Pictreed Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 Well I screwed the pooch and snail mailed my down payment for my plane so I'm stuck with an empty hangar till it arrives in MN from TX. So I've had some time to ponder which upgrades I need to do in my '65E. The GPS is non-WAAS and my upgrade must work for IMC. There's a tank seal and possible long range tank upgrade in October and an AP after that (maybe much later) but I can afford some upgrades now too. Somewhere after the tank seal and before the AP I'd like to add the Aspen and some point maybe get rid of all the engine instruments and us the JPI 900 or similar. I really wanted the GTN 750 but it looks like I can do most of the upgrades below before I pay for just the 750. If I trade in my 430 for the Avidyne 440 for about $5k, add their AXP340 xponder with ADS B out for around 3K they will give me a SkyTrax 100 ADS-B in free. I'm thinking I can get it for less than less than 12k installed. Add the audio panel for ? So my dilemma is do I upgrade as I go and use the Avidyne or finance the Garmin route? I'm not so worried about cost as I am with being satisfied with the function of my equipment. I've only used the Garmin 430 and 530 so I'm not sure about the Avidyne. 1 Quote
gsengle Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 I'd vote Avidyne! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Supercop0184 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 You KNOW my choice. By the way, they all came in yesterday and Two of the three are installed. Wifey and I are heading out there this afternoon I believe! Quote
Mooneymite Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 I would suggest you just fly and enjoy your new plane for a few months before prioritizing. After flying it, you will have a much clearer picture of what you really "need" and what are just "gee whiz wants". I know which I would go for first, but your flying may have very different requirements than mine. 4 Quote
FBCK Posted May 1, 2016 Report Posted May 1, 2016 I have an Avidyne 540, I I'm very excited about there recently announced 10.20 software upgrade. I think the 440 has all the same functionality of the 540, but check, but the WIFI and the new ipad/windows software will be amazing when released, and the smaller 440 will show on an ipad screen and allow you to control the 440, lots of real estate there. Avidyne keeps adding more functionality to the unit, its something to be excited about after a slow start. Quote
Pictreed Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Posted May 3, 2016 On May 1, 2016 at 9:41 PM, FBCK said: I have an Avidyne 540, I I'm very excited about there recently announced 10.20 software upgrade. I think the 440 has all the same functionality of the 540, but check, but the WIFI and the new ipad/windows software will be amazing when released, and the smaller 440 will show on an ipad screen and allow you to control the 440, lots of real estate there. Avidyne keeps adding more functionality to the unit, its something to be excited about after a slow start. I think that's where I'll start. That will get me the IMC comfort I'm use to and then, like Moomeymite said, let the rest work itself out. Quote
TWinter Posted May 3, 2016 Report Posted May 3, 2016 On 4/30/2016 at 1:29 PM, Mooneymite said: I would suggest you just fly and enjoy your new plane for a few months before prioritizing. After flying it, you will have a much clearer picture of what you really "need" and what are just "gee whiz wants". I know which I would go for first, but your flying may have very different requirements than mine. This is a good point.. I've learned the hard way and am currently having to remove several upgrades I did just a few years ago just so I can pursue IFR. I had STec Alt Hold only and upgraded my wing-leveler to Brittain AccuTrak (just flys a heading-no approaches etc).. Now I've decided to go for full STec 30 A/P and a few other pieces..It was kind of a waste to put just the altitude hold in when I did, as was the Accutrak w/ just the heading. Several have suggested I upgrade the Accutrak, and that's a fine option, but I still lost money in the Altitude Hold on original AccuTrak install and labor..At the time I really was content with my local VFR flights with a few VFR x-country every know and then. As time marched on I decided I wanted more utility out of my plane..I could have saved lots of $ if I had thought further down the road and future goals..Just my experience. 4 Quote
KSMooniac Posted May 3, 2016 Report Posted May 3, 2016 On 4/30/2016 at 1:29 PM, Mooneymite said: I would suggest you just fly and enjoy your new plane for a few months before prioritizing. After flying it, you will have a much clearer picture of what you really "need" and what are just "gee whiz wants". I know which I would go for first, but your flying may have very different requirements than mine. I agree with this... just go fly it for at least 50 hours and then your wish list will become more clear. With a 430 already on board, I'd give a *hard* look at the IFD 440 + iPad. With the way things are moving right now, we should have more and cheaper options in the (hopefully near) future to upgrade auto pilots and PFD's. You'll have some squawks to chase too, so just fly and fix for the first few months. 3 Quote
Marauder Posted May 4, 2016 Report Posted May 4, 2016 I would suggest you just fly and enjoy your new plane for a few months before prioritizing. After flying it, you will have a much clearer picture of what you really "need" and what are just "gee whiz wants". I know which I would go for first, but your flying may have very different requirements than mine. On 4/30/2016 at 1:29 PM, Mooneymite said: I would suggest you just fly and enjoy your new plane for a few months before prioritizing. After flying it, you will have a much clearer picture of what you really "need" and what are just "gee whiz wants". I know which I would go for first, but your flying may have very different requirements than mine. I agree with this... just go fly it for at least 50 hours and then your wish list will become more clear. With a 430 already on board, I'd give a *hard* look at the IFD 440 + iPad. With the way things are moving right now, we should have more and cheaper options in the (hopefully near) future to upgrade auto pilots and PFD's. You'll have some squawks to chase too, so just fly and fix for the first few months. In my case, it was 7 years before I made the investment in the autopilot. By then, I had saved up for what I needed, not what I wanted. Quote
NotarPilot Posted May 4, 2016 Report Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) I just got two IFD440s last month and I'm quite impressed coming from the 430s I traded in for them. I also get to use a GTN 650 at work (which I don't really care for) and the Avidynes win hands down for next gen GA panel mount GPS units, IMHO of course. Edited May 4, 2016 by NotarPilot Quote
carusoam Posted May 4, 2016 Report Posted May 4, 2016 The detail on those screens is pretty impressive, even showing on my iPad... What is the best part you like about your IFD vs work's GTN? The nice part of this question is the cost difference doesn't carry much weight in this case. Best regards, -a- Quote
ArtVandelay Posted May 4, 2016 Report Posted May 4, 2016 I just got two IFD440s last month and I'm quite impressed coming from the 430s I traded in for them. I also get to use a GTN 650 at work (which I don't really care for) and the Avidynes win hands down for next gen GA panel mount GPS units, IMHO of course. Can't be that good if you need 2 of them... :-) Quote
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