insight strikefinder

[Browncbr1]

I recently acquired a serviceable when removed insight strikefinder with the antenna and connectors.  The sensor cable would need be purchased new from insight for $235 plus shipping.  

I took the unit over to a local avionics shop to get it bench tested and tagged, but I found out that only Insight can do that.  I also talked with the avionics shop about installation costs and he also said that nearly no one installs them anymore because of other newer things available.  I'm starting to vacillate on installing this, as the cost seems to be much more than I had originally thought, and I don't even know where it could fit on my panel without moving my Dynon D2 off of the panel.

Does anyone have any advice for me?  I called insight and they said they could bench test the unit and antenna and tag it for a flat $400... suddenly, what I thought would be a fairly cheap addition to my panel would end up being around $2500, if I assist in the install.

Am I better off trying to resell this and going in a different direction?

 

 

[jetdriven]

I installed a WX-1000 unit in my plane, I found it to be worth it. The unit cost 1000$ and it was about 400$ in cables and parts, I rented the crimper tools from Valentine. You could skip the bench test and install it, rteplace defective parts is cheaper than repairs or testing.

[Mooneymite]

I really like my stormscope.  It gives the answer "real time" to the question:  "Can I go into this cloud".

However, the shop has a point.  There is newer technology that is making spherics less vital.

"Is it worth it?" is a question only you can answer.  Going in, the best you'll ever do on recovering the install is 50% when you sell your plane.  An old technology stormscope would be much less.

The other factor is that stormscope installs are rarely simple since the placement of the antenna is so difficult.  The location has to be away from other interference producing antennae and protrusions.

Edited November 15, 2016 by Mooneymite

[Guitarmaster]

LOVE my strikefinder!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Bob_Belville]

I have never used the Insight version and do not know how much different it is from the Ryan/3M Goodrich/L3 units. The latter would certainly be worth it to me since I fly cross country and am IR. I have a WX-900.

For comparison of relative retail values: http://www.bennettavionics.com/ststfi.html

 

[kortopates]

I am also a strong believer in spherics devices. They are less popular these days only because the cheap availability of satellite or ADS-B Nexrad in the cockpit has reversed the trend to make Nexrad the primary solution, delegating spherics devices to the secondary supporting role. Originally it was the other way around. But they are no less important if you intend to fly through clouds. That said, Insight units work fine, but these days I would never invest in a CRT type display especially without heading stabilization which makes the display useless after each heading change.

These days IMO there is only one worthwhile option, which is the WX500, which provides the complete solution except the data is displayed on your existing moving map/GPS display which makes it much more useful. This could be a small GNS430 or larger GNS/GTN or moving map like the GMX500 or G500 or (I assume) Aspen too.  

If you have no such avionics I guess you need to ask yourself your long range panel plans to determine if its worth spending the money in this area for a temporary solution vs the more long term integrated solution. For example, my WX500 investment has stayed in my aircraft through multiple panels dating back to its original use in a MX-20 with Nexrad, to a GMX-200 and now into a G500 & GTN Navigators. Once you have any one of those devices you'll want the WX-500.

[philiplane]

A Stormscope or Strikefinder is crucial for summertime flying. Too many people rely on XM radar data which is not current enough for real weather avoidance. XM lightning data is virtually useless since only active equipment can keep you from getting into the worst cells.

I have a Strikefinder in my plane, and fly others with Stormscopes. Support is better and much cheaper for the Strikefinder, although the Stormscope advantage is that the WX500 can display on your MFD or panel mount GPS where the Strikefinder cannot. 

[takair]

Depending on the shop or mechanic, they should be able to install it as "serviceable", especially if you can show that it was removed from another aircraft in serviceable condition.  It is not a required piece of equipment, so not a high risk.  They typically work or don't work.  I installed a used and heavy WX-1000 years ago.  No heading stab, but I still like it.  It will often show a developing cumulous/t-storm before even radar and certainly in more real time than XM or ADS-B.  It really depends on the type of flying you do, but it certainly adds a level of comfort in summertime flying.  Surprised the shop turned you away, perhaps they are simply not comfortable installing spherics devices.  As others said, antenna placement is key and you don't want a belly full of holes.  Look to a shop who have done these installs and have a skin mapping tool.  There are also shops who don't like to install third party used equipment.  You may want to state in advance that you will take responsibility for issues with the unit.  Many shops have been burned on troubleshooting used equipment (is it the unit or the install) so are gun-shy....

