lxnav LX G-meter Standalone Digital Meter With Built-In Flight Recorder
Specifications
- Product Name: LX G-meter
- Type: Standalone digital G-meter with built-in flight recorder
- Manufacturer: LXNAV
- Dimensions: Standard 57mm cut-out
- Power Supply: Compatible with any FLARM device with RJ12 connector, recommended fuse 1A
Important Notices
The LXNAV G-METER system is designed for VFR use only. All information is presented for reference only. It is ultimately the pilot’s responsibility to ensure that the aircraft is being flown by the manufacturer’s aircraft flight manual. The g-meter must be installed by applicable airworthiness standards according to the country of registration of the aircraft.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. LXNAV reserves the right to change or improve their products and to make changes in the content of this material without the obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements.
A Yellow triangle is shown for parts of the manual which should be read carefully and are important for operating the LXNAV G-METER system.
Notes with a red triangle describe procedures that are critical and may result in loss of data or any other critical situation.
A bulb icon is shown when a useful hint is provided to the reader.
Limited Warranty
This LXNAV g-meter product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. Within this period, LXNAV will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts and labour, the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident, or unauthorized alterations or repairs.
THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND INSTEAD OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LXNAV BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. LXNAV retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the unit or software or to offer a full refund of the purchase price at its sole discretion. SUCH REMEDY SHALL BE
YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.
To obtain warranty service, contact your local LXNAV dealer or contact LXNAV directly.
Packing Lists
- LXNAV g-Meter
- Power supply cable
- Calibration chart by MIL-A-5885 paragraph 4.6.3 (Optional)
Installation
The LXNAV G-meter requires a standard 57mm cut-out. Ensure the power supply scheme is compatible with any FLARM device with an RJ12 connector. The recommended fuse is 1A. The back of the unit has two pressure ports with dedicated labels indicating their functions.
More about pinout and pressure port connections is available in Chapter 7: Wiring and static ports. 
Pressure ports are available only in the “FR” version
Cut-Outs
Cut-Out for LXNAV G-meter 57
The length of the screw is limited to maximum 4mm!
Cut-Out for LXNAV G-meter 80
The drawing is not to scale
Length of screw is limited to max 4mm!
The LXNAV G-meter at a Glance
The LXNAV g-meter is standalone unit designed to measure, indicate and log g-forces. The unit has standard dimensions that will fit into the instrument panel with an opening of 57 mm diameter.
The unit has an integrated high precision digital pressure sensor and inertial system. The sensors are sampled more than 100 times per second. Real Time Data is displayed on a QVGA 320×240 pixel 2.5-inch high brightness colour display. To adjust values and settings the LXNAV g-meter has three push buttons.
LXNAV G-meter Features
- An extremely bright 2.5″ QVGA colour display readable in all sunlight conditions with the ability to adjust the backlight
- 320×240 pixels colour screen for additional information such as minimum and maximum g-force
- Three push buttons are used for input
- G-force up to +-16G
- Built-in RTC (real-time clock)
- Logbook
- 100 Hz sampling rate for very fast response.
- 57mm (2.25’’) or 80mm(3,15’’) version
Interfaces
- Serial RS232 input/output
- Micro SD card
Technical data
| Parameter | Symbol | Min | Typ | Max | Units |
| Power Supply | Power | 8.0 | 12.0 | 32.0 | V |
| Consumption at 12V | Current | 90 | 120 | 140 | mA |
| Max range | G | -16 | +16 | G (m/s2) | |
| G-force Accuracy | G | -0.1 | +0.1 | G (m/s2) | |
| FR memory (Ext. Micro SD card) | 16Gb | ||||
| Airspeed measurement | 325 | km/h | |||
| Airspeed measurement | 175 | kts | |||
| Airspeed accuracy | -2 | +2 | km/h | ||
| Airspeed accuracy | -1 | +1 | Kts | ||
| RTC accuracy | Time | -100 | +100 | ppm |
The airspeed sensor is not calibrated as it is used only for detecting the start and end of the flight. The measurement of the airspeed may be inaccurate.
G-meter57
- Power input 8-32V DC
- Consumption 90-140mA@12V
- Weight 195g
- Dimensions: 57 mm (2.25’’) cut-out
- 62x62x48mm Power input 8-32V DC
Consumption 90-140mA@12V
Weight 315g
Dimensions: 80 mm (3,15’’) cut-out
80x81x45mm
G-meter80
- Power input 8-32V DC
- Consumption 90-140mA@12V
- Weight 315g
- Dimensions: 80 mm (3,15’’) cut-out
- 80x81x45mm
System Description
Push Button
LXNAV G-meter has three push buttons. It detects short or long presses of the push button. A short press means just a click; a long press means pushing the button for more than one second.
