Garmin International released new nav/comm units in late January that have a slim 34 mm bezel height.
The Garmin GTR 205 comm and GNC 215 nav/comm have been designed as affordable solutions for customers, but still maintain an easy-to-read LCD and world-wide frequency database.
The 34 mm height of these TSO'd avionics matches the previous generation SL30 and SL40 radios, enabling easier upgrades and creating more room in instrument panels constrained by space.
"The GTR 205 and GNC 215 products show Garmin’s commitment to offering attractive and affordable ground-based navigation and communication options while continuing to provide world-class, modern capabilities," said Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales and Marketing.
"We are excited to offer these new solutions for our general aviation customers as we keep our entire product line fresh."
The 2280-channel 205 radio comes standard with 10 watts of power with a 16-watt option also available. Pilots can monitor a standby frequency while tuned to the active frequency, allowing them to perform various tasks such as listening to ATIS transmissions without leaving the active ATC frequency.
The worldwide frequency database can be searched by an airport identifier, and frequency memory and instant recall make tuning to the most often or recently used frequencies quick and efficient. To assist with approaches, holds or other assigned maneuvers, the GTR 205 includes a built-in timer, with the option to count up or count down.
The GNC 215 nav/comm offers all the same comm features as the GTR 205, while also adding full VHF navigation capabilities, including VOR/ILS with localizer and glideslope.
Navaid look-up allows the GNC 215 to find the desired frequency from its built-in worldwide database when entering a navaid, and the automatic station ID feature will decode a VOR's Morse identifier.
The GNC 215 also has the ability to monitor the standby VOR frequency while displaying the received radial and features a supplemental CDI display for a VOR or localizer. The GNC 215 will interface with most CDI, HSI and autopilot systems, as well as most Garmin flight displays to show the nav indicators in the primary field of view.
Garmin has set the suggested retail price of the GTR 205 at $US2695 and the GNC 215 at $US5295.
Deliveries to customers are expected to begin in late March.