Upgrade Thoughts?

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Jimimac

Filing Flight Plan
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Jun 4, 2026
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Jimimac
I'm finally biting the bullet and planning an avionics upgrade. Shops are hard to find, and waiting lists are running six months. However, I've found a shop that will be able to start in about six months and will install the following Garmin suite for 32K. GNC355 w/GA35, GMA342 audio panel and dual G5's. I already have a Stratus TXP. Does this sound good or is there a better deal?
 
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Jimimac said:
I'm finally biting the bullet and planning an avionics upgrade. Shops are hard to find, and waiting lists are running six months. However, I've found a shop that will be able to start in about six months and will install the following Garmin suite for 32K. GNC355 w/GA35, GMA342 audio panel and dual G5's. I already have a Stratus TXP. Does this sound good or is there a better deal?
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Before pulling the trigger on the GMA342, I would appreciate it if you could check out our PMA8000G

There are a couple of things we do differently, and one is how you can distribution the Bluetooth. The other is ease of use. You do not get a laminated card so you know what buttons to push, they are all labeled.

Thank you for checking out our PMA8000G

Mark
 
What do you currently have for a Com 2?

I'm biased here - have you looked at dual G 275s vs the G5's? Same viewable area, higher resolution. Can you tell I flew with both, and picked the G 275's? Won't go wrong with G5's, but IMHO you'd go better with G 275's.

Bonus: FWIW, I picked the PS Engineering audio panel vs the Garmin. My opinion, but they do one thing and they do it very well. Service is great BTW - you can talk to a real person who knows the product.
 
Jimimac said:
I'm finally biting the bullet and planning an avionics upgrade. Shops are hard to find, and waiting lists are running six months. However, I've found a shop that will be able to start in about six months and will install the following Garmin suite for 32K. GNC355 w/GA35, GMA342 audio panel and dual G5's. I already have a Stratus TXP. Does this sound good or is there a better deal?
Click to expand...
I have been visiting avionics shops and I am not hearing 6 months. Most are 90 days and they are looking for work.
 
Jimimac said:
Does this sound good or is there a better deal?
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What airframe are we talking about?

I think the GNC355 can be bought and installed by a non-dealer. Same with the other stuff you want. Work with a good A&P/IA and do an owner-assist install.
8k for the 355, 2k for the 342, 3k/each for G5. 16k in parts, plus a bit more for extras, call it 18k retail. Probably could work out a decent discount for the package with OSH coming up in a month and a half.

That leaves 14k in installation costs. Not completely outrageous (under panel work is tedious), but you could definitely do a lot better if working with/assisting an A&P. I'd say you could shave 10k in install costs if you work with an A&P. Don't know how much you're making an hour, but for a lot of people a week or two of their own blood, sweat and tears is worth saving that much.
With the added benefit of knowing the install pretty well by the end of it, which will help with any troubleshooting or repairs in thr future.
 
We've done a couple of owner assisted installs. Sometimes the customer saves a few dollars because they're super competent and have both a computer background or an electronics skill set, but may not have the tools. On the other hand, sometimes it takes a bit more time to show someone how to do it rather than us knocking it out - YMMV.
 
I think the G5s are "fine" but a dead-end for development. I'd push for the 275s if the budget will stretch.
 
Not really end of line, G5 components are the base of a G3X system but gi-275's are more capable. honestly if my g5's had svt, i'd be completely set.
 
theplanesalon said:
We've done a couple of owner assisted installs. Sometimes the customer saves a few dollars because they're super competent and have both a computer background or an electronics skill set, but may not have the tools. On the other hand, sometimes it takes a bit more time to show someone how to do it rather than us knocking it out - YMMV.
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second this, by the time i purchased all the supplies and tooling, i'd be halfway to what i paid to have everything installed. can't believe how expensive those crimpers are. I got a really good deal though.
 
My new to me Tiger is in the shop for a complete panel upgrade. Dual G5's, GMA345, GNX375, GNC215, and GFC500. Total bill is 52K with labor 27.5K. Wait time was about 4 weeks and shop says it will take about 4-6 weeks to complete the work. The plane had an outdated panel [no IFR capabilities] and audio issues and no GPS.
 
Ask your dealer to talk with their Garmin RSM to make sure there aren't other "deals" that may be available.
 
GLMS_NC said:
Ask your dealer to talk with their Garmin RSM to make sure there aren't other "deals" that may be available.
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Good add. I got a $1000 rebate check from Garmin after my panel work. You don’t get if you don’t ask your avionics guy.
 
