Ready to Bit the Aspen Bullet... I think...

[Ragsf15e]

You guys are awesome.  Thanks for the info - I wasn't aware of the new antennas.  Couple of good points about waiting to see how the whole part 23 TSO vs non-TSO equipment shakes out and reasons not to remove the vacuum system too.  

 

Thanks again guys, your experience and knowledge are awesome.  What did people do before the internet?

 

Rags

[wishboneash]

I miss it just a little but what would you remove to retain it in my panel? It would be of little use over on the right side...

 

You have a great looking panel, not much room to move anything to make way for it! I am not sure how good the tape/digital readout is good for unusual attitude recovery though. I still like my steam gauges augmented by avionics like the GTN-650/750 and the GDL-88 doing its stuff in the background. The 696 is used for weather/XM music. I don't use the Nexus 7 except for situational awareness (Fltplan Go) on approaches. Most of time is really spent looking at the traditional gauges and the engine monitor or looking outside (VFR). This is a pretty optimal set up now for me.

[PTK]

I knew when I bought my "new" 1968 M20F model a couple months ago there would be a few upgrades I'd like to do. She's actually got a very nice panel, good interior, and serviceable paint, but after a few recent IFR flights around Texas, I think I'm about ready to put in an Aspen PRO PFD 1000. I think I'll be $$ limited to just the one screen for now.

I was hoping someone out there would have some experience with this and give me some round number estimates or even a recommendation for avionics shops with Mooney/Aspen experience (I'm based in SW Texas).

Here's what I've got to hook up to it... STEC 30 with Alt hold, Garmin 430, and a Garmin SL30 #2 NAV/COM.

I'd like to remove the whole vacuum system when I do this, so I understand I'll have to purchase an electric B/U ADI.

What am I missing? Anyone have any clues how much it will cost, where I should go to do it, or what else I need to do to get rid of the vacuum system?

Thanks so much for your help, I'll attach a current panel picture just in case you want to see what the previous owner did for me (thank you!)!

Rags

Rags, you have all the bases covered with that beautiful panel. Personally I wouldn't be too quick to make radical changes.

As others have said, you have a time proven well designed redundant system. Why mess with it?

You'll need to spend north of 20K$ on Aspen to make the changes you mention. And the kicker is you may not be enhancing your panel but arguably detracting from it!

You may or may not want to spend that kind of money on Aspen and back yourself into an expensive dead end corner.

Garmin never sits still (i.e. when was the last time Aspen came out with a product of their own?) and of course part 23 changes are coming.

That's my opinion.

[Marauder]

Rags, you have all the bases covered with that beautiful panel. Personally I wouldn't be too quick to make radical changes. As others have said, you have a time proven well designed redundant system. Why mess with it? You'll need to spend north of 20K$ on Aspen to make the changes you mention. And the kicker is you may not be enhancing your panel but arguably detracting from it! You may or may not want to spend that kind of money on Aspen and back yourself into an expensive dead end corner. Garmin never sits still (i.e. when was the last time Aspen came out with a product of their own?) and of course part 23 changes are coming. That's my opinion.

I wondered how long it would take before Peter Garmin to show up. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PTK]

Elementary my dear Chris...elementary!!

[ronmacewen]

Go for the Aspen

I installed the Aspen 1000 Pro in my M20D, N1916Y, Master (fixed gear/fixed pitch prop) and it works great.....a real capable IFR aircraft now.

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1964/Mooney/M20D+Master/1770409.html

RonM

ronmacewen@hotmail.com

[Awqward]

Wow...great panel already....looking at the available real estate I would say you lose the CDI#2 and put an AI in its place.....then lose the VSI (despite the understandable misgivings) and keep the HSI where it is....

[Bill Dunn]

I think our general Aspen install is right around 12K.