GDL-88 Install Cost

[M016576]

Hmm.  Between the wide variety in install costs and the high upfront unit cost... What is the advantage of buying one of these GDL-88 units over just replacing the KT-76 with a KT-74 and being done with it?  Especially if you're already getting traffic/wx on the iPad?  Is the 6-8K worth it to display on a 430W?

If I had 5k to spend on an avionics upgrade right now, I'd look hard at trading I that 430W for an avidyne 440.  Included Bluetooth and wifi (negating the need for a flightstream type box)... Touch screen, etc.  just my 2 cents.  But I've got Adsb on an iPad- so adding that display capability isn't important to me in the panel.

 

slighly off topic, I know...

 

[Marauder]

Hmm.  Between the wide variety in install costs and the high upfront unit cost... What is the advantage of buying one of these GDL-88 units over just replacing the KT-76 with a KT-74 and being done with it?  Especially if you're already getting traffic/wx on the iPad?  Is the 6-8K worth it to display on a 430W?

If I had 5k to spend on an avionics upgrade right now, I'd look hard at trading I that 430W for an avidyne 440.  Included Bluetooth and wifi (negating the need for a flightstream type box)... Touch screen, etc.  just my 2 cents.  But I've got Adsb on an iPad- so adding that display capability isn't important to me in the panel.

 

slighly off topic, I know...

 

Exactly! Unless you have a panel product capable of displaying it well, the iPad will be it. The downside of the 1090ES is that you can't run in anonymous mode which may enable tracking for user fees. You also will need to purchase the portable ADS-B receiver if you don't have one already.

[gsxrpilot]

13 minutes ago, M016576 said:

Hmm.  Between the wide variety in install costs and the high upfront unit cost... What is the advantage of buying one of these GDL-88 units over just replacing the KT-76 with a KT-74 and being done with it?  Especially if you're already getting traffic/wx on the iPad?  Is the 6-8K worth it to display on a 430W?

If I had 5k to spend on an avionics upgrade right now, I'd look hard at trading I that 430W for an avidyne 440.  Included Bluetooth and wifi (negating the need for a flightstream type box)... Touch screen, etc.  just my 2 cents.  But I've got Adsb on an iPad- so adding that display capability isn't important to me in the panel.

 

slighly off topic, I know...

 

I agree... I have a 530W and still neither the screen nor the interface are conducive to weather or traffic display. I'd much rather use the iPad/ForeFlight/Stratus to get useable information in an easy to view format in my cockpit.  I went with the 330ES for ADSB out (install scheduled for Monday) as the overseas compatibility outweighed the possible flight tracking/user fees/black helicopters/JadeHelm paranoia, for me.  Chuck Noe has this very setup in his J and it's very nice.

[flyboy0681]

One common element mentioned in these posts is the iPad. While everything we do today in the cockpit is linked to the iPad, everyone here is assuming that it will be around for the next few decades in its present form. While the ADS-B equipment that you install now will most likely still be in your plane 10 to 20 years from now - just as some have early model GPS units like the Garmin XL150 - who is to say that the followup products to the iPad that we will be using in the future will be compatible with the GDL-88? I still have a Cassiopeia handheld device that I purchased in 2002 for $800 that I used with Anywhere flight software, but it's completely worthless now. The iPad may also go the way of the dodo bird and it's replacement may not work with your current setup.

 

[gsxrpilot]

And when the iPad's gone the way of your Cassiopeia, I'm pretty confident there will be something even better.

[flyboy0681]

11 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said:

And when the iPad's gone the way of your Cassiopeia, I'm pretty confident there will be something even better.

 No doubt, but will it be compatible with the on-board systems that we have installed? It's very likely that the Bluetooth standards used today will change in the future, rendering all existing Bluetooth devices outdated and not usable. What this could possibly mean is that the iPAD XXV may not be able to communicate with the the Flight Stream or 1090ES.

Just playing devils advocate, but we have all seen this firsthand and it happens at breakneck speed these days. Does all of the software that you bought and ran trouble free for years under Windows XP run on Windows 8? Does your PC have a dedicated, round keyboard and mouse port? How about a serial port? Still have a 30 pin Apple charging cord hanging around? 

[ArtVandelay]

The iPod has a bazillion times the market penetration of the Cassiopeia, it will still be here 30 years from now, just like Windows is still with us (unfortunately).

You can still add a serial port via USB to the PC. Programs still run today that were coded 20 years ago. Garmin is not going to just give up on the flightstream because iPod v 30.0 is out.

[gsxrpilot]

Just now, flyboy0681 said:

 No doubt, but will it be compatible with the on-board systems that we have installed? It's very likely that the Bluetooth standards used today will change in the future, rendering all existing Bluetooth devices outdated and not usable. What this could possibly mean is that the iPAD XXV may not be able to communicate with the the Flight Stream or 1090ES.

