1968 Cessna 182 Dynon Skyview or Garmin G3X

Lucky man

Lucky man

Pre-Flight
Joined
Aug 19, 2022
Messages
44
Display Name
Lucky man
Getting ready to update the panel on my 1968 Cessna 182 and I’m thinking of two options:

Option 1:
Dynon skyview hdx
Avidyne ifd400
PM 450B
Balance all Dynon

Option 2:
Garmin G3x
Garmin 650xi
Balance all garmin

Currently vfr pilot and will be getting ifr after upgrade.

Thanks for letting me know what you think.
 
I would go with Dynon and IFD440. Much cheaper to install and maintain (look at the cost of subscriptions), and very capable.
I love that IFD440 can be mirrored onto an iPad, making the UI/UX very easy.
 
I don't know if this helps, but a few thoughts:
I have taught with both types of avionics. I'm not an owner. If I was a buyer, I would be very happy with either. I think Dynon has done a phenomenal job. In an older airplane, I'd probably lean a bit toward the Dynon/Avidyne combo.
• I love the Avidyne units but, in the smaller footprint, I think Garmin did a better job with the 650 than Avidyne with the 440. From what I've heard, the GTN 750 is an expanded 650 (which was designed first), while the IFD 440 is a shrunk 540. There's a small usability result, but not that much.​
• Assuming this is first glass, Dynon vs G3X should not make a difference. They are both excellent PFD/MFD combos.​
• The Dynon/Avidyne will cost less but due to Garmin market penetration, it might be a wash on resale.​
 
I'm wrestling with exactly this on my C35 Bonanza. I'm starting to gather prices and options. My sense is you'll get more on resale for the Garmin end to end, but you'll pay more, so..
 
We faced this choice 2 or so years ago on our R182.
Went G3x for a few reasons
- program nav from the big screen and cross fill so no tablet needed.
- GFC500 has pitch trim, dynon didn't at the time(maybe still doesn't?). Don't really feel the need for yaw damper on single engine cessna, but clicking off A/P on coupled approach and not fighting trim while single pilot IFR is really nice.
- cross fill is seamless, we pretty much only ever program something once. Radio, baro, etc.
- Canadian charts are included, not a separate vendor

That said, price on Dynon is certainly better and I'd likely be happy flying their glass as well, just made more sense to go big G in our case.
 
Play with both and see if there is a difference for you. Like all user interfaces, there is some overlap, but there are also significant differences in approach.
The result, some people may gravitate towards one platform due to how the engineers for that company approached the problems. Or like @midlifeflyer may find they have no preference and both approaches work fine.

I have very limited experience with either solution; so I cannot give a recommendation for a specific one. However, I have watched pilots struggle with both, too me the struggle is often because of how the pilot thinks, and how the information is organized and the interface designed are not always compatible.

Tim
 
Jesse Saint said:
I would definitely recommend the Dynon/Avidyne combo, especially with cost being a factor. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to discuss the differences and what I consider the benefits of the Dynon system.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input on the forums. They are far more important than most people's.
 
tspear said:
However, I have watched pilots struggle with both
Click to expand...
Too many try to self-teach. Some can, but it’s rare. And it has nothing to do with intelligence.

We talk so much about “intuitive” as a feature of a system or process. The reality is that it’s an attribute of the learner.

That’s aside from the issue of moving from one to another, where functionality might be the same but, as you point out, flow can be very different.

Funny timing. I’m working with a pilot who has been flying Dynon/Avidyne and moving to an airplane with a G1000 nxi.
 
Last edited:
I went through this debate a while ago and decided on Dynon for my ‘68 182.

One of the vendors at Oshkosh this year had a Skyview HDX and G3x on display right next to each other. I was impressed with how similar they both are in size and readability.

It’s like the ForeFlight vs Garmin Pilot debate. Both are very capable but in different ways. Pros and cons to each. Watch the YouTube videos, go find an avionics shop with demo units, read the manuals.

I chose Dynon mainly because, as an A&P, I can install it myself making it much less expensive.

Single 11” HDX display
Dynon Com Radio
Dynon Transponder
ADSB-In
Dynon Engine Monitoring
Garmin GPS 175
Garmin GMA350 audio panel (existing)
Garmin GTR200 Com (existing)
Garmin Aera 660 (existing)

All for around $25k

1761401325042.png
Future plans include the autopilot. One thing to note, I don’t have any ground-based nav capabilities. The only ILS within 80 miles of my home airport is Anchorage International Airport, so I chose not to install a nav/com. When I bought the airplane, it had a wonky MX300 nav/com whose nav radio was on the fritz and I chose not to replace it. Later on, I might replace the 175 and GTR200 with an Avidyne or 650. I’m not sure how much actual IFR I’ll be doing.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Too many try to self-teach. Some can, but it’s rare. And it has nothing to do with intelligence.

We talk so much about “intuitive” as a feature of a system or process. The reality is that it’s an attribute of the learner.

That’s aside from the issue of moving from one to another, where functionality might be the same but, as you point out, flow can be very different.

