Stec 55x review

[manu damaschin]

I will upgrade my panel soon...is the stec 55x a good decision for A/P retrofit? Is it really unstable on ils?

At the moment my 231 has a KFC200...which is ok and stable but it does not have VS preselect (and it is analog).

The avionics shop recommend to keep the old KFC200...but I really need the VS speed selector...

Thanks for inputs!!

[Marauder]

I will upgrade my panel soon...is the stec 55x a good decision for A/P retrofit? Is it really unstable on ils?

At the moment my 231 has a KFC200...which is ok and stable but it does not have VS preselect (and it is analog).

The avionics shop recommend to keep the old KFC200...but I really need the VS speed selector...

Thanks for inputs!!

 

I have the STEC 60-2 which I love. Very stable and reliable. When I spoke about updating my 60-2 to a 55X, the avionics shop told me to stick with the 60. He said it is a better autopilot. I don't know that to be true, but he could have made some money off of me and he didn't.

 

As far as APs go, it is my understanding that the KFC200 is one of the best out there. Isn't there a way to add VS to the King? If it were my plane, I would stick with the KFC.

[John Pleisse]

I have a 55X...if money is no object, go for it. The KFC200, when working properly and overhauled is a much better, smoother and equally reliable AP. Have you considered altitude preselect for your KFC 200? Full AP overhaul for the KFC 200, PS mod, and buy an Aspen? Glass and your KFC 200 brought up to snuff? You'd come in at half the price of a 55X install. Heck of a lot better than VS select on a 55X.

 

http://www.aspenavionics.com/products/aps4a-altitude-preselect

[FlyDave]

Interesting read on autopilots:

 

http://www.avionicslist.com/articles/autopilots.php

[Danb]

I totally agree with Chris and 4352h, I have an S tec 55x in my Bravo with alt. preselect etc. my vs works extremely well with the Gpss it is very strict in course guidance..my only gripe is with Garmin and Mooney because the G1000 should be driven by the Gfc 700. With what is available for your aircraft u can't go wrong with the 55x. My opinion anyway

[manu damaschin]

I will install the Aspen glass anyway. The KFC200 could have only ALT PRESELCT not VS...

Another option will be DFC90 which could me much better as it is attitude based...but it is not available yet for mooney. Do you have any idea when it will be?

[John Pleisse]

But pre-select is, in effect, vertical speed. You apply full power, point the nose to your desired vertical rate and set your desired altitude. You get both in one function. The KFC 200 will hold the vertical rate your choose and will level off smoothly at the altitude set on your preselect bug. VS and you won't bust an altitude.

[KSMooniac]

Sounds like a whole lot of expense to buy a feature that isn't really needed in our class of airplanes to me.  I've never heard or read of someone that says they prefer the 55x to the KFC 200, either.  Granted the KFC is expensive to maintain, but removing the KI 256 and going to a glass PFD + adapter will remove the expense of keeping the KI 256 going, which it sounds like you're going to do anyway.

 

You might research the DFC 90 from Avidyne first since you're planning to go to an Aspen.  That should be a far superior A/P to either the KFC or the 55x, but it isn't ready for Mooneys yet.

[LANCECASPER]

I was used to a King KFC200 in my 231 and then a KFC150 in a couple of Bravos. I liked the 200 the best of those two, although pre-select on both Bravos was convenient. Pre-select can be added to a KFC 200 I believe. I flew with a friend once who had the KFC225 and that was the best yet. 

 

I had an STEC 55 with preselect in a Malibu Mirage and there was no comparison - all of the Kings were much better. Piper and Mooney went to the STec around 1999-2000 for awhile based on price and tried to sell it as a safety advantage, since it was not attitude based, but off of the turn coordinator - rate based. But I knew someone at the factory back then and he said the cost was half as much as the King, so that was what made the decision. 

 

I called it the STurn instead of the STec for it's tracking ability on the ILS. After Cutter Aviation looked at it, it was worse, so I made a trip up to Mineral Wells and the factory spent a day with it and improved it a lot, but still not to the standard of the King. I will say that the company was very responsive, so that left a more favorable impression.

[manu damaschin]

Thanks all for feedbacks!