M20J New Panels?

[jelswick]

Hi all.  I have an '81 J going into the shop in two weeks for two of the Aspen units and an Stec 30 to replace my failing Century 21 AP.  I've seen a few new panels installed on here and am curious what it typically costs to have those done, powder coated and silk screened for placards.  I really don't even need to move any holes around in mine, but if it's not that expensive I'd be interested in that as an aesthetic upgrade.  The current panel is shown below.  One other question is that I'm getting the Aspen XM weather receiver and since it has up to three outputs, I'm curious whether one can be connected to the portable Garmin 396 to replace the antenna currently used for that unit.

[scottfromiowa]

I think your panel looks great.  I wouldn't change it...except for your Aspen that is...

[scottfromiowa]

And a 696 to replace your 496.  You've got the room...

[DaV8or]

You don't need a new panel cut at all. You could just have yours removed then bead blasted, powder coated and labled. Should save you about $800-1000 over an all new one. The strip and paint should be pretty cheap, probably less than $200, the labeling I'm not sure about. I have yet to do that. Then of course there is the remove and install labor costs. Probably can do the removal yourself and save some money there.

[DaV8or]

Quote: scottfromiowa

And a 696 to replace your 496.  You've got the room...

[scottfromiowa]

Plates, right?

[flight2000]

Yep, I'm looking at the 696 upgrade since the finally got the Geo Referencing finished.

Brian

[thinwing]

Jim I have gone through this before...I see why you need the new panel.The aspen is designed to replace the 3 1/2 round instruments.Your center position has rectangular din cutouts.I figure the aspen unit wont cover the the holes completely.I had the same problem with the g500 install...Mooney cutout and painted and labeled new panel for about 1200 bucks and it took about 6 weeks...who knows how long now that mooney has no employees left.Also looks like your panel is vinyl leatheret covered...you might try laser in clearlake calif...goodluck,..kpc

[M016576]

Quote: jelswick

Hi all.  I have an '81 J going into the shop in two weeks for two of the Aspen units and an Stec 30 to replace my failing Century 21 AP.  I've seen a few new panels installed on here and am curious what it typically costs to have those done, powder coated and silk screened for placards.  I really don't even need to move any holes around in mine, but if it's not that expensive I'd be interested in that as an aesthetic upgrade.  The current panel is shown below.  One other question is that I'm getting the Aspen XM weather receiver and since it has up to three outputs, I'm curious whether one can be connected to the portable Garmin 396 to replace the antenna currently used for that unit.

[FlyingAggie]

How useful do you find having the 496 mounted on the left side of the panel.  I have the same arrangement in my K and the view angle from the left seat is so acute that almost all contrast is lost on the LCD screen.  I have bought a 15 deg angle adapter, but unfortunatley it will mask the RPM and MP gauges.  To be useful, I almsot have to lay my head in my copilots lap, which often alarms my copilot when my copilot is not my wife. 

[jelswick]

This forum is always excellent and helpful; thank you for everyone's responses!  I'm going to ask about the bead blasting and repaint and see if that might work while it's in the shop.  Job, I used Aerocomfort (http://www.aerocomfort.com/) to do the yoke recovering.  They did a beautiful job, but were a little pricey.  I believe it was something like $700 for them and don't recall if that was each or for both.  Great work though and the yokes really needed it when I bought it, so I had it folded it into the aircraft financing. 

Alan, you're right, the loss of contrast makes the 396 almost unusable over there and requires I do the same contortions to see the weather on it.  That's unfortunate because it really is a great unit.  I'm thinking when I do this about paying to remove the DME and ADF (the ADF indicator is coming out anyway to shift other instruments and the AI to the right) and moving the KX 165 over to the right and the 396 to the center stack to fix that.  I looked on eBay this weekend and it looks like there's actually a decent market for the used DMEs and ADFs and will use whatever i get out of that to put towards these upgrades.  I'd love a 696, but am still happy with the 396 and I should get the geo referenced approach plates on the Aspen MFD.  Can't wait!  Thanks again all and have a great Thanksgiving!

Jim 

[M016576]

Quote: jelswick

This forum is always excellent and helpful; thank you for everyone's responses!  I'm going to ask about the bead blasting and repaint and see if that might work while it's in the shop.  Job, I used Aerocomfort (http://www.aerocomfort.com/) to do the yoke recovering.  They did a beautiful job, but were a little pricey.  I believe it was something like $700 for them and don't recall if that was each or for both.  Great work though and the yokes really needed it when I bought it, so I had it folded it into the aircraft financing. 

Alan, you're right, the loss of contrast makes the 396 almost unusable over there and requires I do the same contortions to see the weather on it.  That's unfortunate because it really is a great unit.  I'm thinking when I do this about paying to remove the DME and ADF (the ADF indicator is coming out anyway to shift other instruments and the AI to the right) and moving the KX 165 over to the right and the 396 to the center stack to fix that.  I looked on eBay this weekend and it looks like there's actually a decent market for the used DMEs and ADFs and will use whatever i get out of that to put towards these upgrades.  I'd love a 696, but am still happy with the 396 and I should get the geo referenced approach plates on the Aspen MFD.  Can't wait!  Thanks again all and have a great Thanksgiving!

Jim