Great for you! Doesn’t hurt asking. Worst they can tell you is no.

I have no data to back this up, but I suspect sales are down and they “getting creative” to close deals if given the opportunity. They won’t broadcast but if you engage there just might be some help available.
 
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You can always negotiate. Garmin has been offering rebates and discounts for as long as I can remember. My G5s were installed for around 8k — not counting the 1k harness that’s still sitting in my trunk.

My GNC 355 was actually an AOG install at KTYS, and it still came in at a great price — nowhere near list — and was finished in three days. Huge shoutout to Horizon Avionics: https://www.facebook.com/horizonavionicsmaintenance/.

Not exaggerating at all: I landed with a failed radio, Alex from Horizon just happened to be standing in the FBO lobby. I asked what it would take to fix it. He suggested replacing the radio with something else. I said, “How about a 650 or a 355?” He said, “Sure.”

Oh yeah, that actually included a special order for the radio, i wanted the gnc355A(8.33mhz) version as i'm planning for a long trip in the future.

That was it. Three days later, Birdy was ready, and I flew home
 
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I prefer the square display of the G-5.

Another vote for a PS Engineering audio panel.
 
schmookeeg said:
I think the G5s are "fine" but a dead-end for development. I'd push for the 275s if the budget will stretch.
Click to expand...
I just reluctantly made the same choice to go dual GI275s vs doing dual G5s. The G5 has been out a LONG time. There also may be some ease of installation with the GI275's and integrating with your new nav/radios
 
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"Upgrade Thoughts"

I am constantly hoping that those around me would upgrade their thoughts.

Oops.

Not what you meant.

:cool:
 
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GNC355 is a great box, I use it as my #2 Comm and GPS Backup. But what, if anything, are you going to use for ILS/LOC/VOR Nav? If you don't want to go with the GTN7/650, a GNC215 will give you the ground based navigation.

And I totally agree with the others that have said to look at the GI-275 over the G5s. Much better technology and will give you a lot more bang for the buck with the various screens and options.


Correction: I originally had the older GNC 255, thinking it was the counter part to the 355... but no, the GNC 215 is the current model.
 
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I’m new here, so take this as more of a pilot/owner thought process than expert avionics advice, but I’d probably step back and define the mission before committing.

The GNC355 sounds like a nice box if you mainly want GPS approaches + comm, but I’d want to be clear on what the plan is for ground-based nav. If you still want ILS/LOC/VOR capability, then either keeping an existing nav radio or adding something like a GNC255 / going to a 650-class unit seems worth thinking through before the panel is opened up.

Also, after reading the comments here, the GI275 vs G5 question seems like the biggest “buy once, cry once” decision. The G5s are attractive because they’re proven and cheaper, but if the install labor is already a big part of the bill, I’d at least price the delta to GI275s before deciding. Same with the audio panel — I’ve heard enough good things about PS Engineering that I’d compare it directly against the Garmin before just accepting the package.

On the price, $32K doesn’t sound crazy to me for a shop install, but I’d want the quote broken down into parts, labor, harnesses, misc materials, and any panel work. That would make it easier to see whether you’re paying a fair shop rate or just accepting a bundled number. I’d also ask the shop/dealer if there are any current Garmin rebates or package incentives available. Worst case they say no.
 
Jimimac said:
I'm finally biting the bullet and planning an avionics upgrade. Shops are hard to find, and waiting lists are running six months. However, I've found a shop that will be able to start in about six months and will install the following Garmin suite for 32K. GNC355 w/GA35, GMA342 audio panel and dual G5's. I already have a Stratus TXP. Does this sound good or is there a better deal?
Click to expand...
Will you be using the GPS from the Stratus?
 
Sorry I, miss read, just now saw the GNC 355, That should be an ok setup
 
asicer said:
They stopped making those a while back.
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Thx, corrected the post.

What a concept that the 255 would be the unit to go with the 355... but then it is Garmin. (Could have called it the 255Xi or 255A, etc.)
 
M20K said:
Thx, corrected the post.

What a concept that the 255 would be the unit to go with the 355... but then it is Garmin. (Could have called it the 255Xi or 255A, etc.)
Click to expand...
Yeah, you'd think that the successor to the 225/255 series would have a higher number rather than a lower one (205/215). Maybe because the new one is smaller?

Anyway, the 225/255 series without any suffix means it's 10W and 25Khz-spacing. 255A means it has optional 8.33Khz spacing. 255B means it has optional 8.33Khz spacing and is 16W transmit.
 
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