Garmin has introduced the GSB 15, a small, lightweight USB charger designed for a wide range of aircraft.
Designed specifically for aircraft installations, the GSB 15 includes two 18W (up to 3A) USB Type-A charging ports that allow pilots and passengers to charge tablets and mobile devices in the cockpit and throughout the cabin in the aircraft. A single GSB 15 is capable of charging two full-size tablets while using them at full backlight.
Optional halo lighting around the exterior of the ports allows pilots and passengers to connect to the GSB 15 easily during nighttime conditions.
Two versions of the GSB 15 are available. One contains a connector on the back of the unit, designed for panel mount installations. A second variant has a connector on the bottom of the GSB 15 and is designed for installations in depth-constrained areas, such as near cabin sidewalls.
Installation is simplified as the GSB 15 can take the place of an existing aircraft instrument hole with an optional adapter plate, Garmin officials said.
The GSB 15 has received FAA certification, as well as European approval. Priced at $349, the GSB 15 will begin shipping the week of July 22, 2019.
As usual this press release is misleading. There are no tablets that use more than 2.2 amps at 5 volts when charging from a USB-A port. So supplying 3 amps is meaningless. The device (tablet) determines the charging rate, not the charger. To charge the big iPad Pro tablets at their highest rate you need a USB-C type charger that can change the charging voltage, increasing the voltage above 5 volts and you need USB C cables or new special Lightning adapter cables from Apple. The present Lightning adapter cables for tablets are 5 volt only devices so you will never see more than 5 volts at 2.2 amps drawn by your tablet, i.e. 12 watts. The new Apple 18 watt charger is a USB-C device, as is the older 29 watt charger, and it will be able to charge iPad Pro tablets with Lightning connectors at higher rates using a special new USB-C to Lightning cable. For this charger to supply 18 watts to iPad Pro tablets with Lightning cables, someone would have to manufacture a USB-A to 18 watt Lightning adapter type cable and this charger would have to be able to change voltage dynamically. There are no published specifications that this charger has that capability.
For your car or boat $7.95. For your plane $349.
I got a charger for free from a vendor that I do business with. He was giving them away to all of his existing and potential customers. They cost him less than $5.00 each. I have it plugged into my old Bonanza cigarette lighter for over a year now and it powers my iPad and Stratux antenna just fine.
Hmmm-let’s see- $349.00 for Garmin hype vs free or in Doug’s case, $7.95. Tough decision!!!!