We *never* use the center armrest GCU476 FMS keypad, because:MackAttack wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 2:48 pmThe keypad is also nice just from a buttonology/useability perspective, but of course it's not essential.
- it's awkwardly-placed
- the G1000 never seems to be in the correct mode to input alpha/numeric data into the right PFD/MFD fields, so you always have to hit extra buttons to switch to the correct input mode.
- it's just as fast and easy to enter radio frequencies by spinning knobs on the PFD/MFD
- with the FlightStream 510 wireless SDcard now enabled, it's much easier to enter or change flight plan waypoints using your iPad running Foreflight or Garmin Pilot, and then have the changes wirelessly synchronize with the NXi flight deck. The iPad has become an essential touchscreen keypad that mounts easily using the DA62s optional A-pillar RAM mounts, making the harder-to-use hardwired armrest keypad redundant.
If I were buying new again, I'd save the $22K.