The three buttons between have fixed functions. The top button is ESC (CANCEL), the middle button is to switch between modes, and the lower button is the ENTER (OK) button. The upper and lower buttons are also used to rotate between subpages in the WPT and TSK modes.
Flight recorder (FR) version
G-meter FR can also record flights. If FR is enabled, Logbook mode is available, le as well as the option to transfer flight data recordings (.igc) files via an SD card. Please note that although the G-meter has a flight recorder and files are in .igc format, the device is not IGC certified (it can’t be used for soaring competitions or records claims). Only G-force data and IASares were recorded. IGC logs are stored internally in the unit. Recorder IAS is not calibrated and may not indicate the real values.
SD card
SD card is used for updates and transfer logs. To update device simply copy update file to SD card and restart the device. You will be prompt for an update. For normal operation, it is not necessary to have SD card inserted.
A micro SD card is not included with the new G-meter.
Switching on the Unit
The unit will power on and will be ready for immediate use.
User Input
The LXNAV G-meter user interface consists of dialogues which have various input controls. They are designed to make the input of names, parameters, etc., as easy as possible.
Input controls can be summarized as
- Text editor
- Spin controls (Selection control)
- Checkboxes
- Slider control
Text Edit Control
The Text Editor is used to input an alphanumeric string; the picture below shows typical options when editing text/numbers. Use the upper and lower button to change the value at the current cursor position.
Once the required value is selected, long-press the lower push button to move to the next character selection. To move back to the previous character, long-press the upper push button. When you have finished editing, press the middle push button. A long press of the middle push button exits from the edited field (“control”) without any changes.
Selection Control
Selection boxes, also known as combo boxes, are used to select a value from a list of predefined values. Use the top or bottom buttonto scroll through the list. With middle button confirms the selection. Long press to the middle button to cancel changes.
Checkbox and Checkbox List
A checkbox enables or disables a parameter. Press the middle button to toggle the value. If an option is enabled, a check mark will be displayed, otherwise, an empty rectangle will be displayed.
Slider Selector
Some values, such as volume and brightness, are displayed as a slider icon.
With a push of the middle button, you can activate the slide control and then by pushing top and bottom button you can select the preferred value and confirm it via the middle button.
Switching Off
The unit will switch off when no external power supply is present.
System Description
The unit features a push button, flight recorder (FR) version, SD card slot, and user input controls including text edit control, selection control, checkbox options, slider selector, etc. To switch on the unit, follow the specified procedure. User input controls allow for various settings adjustments.
Operating Modes
The LXNAV G-meter operates in main mode for regular usage. Access the quick access menu for immediate settings changes. Enter the setup mode to customize logbook entries, indicators, display settings like brightness and night mode darkness, hardware configurations, passwords, and system information.
The LXNAV G-meter has two operating modes: Main mode and Setup mode.
- Main mode: Shows g-force scale, with maximums and minimums.
- Setup mode: For all aspects of the setup of the LXNAV g-meter.
With the up or down menu, we will enter the quick access menu.
Main mode
Quick Access Menu
In the quick access menu, we can reset the maximum displayed positive and negative g-load or switch to night mode. The user must confirm switching to night mode. If it is not confirmed in 5 seconds, it will switch back to normal mode.
Setup Mode
Logbook
The logbook menu displays the list of flights. If the RTC time is set properly the take-off and landing time shown will be correct. Each flight item consists of the maximum positive g-load, the maximum negative g-load from the flight and the maximum IAS.
This function is available only with the “FR” version.
Indicator
The needle range can be set between 8g, 12g and 16g.The theme and needle type can be also adjusted in this menu.
Display
Automatic Brightness
If the Automatic Brightness box is checked the brightness will be automatically adjusted between the minimum and maximum parameters set. If the Automatic Brightness is unchecked the brightness is controlled by the brightness setting.
Minimum Brightness
Use this slider to adjust the minimum brightness for the Automatic Brightness option.
Maximum Brightness
Use this slider to adjust the maximum brightness for the Automatic Brightness option.
Get Brighter In
The user can specify in which period the brightness can reach the required brightness.
Get Darker In
The user can specify in which period the brightness can reach the required brightness.
Brightness
With the Automatic Brightness unchecked, you can set the brightness manually with this slider.
Night Mode Darkness
Set the percentage of the brightness to be usedafter pressingn the NIGHT mode button.
Hardware
The hardware menu consists of three items:
- Limits
- System time
- Airspeed offset
Limits
In this menu user can set the limits of indicator
- The minimum red zone limit is a red marker for maximum negative g-load
- Max red zone limit is red marker for maximum positive g-load
- The warning zone minimum is a yellow area of caution for negative g-load
- The warning zone max is a yellow area of caution for positive g-load
force sensor works up to +-16g.
