GTN PIREP

[KSMooniac]

Quote: allsmiles

I have the king 155 nav comm as a dedicated no. 2 radio.  What advantage does the sl30 provide over the 155?  

[danb35]

Quote: allsmiles

I have the king 155 nav comm as a dedicated no. 2 radio.  What advantage does the sl30 provide over the 155?  

[flyboy0681]

Quote: KSMooniac

On my 530W, it shows me the VOR/ILS ID, radial and distance in a window off to the side of the map.  Not sure if this link will work or not in the thread:  http://navworld.net/images/productimages/GNS530W1.jpg  Very handy for additional situational awareness!

[flyboy0681]

Quote: danb35

It's smaller, it lets you monitor the standby frequency at the same time as the primary freq, it'll give you a radial readout on your standby nav freq (letting you identify intersections with just the one radio)

[Bennett]

The June (2011) issue of Aviation Consumer has an interesting discussion related to upgrading to the Garmin GTN series. Fits right in to this thread.

[KSMooniac]

Quote: flyboy0681

Paul Kortopates explained it well. When tuned into an actual VOR the distance will not display (simply because the unit doesn't have built in DME capability) so the solution to this is to dial in the VOR as a waypoint or destination. The GPS functionality will take it from there, including displaying the distance.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: KSMooniac

Mine displays the distance all the time, even when the VOR is not a waypoint in the flight plan.  I presume it does a present position - VOR location calc using the GPS data to spit out the distance, but regardless, it works this way on my 530W.  

[KSMooniac]

Here is an excerpt from the user manual, p. 162 (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/2889_PilotsGuideandReference.pdf): 

VLOC Ident Window

Directly below the VLOC Tuning Window is a VLOC Ident Window (default setting). When the GNS 530W is tuned to a nearby VOR, the VLOC Ident Window displays the Morse code identifier of the selected station, the radial from the VOR and the distance from the VOR. When tuned to a nearby localizer, the VLOC Ident window displays the identifier, associated airport and runway. The VLOC Ident Window can be replaced with traffic information or configurable data fields

[PTK]

Quote: flyboy0681

The KX-155's bigger brother, the KX-165, has the same radial display functionality and is a pretty neat feature. These units are plentiful and are easy to come by and look good too.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: KSMooniac

Here is an excerpt from the user manual, p. 162 (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/2889_PilotsGuideandReference.pdf): 

 

VLOC Ident Window

Directly below the VLOC Tuning Window is a VLOC Ident Window (default setting). When the GNS 530W is tuned to a nearby VOR, the VLOC Ident Window displays the Morse code identifier of the selected station, the radial from the VOR and the distance from the VOR. When tuned to a nearby localizer, the VLOC Ident window displays the identifier, associated airport and runway. The VLOC Ident Window can be replaced with traffic information or configurable data fields

 

[danb35]

Quote: flyboy0681

The KX-155's bigger brother, the KX-165, has the same radial display functionality and is a pretty neat feature. These units are plentiful and are easy to come by and look good too.

[PTK]

Quote: flyboy0681

It looks like the GTN lost functionality over the 4/530 series. I just went through the manual and nothing like this is mentioned. I then fired up the simulator and couldn't find something similar either.

[jetdriven]

Quote: Bennett

I considered the SL30 to go under the GTN750, but with good used 430Ws being relatively inexpensive, the delta between the two was low enough to make the 430W attractive.  Of course I was comparing a new SL30 to a used 430W.  I've had many hours using the 430W in other aircraft; it is a capable box, and with the GPS (and rudimentary moving map) it provides far more utility than the SL30. Panel space may be a consideration, and this is why I went for the remote audio.  From my standpoint, the dollar difference i would have to pay for the 650 as compared to the (used) 430W, just wasn't worth it. In fact, I will add an Icarus GPSS roll converter to the GTN 750 to work with with the KAP 150 autopilot.  This is far less expensive than the 750/650 combination, and will allow the autopliot to fly procedure turns and holds.  I think this is better "bang for the buck".  Just one guy's opinion.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: allsmiles

Playing with the simulator for the GTN750 say you are flying along and you want to know where you are in relation to some VOR. If you simply touch that VOR the unit displays that extra line with the graphically edit FPL mode on the left, PAn mode in the center and Waypoint info on the right.  The Pan mode gives you the information you are speaking of I think.  It shows you the BRG (radial) and the distance.  Is this correct?

