PSEngineering vs. Garmin audio panels

[davbert]

I'm upgrading my avionics package and want to include an audio panel upgrade from my KMA20.  I'd like stereo 4 place intercom with an input for my 496 XM radio or from an iPod.  I'm agnostic on Garmin or PS Engineering.  I'd like some feedback on your installations, reliability, human interface and product support. Anyone interested in a used KMA20?

[Parker_Woodruff]

I installed a PS Engineering 8000B back when I had my M20J.  It made sense because of the lesser price and known good quality.  It was a good unit.

[scottfromiowa]

Aviation Consumer liked both, but thought the PS Engineering was superior to the Garmin...if memory serves.  Vs my KMA 24 and stereo PS Engineering intercom either would be a huge improvement.  I prefer the PS product.  It's fully integrated with Garmin I believe.  Plug and play.

[jlunseth]

I have the 8000B.  Very good unit.  You can plug an iPod in to it.  We have sat. radio and the quality is very good (Bose headsets).  I understand they have a bluetooth version now.  They may have the manual on their website so you can see everything it does.

One of the functions that I am just starting to explore is the ability to split what goes to the back seat vs. the front seat.  Both pilot and copilot get comm. radio.  My girlfriend sometimes doesn't like that, but does like the sat. radio music.  I have figured out that the way to get her off the comm. is to plug her headset into one of the back seat receptacles, then the 8000B can be configured to give her only music, and not comm.  If that means anything to you.

[201er]

In my research between the GMA430 and PS8000BT, I ended up choosing the Garmin. Why? It was a lot cheaper and nearly as good. The MSRP price difference may only be $200 or something, but the actual price difference between the two ended up over $500 after the actual discounts my seller was able to get from the manufacturers. For a few hundred dollars, having a few extra bells and whistles seemed to be worth it but when the difference in price came to over 25% for marginal benefits, it was clear that the money could better be spent elsewhere.

Also, the Garmin has independent volume control knobs between pilot, copilot, and backseats. I find this very convenient. The Garmin is more intuitive and easy to use. The PS has autosquelch but I find more peace of mind having manual squelch to control based on the situation. Hope that helps.

[fantom]

I'm quite happy with the excellent PS Engineering 8000B, and one reason I went with them was because that's their core business.

Garmin's core business is GPS. YMMV.

[co2bruce]

I also ended up with a PMA 7000B from PS Engineering. I ended up calling them for some information and they are the most helpful, attentive manufacturer I have delt with ever. The last time I called garmin about some chart issues I was on hold for over 30 minutes. What are you replacing? It's nice if the new unit can use the old tray........  that saves a lot of install time.

  

[M016576]

I had a Garmin GMA347 installed after my KMA20 bit the dust.  It's been very reliable and is easy to use.  I like the clearance recorder functionality and the music input jack with auto cutout.  More expensive, but I haven't had a single problem with it...

[MARZ]

Quote: davbert

I'm upgrading my avionics package and want to include an audio panel upgrade from my KMA20.  I'd like stereo 4 place intercom with an input for my 496 XM radio or from an iPod.  I'm agnostic on Garmin or PS Engineering.  I'd like some feedback on your installations, reliability, human interface and product support. Anyone interested in a used KMA20?

[PTK]

Both are excellent audio panels.  I researched audio panels a few months ago.  I personally decided to go with the Garmin GMA35 remote unit only because I had the GTN750 installed along with the GTX33 remote transponder.  The GMA 347 is the closest to the 35 in terms of features.  I personally trust the Garmin products in general. They are with you during and long after the sale. Their human element is solid.  No avionics company stands behind their products like Garmin does. Period.  Having said that, audio panels are pretty simple devices.   PS Eng. says that they only do audio panels and somehow this is an advantage.  But I don'rt really see it.  In other words it not a disadvantage to Garmin that they make a lot more hardware.  Look at the KMA24, a solid audio panel.  It was the cat's meow in its day and King makes all kinds of stuff.  People say things like audio quality is better for on over the other,  etc.  I cannot perceive a difference in one over the other.  I have used both.

The only advantage would be if you wanted to simplify installation and someone made a pin compatible direct plug and play replacement.  I don't know if anything like this is available for your case.  But even then I would definitely want fresh new wiring to be run.  So there is no real advantage there either.

My choice would be Garmin.

[danb35]

IIRC, reviews that I've read place PS above Garmin in terms of audio quality.  I have a 7000B (OK, a Garmin SL15, same thing) in '48Q and it works great, audio quality is great, and the automatic squelch works perfectly.  I doubt you'd go wrong either way, but I'd give the nod to PS.

[John Pleisse]

I have had a Garmin 340 for a 4 years. It is excellent. I was told PS engineering stuff was better. I ferried a friend's Ovation recently and it had a series 7000 PS.....no difference in sound quality.

[fantom]

Quote: allsmiles

PS Eng. says that they only do audio panels and somehow this is an advantage.  But I don'rt really see it.  My vote is with Garmin.

[PTK]

Quote: fantom

Figures.....Just how much Garmin stock do you have? 

[N33GG]

I have owned both Garmin and PSE audio panels.  I don't think you can go wrong either way. 

But my final vote is two thumbs up...one for PSE, and the other one for Garmin.

[Jeff_S]

My PSE 8000 is great...installed by prior owner so I didn't have anything to do with the decision but it's been a fine unit. Has more capabilities than I will ever use. Haven't even tried figuring out the "playback recorded content" feature but I know it's there.

[kortopates]

Aviation Consumer just reviewed their newest offering PM8000BT in their June issue - new with Blue Tooth. If interested, you can see it at http://www.aviationconsumer.com/issues/41_6/avionicsreport/6135-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS (although you need to be a subscriber to see the entire article though)

I've owned both Garmin and PSE in the past, currently have the Gramin. You can't go wrong with either. Av Consumer has tended to say PSE provides better audio quality and typically has more features. I was never felt the need for a lot of audio panel features though. Had a PSE previously that enabled playback of things like clearances and I never used it. Audio quality though is more important these days thanks to the wonder of XM music in the cockpit. Don't know how I got by without it for all those years