System Time
In this menu the user can set the local time and date. Available is also an offset from UTC. UTC is used within the flight recorder. All flights are logged in UTC.
Airspeed Offset
In case of any drift of the airspeed pressure sensor, the user can adjust the offset, or align it to zero.
Do not do autozero when airborne!
Password
- 01043 – Auto zero of the pressure sensor
- 32233 – Format device (all data will be lost)
- 00666 – Reset all settings to factory default
- 16250 – Show debug info
- 99999 – Delete complete logbook
Logbook deletion is PIN-protected. Each owner of the unit has their own unique PIN code. Only with this pin code is it possible to delete the logbook.
About
The About screen displays the serial number of the unit and the firmware version.
Wiring and static ports
Pinout
The power connector is pin-compatible with S3 power or any other FLARM cable with an RJ12 connector.
| Pin Number | Description |
| 1 | Power supply input |
| 2 | No connection |
| 3 | Ground |
| 4 | RS232 RX (data in) |
| 5 | RS232 TX (data out) |
| 6 | Ground |
Static ports connection
Two ports are on the back of the G-meter unit:
- Pstatic ……. static pressure port
- Ptotal …….. pitot or total pressure port
Static ports are used for the purposes of flight logger. Without static ports connected device will still have all other functionalities.
Firmware Update
Firmware updates of the LXNAV G-meter can be easily carried out using the SD card. Please visit our webpage www.lxnav.com and check for the updates.
You can also subscribe to a newsletter to receive news about the LXNAV G-meter updates automatically. Information about the new version, including changes to ICD protocol, can be found in the release notes at https://gliding.lxnav.com/lxdownloads/firmware/.
Updating LXNAV G-meter
- Download the latest firmware from our website, section downloads/firmware http://www.lxnav.com/download/firmware.html.
- Copy the ZFW file to Gthe -meter’s SD card.
- G-meter will ask you to confirm the update.
- After confirmation, the firmware update will take a few seconds, and then G-meter will restart.
Incomplete Update Message
If you get an incomplete update message, you need to unzip the ZFW firmware file and copy the content to the SD card. Insert it into the unit and power on.
If you can’t unzip the ZFW file, please rename it to ZIP first.
The ZFW file contains 3 files:
- GMxx.fw
- GMxx_init.bin
If GMxx_init.bin is missing, the following message will appear: “Incomplete update …”
Revision history
| Rev | Date | Comments |
| 1 | April 2020 | Initial release |
| 2 | April 2020 | Review of English language content |
| 3 | May 2020 | Updated chapter 7 |
| 4 | May 2020 | Updated chapter 6.3.4.1 |
| 5 | September 2020 | Updated chapter 6 |
| 6 | September 2020 | Updated chapter 3 |
| 7 | September 2020 | Style update |
| 8 | September 2020 | Corrected chapter 5.5, updated chapter 2 |
| 9 | November 2020 | Added chapter 5.2 |
| 10 | January 2021 | Style update |
| 11 | January 2021 | Added chapter 3.1.2 |
| 12 | February 2021 | Updated chapter 4.1.3 |
| 13 | April 2021 | Added chapter 5.2,updatedd chapter 5.5.4, 7.2 |
| 14 | August 2021 | Updated ch. 4.1.3 |
| 15 | January 2023 | Updated Ch. 5.2 |
| 16 | January 2023 | Updated ch. 4.1.3, 5.2 |
| 17 | January 2024 | Updated ch. 4.1.3, 4.1.1 |
| 18 | February 2024 | Updated ch. 6.3.2 |
| 19 | May 2024 | Updated ch. 4.1.3 |
| 20 | August 2024 | Added ch. 8 |
Wiring and Static Ports
Refer to the provided pinout for wiring connections. Ensure proper connection of static ports for accurate readings.
LXNAV
- Kidriceva 24, SI-3000 Celje, Slovenia
- T: +386 592 334 00 |
- F:+386 599 335 22 |
- info@lxnav.com
- www.lxnav.com
FAQs
Q: Can the LX G-meter be used for IFR flights?
A: No, the LX G-meter is designed for VFR use only.
Q: How can I obtain warranty service?
A: Contact your local LXNAV dealer or LXNAV directly for warranty service.
Documents / Resources
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lxnav LX G-meter Standalone Digital Meter With Built In Flight Recorder [pdf] User Manual LX G-meter Standalone Digital Meter With Built In Flight Recorder, LX G-meter, Standalone Digital Meter With Built In Flight Recorder, Meter With Built In Flight Recorder, In Flight Recorder, Flight Recorder |
