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G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 1:45 am
by Boatguy
First, this thread is for owners of Diamond aircraft with the G1000NXi and raises issues with how Diamond has implemented the G1000NXi and how they are supporting it. Owners of G1000 equipped Diamond aircraft may find the complaints minor as the NXi system has many features that the G1000 does not. Please keep in mind that owners with the G1000NXI recently spent $500K - $1.3M USD on their airplane and would like to avoid the situation in which G1000 owners now find themselves with respect to Diamond support, or lack thereof.

NXi owners would like to use this thread to document the ways in which Diamond has failed to support NXi, or failed to enable owners to have access to all of its capabilities. Initially this thread will be a means to “crowd source” the issues as even with the G1000NXi there is already considerable variation based on vintage and model of Diamond airplane. Given the sequential nature of forum threads I will periodically update the linked read only document with the additions and corrections contributed in the thread.

Aside from the issues in the linked spreadsheet, here are several over arching questions that need to be addressed by Diamond, and feel free to contribute others.

1) What is Diamond’s commitment to provide software updates to owners of a G1000NXi system?

2) Are Phase 1 and Phase 2 owners going to have access to the same features going forward (subject to constraints of the underlying hardware)? Or is there a major fork in the code and Phase 1 owners are the new “orphans”. Will Phase 2 owners suffer a similar fate?

3) Will Diamond have a hardware update program for G1000NXi owners as Garmin continues to update their offerings? For example, can a Phase 1 owner purchase a GMA1360 to replace their GMA1347? Will a Phase II owner be able to purchase a GTX345?? that supports antenna diversity to reach satellites (as may be required in Canada)?

This first draft is presumably incomplete and contains inaccuracies. Please help me identify and correct them :).

Please note there are two tabs on the sheet for two different kinds of issues, and let me know if there are any problems accessing it. And the "P1" and "P2" refer to "Phase I" and "Phase II" and are shortened for appearance and presentation.


G1000 NXi Missing Features

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 7:49 am
by jast
I can confirm that on our new DA62 (62.113/D-IODE), delivered august, ferried last week, the software does not support:

Checklists
Visual Appr
Flightstream 510 (a big one for me!)
SurfaceWatch
3D audio and bluetooth (it has phase 1 hw)
GTX345R support

I am pretty sure I have Vmca and Vyse lines on the PFD
I have not checked (nor missed) the passenger announce mode

I can’t check for:

FIS-B weather (we don’t have that in europe)

We have paid for the 345R already and got it promised Q4 this year. This includes a new software release for our phase 1 hardware.

Regards,
Jan

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:36 pm
by CFIDave
Russ: Thanks for pulling this information together

One thing I'd suggest removing from the spreadsheet is Yaw Damper support. This is not a G1000 software limitation, but simply a manufacturer decision not to install the additional servo hardware to control the rudder in single-engine aircraft. None of the GFC700 autopilot DA40s (Lycoming or Austro) have ever had a yaw damper, whereas every GFC700 autopilot Diamond twin (DA42NG, DA42-VI, DA62) has always included a yaw damper. I don't think you'll find a yaw damper on Cessna GFC700 singles, either.

Re: NXi Missing Features

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 5:04 pm
by Guest
One thing I'd suggest removing from the spreadsheet is Yaw Damper support. This is not a G1000 software limitation, but simply a manufacturer decision not to install the additional servo hardware to control the rudder in single-engine aircraft. None of the GFC700 autopilot DA40s (Lycoming or Austro) have ever had a yaw damper, whereas every GFC700 autopilot Diamond twin (DA42NG, DA42-VI, DA62) has always included a yaw damper. I don't think you'll find a yaw damper on Cessna GFC700 singles, either.

Cirrus G1000 with GFC700 have had a yaw damper available for years. Not rubbing it in, I am a Diamond fan.

One other feature that should be added to the wish list; an AOA indicator on the PFD. Several years ago as they shifted to the NXi platform Cirrus announced there would be no new software updates for the older G1000. Then they came out with a surprise software update for older G1000s that included, among other things, automatic on/off for the yaw damper at 200 ft and an AOA indicator on the PFD for all FIKI birds. The stall vane on FIKI aircraft, like the ones on DA42 and DA62, can double as a lift indicator with just a software update, no new hardware.

AOA, ask for it.

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:00 am
by Boatguy
CFIDave wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:36 pm Russ: Thanks for pulling this information together

One thing I'd suggest removing from the spreadsheet is Yaw Damper support. This is not a G1000 software limitation, but simply a manufacturer decision not to install the additional servo hardware to control the rudder in single-engine aircraft. None of the GFC700 autopilot DA40s (Lycoming or Austro) have ever had a yaw damper, whereas every GFC700 autopilot Diamond twin (DA42NG, DA42-VI, DA62) has always included a yaw damper. I don't think you'll find a yaw damper on Cessna GFC700 singles, either.
Dave: Yaw Damper is listed twice, once on the documentation tab and once on the Missing Features.

