When Garmin launched a smartwatch for pilots over a decade in the past, few may have imagined that the D2 would turn into a powerhouse line of pilot watches, however that’s precisely what occurred. The D2 has advanced from a chunky watch with a low decision display screen to a high-end machine with unbelievable capabilities, and attracted a loyal following alongside the way in which. This month Garmin launched the newest technology, the D2 Air X15 and the D2 Mach 2, which function higher screens and extra options than ever.
The Air X15 is extra of a sport watch, with a smaller bezel and lighter weight case that makes it perfect for nearly any exercise, from working to cellphone calls (actual our full Air X15 overview right here). The Mach 2 is the final word pilot watch, with premium supplies and each function you may think about (learn our full Mach 2 overview right here). Each fashions embody a bunch of useful options, together with built-in GPS receiver, transferring map, pulse oximeter, barometric altimeter, health monitoring, smartphone notifications, and flashlight.
Whereas these watches work nice as standalone navigators—they require no exterior connection for navigation and have built-in HSI screens—the watches are additionally one other node in Garmin’s Connext platform, which ties collectively a number of units within the cockpit, from iPad apps to panel avionics. Right here’s how you can use them.
Garmin Join app
Connecting a Garmin watch to your cellphone or pill is a superb place to start out. First, obtain the free Garmin Join app in your cellphone. This isn’t an aviation-specific app, nevertheless it’s the primary connection between your watch and the web. This app will permit you to sync calendar appointments and contacts, observe your exercise information, and push e mail/cellphone/textual content alerts to your watch.
To make the connection, press and maintain the menu button on the left facet of the watch, then faucet on the settings image, and select Connectivity -> Cellphone. It will put the watch in pairing mode. In your cellphone, open the Garmin Join app and add a tool -> D2 Mach 2 or D2 Air X15. Notice that you just gained’t go to the primary iOS Settings app as you’ll with most wi-fi units. All pairing is finished immediately within the Garmin Join app.
When you’re paired, you may regulate choices and arrange private info, from downloading music (the watch helps Spotify and Amazon Music) to enabling Garmin Pay (the corporate’s contactless fee system). One factor that’s value spending a while on is the order of glances, the quick-access widgets which are accessible by swiping up or down from the primary watch face. The Garmin Join app makes it straightforward so as to add, take away, and reorder these glances to fit your choice.
The D2 can show reside METARs and TAFs anytime you’re related to the Garmin Join app in your cellphone and you’ve got an energetic web connection. That is a simple technique to verify climate while not having to have a look at your cellphone or pill. You possibly can even set a favourite airport and the primary clock face will present climate information for that airport.
Garmin Pilot app
To unlock all of the aviation options, obtain the Garmin Pilot app and register. Should you’ve already paired your watch to your cellphone with the Garmin Join app, it is best to see the D2 out there below the Gadgets menu. That is the place to seek out all exterior units, from GDL 50 ADS-B receivers to Flight Stream panel-mount units. Tapping in your D2 mannequin will present particulars in regards to the watch, together with connection standing and battery life.
That is additionally the place to sync flight plans. Within the screenshot at proper, we have now it set to routinely switch flight plan updates, however you too can manually push a flight plan from the cellphone to the watch. Notice that flight plan sync isn’t out there with ForeFlight or different apps.
One different setting on this web page is the SPO2 warning threshold. This makes use of the watch’s built-in pulse oximeter, which tracks oxygen ranges and pulse. However you too can set an alert in Garmin Pilot to pop up a notification within the app in case your oxygen degree drops to an unsafe degree.
Lastly, notice that automated flight logging is obtainable with these watches. They will begin recording above 200 toes and cease recording when groundspeed will get beneath 30 knots. It will document GPS place and pace, and a fundamental map and graphs can be found within the Garmin Join app. For extra detailed evaluation, the flight logs are uploaded routinely to FlyGarmin.com. From right here, you may see all the main points.
inReach integration
The D2 Mach 2 has a further function: it could actually additionally hook up with Garmin’s common inReach satellite tv for pc communicators, for the final word in emergency help and connection. To set this up, you’ll need to add an inReach look to the watch. A look is a quick-access function that may be discovered by swiping up from the primary watch face. You possibly can add a look from the Garmin Join app (from the house display screen, faucet in your watch on the prime proper, then Look -> Glances), or on the watch itself by tapping the pencil icon on the backside of the glances.
After pairing, you may press START to choice an choice: provoke SOS (which ought to solely be finished in an emergency), new message (to create a customized textual content message), or ship preset (to shortly ship a message you composed in your cellphone or pill earlier than flight). The final choice is the simplest from a watch, and is nice for easy updates on ETA. The SOS choice sends a misery sign by way of the Iridium community, which can alert search and rescue providers.
For extra sophisticated messages, it’s finest to make use of Garmin Pilot. This creates a devoted messages web page within the app, and makes it straightforward to sort a customized message.
PlaneSync
PlaneSync permits homeowners to verify the standing of their airplane remotely.
In 2023, Garmin launched an modern new system known as PlaneSync, a contemporary strategy to database updates and avionics connectivity. This combines permanently-installed {hardware}, wi-fi subscriptions, and pill apps to maintain an airplane completely related—even when it’s parked in a hangar. One among our favourite options is Distant Plane Standing, which permits pilots to “get up” the airplane to verify database standing, gasoline degree, oil temperature, battery voltage, and extra. It makes use of a built-in LTE radio within the airplane (identical to your cellular phone) so it could actually join from nearly wherever, nevertheless it won’t work in flight.
Garmin Pilot has a devoted display screen for this, however this info can be reviewed on the D2 Mach 2 and Air X15. The simplest method to do that is by including a look: swipe down from the primary watch face, faucet the plus image, and select PlaneSync. You’ll first must have your airplane geared up with a GDL 60 and arrange on FlyGarmin.com (utilizing the identical Garmin account that’s used on the watch); assuming that’s finished, it is best to see the N-number listed.
Faucet on the look for detailed info, together with gasoline degree, database standing, and extra.
Study extra
The D2 Mach 2 is obtainable for $1499.99 with a titanium band or $1349.99 with a leather-based band.
The D2 Air X15 is obtainable in silver or slate for $649.99.
The Garmin Join app is free to obtain for iOS and Android.
Garmin Pilot is free to obtain (additionally for iOS and Android) however requires an annual subscription to unlock most options.
Coming from an aviation household, John grew up behind small airplanes and discovered to fly as an adolescent. Ever since, he has been hooked on aviation of all types and recurrently flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He’s a 4000-hour ATP and likewise holds scores for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He has written for Flying journal, AOPA Pilot, and Airplane & Pilot, and is at the moment the Editor-in-Chief of Air Details and the host of the Pilot’s Discretion podcast.