[Piloto]

You are better off with smartphone weather. I have my Samsung S7 with Garmin Pilot Velcro to the pilot visor (for better reception) and works good for weather, navigation and texting. No sunlight on the phone for easy viewing.

José

 

[Browncbr1]

thanks for all the response.  I guess I should add that i don't have a ifr gps or anything fancy.. I just have navcoms, an Aera510, ipad mini, stratux with 987UAT and 1090ES.  i originally thought this strike finder would be in good harmony with by adsb in, but based on the unexpected higher cost, I'm wondering if there is another route that might be a higher and better use of a CB's capital.  

I am just about to take my IR check ride, so i'm still really green and have no desire to fly hard IFR..    I guess it all comes down to if I can find someone who will sign off on owner assist install...yea, it's not a critical and will not be heading stabilized... I figured I could just press clear any time I turn.  I had figured that if I could get this in for under 1AMU, then it would be worth it in my mind...  2AMU, not so much.. 

[Marauder]

Just now, Browncbr1 said:

thanks for all the response.  I guess I should add that i don't have a ifr gps or anything fancy.. I just have navcoms, an Aera510, ipad mini, stratux with 987UAT and 1090ES.  i originally thought this strike finder would be in good harmony with by adsb in, but based on the unexpected higher cost, I'm wondering if there is another route that might be a higher and better use of a CB's capital.  

I am just about to take my IR check ride, so i'm still really green and have no desire to fly hard IFR..    I guess it all comes down to if I can find someone who will sign off on owner assist install...yea, it's not a critical and will not be heading stabilized... I figured I could just press clear any time I turn.  I had figured that if I could get this in for under 1AMU, then it would be worth it in my mind...  2AMU, not so much.. 

As someone who owned older spherics (WX-8) and currently has a WX-500 in my plane, I echoed the sentiments of those advocating having one. The challenge is whether investing in an older design is worth it. My WX-8 certainly told me the general direction where not to go but due to radial spread, never was a good predictor of how far away something was. The newer spherics devices have heading synchronization and deal with the radial spread phenomenon better.

With the availability of NEXRAD and FIS-B, I think what you will find is that even with that displaying the current weather, it doesn't always show what is building and what is happening real time. I had an experience last summer where FIS-B showed nothing but rain, confirmed by the approach controller telling me of heavy precip in the same area. The WX-500 however was showing strikes in the area of the precip. I elected to deviate around the area instead of finding out what was really there.

When they install these devices, they need to do a skin mapping to make sure the plane's electronic devices don't set it off. The antenna location is critical. I had an Insight GEM for years and the company makes a good product.

[Danb]

Agreed a lot depends on your typical flying and areas in which you fly. I fly a fair amount of cross country and use xm& Adsb for basic planning  and my eyes I then determine when to switch to and rely on the Wx500 which displays on my G1000, I flew from Texas to De this summer the xm & wx500'were not working due to Adsb install errors where I was coming from, It was a nervous hairy trip just relying on the Adsb, I ended up landing and staying the night in Cincinnati due to not having the information needed. If I had the stormscope operating I would have continued on. 

[takair]

3 hours ago, Browncbr1 said:

thanks for all the response.  I guess I should add that i don't have a ifr gps or anything fancy.. I just have navcoms, an Aera510, ipad mini, stratux with 987UAT and 1090ES.  i originally thought this strike finder would be in good harmony with by adsb in, but based on the unexpected higher cost, I'm wondering if there is another route that might be a higher and better use of a CB's capital.  

