Let's say you have $15k to spend on avionics/radios

[nels]

If you bought a plane with a virgin panel with nothing in it later than 1980, how would you spend an available $15k trying to bring it into today's world. Assume time is on your side to scope out the best deals on mostly used equipment. Don't forget to include an install price. Assume the plane has autopilot. Mission is cross country flying.

I'm sure many have gone through this drill before with varying budgets so I thought I'd throw it out and see what others come up with.

 

[Zwaustin]

Without knowing what you currently have; 15k would be close but I love my 430W with aspen 1000 pfd... Plenty of used 430's out there for decent money. 

The new Garmin 650/750 would be out of budget without dropping the aspen. Could do a garmin 650 and a new transponder or more up to date nav/ com possibly. 

[M20F]

2x430W

[Godfather]

With a 2.5 amu difference between the 430w and 650 there is no way I'd spend the money to install the 430...  Also with such a limited budget a single GPS/nav/com will be plenty.  

[rbridges]

If I were instrument rated, I'd get a WAAS GPS and ADS-B compliant.  Engine monitor would be second.  VFR pilot would be ADS-B for the weather, stratus, ipad as GPS source and an engine monitor.  The rest would go in my bank account.

 

I'm assuming you have a decent radio such as a KX-155 and VOR.

[Godfather]

Honestly if I purchased a plane with no upgrades (it would need to be dirt cheap) I'd probably just fly it like bought it.  From the 80's it would have a decent nav/com etc.. If you want to add a IFR GPS I've seen a few gns 400's sell for 2.3-2.6 amu.  I personally would not waste the money on a vfr GPS with all the portable options available. 

[gsengle]

I'm blowing your budget but I'd do NAV/COM/GPS Avidyne 440, Lynx ADS-B transponder, and an EDM 730 engine monitor.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ArtVandelay]

JPI 830 engine monitor

GTN 650

[PaulB]

2 hours ago, Zwaustin said:

Without knowing what you currently have; 15k would be close but I love my 430W with aspen 1000 pfd... Plenty of used 430's out there for decent money. 

The new Garmin 650/750 would be out of budget without dropping the aspen. Could do a garmin 650 and a new transponder or more up to date nav/ com possibly. 

Whats an aspen pro cost installed?  I'm seeing around $11-12k

[N601RX]

I can't remember from your previous post, are you VFR only or do you plan to get your IFR rating?  You will want a GPS in either situation to drive the autopilot.  The difference is you can install a VFR only gps to drive the autopilot for under 1K but any of the WASS options are going to be over 10K after you add a CDI+install. You can build up a very nice VFR panel including primary engine monitor and nice audio panel for 15K, but will have to skimp on some stuff if its IFR.

[markejackson02]

Hate to rain on the parade, but 15K would probably just get you a basic GPS install.  9K for the GPS, 2K for a new CDI, and 4-5K for the install.  Maybe a little less.

 

[kris_adams]

IFR GPS (assuming you are IR) is where I'd start-no question.  650/430/440...I'm still amazed at the functionality they bring.

[carusoam]

Nels...

1) mission: X-country Mooney travel.  

2) X-country with full reliability includes an IR.  IFR flight is trending off towards WAAS GPS derived instrument approaches.

3) failure of the WAAS GPS in low IMC will require a lower cost Navcom with an ILS...

4) a used G430W is about the lowest cost at 6AMU before install...

5) a new Avidyne will cost a few dollars more and come with warranty and a lot of modern skills.

6) A used KX165 or KX155 with glide slope is not very expensive for #2.  Digital radios with old analog looking knobs and displays.

7) Avidyne and BK both have updated ADSB out transponders.  Competition keeps the prices in a similar range.

8) iPad and portable ADSB in for traffic and weather.  (Required for comfortable XC flight)

9) spend the rest on training.  Get the IR rating....

10) look at the myriad of HSIs coming available as people upgrade to glass.  Installing an Aspen is probably better financially.

