe one day Garmin will produce a CANBus interface unit with additional RS-232 and General Purpose analog interfaces.

 

[Neal]

The premier video mentioned support for both CANBus and RS-232. Seems it can use both. Is there an installation manual available yet?

 

[Cactus Charlie]

The G3X GDU 46x has CANBus and RS-232 interfaces. For some external sensors CANBus is primary and there is also an RS-232 backup interface. Some external LRU, e.g. GMC 305 and GDL 52R have not CANBus interface and only have RS-232.

I have not seen an AXIS installation manual but I'd make a small bet the the connector pinout is identical to the GDU 46x for the basic interface connectors.

I just found this post to the VANS group - Garmin AXIS, Next Generation Integrated Flight Display

Lots more detail than the Garmin video and includes prices.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Installation manual link from the VANS thread - https://static.garmin.com/pumac/190-03123-20_01.pdf

 

[Neal]

I’m surprised no mention of a credit for GDU-465 trade up. They need them for refurb sales like I had to buy.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I'd make a small bet the the connector pinout is identical to the GDU 46x for the basic interface connectors.

Offer withdrawn. Lots of differences.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

They need them for refurb sales like I had to buy

Was that an exchange or do you still have the failed GDU. PM with detail if you like.

 

[Neal]

Was that an exchange or do you still have the failed GDU. PM with detail if you like.

I had to send in the one I had a small scratch on, paid $1500 for the refurb, first one was defective, they replaced it again and all is well. So selling them on your own could be an option, they were 6500 new, or Garmin could offer a trade-up or an avionics shop I suppose. I paid the "stupid" price - when doing work in your cub, protect your GDU. I hit it struggling with the left panel remove/replace somehow just not paying attention. I'm surprised people don't drag a foot across it getting in these cubs, I've been close at times trying to do the yoga maneuver to get in the plane. Off topic...but moral is a trade-up would help offset the upgrade cost for those wanting the new toys.

This glass stuff is all well and fine but don't lose sight that it's a cub. Enjoy the thrill of flight, not be so fixated on phones, technology, etc. We are moving further and further away from what the J-3 brought to aviation here lately, IMHO.

 

[Neal]

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I had to send in the one I had a small scratch on

Thanks. I would have been interested in having a dead GDU 465.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Here is my first attempt to compare pinouts for the GDU 46x and the AXIS display.

Green highlight shows pins which appear to have the same function. All others need additional evaluation to see what would need to be changed to fit an AXIS display in place of a GDU 46x.

 

[Neal]

I saw on social media CubCrafters is going to offer retrofits. If anyone gets a quote, please share.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I was interested to see that all the AXIS promotional videos and the system test bench show the G5 and not the newer GI 275.

Hopefully that means continued production and support for the G5.

 

[Neal]

Certainly some neat tech to spend your hard earned money on. The G5 is certainly showing its age, it has the lower res/poorer quality display but serves its purpose.

 

[Neal]

Thanks. I would have been interested in having a dead GDU 465.

I think the market is going to be flooded with them (not sure 465) but I'm already seeing social media posts offering their G3X's as they ordered AXIS already.

When I contacted Garmin I asked about the G4X so I could just put the money towards that instead and of course they had nothing to share. I offered NDA, beta test, etc. Yeah, no. The one benefit in my getting the refurb is warranty and that paid off as the first one received was bad.

So anyways, they're coming on to the market now.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I saw on social media CubCrafters is going to offer retrofits. If anyone gets a quote, please share.

The Cubrafters announcement is here - PRESS RELEASE - CubCrafters Brings Garmin’s New AXIS™ Integrated Flight Displays to Its Entire Aircraft Lineup - CubCrafters

 

[Neal]

Certainly tempting but completely unnecessary. G3X is a fine unit.

I think AXIS is going to see a lot of firmware updates as with anything new but also this complex. I'd like to see a side by side of the PFD (ADI/HSI) area between AXIS and G3X as it seems more compressed and more information making it potentially harder to read. I could be wrong but it caught my attention in some of the flight demo videos I've seen. Curious if anyone else notices the same? More data in a compact display isn't necessarily bad, it just requires some adjustment and learning. The engine data such as CHT's seem a little harder to decipher, but no experience obviously, just paying attention to some of the user interface design aspects.

I read the unit is thicker so you have take that into account (depth) in the mount. It seems the entire unit goes as far back as our cooling fan slapped to the back side of the GDU.