Funny timing. I’m working with a pilot who has been flying Dynon/Avidyne and moving to an airplane a G1000 nxi.
Click to expand...
Dynon finally came out with the HDX academy for those that struggle with self teaching. Sometimes reading a manual doesn't work as well as a video of an actual expert, not someone self proclaimed to be one.
 
AK737pilot said:
I chose Dynon mainly because, as an A&P, I can install it myself making it much less expensive.

Single 11” HDX display
Dynon Com Radio
Dynon Transponder
ADSB-In
Dynon Engine Monitoring
Garmin GPS 175
Garmin GMA350 audio panel (existing)
Garmin GTR200 Com (existing)
Garmin Aera 660 (existing)
Click to expand...
How well is your GPS 175 interacting with your Dynon panel? Is there anything you are not getting that you would get with a Garmin PFD?
 
I haven’t hooked it up yet. In process right now!

From my research, it seems that it’s a one-way street from the Garmin panel-mounted GPS’s to the Skyview (I believe Avidyne is the same). The Skyview acts as a navigation indicator, not a fully integrated unit. Changes to flight plans via the 175 are reflected on the Skyview, but you can’t make changes to it, I.e. you can’t load an approach in Skyview and have it cross over to the GPS. When using the Garmin as a navigation source, all Direct-to, flight plan changes, or approach loading/activating must be done on the GPS unit itself.

I think my workflow will be to do flight planning on my iPad via Garmin Pilot, transfer to the 175 and fly the magenta line indicated on the Skyview. Changes when airborne will be on the ipad, Aera 660 (via Bluetooth Connext) or the itty bitty screen itself.

I’m not sure how a G3x behaves.
 
AK737pilot said:
From my research, it seems that it’s a one-way street from the Garmin panel-mounted GPS’s to the Skyview (I believe Avidyne is the same). The Skyview acts as a navigation indicator, not a fully integrated unit. Changes to flight plans via the 175 are reflected on the Skyview, but you can’t make changes to it, I.e. you can’t load an approach in Skyview and have it cross over to the GPS. When using the Garmin as a navigation source, all Direct-to, flight plan changes, or approach loading/activating must be done on the GPS unit itself.
Click to expand...
That's mostly true for the G3X too There might be some cross-fill options but for IFR use, most of the activity is done on the external navigator. On an early G3X flight it was interesting to press the G3X D→ key and get an annunciation to do it on the GTN. It's probably because the internal GPS and flight planning is intended for VFR use.
 
Thanks for everyone's comments along with AK737's panel shot. I am planning on getting the dynon setup but a couple friends have told me to check out the garmin setup, so I wanted to see what you all thought.

My next questions:

1. Here's my 1st panel layout. What do you think & additional items that are nice to have?
2. Best place to purchase the Avidyne IFD440 & PM450b?

Thanks again for everyone's input

Cessna 182 Panel Mockup 01.jpg
 
For your first question, I favor Garmin because it is the most popular, dominent and therefore should be more easily supported going forward. I also trained on planes with the GTN, so I'm more familiar with them than Dynon. That said, lots of people seem to like their Dynons.

Second question as to where to buy and get it installed, need to know where you live/plane is based. I'd recommend getting bids on cost, timing, and scheduling from at least 3 shops.

As to panel placement, just take a picture of your current panel, put it into something simple like a PPT slide, and cut and paste images of your new avionics. Move them around until you get it where you like.

1761514331771.png












Panel Final.JPG
 
AK737 & WDD,

Hangerflying's panel layout software is really cool and I should be getting a quote back from a local shop next week. I'm on the west coast/California, so please let me know if you have any shops to recommend.

Thanks!!
 
Sounds good. I don’t have any west coast recommendations, but others here might.
 
... does the HangerFlying.com output (your panel layout) in a CAD file; so you can send off the file and have it cut?
 
You will never go wrong with Dynon and IFD package on a 182. I have full Dynon suite with IFD 540 and love it in my 182R. Super user friendly and simple to adjust to your needs. I also have a 7" on the right side.
 

Attachments

  • photo-1708_singular_display_fullPicture.JPEG
    photo-1708_singular_display_fullPicture.JPEG
    409.9 KB · Views: 28
dragon_soldier said:
You will never go wrong with Dynon and IFD package on a 182. I have full Dynon suite with IFD 540 and love it in my 182R. Super user friendly and simple to adjust to your needs. I also have a 7" on the right side.
Click to expand...
That looks great
 
Have a Comanche panel that looks similar to AK737pilot's, and am looking at similar equipment. Does anyone know if ADSB In traffic from the Dynon can be sent over RS-232 to the navigator (Garmin 175/355 or IFD)?
 
Whiskey Sierra said:
Have a Comanche panel that looks similar to AK737pilot's, and am looking at similar equipment. Does anyone know if ADSB In traffic from the Dynon can be sent over RS-232 to the navigator (Garmin 175/355 or IFD)?
Click to expand...
From what I’ve read, it doesn’t look like it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top