dsimes Posted January 25, 2009 Report Posted January 25, 2009 Hi all. I am just in the process of planning and pricing a new panel for my 64E. So far I have a new audio panel KMA24, EI fuel flow monitor, Garmin 296. All the other instruments will stay, but in a reconfigured, conventioanl 6 pack (acually 8 pack). my question is, has anyone been down this road recently? I am considering the Lasar panel, whihc is pre-cut and comes with all the hardware. My other option is a custom built panel form a local instrument guy. Install will be done by my local Mooney shop with me looking over their shoulders. Any pitfalls, recommends, things to watch for, etc? How much should this cost? Thanks, Dave Quote
N207LS Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 My airplane had the LASAR panel installed in the mid 90s... It was okay, but when I bought the plane in 2005 it had several cracks in it and didn't look too good (ten years later). I completely re-did my panel with new custom fabricated pieces made by my avionics shop (Tomlinson Avionics of Florida - Fort Myers, FL). The work was fantastic. We painted the metal pieces flat black and it really looks great (see my photo gallery). I would highly recommend this shop to anyone who really wants to have good work done at a fair price. No nickel and diming, just good work done by a very experienced installer (John) and overseen by the owners (Ralph and Phil - father and son). I got pricies for my work from Sarasota Avionics, Gulf Coast, and Eastern. Tomlinson was competitive with all of them, but I felt like I was working with someone that I can trust and will stand behind their work. I enjoyed the personal attention that I received. Since the work, I have had to bring my plane back for a couple of items (my PS7000B stopped working - defective and replaced by PS at no charge to me and a filter had to be added to my 530W to prevent the gps signal from going out on some radio transmissions - also done at no charge). I would suggest a custom panel fabrication in place of LASARs if you really want a qualitly job that will last. Best of luck. Quote
eaglebkh Posted January 26, 2009 Report Posted January 26, 2009 I am undergoing this very project right now. My avionics installer contacted LASAR to build the panel. First, they were not willing to move any of the holes around from their "standard" layout (I'm getting an Aspen EFIS, so the AI and DG holes had to be moved up slightly to make room). Instead, they wanted to just leave off the AI and DG holes and let my installer cut them. No big deal, they said it would take 2 weeks. After 4 WEEKS, nothing yet. Then the LASAR folks gave us a story about not being able to cut new panels until they get enough orders, yada yada yada. So my installer told them to just send the blank panels and he would cut them himself. I'm a little fumed about it because it really held up the whole project (now into the 8th week). LASAR must not be effected be the economy... Anyway, if you go with the local guy, just be sure you have a plan to cover the side of the new pilot-side panel, since it will be straight up and not slanted like the current panel. So there will be a resulting gap between the panel and the radio stack. Also, make sure there is ample width and depth for the new layout - some instruments are +10" long. Something I didn't know was that the starter switch is almost the size of an aluminum Coke can. I had already planned to put a bunch of switched near the starter switch, but not anymore. Lastly, you can order the new panel blueprints from LASAR and use that as an outline for cutting your own panel. Best of luck... Quote
Greg_D Posted January 29, 2009 Report Posted January 29, 2009 Quote: eaglebkh Anyway, if you go with the local guy, just be sure you have a plan to cover the side of the new pilot-side panel, since it will be straight up and not slanted like the current panel. So there will be a resulting gap between the panel and the radio stack. Also, make sure there is ample width and depth for the new layout - some instruments are +10" long. Quote
dsimes Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Posted June 23, 2009 Finished the upgrade! Garmin 296, KR87 ADF, powder coated and laser etched Lasar panels, EI fuel flow monitor, Electronic EGT, radio master, 4 place intercom with b/i rear jacks, backlit bezels, Lasar 'wiser visors', leather yoke covers with b/i PTT. See pix at members.shaw.ca/dsimes (you will have to copy and paste this URL into your browser, cuz I can't make it a hyperlink). Cheers, and thanks for your help...Dave Quote
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