I am just about to take my IR check ride, so i'm still really green and have no desire to fly hard IFR..    I guess it all comes down to if I can find someone who will sign off on owner assist install...yea, it's not a critical and will not be heading stabilized... I figured I could just press clear any time I turn.  I had figured that if I could get this in for under 1AMU, then it would be worth it in my mind...  2AMU, not so much.. 

It is valuable for VFR as well.  Takes some of the pucker factor out of summertime thunderstorm season...just don't go near the cluster of dots.  As a side note, Insight makes a heading adaptor that attaches to the back of the unit.  Keep an eye out for one of those too.  Keep asking around the local area and you may find somebody willing to assist with the install...  You have three seasons before you need it.

[Bob_Belville]

In the real world it is not terribly important whether the dots move relative to the heading when you turn or whether there is attenuation toward the aircraft position.

• In cruise there are generally few turns and any distant buildups are of only strategic interest,
• When there is serious CB activity around and dots are being formed at a rate of 20+ per minute the pilot is hitting the refresh button frequently. 10 minutes ago is ancient history for a stormscope. I have never found that I had lost situational awareness while maneuvering. I.e., I make a 30 degree turn to give wide berth to a cell and when I roll out I hit refresh. Either the cell will be repainted in a minute or so or there is not enough there any longer to sweat about.

[FoxMike]

I have been using Strikefinders or Stormscopes since the the 90's.  I had a Stratus and found the weather it provided invaluable in some ways but when the chips were down current lighting data was what I relied on.  You are required to learn to interpret the data and they does take awhile but I think going ahead would be to your benefit.  I had a T210 with a srtikefinder in it and flew it for 15 years.  There were many occasions that it prevented excessive sweating.

[Browncbr1]

I think I've decided to just hold this system for a while until I decide for sure what to do.  I think the only way this will be worth it for me (based on what I intend to fly in), is for me to install myself with sign off.   If someone here wants this system, I would probably let it go for what I have into it.. 

 

[FlyingDude]

Do you need an STC to install these things?  I would assume so, but I cannot find anything when I google for Stormscope STC...

[takair]

34 minutes ago, FlyingDude said:

Do you need an STC to install these things?  I would assume so, but I cannot find anything when I google for Stormscope STC...

Historically a field approval…

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, FlyingDude said:

Do you need an STC to install these things?  I would assume so, but I cannot find anything when I google for Stormscope STC...

A Strikefinder is not a Stormscope.  Strikefinders and Stormscopes were two competing products. https://www.aviationconsumer.com/avionics/strike-finder-stormscope-flyoff/

This link (https://www.insightavionics.com/strikefinder.htm) shows that a Strikefinder  is installed under an STC. Then the installer would file a 337.

 

[FlyingDude]

22 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

This link shows that a Strikefinder  is installed under an STC. Then the installer would file a 337.

I can't find that information

[takair]

http://www.insightavionics.com/strikefinder.htm
 

You will find the original STC here…but it’s for a Baron.  Back in the day, most Manufacturers would get a single STC and then that would be the basis for the field approval.  I’m not aware of an AML STC for the Strikefinder, but maybe Insight can help, or Lancecasper may be able to zoom us in…

[Pinecone]

Another vote for a spherics device.  Both VFR and IFR.

Enough so, I recently purchased a used WX500 to go into my new panel.

[laytonl]

I installed a used stormscope, wx-10 a few years ago in a previous mooney and a strikefinder in my son’s Cherokee.  I liked both.  The striker finder is a really easy install.  My current mooney has a wx-500 and it works well too.  These devices are essential in the Southeast.  Lee

[carusoam]

I believe my Insight Strike finder in the O was installed at the factory when new…

A call to the factory may give some…. Insight… to what they used to make it a legal install…

PP thinking out loud…

Best regards,

-a-

[FlyingDude]

9 hours ago, carusoam said:

A call to the factory may give some…. Insight… to what they used to make it a legal install…

Yea, indeed. I did and he was very helpful. It'll be a field approval based on the STC they have for a Baron. My plane had had a wx900 between 1992 and 2015. I wonder why they removed it...