Avionics opinion needed.

[xcrmckenna]

I'm doing a full Avidyne adsb install that starts on the 31st. I already have the IFD440 and I'm adding an AXP340 with the skytrax100 to get adsb in. The AXP340 is a slide in replacement for my Bendix King kt76 transponder.

 

I was told today I can exchange the AXP340 for a AXP322 and get a discount back. The AXP322 is a remote unit that is controlled by the IFD440. It will clear up panel space for future upgrades. But if I have problems with the IFD440 I would lose control of the transponder.

 

I'm sure the discount going to the AXP322 would pretty much cover the added install cost so It's pretty much a push money wise.

 

I'm just not sure what the best route would be and what other angles I'm not smart enough to think about going with one unit or the other.

 

Has anyone installed the AXP322? Or the Garmin equivalent in the remote mount that is controlled by the 650 or 750?

 

Any and all opinions are appreciated.

 

 

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[jetdriven]

Go for the remote transponder. I just installed a gtn750 with GTX345r. It adds that weight in the rear which helps. I keep hearing about how your transponder will be inop if the gps navigator quits. That's true but really, how reliable are these GPS units and if it fails, is a transponder failure that big of deal then?  

[KSMooniac]

I'd wait a few days and see what pops at OSH first, but likely go remote as Byron just outlined. Also, if making a wire run to the back, think way ahead and pre-wire for future possibilities you might want to add, such as a stormscope, 406 ELT (that needs a switch and GPS feed), etc.

 

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[mike_elliott]

4 hours ago, xcrmckenna said:

The AXP340 is a slide in replacement for my Bendix King kt76 transponder.

Almost...You would need to change the tray if you want audio alerts, and it is slide in for the KT76A, not KT76

[gsxrpilot]

I have the AXP322 and love it. The more stuff in the tail the better for W&B. And I like the clean, uncluttered panel.

[LANCECASPER]

And it the IFD fails the transponder still squawks the last code.

[xcrmckenna]

I have the AXP322 and love it. The more stuff in the tail the better for W&B. And I like the clean, uncluttered panel.

Lol, I do like what your uncluttered panel looks like as well!!!!


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[xcrmckenna]

Almost...You would need to change the tray if you want audio alerts, and it is slide in for the KT76A, not KT76

I do have the KT76a I just couldn't remember what the letter was right off hand. But I think I'll go with the remote unit.


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[xcrmckenna]

Thanks, I do like having everything put away and having the compact controlled all on the IFD100 right at my iPad.@gsxrpilot are you pretty happy with the 540? Chase has a discounted unit and I'm debating on buying it or just another 440. I wasn't sure if the added screen size is worth it when I'll have the IFD100.


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[gsxrpilot]

Thanks, I do like having everything put away and having the compact controlled all on the IFD100 right at my iPad.[mention=11970]gsxrpilot[/mention] are you pretty happy with the 540? Chase has a discounted unit and I'm debating on buying it or just another 440. I wasn't sure if the added screen size is worth it when I'll have the IFD100.


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Yes very much worth getting the 540. One note on the IFD100. It will only support features supported by the connected unit. In other words when connected to a 440 it will not support IFR charts since the 440 doesn't support charts. But the 540 does, and so the 100 will also support charts when connected to a 540.

[xcrmckenna]

Yes very much worth getting the 540. One note on the IFD100. It will only support features supported by the connected unit. In other words when connected to a 440 it will not support IFR charts since the 440 doesn't support charts. But the 540 does, and so the 100 will also support charts when connected to a 540.

Really? I didn't know that. I thought I would be able to have the charts having the 440. Good to know! That was one of the big reasons I didn't see the need for the 540/550.


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[Godfather]

IMO the ifd100 is not a replacement for the larger 540 unit.  If cost is a major factor or you have a large panel with the radio stack all the way to the right the ifd100 is very useful. However, I do not feel it provides anything major beyond foreflight (upload capability to the panel). 

[gsxrpilot]

For me the IFD100 is a reason not to buy a 440 to go with my 540. It eliminates the need for an 540/440 stack. But you still want the 540.

[xcrmckenna]

For me the IFD100 is a reason not to buy a 440 to go with my 540. It eliminates the need for an 540/440 stack. But you still want the 540.

Lol, well that just made Chase at AS pretty happy... After the initial adsb install I will probably get the recertified 540 he has for sale, if he hasn't sold it by then.


