Anybody know of a great avionics shop in/near CA?

[DaV8or]

I'm looking to redo my panel and I'm really serious about doing it, but so far, my first choice for the job based on proximity and Mooney experience isn't exactly overwhelming me with enthusiasm for the project. I haven't approached LASAR because they are located in an area that is really painfull to get back from without an airplane. I really want to get going on this, but I want someone who is Mooney comfortable and knowledgable and maybe even needs the work. It would be nice to be able to drive to the shop to check on progress. Every shop I visit seems to have lots of planes and work, few mechanics, work at a relaxed pace, charge a lot and need me less than I need them.  Below are photoshops of what I want to do. Anyhow, ideas?

[IFlyMooney]

Dave,

I have had my plane for 15 years and am still looking for a good, responsive, reasonably priced avionics shop in CA.  So far, no luck.  I had my panel redone about 7 years ago by Crownair in San Diego.  They did a really good job, but they are proud of their work.  They took about a week longer than they originally estimated.  Not too bad as far as timing goes.  I have heard that they are under new owners/management and that they are more competitive now.  Might be worth checking out.

[fantom]

Quote: DaV8or

Every shop I visit seems to have lots of planes and work, few mechanics, work at a relaxed pace, charge a lot and need me less than I need them.  Below are photoshops of what I want to do. Anyhow, ideas?

[hansel]

Woodland Aviation at KDWA might be a good place to look. www.woodlandaviation.com

I recently toured the shop. High quality, detailed, and unbelievably clean (your Mooney will reflect off the floor). They usually cater to larger birds, but will treat you the same. I'd get several quotes from various shops, then have Woodland match the low one (which is what they did with an engine monitor I priced out).

LASAR is of course a good bet. They installed my audio panel with no bugs. But you're right, it's sort of a pain to get a ride back from Lakeport. They can arrange for ferry flights back home at a reasonable rate.

Do not use The Avionics Specialist in Lincoln, CA.

[Immelman]

LASAR has a good reputation and ferry pilots in the area who will coordinate getting your airplane to and fro. However, if you want to check up on the progress as it goes (I would) then it is a pretty long drive! I don't know how they are on price.

The other thing that comes to mind is -- why does a shop need a lot of Mooney experience for an avionics retrofit? Once its all taken apart I don't see where it being a Mooney has much to do with anything. Does your F have a 201 windshield or the older style? If the older style, a big plus for ease of avionics installation is those forward access panels which if anything would make the job much easier for a shop.

With that said, that is based on my observations. I have not yet comissioned a big panel job (I put in an engine monitor on my own working with my A&P though and did all the panel work)

[carusoam]

"why does a shop need a lot of Mooney experience for an avionics retrofit"

There is very little space behind the panel, and some of it is blocked by our favorite steel tubes.  It is greatly helpful to understand the available volume during the layout phase.

Many things fit on paper in 2D.  The top of the panel does not go very deep.  Extreme left and right are shallow spots also.

Otherwise not much mooney experience required beyond the "does it fit" portion of the plan....

 

-a-

[MooneyMitch]

"Do not use The Avionics Specialist in Lincoln, CA."  Ditto.........in fact............double ditto!!!

[OR75]

The shop in Gnoss filed did A/P work on a friends Cessna and he was happy with it.

Easy drive from the bay area since that's a consideration 

[DaV8or]

Quote: hansel

Woodland Aviation at KDWA might be a good place to look. www.woodlandaviation.com

I recently toured the shop. High quality, detailed, and unbelievably clean (your Mooney will reflect off the floor). They usually cater to larger birds, but will treat you the same. I'd get several quotes from various shops, then have Woodland match the low one (which is what they did with an engine monitor I priced out).

LASAR is of course a good bet. They installed my audio panel with no bugs. But you're right, it's sort of a pain to get a ride back from Lakeport. They can arrange for ferry flights back home at a reasonable rate.

Do not use The Avionics Specialist in Lincoln, CA.

[M016576]

I would check out Howard Aviation at Brackett field (KPOC) in La Verne if I were you.  I did my last annual at LASAR, but had a Sandel SN3500 and a couple other odds and ends taken care of at Howard over the course of the last year.  Robin Howard is a true professional.  His work has been 4.0 for me and his rates are MUCH less than LASAR.  I know his shop does panel fabrication and specializes in avionics installs, etc, as well.  I highly recommend them.  I felt like LASAR did good work also... but you pay dearly for it.... and I didn't feel like the premium I paid at LASAR was worth the work that was done.  Just my 2 cents.

[KJATCt]

I had my aspen 1000 pro installed at High Desert Avionics in Lancaster CA. Fox field (KWJF). Great work/price!!

[Qwalton]

I've had some work done at San Luis avionics in San Luis Obispo (SBP) and I thought they were very professional and their rates seemed reasonable.  I'm not sure how much they would charge to fabricate and install a new panel although I know that they do specialize in doing just that.

[N601RX]

My original panel was in pretty bad shape and I wanted to rearrange the pannel to a standard configuration and get both glideslopes on the pilot side panel. I didn't want to spend very much money either. I made the new panel shown below and my mechanic is going to install it next week. It is tuff to fit an 8 pack and a 2-1/4 instrument in the panel, but it can done.  There isn't as much clearance on the inside as there is on the outside.  I'll post a finished picture when I get it powder coated and installed.  It uses the original mounting holes and I don't think it will take over an hour to install it.

I havn't done anything with the copilot side yet, but plan to redo it also.

[DaV8or]

Thanks for the responses! I will give these guys a shot. Lots of options it would seem. Some of the wesites were pretty weak, but an endorsement from a fellow Mooniac carries a lot more weight than a website!

So far, Davis, San Luis Obispo, La Verne and Lancaster. All are doable, so I just have to get a little time to call them up. Probably tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[DaV8or]

Quote: N601RX

My original panel was in pretty bad shape and I wanted to rearrange the pannel to a standard configuration and get both glideslopes on the pilot side panel. I didn't want to spend very much money either. I made the new panel shown below and my mechanic is going to install it next week. It is tuff to fit an 8 pack and a 2-1/4 instrument in the panel, but it can done.  There isn't as much clearance on the inside as there is on the outside.  I'll post a finished picture when I get it powder coated and installed.  It uses the original mounting holes and I don't think it will take over an hour to install it.

I havn't done anything with the copilot side yet, but plan to redo it also.

[mikefox]

It may be a bit far for you from Oakland, but Ramona Avionics in San Diego County just did a new panel for us, and working with them was a real pleasure from start to finish.

-Mike

[DaV8or]

Quote: mikefox

It may be a bit far for you from Oakland, but Ramona Avionics in San Diego County just did a new panel for us, and working with them was a real pleasure from start to finish.

-Mike

[mikefox]

Quote: DaV8or

It is a bit far, but if they do a good job, on time and on budget, then it might be worth it. What did you have done and do you have pictures to post?

[FlyDave]

Quote: DaV8or

Thanks for the responses! I will give these guys a shot. Lots of options it would seem. Some of the wesites were pretty weak, but an endorsement from a fellow Mooniac carries a lot more weight than a website!

So far, Davis, San Luis Obispo, La Verne and Lancaster. All are doable, so I just have to get a little time to call them up. Probably tomorrow.

Thanks again!