Just playing devils advocate, but we have all seen this firsthand and it happens at breakneck speed these days. Does all of the software that you bought and ran for trouble free for years under Windows XP run on Windows 8? Does your PC have a dedicated, round keyboard and mouse port? How about a serial port? Still have a 30 pin Apple charging cord hanging around? 

Ah... I missed a detail there. I'm not relying on anything connecting from my panel to the iPad. I use the iPad with ForeFlight and a Stratus2, so it's a completely independent system.  My GTX330ES will be connected to the 530W for the WAAS signal but won't be feeding anything to the iPad.

Also, I make my living in technology, and am considered an "early adopter". There isn't any computer or related device in my home more than two years old and most are much more recent than that.

[flyboy0681]

Just now, teejayevans said:

The iPod has a bazillion times the market penetration of the Cassiopeia, it will still be here 30 years from now, just like Windows is still with us (unfortunately).

Yes, Windows is still with us but if you opened up your closet and got out the old Quicken V1 diskettes, could you still use it on Windows 10 (let alone install them)? You are assuming complete, backward compatibility of iPads manufactured ten years in the future, and as a person who makes his living by writing software, I can say with 100% certainty that today's iPad's will not be compatible with those manufactured five or ten years from now. Guaranteed.

[75_M20F]

I had a GDL88, GTN 750, 406MHZ ELT, and a True Blue TSO duel USB charger installed in my M20 F this summer. Here is what it all cost. This is from the actual bill from the avionics shop. (The exception was my transponder needing service and a pitot static check were extra.) I could not be more pleased with how it turned out.

 

Description of work                                                                           Equipment Cost
Remove  KY197

 

Remove KNS80

 

Removed GPS60

Removed WX-8

 

 

 

Installation of the following:

 

GTN750                                                                                                 $13,943

 

GDL88                                                                                                       3,296

 

Dual USB                                                                                                      375

 

ACK/E-04                                                                                                      674

 

Misc - wire, crimps, splices, etc.                                                               400

 

                                                       Sub Total                                         $18,688

 

                                         Sales Tax                                                           1261

 

 

 

                                             Equipment Total with Tax                            19,949

 

 

 

Total Labor 85 hrs @ $60/hr                                                                       5,100

 

                                                                    Grand Total                         $25,049

 

 

 

[ArtVandelay]

 

I write software too. And yes I run old quicken on my laptop running Linux, using Wine, no problem.

No I'm assuming Garmin will update the Flightstream firmware as necessary along with their Pilot app. Given their history with other certified avionics, I think that's a good assumption.

Now if in the future Bluetooth standards change, I'm betting Garmin with update their products, may have to send Flighstream box in, just like you can do with WAAS and 430,530.

Is there a chance there will be a complete shift in technology (brain implants) the renders current technology obsolete, like Loran, that's possible, I'll take that chance. Or Garmin or Apple goes out of business, that could happen too. The only thing I can say with 100% certainty is I I won't be worrying about it.

I'm more worried about this new Mooneyspace web site, the editing functions is FUBAR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flyboy0681]

4 hours ago, teejayevans said:

 

I write software too. And yes I run old quicken on my laptop running Linux, using Wine, no problem.

 

Quicken using Linux and Wine? Sounds like a Rube Goldberg to me.

I agree on the editing thing.

 

[donkaye]

11 hours ago, Mooney_Mike said:

I had a GDL88, GTN 750, 406MHZ ELT, and a True Blue TSO duel USB charger installed in my M20 F this summer. Here is what it all cost. This is from the actual bill from the avionics shop. (The exception was my transponder needing service and a pitot static check were extra.) I could not be more pleased with how it turned out.

 

Description of work                                                                           Equipment Cost
Remove  KY197

 

Remove KNS80

 

Removed GPS60

Removed WX-8

 

 

 

Installation of the following:

 

GTN750                                                                                                 $13,943

 

GDL88                                                                                                       3,296

 

Dual USB                                                                                                      375

 

ACK/E-04                                                                                                      674

 

Misc - wire, crimps, splices, etc.                                                               400

 

                                                       Sub Total                                         $18,688

 

                                         Sales Tax                                                           1261

 

 

 

                                             Equipment Total with Tax                            19,949

 

 

 

Total Labor 85 hrs @ $60/hr                                                                       5,100

 

                                                                    Grand Total                         $25,049

 

 

 

That is a very good price for the GTN 750 and GDL 88.  Even better is the 60/hr labor rate for the installation.

[75_M20F]

Yes, I was very pleased with what they charged me for the installation and the low markup on the equipment. The shop mentioned they ran over over the 85 hours of labor, but stuck with their estimate and didn't charge me for the overage.

Garmin is offering a limited time rebate program right now I see. So, it might be a good time to consider doing the upgrade.