Avionics Upgrade to Garmin Radios

[docket]

I am getting ready to pull the switch on a Garmin upgrade with 530, 430 a new Garmin audio panel and transponder.  The quotes are around $30K installed with some exclusions like removal of the headliner on a T&M basis.   I am doing this only because I want to get GPSS steering from the autopilot and because one of my radios has an attitude.  I am beyond the whether or not I am going to do it, I am just now at the where to do it question.  Anyone have a shop that they like (preferably near Houston, Texas).  So far the best quote came from Avionics Unlimited in Conroe, Texas which was recommended by my favorite MSC.  I look forward to your suggestions.

[Mcstealth]

Have you called Dugosh and got a referral from them?

[Toxoplasma]

I recently upgraded my 430 to 430W and put in a GTX 330 at Avionics Unlimited.  They also hardwired my 496 for me.  I was very pleased with their service, they were on time and on quote. 

Derek

M20J - Houston

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

Quote: docket

I am getting ready to pull the switch on a Garmin upgrade with 530, 430 a new Garmin audio panel and transponder.  The quotes are around $30K installed with some exclusions like removal of the headliner on a T&M basis.   I am doing this only because I want to get GPSS steering from the autopilot and because one of my radios has an attitude.  I am beyond the whether or not I am going to do it, I am just now at the where to do it question.  Anyone have a shop that they like (preferably near Houston, Texas).  So far the best quote came from Avionics Unlimited in Conroe, Texas which was recommended by my favorite MSC.  I look forward to your suggestions.

[docket]

I am going to have Avionics Unlimited do the deal on June 8, 2009.  They think they can knock it out in a couple of weeks.  I am going to hold off on the Aspen concept while I get used to the new radios but I agree that the Aspen looks neat.  I just have a rule of not fixing what ain't broke.

[KSMooniac]

I think Chris's logic is quite sound... if you're at all tempted by the Aspen then you really ought to consider doing that now.  Presuming you do not have GPSS right now and you have a mechanical HSI, then the cost delta is small to go for the Aspen since you would not have to purchase the GPSS module and you could sell the HSI.  If you decide to move to the Aspen in a year or two, you'll have a ~$1500 GPSS module (guessing) leftover and an HSI that might be worth zero after everyone else has already upgraded and sold their HSIs.  You could also potentially remove the entire vacuum system and recover some useful load, too.  (I think you have an STEC a/p in the Eagle, which doesn't require a special AI, right?)  The Aspen should be much more reliable than a 10 (?) year old mechaincal HSI going forward, too.

Not to mention there would be a lot of duplicate labor to install the Aspen later...

I agree about not fixing what ain't broke, but in this case the "while yer in there" argument makes a lot of sense IMO.  I'd love to put an Aspen in but I have other higher priority upgrades in mind first with the airframe.  I already have the STEC 30 with GPSS and dual WAAS, but would love to get an eHSI and ditch my vacuum system and those heavy gyros.

[N207LS]

I too agree with the Aspen advice.  Last March I re-did my panel and added the Garmin 530W, GTX330 Transponder, 496 Yoke mount (interfaced to the 530), PS Engineering 7000B and my EI fuel flow and UBG16.  I wish that I had added the Aspen then, I love my 530 W, but can't wait to add an Aspen.   At Sun and Fun, my avionics shop (Tomlinson Avionics at Fort Myers, Fl which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND) offered to add an Aspen for $11k installed and configured to all of my other toys.  I passed due to some personal issues, but am hoping for an Oshkosh deal at the same price or maybe better and I will do it without question.  I had the chance to get in the avionics shop's 182 to see the 530 and the aspen together and it is absolutely AWESOME! 

 

[docket]

I already have the STEC 901 with GPSS so the Aspen is not a critical path item right now.  Plus, the G600 is probably even a better deal as far as I am concerned since it gets geosynced approach plates so I am going to wait it out for that part of the upgrade.  When you are spending money for fun stuff I'll probably go with the G600.

[alun]

i have to agree.  i have an aspen and its the dogs knackers.

[docket]

Help me out -- what's dogs knackers mean?  No joy on that.

[KSMooniac]

Quote: docket

Help me out -- what's dogs knackers mean?  No joy on that.

[FlyDave]

Quote: alun

i have to agree.  i have an aspen and its the dogs knackers.

[docket]

I'll tell you what, if my dog left his knacker in your yard it wouldn't be good.  The don't call him King for nuthin.

[alun]

Allow me to clarifty.... the dogs knackers - ie. the.

Dog's bollocks

Meaning

Excellent - the absolute apex. In other contexts the word bollocks (meaning testicles) has a negative connotation. For example:

- 'that's bollocks' -> 'that's rubbish'

- 'give him a bollocking' -> 'chastise him'

- 'He dropped a bollock' -> 'he made a mistake'

The reasons why the 'dog's bollocks' are considered to be the top of the tree aren't clear. It may be linked to an associated phrase - 'stand out like a dog's balls', i.e. 'outstanding', although I can find no evidence to indicate that phrase as being earlier than the 'dog's bollocks'. Dogs do enjoy licking their genitals of course but again, there's no evidence that links the coining of this phrase to that. It is most likely that this is just a nonsense phrase, coined because it sounds good. In that, it would join a long list of earlier nonsense phrases, e.g. 'the cat's pyjamas', 'the bee's knees' etc.

Origin

The word bollocks, meaning testicles has been part of the language since the 18th century, but didn't become used to mean nonsense until the early 20th century. The 'dog's bollocks' seems to have originated in Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Eric Partridge recorded it in Edition 3 of A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1949:

"Dog's ballocks, the typographical colon-dash (:-)."

