Garmin Unveils New Distance Measuring Equipment
Garmin is pleased to announce new distance measuring equipment (DME) products – the GDM 4500 and 450R. These digital, state-of-the-art, remotemount DME radios are designed to provide slant distance information on select Garmin flight decks and displays. Both products can allow pilots to track two separate DMEs simultaneously. Compatible Garmin avionics can also automatically scan and tune up to three additional DME frequencies1. The GDM 450R is designed for Part 23 General Aviation aircraft, while the GDM 4500 includes additional environmental hardening and interfaces for turbine aircraft and helicopters. Either product offers a cost-effective way to add or upgrade DME capabilities on many popular aircraft.

GDM 450R for Part 23 General Aviation Aircraft
The GDM 450R can display distance information on select Garmin integrated flight decks, as well as TXi™ Flight Displays. Up to two separate DME frequencies can be tuned by the pilot via the navigation radios, providing slantrange distance relative to DME ground stations. For additional flexibility, the DME hold capability maintains the active DME distance indication when tuning the associated NAV radio to a different frequency. With an optional enablement, compatible Garmin avionics can automatically scan and tune up to three additional DME frequencies. Pilots can leverage this multi-channel capability for DME-DME Area Navigation (RNAV), using distance calculations from two or more DME ground stations to determine the aircraft’s position for RNAV routes 1. Additionally, the Free Scan Capability allows the system to search for DMEs in range. For integration with legacy distance indicators and navigation radios, GDM 450R also supports legacy databus connections.
GDM 4500 for Turbine Aircraft and Helicopters
Designed specifically for turbine aircraft and helicopters, the GDM 4500 meets higher qualification levels and is environmentally hardened. Along with Garmin integrated flight decks and TXi displays, it is also compatible with select third party systems, enabled by ARINC 429 support. The Free Scan capability and DME-DME navigation capability come standard with the GDM 4500 as supported by a compatible FMS.
1 Requires a compatible Garmin system; feature availability varies by product. Feature enablement required for GDM 450R.
yesterday