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M20J panel upgrades

pfactor

By pfactor
in Avionics/Panel Discussion

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pfactor Enthusiast

pfactor

Posted
Posted (edited)
Over the last few years I've upgraded the aging avionics in my 1977 J model. I wish I had a picture of the original 1977 panel before we added the JPI engine monitor and the intercom system.
 
This is as close as I have to a "before" picture

 

 

Here's what it looks like now

 

 

 

Here's what's been installed:

- Aspen Evolution 1000 Pro PFD

- STEC-30 autopilot

- CGR-30P engine monitor / primary gauge replacement

- Garmin GTN 750 & 650

- Garmin GDL-88

- PS Engineering PMA450 audio panel

- Garmin GTX 327 transponder

- Alpha Systems AOA - Eagle display

 

Removed:

- ADF

- Ailing King KT-76 transponder

- Original tachometer, FF/MP gauges, CHT gauge, oil temp gauge, oil pressure gauge

 

It makes zero financial sense to do this, but I'm keeping this plane forever.

 

The CGR-30P is the newest addition and it's been fantastic. It took a few flights to stop looking over at the now blank spot on the right side of the panel for MP & RPM.

 

Phil

Edited by pfactor
Update picture links
  • Like 9
fantom Grand Master

fantom

Posted
Posted

Always nice to meet another crazy person... There are a few of us on this site...

]

Happy, well served, but in the poor house.

Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

Yup, great panel, welcome to the club! But if it makes no sense in a M20J, what's that say about Marauder's M20F or my old M20E? :)

What it says about us is that we're just a little bit more insane.
  • Like 3
pfactor Enthusiast

pfactor

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yup, great panel, welcome to the club! But if it makes no sense in a M20J, what's that say about Marauder's M20F or my old M20E?  :)

 

What it says about us is that we're just a little bit more insane.

Good to know I'm not the only one suffering from an aviation addiction. Great panels Bob & Marauder!

pfactor Enthusiast

pfactor

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

You old farts are just spending your children's inheritance....I like it. smilie5.gif  

 

 

Sound financial planning is when your check to the undertaker bounces.

  • Like 2
pfactor Enthusiast

pfactor

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Amazing! Still way cheaper than buying a used cirrus or new 182 and just as fast!

 

Exactly! I briefly considered "upgrading" to a newer airplane, but then came to my senses.

  • Like 1
Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

It must be such a burden, such a drain on your energy ... to keep posting and re-posting pictures of those humble panels? How do you deal with the shame?

I wonder if any of our spouses will ever know what these things really cost? Mine knows enough that she doesn't want to know!

We feel we have an obligation to post them for those guys who have wives that must keep up with the Jone's. Seeing pictures on the Internet of modern panels might just be enough for someone's wife to ask "why doesn't our panel look like that?"

And at least give the poor guy a chance to plead his case. :)

  • Like 2
Bob_Belville Grand Master

Bob_Belville

Posted
Posted

We feel we have an obligation to post them for those guys who have wives that must keep up with the Jone's. Seeing pictures on the Internet of modern panels might just be enough for someone's wife to ask "why doesn't our panel look like that?"

And at least give the poor guy a chance to plead his case. :)

Yeah, yeah, whatever. I do it for the $5 per post from Garmin.

  • Like 1
Bob_Belville Grand Master

Bob_Belville

Posted
Posted

Wow! They are only charging you $5 per post. They wanted to charge me double that! :)

Don't you know that you and I and a few more on this list are in the tank for Garmin?

  • Like 1
bonal Grand Master

bonal

Posted
Posted

The thing is I would love to have most (not all) of the panels you poor unfortunate Mooniacs are pulling out of your planes. I try not to think about it and remain thankful for my airplane and the ability to fly.

  • Like 3
  • 2 weeks later...
hramirez8 Apprentice

hramirez8

Posted
Posted

Again, another looney here. Just upgrading my 1978 M20J. Installed Monroy long range tanks (now 10.5 hors running LOP with 104 usable gallons), and the avionics will be from original M20J panel to G500 w/SVT, GTN650, G255, trashing Century IIB in exchange for Stec55X, new G330/ES transponder, insight 3 Engine monitor, G350 audio panel. Glad to know Im not the only one. Will post pics of panel next week, should get by friday... Still wondering if difference of $5000 for Stec55x over Stec30 is worth it, but what the heck. 

  • Like 1
Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

Again, another looney here. Just upgrading my 1978 M20J. Installed Monroy long range tanks (now 10.5 hors running LOP with 104 usable gallons), and the avionics will be from original M20J panel to G500 w/SVT, GTN650, G255, trashing Century IIB in exchange for Stec55X, new G330/ES transponder, insight 3 Engine monitor, G350 audio panel. Glad to know Im not the only one. Will post pics of panel next week, should get by friday... Still wondering if difference of $5000 for Stec55x over Stec30 is worth it, but what the heck.

Welcome to the asylum! Sounds like a nice upgrade. Can't wait to see the results.

  • Like 1
hramirez8 Apprentice

hramirez8

Posted
Posted

I briefly considered changing the airplane... But decided it'd be a lot less to upgrade. My missions mostly are going over the caribbean and sometimes to south america. Now wondering if SVT add on would be worth it.. Any comments or experience??

Mscheuer Enthusiast

Mscheuer

Posted
Posted

Again, another looney here. Just upgrading my 1978 M20J. Installed Monroy long range tanks (now 10.5 hors running LOP with 104 usable gallons), and the avionics will be from original M20J panel to G500 w/SVT, GTN650, G255, trashing Century IIB in exchange for Stec55X, new G330/ES transponder, insight 3 Engine monitor, G350 audio panel. Glad to know Im not the only one. Will post pics of panel next week, should get by friday... Still wondering if difference of $5000 for Stec55x over Stec30 is worth it, but what the heck.

Dear Hramirez8 ( I tried finding your name in your profile but no joy)

Have you considered the PMA450? I'm not going to make this a sales pitch at all but I wanted to get a reading if you looked at it before you made your GMA350 decision.

If you hadn't , id be grateful to give you the three major advantages the PMa450 brings to a panel.

Thanks for letting me chime in here, audio panels is the central nervous system of your aircraft and careful consideration might be a worth while investment.

Sincerely,

Mark Scheuer

PS Engineering, Inc

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