Garmin/Aspen Avionics Upgrade

[KLRDMD]

I've contracted with the avionics shop in Sierra Vista, AZ., Southwest Aero Tech to supply and install a Garmin 430W and Aspen 1000 Pro (and do some other minor 'clean-up' wiring while the panel is open). The old KX-170B is going awa


y but the KX-155 stays. The new avionics will also be wired into the S-Tec 40 autopilot. It goes into the shop next Wednesday August 4 and is promised by August 24.

Current Photos:

 

[yellowjacket]

Ken,

You're gonna love the Aspen PFD and the 430W. I have the same items along with the S-Tec 30A. The GPSS on the Aspen works great and with these systems the plane flies approaches hands off except for glide slope capture on my M20F. I also use a Garmin 496 primarily for Nexrad weather. All this really drops the work load flying IFR.

Jim

68 M20F

[KLRDMD]

Quote: yellowjacket

You're gonna love the Aspen PFD and the 430W. I have the same items along with the S-Tec 30A. The GPSS on the Aspen works great and with these systems the plane flies approaches hands off except for glide slope capture on my M20F. I also use a Garmin 496 primarily for Nexrad weather. All this really drops the work load flying IFR.

[KSMooniac]

Ken, I just returned from OSH yesterday and Wentworth had a 430W for ~$7400 and a 530W for ~$10200 if I remember correctly...not sure how those prices compare these days but they're pretty high IMO.  Going for new is probably the best choice, and I'm sure you'll love the new capability.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: KSMooniac

I just returned from OSH yesterday and Wentworth had a 430W for ~$7400 and a 530W for ~$10200 if I remember correctly...not sure how those prices compare these days but they're pretty high IMO.  Going for new is probably the best choice, and I'm sure you'll love the new capability.

[carusoam]

I think the Wentworth guys were fishing with those units.  Scott, I saw them too.

They either just wanted to keep showing them all week.  (how many do they get?).   Possibly looking for a sucker to over-pay without doing the research.

Over pricing an easy to find new item does not make much sense to me.

Ken, I am looking forward to the "after pictures"

[KLRDMD]

Quote: carusoam

 I am looking forward to the "after pictures"

[rob]

Ken,

 

I recently did a similar upgrade. Would be interesting to compare notes... I'll post photos of my new panel in a moment on another thread.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: rob

I recently did a similar upgrade. Would be interesting to compare notes... I'll post photos of my new panel in a moment on another thread.

[jmills]

Yum-yum, can't wait to see the finished product!!!

[scottfromiowa]

NICE!  Make sure and spank your 21st century baby when you get her back...or maybe just a pat on the glare screen to acknowledge her re-birth.

[KLRDMD]

I went and picked up the airplane today after the avionics upgrade. The biggies were a Garmin 430W and Aspen 1000 Pro. Alvin at Southwest AeroTech in Sierra Vista, AZ. did an excellent job and for the quoted amount. He did take longer than promised, but I would rather have him get it right the first time. I'll take better pictures later, just grabbed a couple quickly today:

 

[MB_M20F]

Interesting that the airspeed indicator on the Aspen seems to be set to knots; I thought it had to be set to mph on a vintage Mooney.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: MB_M20F

Interesting that the airspeed indicator on the Aspen seems to be set to knots; I thought it had to be set to mph on a vintage Mooney.

[scottfromiowa]

Looks excellent Ken.  ENJOY!

[Ned Gravel]

Ken:

How much of your new panel is vacuum driven, now that the Aspen is installed?  Are you using the vacuum system as your backup to the electrical one?

[Ned Gravel]

Double post - sorry

[KLRDMD]

Quote: edgargravel

How much of your new panel is vacuum driven, now that the Aspen is installed?  Are you using the vacuum system as your backup to the electrical one?

[KLRDMD]

After a flight today I took some pictures that are a bit better than the ones above. These were taken with my iPhone so still not the greatest quality. I took a fourth photo that kinda shows how the iPad is mounted too:

 

[jmills]

Nice!

[FlyDave]

Quote: KLRDMD

After a flight today I took some pictures that are a bit better than the ones above. These were taken with my iPhone so still not the greatest quality. I took a fourth photo that kinda shows how the iPad is mounted too:

 

[KLRDMD]

Quote: FlyDave

[eaglebkh]

Ken,

How are you liking that 100' difference in altitude between the Aspen and the round gauge?  That's the most annoying thing for me with my Aspen, but the benefits more than make up for it...

[Earl]

Ken:  Noticed the ipad yoke mounted.  How is the visibity over the ipad to the instruments and what mount do you use?  I have a 696 that I yoke mount and the ipad sits on my lap.  I have hesitated not having the 696 because I use it mostly for the XM weather.  I also use the approach plates on the 696 but am considering letting that lapse and just use the plates on the ipad (Foreflight).

[KLRDMD]

Quote: ehscott

Noticed the ipad yoke mounted.  How is the visibity over the ipad to the instruments and what mount do you use?  I have a 696 that I yoke mount and the ipad sits on my lap.  I have hesitated not having the 696 because I use it mostly for the XM weather.  I also use the approach plates on the 696 but am considering letting that lapse and just use the plates on the ipad (Foreflight).