Garmin GTX 330 to 330ES

[jd21476]

I have a Garmin 330 transponder currently and I just bought a 330ES. I have an appointment at the avionics shop next month to have it installed so they can run it to my GPS but my question is:

can I slide my 330 out and slide my 330ES in just to ensure it works since I bought it used?

 

[Ryan Klems]

Yes and no. If you are just looking to make sure it powers on, that’ll work just fine, but unlike later models like the 335 and 345, the 330 does not have a config module, so the configuration is stored in the unit. So if you slide out your 330, and slide in the 330es and go fly, you’ll be broadcasting the wrong mode-s code unless you do all the config stuff (plus the lack of alteration sign off, etc).

 

[jd21476]

Im not planning on flying with it. I just want to slide out the 330 and then slide in the 330es, power it on, check that it works and the screen is good and then go back to the 330 until my install in a few weeks.

 

[Ryan Klems]

That’ll work just fine

 

[jd21476]

Thank you

 

[WDD]

Curious - why not a GTX 345?

 

[jd21476]

Because a GTX345 is much more expensive than what I picked up the 330es for.

 

[Jesse Saint]

Curious - why not a GTX 345?

And the 345 is a lot more work to install versus just adding 1 wire to the 330ES.