Anyone with a plane built before 1995 has to go through this exercise.  You are not alone.

 

best regards,

-a-

[larryb]

The budget is too small.

[nels]

3 hours ago, N601RX said:

I can't remember from your previous post, are you VFR only or do you plan to get your IFR rating?  You will want a GPS in either situation to drive the autopilot.  The difference is you can install a VFR only gps to drive the autopilot for under 1K but any of the WASS options are going to be over 10K after you add a CDI+install. You can build up a very nice VFR panel including primary engine monitor and nice audio panel for 15K, but will have to skimp on some stuff if its IFR.

VFR for now. May end up IFR.

[nels]

1 hour ago, larryb said:

The budget is too small.

Have you ever worked with one that was too large? Haha

[nels]

2 hours ago, carusoam said:

Nels...

1) mission: X-country Mooney travel.  

2) X-country with full reliability includes an IR.  IFR flight is trending off towards WAAS GPS derived instrument approaches.

3) failure of the WAAS GPS in low IMC will require a lower cost Navcom with an ILS...

4) a used G430W is about the lowest cost at 6AMU before install...

5) a new Avidyne will cost a few dollars more and come with warranty and a lot of modern skills.

6) A used KX165 or KX155 with glide slope is not very expensive for #2.  Digital radios with old analog looking knobs and displays.

7) Avidyne and BK both have updated ADSB out transponders.  Competition keeps the prices in a similar range.

8) iPad and portable ADSB in for traffic and weather.  (Required for comfortable XC flight)

9) spend the rest on training.  Get the IR rating....

10) look at the myriad of HSIs coming available as people upgrade to glass.  Installing an Aspen is probably better financially.

Anyone with a plane built before 1995 has to go through this exercise.  You are not alone.

 

best regards,

-a-

Is the Avidyne similar to the 430? Older Avidynes are very reasonable on eBay. Would the new Avidyne take care of future ADSB requirements or are you referring to two seperate inits?

[nels]

7 hours ago, M20F said:

2x430W

Why two?

[nels]

Aspen 1000 appear to be priced comparatively with the Garmin 430. Is the Aspen reliable?

[ArtVandelay]

Aspen 1000 appear to be priced comparatively with the Garmin 430. Is the Aspen reliable?

Aspen is a glass display and GPS is navigator...apples and oranges

[M20F]

6 minutes ago, nels said:

Why two?

Redundant WAAS + dual nav/com.  Nothing else you really need that an iPad can't provide. 

[carusoam]

1) one primary navcom box for everything...

2) one back-up navcom that includes an ILS for getting down, for when #1 goes south...

3) A new transponder with ADSB out is an upcoming requirement 2020.

4) a pair of 430Ws will cover many bases... it is a mix of older tech, but at the highest level of IFR nav.

If your dough is coming in waves...  The new avidynes can be slid into the old 430 trays.  Saving some big install costs.

Some of the big radio shops advertise in Trade-a-plane.  They give sample prices for all versions of the new stuff.  Interesting combos. Etc....

Best regards,

-a-

[Godfather]

If you are still looking for a plane spend an extra 15k and get one with an upgraded IFR GPS panel.  Avionics upgrades are worth about half on the used market.

- you could get the Aspen vfr panel and upgrade it later.

- two GPS units for redundancy 

- for certified aircraft it take a certain budget to get anything done.  If you're  careful 15 will get you a couple upgrades but not a "updated" panel that you are looking for.

Edited June 18, 2016 by Godfather

[nels]

Just now, teejayevans said:

Aspen is a glass display and GPS is navigator...apples and oranges

Oh...I guess  I don't need that yet. A teacher once told me there is no such thing as a stupid question. Thanks!

[carusoam]

Your teacher was being paid to field all questions...?

avidyne just started shipping their new receivers...  Use caution when looking for used equipment. Know exactly what it is down to the software version that has been loaded onto it.

nothing like paying good money for unusable stuff.  It happens...

Best regards,

-a-