Garmin’s New Slimline Nav/Coms Offer a Lower-Cost Alternative
The GTR 205 and GNC 215 incorporate a full-color display in a 1.3-inch-high bezel.
The new Garmin GTR 205 com and GNC 215 nav/com fit into a 1.3-inch-high slot in the panel. [Courtesy: Garmin Aviation]
In a move that follows onto the success of the GI 275 multifunction electronic instrument it debuted in 2020, Garmin on Wednesday announced it has launched two new lines of com and nav/com radios to target the replacement and upgrade market. The Garmin GTR 205 com and GNC 215 nav/com radios incorporate a full-color display—and a full feature set—in a 1.3-inch-high bezel found on each unit. Both have received FAA TSO authorization and will be available in March through Garmin’s dealer network.
“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’s 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.”
Each unit offers a worldwide database and intuitive user interface, according to the company—and it can be installed in both fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. The GTR 205 and GNC 215 are designed as a complementary replacement for the SL20 and SL30 with the same form factor.
Additional features include:
- Pilot-selectable 25 kHz or 8.33 kHz channel spacing
- Sunlight-readable color LCD display
- Standby and active windows
- Station ID
- Dual concentric knobs and backlit keys
The GTR 205 com features a 2,280-channel-capable VHF com and comes standard with 10 watts of power, with a 16-watt option available. It also has a built-in timer.
The GNC 215 nav/com adds in full VHF navigation capabilities, including a VOR/ILS functionality with glideslope indication. Pilots can use its navaid lookup feature as well as benefit from the on-screen station ID.
“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,” Garmin stated in a release. “These nav/com products 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.”
Price for the GTR 205 com begins at $2,695 suggested retail, with the GNC 215 starting at $5,295.
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