My new Garmin Avionics

[jackn]

There is a lot of interest lately on putting in new avionics/ADS-B, so I figured I'd share my experience. 

I was looking for a large format navigator and 1090 out transponder. This meant a 540 or 750 and moving my 430 below as my #2 nav/com. Both systems would do the job. I chose the 750 because of the gtx345, I wanted a one vendor integrated solution. Unfortunately, this meant I needed to buy the gma35c remote audio panel just so the 750 would fit. I bit the bullet and ordered a gtn750, gma35c, gtx345, and flightstream 510. 

While these were being installed, Garmin released a major s/w update for these items. The ease of use and integration of this system is just amazing. The 3D audio works great, I was listening to a very busy approach controller while listening to the AWOS with no problem. The 750 now has 'pinch to zoom', but I find it much easier to just say ' zoom in'. Telligence, the ability to control the navigator and Audio panel with spoken commands is a new paradigm in avionics. 

Precision Avionics, located at KPOU did the installation. Ken Gleason and his team did a wonderful job. He told me the project would take 3 weeks and it took exactly 3 weeks with no drama. It would have been done even earlier but we had to wait for the stc on the 510. I decided on precision for a few reasons. First, Ken flys a 231 and has a lot of experience with Mooneys. Every time I'm there they are working on 1 or 2 mooneys. His quote was better than other quotes I had received. When I had asked Ken what kind of lead time to expect, he asked me if I could bring it in the next Tuesday. He doesn't order one item at a time, he orders a lot, so he has what he needs on hand. 

This was not a straightforward installation, I had an Icarus SAM, WX500, JPI930, plus all the BS that a thirty year old airplane accumulates. Everything works!

 

Edited October 24, 2016 by jackn

[KLRDMD]

14 minutes ago, jackn said:

There is a lot of interest lately on putting in new avionics/ADS-B, so I figured I'd share my experience. I chose the 750 because of the gtx345, I wanted a one vendor integrated solution. Unfortunately, this meant I needed to buy the gma35c remote audio panel just so the 750 would fit. I bit the bullet and ordered a gtn750, gma35c, gtx345, and flightstream 510. He told me the project would take 3 weeks and it took exactly 3 weeks with no drama.

For those of us either in the process of doing a similar upgrade or considering one, would you be comfortable sharing costs (products and labor) ?

 

[Marauder]

For those of us either in the process of doing a similar upgrade or considering one, would you be comfortable sharing costs (products and labor) ?
 

That install looks about a left testicle cost.


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[jackn]

20 minutes ago, Marauder said:

 

That install looks about a left testicle cost.


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Yes, the right one goes next year when I put in glass & anew powder coated panel. I won't give exact costs, but I will say it was less expensive than other quotes I received. Yes, the wife wants a new kitchen. 

[Oscar Avalle]

Nice setup!

[ArtVandelay]

That install looks about a left testicle cost.

I assume yours cost both

[carusoam]

By the time you get the kitchen installed... including some fancy glass walls and all.

http://www.apdinteriors.com/

Andrew, have you designed a hangar home to house Al?

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

I assume yours cost both

Mine was a double, Don Kaye's was a full emasculation.


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[donkaye]

Just now, Marauder said:

 

Mine was a double, Don Kaye's was a full emasculation.


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I actually got a very good price on my upgrade.  The downside was that it took 6 months.

[mike_elliott]

75K out the door or less, Don?

[donkaye]

3 hours ago, mike_elliott said:

75K out the door or less, Don?

 

3 hours ago, mike_elliott said:

75K out the door or less, Don?

The equipment and labor costs were over $100,000 but after rebates and sales of equipment the overall cost was a little more than the $75,000 all in.  I did get an exceptional price on the labor, however.

Now compare that to a new airplane that doesn't have near the equipment that I have, and you see that the upgrade cost makes the resultant airplane an unbelievable bargain.

[mike_elliott]

I certainly get that Don, and it is a dandy upgrade you have for sure. While I haven't taken the upgrade to the dimension you have on your 91 Bravo, I have "begun" on my 99 Bravo with and Aspen, SV, AOA, Lynx NGT9000+. It already had a GNS430w and a JPI, storm scope alt preselect. The storm scope is now displaying on the Aspen and Garmin, as is traffic and weather, as they all are on the Ipad with FlyQ or WingX. "Traffic Trends" while not called that are displayed on the Aspen, Lynx Ipad, and just traffic on the Garmin. Interconnectivity was very important to me as it should be for everyone.

