M20R VS. M20R Ovation 3

[Flyingmora]

Hello everyone, 

I am pretty close to joining the ranks of Mooney ownership on a 1999 Ovation {excited}.  

I was wondering if  besides the 310 hp. on the Ovation 3, anyone could enlighten me on differences between the M20R Ovation VS. M20R Ovation 3?

Thanks,

Rick

[carusoam]

Rick,

Roughly speaking....

O3 has Garmin glass panel - 3 blade prop - 310hp @ 2700rpm. 180kts cruise.  Newer and Less affordable.

O1 has Bendix King HSI /KX 165 /KLN90 - 3 blade prop - 280hp @ 2500rpm max. upgradable to glass and higher rpm/hp, 175kts cruise.  Older and more affordable.

Either one is an excellent choice. 

Best regards,

-a-

[roundout]

The Ovation 3 is zero knots faster in cruise unless you want to burn 20gph. It does climb a ton better, though. I personally don't have much use for the 310hp. At 2700rpm the noise and vibration transmitted through the airplane is awful. I dial the prop back to 2550 for climb and 2500 for cruise as soon as practical. FWIW, I have the same feelings on the 310 Acclaim. Lots of noise, lots of vibration, higher fuel bill, climbs better but zero speed increase. 

[Flyingmora]

Guys thanks for the words of advice, for a minute there, I was under the impression that there was a major difference between both.  I saw a 2005 Ovation (DX Model) with 530/430 configuration, expecting glass, but was told that this is the way the original owner requested it.  Anyhow, I expect to have the 1999 Ovation by October 4th {cant wait}...  Again thanks...  Rick

[Parker_Woodruff]

Have fun with the new Ovation!!

[roundout]

An Ovation GX (or Bravo GX) would have glass. I believe they started offering GX models in 04 or 05 and sold them concurrently with DX models through 06. I believe after they dropped the Bravo in 05 they also  dropped the DX and GX monikers as all subsequent ships were G1000. 

[Flyingmora]

Parker,

Will do!  Quick question, do you know if the WX950 overlays on the Garmins or does it only work with the 3" dedicated display?

Again thanks,

Rick

[Flyingmora]

Roundout,

Do you know if the DX is 6 knots faster than a standard ovation, if it has the Mccauley Prop?  Just curious, not that I would be ready to spend the extra $$$ for six knots...    Also, was told that the dashboard on 05 DX model is 2" lower, giving better visibility, but again not a necessity for the extra bucks, your thoughts?

Thanks,  Rick

[roundout]

Where did you find a DX with a McCauley 3 blade prop? I thought they stopped using those in the late 90s or early 2000s. The 2 blade is indeed faster but doesn't climb nearly as well. I don't believe that there's any appreciable difference on the DX that would make it faster with the same prop. The Acclaim prop is the best of the bunch but it's not cheap. 

I can't remember the glareshields specifically by model, but I do know this. The older birds indeed had the panel 2" taller than the new ones. The panel was redesigned to accomodate G1000 (which would be when the DX and GX became two separate options). The old ones are identifiable by being taller and having the gear switch up high near the top of the panel and the new ones are identifiable by having the gear switch down behind and to the right side of the control column, as well as the panel being shorter. I can't remember if the DX models used the new panel with the gear switch relocated or not, but I'm thinking they did. This would explain why they're advertising the 05 DX model with 2" more visibility. I haven't flown many of them and I can't recall. 

Lemme know if you have other questions. 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Flyingmora

Parker,

Will do!  Quick question, do you know if the WX950 overlays on the Garmins or does it only work with the 3" dedicated display?

Again thanks,

Rick

[ovation0219]

The Dash was lowered 2 inches in the 1999 model ovation 1 with the addition of the moritz gauges and that was the last year o f the 3 blade mccalley prop 2000 started the ovation 2 and the 2 blade prop. the O3 is a ovation 2 with the midwest mooney 310 hp stc added by the factory.

[ovation0219]

on the stormscope the wx 950 will ot overlay only the wx500.

[fantom]

I just flew in a DX and the dash is at least 2" lower, and the upgraded Hartzell 3 blade prop cuts TO distance by at least a third, dramatically improves climb speed, and supposedly doesn't reduce cruise speed.

 

[rbharvey]

"The Dash was lowered 2 inches in the 1999 model ovation 1 with the addition of the moritz gauges"

 

The dash was not lowered until much later than that.. I had a 2000 with Moritz and still very high dash . Not sure of the year but closer to 2004/05 when DX/GX transition appeared. 

[fantom]

Bob is correct....the dash wasn't lowered until the 04/05 DX. You don't need to measure it...if the wiskey compass is sitting on top of the glareshield, it's the higher dash, with what some believe is an odd sight line.

[carusoam]

"what some believe is an odd sight line"  others call character.....

The tall instrument panel causes you to adjust your seat to get your eyeballs centered in the windshield.  Then you realize, it's not the tall panel as much as it is the looooong cowl that makes you want to set the seat up so high.

The nice thing about the tall panel.  There is enough room for all the upgrades on the planet when you are done with the original 6-pack and supporting electronic boxes.....

You can lower the IP, but it won't change the sight lines of the long cowl during the landing flare....

-a-