Why the Garmin G1000 Still Stands Out—And the Easiest Way to Add It to Your Home Cockpit

by Keaton

The Garmin G1000 might be 20 years old, but it still owns the training market—and the same is true inside the sim world.  The RealSimGear G1000 Suite is a popular choice for sim users of all backgrounds thanks to three things pilots notice the moment they power it on: true-to-life feel, instant plug-and-play setup, and flexible package options that grow with your goals.

1 | Built for the Sim, Not the Shelf

 

RealSimGear Detail

What It Means in Everyday Sim Flying

Full-scale bezels with tactile, back-lit keys

Your muscle memory matches the real airplane—no “hunt-and-click” lag.

Dedicated 10.4-inch IPS displays in each bezel

Crisp visuals with proper resolution and display.

USB + HDMI—Simple

One cable to your PC and you’re done; no firmware flashes or driver hunts.

X-Plane 12 & MSFS

Choose the software you love, compatible with both.

Build Quality

Built to survive thousands of knob-twists during an instrument rating grind.

 

2 | Packages That Fit How You Train

 

Package

Best For

What’s in the Box

MSRP*

Single PFD/MFD 

First Step

One bezel with built-in screen—add the rest later

$699 RealSimGear.com

G1000 Suite

DIY builders

PFD, MFD, GMA 350 audio panel, GFC 700 autopilot stack

$1,699 RealSimGear.com

G1000 Suite & Stand

Standalone Desktop Display

G1000 Suite, plus dedicated stand for desktop mounting

$699 RealSimGear.com


Considering the G1000 NXi?

If you want upgraded bezels, premium rubber knobs, and premium keypads..we offer a premium/NXi variant of G1000 package. See the full side-by-side feature breakdown in our blog “G1000 vs. G1000 NXi—Which Glass Is Right for Your Cockpit?” 

 

3 | Five-Minute Install—Really

  1. Unbox & place the bezels on your desk, mount, or cockpit frame.

  2. HDMI → monitor port, USB → PC. Windows sees it as a standard HID device.

  3. Run the included driver package. Pre-loaded mappings light up every softkey.

  4. Open X-Plane 12 or MSFS and select the RealSimGear profile. Done. No cfg edits, no DIY soldering—just flying.

Watch the unboxing video HERE

Assembly Video HERE

Open the setup guide HERE

4 | Who’s Using It Right Now?

  • Student pilots learning their way around a glass cockpit

  • Instrument rated pilots shooting approaches to stay current and proficient 

  • Rusty pilots knocking off the cobwebs before renting a G1000 172.
  • Universities & Part 141 schools logging flight hours in our FAA approved systems

Ready to Join Them?

The G1000’s dominance in real cockpits makes it the smartest panel you can own at home—and RealSimGear’s version makes ownership painless. Add your package to the cart today, ship in as little as 3–5 business days, and be flying realistic glass before the weekend.

Shop G1000 Hardware HERE

Back to News