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[LANCECASPER]

I liked the 540 so much that I paid to swap it for a 550 when they had a pre 10.2 advance special going. I think they are going to use the Attitude Reference System for other goodies down the road. Plus you get egocentric synthetic vision on the IFD100. Also when they are in there working if you have a heading source (bootstrap HSI or Aspen or heading stabilized stormscope) have them bring that over to your IFD. Also make sure if you upgraded from a gns430 that they have hooked up all of the audio inputs - this gets missed on the slide-in swap outs.

[xcrmckenna]

I liked the 540 so much that I paid to swap it for a 550 when they had a pre 10.2 advance special going. I think they are going to use the Attitude Reference System for other goodies down the road. Plus you get egocentric synthetic vision on the IFD100. Also when they are in there working if you have a heading source (bootstrap HSI or Aspen or heading stabilized stormscope) have them bring that over to your IFD. Also make sure if you upgraded from a gns430 that they have hooked up all of the audio inputs - this gets missed on the slide-in swap outs.

I did the 430 swap myself and was probably missed. All that was programmed from the 430 to the 440 was the 429&232 settings. Are you talking about the audio controls in the AUX menu? And can they be turned on, or is it a wiring issue?


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[Godfather]

You could always swap the 440 with a 540. Used prices are 3k apart.  I never use my 650 except for skywatch display and a second com. If I was upgrading a plane with a single gps I would continue with a single gps/nav/com. 

[KSMooniac]

FWIW I have a 530 & 430 and would absolutely recommend going for the larger screen, especially if you're only going to have one box installed. It is worth the premium.

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[jetdriven]

Definitely get the larger screen. With the newly installed GTN750  I find myself leaving the iPad at home except for long trips and even then it's only good for a faster way to draw up reroute or to get information about the airport Notams and stuff.  Contrast that to the guy on Beechtalk,Baron Pilot, who has the IFD100 app for the ifd540.  he has two iPads, one for Foreflight and one for the IFD 100 app. That's just a little bit too much devices for me 

[KLRDMD]

40 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

FWIW I have a 530 & 430 and would absolutely recommend going for the larger screen, especially if you're only going to have one box installed. It is worth the premium.

That's because you have a 530 & 430. With an Avidyne 440 and IFD100 app on as large a screen iPad as you want, the larger screen of the panel mount is moot.

[KLRDMD]

11 minutes ago, jetdriven said:

Contrast that to the guy on Beechtalk,Baron Pilot, who has the IFD100 app for the ifd540.  he has two iPads, one for Foreflight and one for the IFD 100 app. That's just a little bit too much devices for me 

I have an Avidyne 550 and 440 and also run two full sized iPads in my 231. I run the IFD100 app on the iPad on the left and WingX on the iPad on the right, getting it's data from a FlightBox portable ADS-B unit. Redundancy is good.

[gsxrpilot]

36 minutes ago, KLRDMD said:

That's because you have a 530 & 430. With an Avidyne 440 and IFD100 app on as large a screen iPad as you want, the larger screen of the panel mount is moot.

The IFD540 is not just a larger screen IFD440. It has capabilities such as IFR charts, that the smaller IFD440 doesn't have. The IFD100 is only a larger screen reflection of the unit its connected to. Don't expect to connect the IFD100 app to your IFD440 and have the equivalent of an IFD540. It doesn't work. Therefore I see real value in the panel mounted IFD540 and the IFD100 on my iPad.

[KLRDMD]

1 minute ago, gsxrpilot said:

The IFD540 is not just a larger screen IFD440. It has capabilities such as IFR charts, that the smaller IFD440 doesn't have. The IFD100 is only a larger screen reflection of the unit its connected to. Don't expect to connect the IFD100 app to your IFD440 and have the equivalent of an IFD540. It doesn't work. Therefore I see real value in the panel mounted IFD540 and the IFD100 on my iPad.

540/440 that's true and charts are the only real difference. Just about everyone already has charts on their favorite iPad app already, though and if not, just get FltPln Go for free and get all the charts on that. The 550 has a significant advantage over the 540 (said as someone that has had both), though.

[xcrmckenna]

What other things does the 540 do that the 440 doesn't? Other than ifr plates, a nav frequency flip flop? Would it be worth passing the 540 and get a 550 for the synthetic view? I do have an HSI and I like the thought of it being fed into the IFD.


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[gsxrpilot]

If you compare the 540 and the 440 side by side, there are screens that the 440 can't do because of the screen real-estate. There are certain map views and combination views that the 440 just doesn't do. The IFD100 connected to the 440 will have the same limitations. For me the value is there for the 540.

Synthetic view comes on the 540 already. The thing the 550 gives you is a full AHARS. It doesn't seem that useful to me but then again, I don't have it. I know @LANCECASPER does and likes it.