That printer's term, although graphic, didn't have any associations with excellence and probably isn't the source of term as we use it today. It is more likely that the origin lies in a late 20th century reviving of the post WWI period outbreak of exuberant coinages.

 

Strangly I do also have an uncle called Bob.. and an Aunt Sarah.   "Bobs your uncle" is indeed when things reach a satisfactory conclusion or as an alternative.... "Robert's your fathers brother"

 

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

Quote: alun

Allow me to clarifty.... the dogs knackers - ie. the.

Dog's bollocks

Meaning

Excellent - the absolute apex. In other contexts the word bollocks (meaning testicles) has a negative connotation. For example:

- 'that's bollocks' -> 'that's rubbish'

- 'give him a bollocking' -> 'chastise him'

- 'He dropped a bollock' -> 'he made a mistake'

The reasons why the 'dog's bollocks' are considered to be the top of the tree aren't clear. It may be linked to an associated phrase - 'stand out like a dog's balls', i.e. 'outstanding', although I can find no evidence to indicate that phrase as being earlier than the 'dog's bollocks'. Dogs do enjoy licking their genitals of course but again, there's no evidence that links the coining of this phrase to that. It is most likely that this is just a nonsense phrase, coined because it sounds good. In that, it would join a long list of earlier nonsense phrases, e.g. 'the cat's pyjamas', 'the bee's knees' etc.

Origin

The word bollocks, meaning testicles has been part of the language since the 18th century, but didn't become used to mean nonsense until the early 20th century. The 'dog's bollocks' seems to have originated in Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Eric Partridge recorded it in Edition 3 of A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1949:

"Dog's ballocks, the typographical colon-dash (:-)."

That printer's term, although graphic, didn't have any associations with excellence and probably isn't the source of term as we use it today. It is more likely that the origin lies in a late 20th century reviving of the post WWI period outbreak of exuberant coinages.

 

Strangly I do also have an uncle called Bob.. and an Aunt Sarah.   "Bobs your uncle" is indeed when things reach a satisfactory conclusion or as an alternative.... "Robert's your fathers brother"

 

[jhbehrens]

Where do you guys find Aspen Pro's for $10,000 installed? Aspens RRP is $9,995 and according to my shop installation takes about 40 hours.

 

jhbehrens

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

Gann Aviation in LaFayette (luh-FAY-it), Georgia  - 9A5 identifier - did my install in February of this year.  They charged me $10400 installed.  This was before the current rebates.  Right now, there are at least $1000 in rebates for the PFD, taking it down even more than when I did it. 

I highly recommend Gann.  Excellent workmanship, great personal service.  Tim Mathison is the avionics tech, 706-638-7921.

[N207LS]

Tomlinson Avionics of Florida (Fort Myers, FL) quoted me $11k installed at Sun and Fun.  They do all of my avionics work and are great to deal with.  Ralph is the owner.  Wait until Oshkosh and the deals will get even better.

[docket]

I bit the bullet and the plane is at Avionics Unlimited at KCXO. 

It looks like they are doing a great job on the install.  I was shocked at how much was involved in putting in the new radio stack as the entire interior was removed as they would not reuse any of the existing wiring -- good to know it is a thorough shop.  I am putting in a 530, 430, 330 and 347.  I also bought a G600 because there was a significant rebate through Garmin if I bought all the equipment together.  With all of the promotions the G600 ends up as a $20,000 part (ie there is a $5000 advertised discount right now, $4500 in rebates for the other Garmin equipment and $600 for attending a Garmin seminar at my installer's shop).  I have no idea what the install labor is going to be but my installer (who has already installed a few units) thinks it is substantially less than the radio upgrade but we have gotten to nothing definitive yet. 

In any event, the G600 is going to have to go in later in the year due to the fact that I also am going to upgrade the STEC 30 to an STEC 55 because I need to lose the turn and bank coordinator for panel space and I have spent enough airplane bucks lately.  I flew in a plane with the G600 and the Jeppesen Chartview (ie. geosynched plates) and it was a great experience in heavy IMC to watch the plane fly right on the plate.  My G600 will have Chartview . 

If the Garmin seminars are ever at a local avionics installer in your neck of the woods go because they give you some pretty attractive discounts just for listening to the sales pitch if you buy avionics within 3 days.  For two hours time, and frankly a pretty good educational experience with a Garmin salesperson, I got a coupon (unrelated to the G600 deal) for $1000.00 off my current install. 

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

Nice!  I know you'll be pleased. 

And, hey, All It Takes Is Money!

;-)

[N207LS]

Great choices!  I am sure that you will love everything once it is done.  I know that after re-doing my panel, my plane became a lot more fun to fly...  Please post some photos of before and after...  Enjoy it!

Aaron

[alun]

that is one sweeeeeeeeeet upgrade.

[docket]

I picked the plane up from Avionics Unlimited at KCXO and they did an awesome job.  It was one of the rare times that I had a major project done and everything was correct right down to the cosmetics.  GPSS steering is a fun addition and while it is difficult to ever say it was worth the expense this is one of those times that we airplane owners are entitled to do it because "I wanna".  All I can say is that if you need an upgrade go to these guys and you will be pleased. 

[PTK]

BEFORE YOU BUY THE OVERPRICED AND UNDERACHIEVING GARMINS READ THIS:

http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/garmin-gps

[danb35]

Overpriced and underachieving compared to what?  If I'm looking for a WAAS GPS/Nav/Com (or, for that matter, an IFR-legal WAAS GPS at all), what do I buy if not a Garmin?  I could hold out for a used 480, I guess...

That link is also incorrect at least with respect to terrain information, as the WAAS units do include a terrain database.

I'd love to see some competition to Garmin for these units, but there isn't any yet, and it sounds like the unit King has been promising has been sent back to the drawing board.