It's on the Missing Features because it could be offered as a option, as it is on Cirrus aircraft. If it fits in the DA42 it would certainly fit in the DA40 and relieve the right leg stretch during my 20min climbs to 14,000' to get over the Sierras. My plane also wags like a dog in certain terrain while on AP. It is certainly a more interesting option than the ADF which they do offer as an option. So it is "missing" in the sense that the G1000NXi supports it, the competition offers it and DAI could offer it.

More importantly is the inclusion on the second tab. The Pilot's Guide, which says "DA40NG" right on the cover, includes references to the Yaw Damper! If they're not going to offer it as an option then they should at least remove it from the documentation.

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:10 am
by ememic99
There’s post in “Public Forum” with same title. Can someone of admins move the post here and delete it there to avoid having same threads in two sub-forums?

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 1:34 pm
by Rick
ememic99 wrote: Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:10 amThere’s post in “Public Forum” with same title. Can someone of admins move the post here and delete it there to avoid having same threads in two sub-forums?
Done.

Re: NXi Missing Features

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 7:56 pm
by CFIDave
Guest wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 5:04 pm The stall vane on FIKI aircraft, like the ones on DA42 and DA62, can double as a lift indicator with just a software update, no new hardware.
Not true. A few years ago the stall warning system failed on my FIKI DA42, so I removed the heated stall warning system from the wing and tested it with an ohm meter: it's merely an on-off switch that works when a fixed angle of attack is exceeded, activating a small buzzer (which is what failed) located on the bottom of the left side instrument panel.

Having said that, there is a "lift indicator" (made by the same company that makes Diamond's stall warning system) that looks similar and could probably be retrofitted. But that would require replacing hardware, installing new software, and adding additional wiring, not to mention certification and flight testing.

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 5:22 pm
by Boatguy
Dave: The Missing Features spreadsheet has been updated and is complete for now.

Above and beyond these individual issues is the opportunity for DAI to revise the software update policy statement made in Mr. McFadzean's letter of September 20. For the benefit of potential DAI customers, here is the full statement:
Software Updates - We will not guarantee that every aircraft owner with any G1000 system will be able
to access all current and future upgrade features. This is simply not feasible. While we remain
committed to considering legacy owners when working to certify new features (avionics or otherwise), we
are not prepared to promise everything to everyone, nor do we believe it is reasonable to expect this.
Certainly, any issues impacting the safety of flight are a different consideration entirely, and Garmin and
Diamond will always ensure our owners have solutions to address these. Of note, Diamond has
committed to working with Garmin to provide a further software update for DA40-180 customers in order
to support seamless integration of the available ADSB solution from Garmin. We cannot currently
commit to a time line on this, however we will certainly keep any interested owners/parties updated.
This "policy" statement primarily focuses on what DAI won't do. It essentially says the $150,000+ of avionics you have just purchased is frozen when you take delivery of your airplane. Irrespective of what software features and capabilities are in the documentation we provided at purchase, or that other aircraft manufacturers offer on the same avionics hardware, or that Garmin may make available in the future, we make no commitment to update your avionics software unless failure to do so could potentially kill you and your passengers.

Unlike airframes, avionics are constantly evolving. I strongly urge Mr. McFadzean to publish a software policy statement of what DAI will do for customers. Alternatively, if DAI does not want to support the integrated avionics they should stop delivering airplanes whose type certification is dependent on them. This would enable customers to purchase avionics from other manufacturers and receive continuing support.

As you requested, the spreadsheet lists the missing features which you can use in conversations with DAI. Can you please carry these issues to the company and let us know their response?

Re: G1000NXi - The Missing Features

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:04 pm
by AndrewM
I always thought that one day I would pay the (significant) price premium to buy a new Diamond plane based on how much I love and enjoy the product, but with issues like what Russ points out above, and also Dave, it seems that new plane premium is even harder to justify...

BTW, some of you may have heard that Mooney has gone out of business (again). A real shame. And while there will be endless debates about the benefits of the chute, and now auto-land, Cirrus continues to go from strength-to-strength from listening to their customers, actually doing something about that feedback, and consequently selling lots and lots of new planes because new owners seemingly have confidence their high-dollar purchase will be supported, more so that other manufacturers. Looking on the COPA forum, I do not see any degree of these issues being mentioned.

I guess the ultimate acid test will be when the DA50 is launched. How many Cirrus owners looking to upgrade or go to something newer will convert to Diamond?