donkaye

I don't believe the Aspen Max Pro is available, yet. If it is, I haven't seen one installed in any of my student's airplanes, so can't comment on it, yet. I can comment that the older Aspen's flight path marker cannot keep up with rates of turn much greater than about 20°. You are absolutely right, though. Comparing the Garmin G500 TXi to the original Aspens is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a VW Bug.

If you buy the Garmin OnePak, Charts come with it for both the GTN 750 and G500 TXi.

No! You can sell the WX 1000 for about $2,000. Get the WX 500 interfaced to the G500TXi, GTN 750, and GTN 650. You won't be sorry. With the WX 1000, you can look forward to repairs that could exceed the cost of the WX 500 in that you have both the old CRT and another box to worry about.

Well, maybe, but I have used both systems extensively, taught both systems extensively, and have been an Electrical Engineer on display systems in the past. Subjective? How about just a professional expert opinion then?

My airplane has 3895 hours on it. It was on its 2nd engine before the shop mishap a couple of weeks ago. Shortly, it will be on its 3rd engine. The turbo on the first one lasted about 1300 hours before I began hearing hissing noises. Somehow the blades got chipped. It was overhauled. Awhile later the waste gate needed to be overhauled. On the 2nd engine, I proactively overhauled the turbo, waste gate, and controllers at about 1300 hours again. The controllers never controlled properly on descent. So, from experience, I would overhaul all turbo components including waste gate and controllers at half TBO at a time of your choosing rather than having to do it at some out of the way place at a time NOT of your choosing.

I have the G500 TXi, and vouch for its worth. There is absolutely no comparison between it and a couple of Aspens. If you're NOT going to get the GFC 500 when it becomes available late this year or early next year for the Mooney, then I recommend that you get the GCU 485, unless you like the PFD on the right side and the MFD on the left. Reaching over with your right hand to set GPSS, ALT, and V/S is clumsy. I've changed my screen to right PFD and left MFD but didn't like it, so reversed it again. I wish I had purchased the GCU 485, and would change my panel once again to add it were I not considering adding the GFC 500 next year which essentially would take the place of the GCU 485. If you add the GCU 485, place it in a comfortable position for control with your right hand.

At that price you ought to sell it as a cheap timer.

Link, too?

No, just the GAD-29.

I'd much prefer the GFC 600 because it is an integrated unit and doesn't require the G5 and some other stuff, but Garmin seems to have no intention to certify it for the Mooney. I've asked multiple times and the answer is always, NO.

If you can afford the G500 TXi (well even if you can't afford it) you will be much, much happier with the G500 TXi than the Aspen. The Aspen works well, and I've flown a bunch of them with students, but I always love going back to my airplane. If you want the best integrated panel out there, including engine monitor, then Garmin is the only way to go.

I love my ESI 500, but if I had it to do today, I'd do the G5 because the G5 is necessary for the GFC 500 being certified for the Mooney approximately by years' end. That's my next upgrade.

There are a number of airports where an engine failure could lead to a catastrophe due to lack off a good alternative landing place. KRHV is a good example of that situation. I recommend climbing at Vx to 1,000 feet to get the highest within the closest distance to the airport in such situations.

While I recognize that the 480 was a good GPS, why would you ever want to install 20 year old technology in your airplane? It's barely supported now and eventually it will be even more difficult to maintain. Save up your money to get one of the more modern WAAS GPSs.

Expect it to go bad again soon. I say that from experience.