My "dream" panel will come if/when the G3X is allowed in as a backup and I can put in an Avidyne 540 that talks to everything. Currently everything talks to everything including my IPad. All in on this upgrade was well under 20 as I now sit. I lack the capability of a FS right now to push IPAD flight plans to the GNS, but with the wifi router that is built into the Lynx, the hardware is there for L3 to enable such a feature in it's firmware. Should be an "easy" option for them to add via software update or Ill just not worry about it with an Avidyne that has a way way cool IPAD app.

So many great new tech choices are coming on line now! I am pushing for L3 to consider a D/A converter to have the ESI500 "drive" the 1980's tech KAP. $>2K every 500 hours or so to "repair" those fine "swiss watch" KI256's and 258's is starting to lack economic substance.

[Marauder]

I certainly get that Don, and it is a dandy upgrade you have for sure. While I haven't taken the upgrade to the dimension you have on your 91 Bravo, I have "begun" on my 99 Bravo with and Aspen, SV, AOA, Lynx NGT9000+. It already had a GNS430w and a JPI, storm scope alt preselect. The storm scope is now displaying on the Aspen and Garmin, as is traffic and weather, as they all are on the Ipad with FlyQ or WingX. "Traffic Trends" while not called that are displayed on the Aspen, Lynx Ipad, and just traffic on the Garmin. Interconnectivity was very important to me as it should be for everyone.
My "dream" panel will come if/when the G3X is allowed in as a backup and I can put in an Avidyne 540 that talks to everything. Currently everything talks to everything including my IPad. All in on this upgrade was well under 20 as I now sit. I lack the capability of a FS right now to push IPAD flight plans to the GNS, but with the wifi router that is built into the Lynx, the hardware is there for L3 to enable such a feature in it's firmware. Should be an "easy" option for them to add via software update or Ill just not worry about it with an Avidyne that has a way way cool IPAD app.
So many great new tech choices are coming on line now! I am pushing for L3 to consider a D/A converter to have the ESI500 "drive" the 1980's tech KAP. $>2K every 500 hours or so to "repair" those fine "swiss watch" KI256's and 258's is starting to lack economic substance.

Mike -- did you need to pay for the unlock code for the 9000+ to display on the Aspen PFD? Also, I thought the 9000+ only showed traffic on the Garmin navigators. Weather (FIS- work as well?


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[mike_elliott]

10 minutes ago, Marauder said:

 

 

Mike -- did you need to pay for the unlock code for the 9000+ to display on the Aspen PFD? Also, I thought the 9000+ only showed traffic on the Garmin navigators. Weather (FIS- work as well?


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yes I did, but it was "buried" in the cost of the NG9000 and basically was dealer cost. I am not sure you need to purchase the unlock code now. I have traffic and wx displayed on the Aspen from the Ngt9000 along with the gns and IPAD and of course the NGt9000. I do need to stand corrected, it is not the + (active traffic) ver I have, just the standard 9000

[donkaye]

I think the degree to which someone upgrades their airplane depends on several things.  Desire complemented with the financial capability to follow through, the stage of life one is at, or, of course, necessity if something is broken and so outdated as to be uneconomical to repair.

My decision included all the above.  When my EFIS 40 Symbol Generator went South, the cost to repair the 20 year old technology was beyond imaginable.

I never gave much thought to buying a different airplane.  My type of flying doesn't require a jet, although it was fun getting my Citation Type rating, and while I like and have flown in the PC 12 and TBM, except for the pressurization, again my type of flying didn't make those exciting either.  On the other hand the new technology and interface of Gamin's products were very much enticing.  I did spend 3 solid months investigating most everything certified in the market at the time, and read every owners manual.  Luckily, I had flown with most of the individual equipment in various student's airplanes, although no one had everything I was looking at.

Finally, choosing the right shop was all important to me.  I wanted someone who was as excited about doing the job as I was in having it done.  I found that in Peter at J and R Electronics in Livermore.  

It's been 2½ years now, and for awhile after it was completed I said I would not change a thing.  But technology has moved ahead, and over time I moved with it.  So, I first swapped the ESI 2000 for the ESI 500 for a big increase in backup capability.  Then, I never liked the green screen display or angular viewing range of the GTX 330ES transponder, so I swapped that for the GTX 335 with its white display and better menu interface.  Then the GMA 35 audio panel went for the GMA 35c with its bluetooth interface.  Finally, for the present, the last addition will be the Flightstream 510 substantially discounted for owners of the Flightstream 210.  All of this replaced equipment went to good homes with very little monetary loss.

The yearly software upgrades to the Garmin hardware have been incredibly valuable.  I thank Avidyne for keeping Garmin on their toes.

I really feel lucky to be here at this time to be able to make use of this fabulous equipment to go along with my joy of flying Mooneys.  It is exciting to think about some future item that will be coming along that I will want but can't know that I want now, but will snap up when it becomes available.