Honestly, it will cost more to sell my plane, buy another plane with the avionics I want than to just upgrade this one to have what I want. I have an upgraded 100 hour SMOH engine and a TON of STCs on this plane that really make it what I want, outside of the panel. To get real, if my plane is worth 75K, and I put 40k in it, you can't buy that plane for $115k.
The GTN navigators - And all other navigators, to my knowledge - Do not incorporate synthetic vision period, because they're not PFDs.
Worked great. As well it was a slick way to get a second com, keep things very compact. I’d suggest it be used a Com 2, as the dedicated audio controls on a Garmin whatnot are a bit easier, has the descriptor (KPUJ Attis), etc.
Yes - I sold it to the installation shop (Gardner Aviation) for credit against my panel upgrade bill. Maybe I could have gotten more on E Bay, maybe not.
I had two coms. The PAR 200B audio panel had its built in Com which gave me Com 2. The GNC 355 gave me Com 1 and of course the GPS.
It works sort of OK, but the switch is getting wonky and I don't think there's a way to download data. It'd be nice to send to Savvy analysis to keep ahead of these continental cylinders.
Speaking as someone who upgraded an old but working engine monitor, there were a few considerations:
It's a good perspective. If I didn't have a couple of pieces talking to me, I'd just buy a second tablet, or an Aera 760 and grin and bear it. But I figure I ought to get my instrument so I can fly to the oregon coast and my hometown a little more reliably when I retire, so it's probably worth doing the upgrades.
A readable display with reasonable resolution and data logging - None of that was "functionality I already had". And it was nowhere near $10K. I think it ended up less than $4K installed.
What was it about the most basic goals that necessitates a PMA450B instead of something in the PMA8000 series? And a GNX375 instead of a GPS175?
I wanted to come back to this post. Your breakdown of what different sources enable in GP was very helpful. Leading me to wonder how much value just a GDL50 would give me vs the big screen. I ordered a GDL50 to use for a bit to see how I like the Garmin pilot experience while I determine if GI275s will be OK, or I want the big screen.In addition to the baseline moving-map navigation, Garmin Pilot will display synthetic vision with all sources, including runway graphics, terrain, airport identifiers, and so forth. The only difference is quality of the instrument display based on the input source:
GPS only (e.g. running only on the iPad internal GPS) -- Will always display a level attitude, with GPS-derived groundspeed (in place of the airspeed), altitude, and heading.
External source with AHRS (e.g., GDL 50, GNX 375) -- All of the above, but additionally with attitude information based on that device.
External source with ADAHRS (e.g., GI 275) -- Full data display similar to what would be seen on a G3X or similar PFD.
External source with ADAHRS and EIS (e.g., GI 275 EIS) -- Full display, along with full engine data display and recording.
As a nice bonus, you can set it up so that GP automatically exports engine data post-flight to Savvy and your flight data to FlySto, if you're so inclined.
My plane has two GI 275s (AI and HSI), legacy back-up steam gauges, a GI 275 EIS, a GNX-375, and a GNC 215. I'm in the process of setting up an install of a GFC-500 and a PMA450C.
It's going to be the world's most unstoppable Cherokee 180C.
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Glad it was helpful! I imagine that having a G3X/Dynon in front of you would be hard to beat, but an iPad and GDL-50 is a lot of bang for the buck and can go with you into any aircraft you like. I'm attaching my frankenpanel, which was arrived at through a series of strange events. I'm considering putting a G3X in and having the GI 275s be back-up instruments, but I have to say that the current configuration is already like cheating compared to the old days.
That's a great looking panel.
Hi MIFlyer, don't forget about the PAR450C! It has a MAP of $2295 and capabilities for greater than any other audio panel (except it does NOT have Telligence, voiced recognition for the GTN series). I would be more than happy to speak with you, call if you'd like, 800-427-2376 Thanks!
That's great to hear. I'm getting one installed in my plane in about two weeks to replace the venerable TMA-220.
I like the advice, truly, but my stuff is failing and not really suited for instrument flight, so I have to do something before I can use it. Regardless the GTN750, 375, 205 and GMA35c are all paid for and just waiting for install day.
Thanks Jeff. Cost of money is too high for me to do it all but I have to do the radio stack now so I’m kind of stuck.