Avionics shop recommendations.

[Guitarmaster]

Hey all... My '75 F model is in need of a new nav/com. Looking to the GNC255 or GNS430W.

I need some recommendations.

I'm located in northern Illinois, but willing to travel for the right shop.

Thanks!

Matt

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[Nathan Peterson]

Tulsa, OK.   Autopilot Central.    They do some amazing work. Plus you can have your autopilot worked on.

 

Nate

[N9453V]

Avionics Unlimited at CXO (Conroe, TX, just north of Houston).

 

-Andrew

[Sabremech]

Give David Wright a call at the Avionics Place in Rockford IL. I've used them on a number of airplanes I maintain and they do good work.

David

[Guitarmaster]

Thanks for the recommendations! I have a quote from David (who I have heard good stuff about) but wanted to do a little comparison shopping.

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[chrisk]

Not shop related, but I have a GTN650.  It is not much more than a 430, and will hopefully have a longer service life.  It has a few more features too. 

[Guitarmaster]

Take a look at the GTN650. What are you asking for it?

[rbridges]

Not shop related, but I have a GTN650.  It is not much more than a 430, and will hopefully have a longer service life.  It has a few more features too. 

 

 

there have been several threads, and that has been the general consensus.  GTN650 is much newer than the 430, and relatively speaking, not a lot more expensive to install from scratch.  I have a 430W in my plane, but if I was starting from nothing, I'd go 650.

[bhilgy]

Spencer Avionics in Spenser, IA.  I'm having them price out some upgrades and they've been fantastic.  I haven't had work done with them myself but their reputation across my half of the midwest is unparalleled...where everyone in a 4 state area goes.

 

Talk to Quentin

 

www.spenseravionics.com

[smccray]

There's some great reviews on BeechTalk comparing the 650 with the 750.  If I only had room for a small navigator I wouldn't consider anything other than the 650, but given what I've read I would try and scrape together a few more $ and make the room for the 750.

[Marauder]

There's some great reviews on BeechTalk comparing the 650 with the 750. If I only had room for a small navigator I wouldn't consider anything other than the 650, but given what I've read I would try and scrape together a few more $ and make the room for the 750.

I went back and forth on the 650/750 and decided on the 650. What I like about the 750 is that the entire screen is available for data entry as opposed to the sliding line the 650 uses. Using the trainer, you definitely can get things entered more quickly if you use the touch screen. If you are forced to use the knobs (turbulence), the data entry is the same.

The biggest problem I had was the cost delta between the units. It was a couple thousand over my pain threshold. Another factor to consider if you are going with a glass panel (either an Aspen or G500/600 series). I have the Aspen and the information I need to see is all on the Aspen units. The 650 plays the role of data entry point, approach selector and comm unit.

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[Jeff_S]

Park Rapids Avionics did all the work on my current panel (done by the prior owner) and the did a stellar job.  I don't know anyone personally there since I didn't pay for this work, but the panel looks great and works great too.  http://www.parkrapidsavionics.com

[rbridges]

. I have the Aspen and the information I need to see is all on the Aspen units. The 650 plays the role of data entry point, approach selector and comm unit.

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That's my feeling about the 430.  I use it for data entry and to have something IFR certified, but I use the foreflight for 95% of my flying.