diamondaviators.net

Has anyone checked the possibility of upgrading a legacy G1000 WITH WAAS to NXi screens? I have a 2008XLS with WAAS/GFC700/GTX345R. The improved resolution/brightness/contrast and processing power of the new PFD/MFD would be great to have the next time I lose a GDU1040. Rather than replacing with another rebuilt unit (that will likely require another replacement in a few years), I'd like the option to put in completely new GDU1050/1055's. The original list stated a $55K option (plus 70 hours labor) to upgrade a legacy G1000 DA62 (no similar option on the DA40-180 list) that included pulling perfectly good GIA63W's and upgrading to GIA64W. Swapping GIA's is not needed according to Garmin. I spoke about this topic with Garmin's field service manager at Oshkosh and he says the new displays should be drop-in replacements for existing GDU1040's but it's a Diamond issue requiring a wasteful investment in new GIA64W's. I would like to see if others are interested and maybe make a joint request to Diamond. He also mentioned that natural logistics challenges may force Diamond's hand as component shortages and obsolescence issues are making it much more difficult to continue rebuilding and recertifying GDU1040's.

From: Aviation Support <Aviation.Support@garmin.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 3:52:59 PM
To: dmloftus@hotmail.com <dmloftus@hotmail.com>
Subject: G1000 NXi

Hi David,
We discussed the DA 40 with G1000 NXi at Oshkosh on Sunday I believe. I have found out that the G1000 NXi system will work with GIA 63W’s but Diamond requires the upgrade to GIA 64W’s under their certification of the G1000 NXi system.
Please let me know if you have any further questions on this.
Thanks.

Best Regards,
Tim Larberg
Supervisor, Aviation Field Service Engineering
Aviation Product Support

FYI on the topic of GIA64's, there is a new SA on post-April 2021 GIA64's that worth reading:
https://s23634.pcdn.co/en-US/aviational ... /2195A.pdf

"ACTION
Be aware the COM receiver may fail and or squelch may stay open.
Contact your local Garmin dealer for compliance with Garmin Service Bulletin 2194"

The problem with upgrading legacy G1000 to G1000 NXi is that Diamond doesn't want to offer it. The reason behind it I can only guess but I believe it's avoiding competing upgraded used aircrafts with factory new ones.

ememic99 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:14 pm The problem with upgrading legacy G1000 to G1000 NXi is that Diamond doesn't want to offer it. The reason behind it I can only guess but I believe it's avoiding competing upgraded used aircrafts with factory new ones.

I hope that this is not what's happening. If so, I would walk away from Diamond here, now, forever. The situation has gotten quite old and I, for one, am (finally) running out of patience.

I am not aware of any OEM G1000 offering NXi upgrades for legacy aircraft.
So, I am not sure this is a Diamond specific issue.

Tim

TimS wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:22 pm I am not aware of any OEM G1000 offering NXi upgrades for legacy aircraft.
So, I am not sure this is a Diamond specific issue.

Tim

C172, TBM - two examples from different price levels.

This is legacy G1000 C172 upgraded to G1000 NXi.

ememic99 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:17 pm

TimS wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:22 pm I am not aware of any OEM G1000 offering NXi upgrades for legacy aircraft.
So, I am not sure this is a Diamond specific issue.

Tim

C172, TBM - two examples from different price levels.

Interesting, neither is covered by an STC that I can find. I wonder how it is done, or what STC is referenced and how my search failed.

Tim

Again Diamond may have no choice but to support it when (not if, but when) Garmin runs out of parts to recycle GDU1040's. BTW, here is the link to Garmin's 2 year old announcement on NXi upgrades of WAAS capable G1000's for Cessna and Beechcraft:

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviat ... -expanded/

And a list from an upgrade shop:

Aircraft currently equipped with the original G1000 integrated flight deck that are eligible for the G1000 NXi upgrade and their availability are as follows:

King Air C90/200/300/350: Upgrade available now
For a limited time, King Air customers receive a $20,000 Garmin rebate for new Garmin G1000 NXi installations. Learn more

Daher TBM 850/900: Upgrade available now
Cessna 172 R/S, (T)182T & (T)206H: Upgrade available now. WAAS-capable G1000 is a prerequisite.
Beechcraft Bonanza G36 & Baron G58: Upgrade available now. WAAS-capable G1000 is a prerequisite.
Embraer Phenom 100: Upgrade available now
Embraer Phenom 300: Upgrade available now
Piper M500: Upgrade available now

It’s all about ordering appropriate software update from Garmin.