Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Anyone upgrade to AXIS ??

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web

Meconiates

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2025
Posts
57
Type aircraft owned
TBM850, Carbon Cub SS, FX3 (on order)
Base airport
KHPN
Ratings
CMEL / CSEL / CSES / CRH / Instrument
So I have a FX3 build on order that is coming off the line with G3X and I am trying to figure out the most cost effective way to upgrade to AXIS - either via CubCrafters factory or an avionics shop post delivery.

Anyone upgrade their G3X to AXIS? If so, can you share who you used and costs involved?

Separately is anyone running a GTN650 on their Carbon Cub ?
 
A friend had an FX-3 with a GTN 650, but there isn't enough space for the radio if you have comm on the right side.

As to the AXIS, bluntly, I'm over it. The G3X is perfectly fine. When it first came out I of course wanted it and first reached out the Midwest panel builders as I watch them on YouTube. That was a never ending back and forth where I just gave up. Prior to Oshkosh it was clear, I wanted them to upgrade my plane, I offered to be the first FX-3 for them, two were ahead of me. They said they'd have an estimate by whenever (prior to OSH) and that didn't happen. I get it, they're busy prepping for OSH I presume. I waited until after OSH and reached out to them. They said they'd gladly send me the panel. I don't want the panel! I want the plane upgraded. The conversation ended there, it was futile, I have no idea why I couldn't communicate with them offering to fly my plane up and have it upgraded.

So I reached out to CubCrafters via parts I think it was asking about the upgrade. It was me and one other xcub at that time and they said they'd get back to me. Never heard from them.

So I've given up and probably a good thing as again, the G3X is perfectly fine. I no longer have any desire for the AXIS or the troubles it may bring being new, and having a perfect airplane that is just going to have something go wrong in the process.

If I were you and HAD to have it, I would not take delivery until it was done. It will go to the service hangar and they will do the upgrade and when done I'd take delivery. They do the mods after production that you may want. They've upgraded their own planes, no reason they can't upgrade yours. It's just a matter of whether you want to pay the price. I'd also keep the GDU-465 and sell it. You could probably get 3-4K for it.
 
So I just spent upwards of $500k on a brand new FX3 and so I am getting AXIS one way or another. I have been trying to get a reasonable upgrade offer from the factory but so far that’s been elusive.

To give some context, I am already getting a full Garmin IFR avionics package costing $60,270, including the G3X GDU 465, Garmin autopilot, GNC 355 GPS/COM, G5, GTR 20 remote COM and GTX 45R remote transponder.

Initially I asked to swap out the G3X with a AXIS 116NC to pick up NAV COMM radios. The hardware difference is around $19k but they quoted me $31k which sounded high.

So then the factory then suggested that they swap out the G3X for AXIS 116BX and swap out the 355 for a 650. The difference in hardware cost for those swaps is around $7,700 but somehow their “upgrade” quote ballooned to $37k which they can’t explain. I sent emails over the weekend but it’s been crickets since….

To be honest, I am a bit disappointed because I have been asking about AXIS since Oshkosh and here we are in mid October, about 1 month from my expected delivery date and this is still up in the air. And to add insult to injury, they said any AXIS upgrade would further delay my plane by an additional month. How is a drop in screen replacement a month of work ???

So I think at this point I need to find a good Garmin avionics shop that can do this for me after delivery. If anyone has any recommendations I would appreciate any referrals.
 
I don't know it's just a screen replacement, I think there is more behind the panel that needs to be handled. CubCrafters knew this was coming, they should have offered everyone on the line at OSH and after the opportunity to upgrade and sign a NDA if required not to mention the AXIS.

CubCrafters' pricing is insane, no doubt about it. My BRS was 17K. It's over 30K now.

I'll take a J-3 please :)
 
I suggest trying Midwest Panel Builders and maybe you can make better progress with them.
 

Latest resources

Back
Top Bottom