[PTK]

Quote: flyboy0681

You are correct as far as the information that's being displayed - and that would be desirable. However, when you do that the moving map stops dead in its tracks and freezes until you press the Back key to return to the map display (sans the VOR information).

The issue is not getting the distance and bearing to display, it can be done by adding the VOR as a waypoint or destination. The issue is that simply tuning in the VOR on the receiver does not give you this information instantly or by default as the 530 does.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: allsmiles

I noticed on the simulator it seems to stop. I was thinking this is only a sim issue and the real unit wouldn't behave like this!    These I'm sure are software improvements that can and probably will be introduced later. One other thing that seems to need improvement is that white compass circle.  It is barely visible. It would be nice if it was a decent size and color arc across in front of own ship. Garmin hopefully will improve the software.

[danb35]

Quote: flyboy0681

1. Reminder to switch tanks.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: danb35

Seems this is one that better belongs with whatever fuel flow system you're using.  EI's fuel flow monitor has a recurring fuel used alarm that you can set for whatever amount you like.  I'm not sure this is something I'd particularly think to have in a GPS navigator.

[Bennett]

"A used, eBay 430, non WAAS is ~5300$ and surely a 430W is higher.  This is no warranty, and not installed.  Throw in a GI-106 indicator (2k) and installation (2K) you arrive at around 10K. For a used (maybe 10 yerars old) G-430.   Which is only 2K less than a brand new 430W laid in.  I wouldnt call that "relatively inexpensive"

eBay is not the only source for avionics. My installed price for a Garmin 430W (with remaining warranty) is $4,800.  This well may be a special situation since I am having so much other work done, but the price is real, on contract, and well on the way to being completed. In my case, the choice of a 430W over a SL30 makes great economic and utility sense. 

[docket]

I am not sure if this is new information or not but Jeppesen is now selling a logical bundle for the GTN 750/650 with a G500. I am not sure of the pricing but it has to be better than any other alternative. I assume that Garmin will offer the same deal on its website but I didn't see it there yet. Here is the link. http://jeppdirect.jeppesen.com/main/...id=sem90018883

[PTK]

Did lots of flying yesterday and today. Put my GTN750 and KFC150 through their paces. Gave them a rigorous workout.  I can summarize it all in one word. SWEET! Very very refreshingly SWEET!

Extremely intuitive. In no time did I find myself heads down twisting knobs.  The touch screen is impecable and precise.  The keys are large enough and the finger rails are perfect making it an easy interface to use even in turbulence.  The crisp display is an absolute joy to look at and very soothing to the eyes.  The remote transponder and audio panel are there when you need them and gone when you don't.  And 90% of the time they are not needed leaving the panel clean and uncluttered.

I am extremely happy I waited for this product.   Great job Garmin!

[flyboy0681]

Congrats on the install. My recommendation would be to install the simulator from the DVD and just work with it. From what I can tell, it's the same software used on the real thing and operates identically.

Post pics when you can.

[PTK]

Thank you. Yes I've been playing with the sim all along during the installation.  I apologise for the low quality pics! I will be sure to post better ones next time!  I took these as an after thought on my iphone in the hangar. Not ideal lighting conditions for pics!

The GTN750 is indeed Garmin's best so far I think.  Very ingenious to hide the transponder and audio panel and utilize the space where it counts... give us a bigger screen.  Have you heard about the Flitecharts (from Garmin) are going to be georeferenced in upcoming updates!!  (Chartview from Jepp costs 2.5K! )  Georeferenced approach plates.  It is mentioned in the user's manual for the GTN750.  That is going to be awesome as well.

[danb35]

For database updates, can you use any SD cards of appropriate capacity, or do you need cards that have been "blessed" by Garmin/Jepp?

[flyboy0681]

The pictures are a bit fuzzy but the GTN looks good. But more importantly, where did you get the cup holder?