Seeking the Sublime: What to upgrade?

[EchoMax]

Actually, the currently installed audio panel is the GMA 340, not the PMA 8000, if that makes any difference.

I have a lot of experience with voice recognition, some good and some horrible.  I’m intrigued by the possibility of voice commands.

The panel already has built-in dual USB ports, OK, not USB-C but....

Bob also installed these cute little LED lights where the ash trays used to be.

Edited September 30, 2020 by EchoMax
Typo

[Skates97]

5 hours ago, EchoMax said:

But at the same time, as my wife reminds me, “We are not rich enough to buy cheap stuff,” meaning poor quality crap that soon breaks and ends up costing more in the long run after you repair or replace it.

 

This reminds me of a phrase a friend used to use, "Buy the best and cry once." I can say I don't think I have ever regretted spending the extra on something to get the higher quality, however there have been times I have regretted going the "less expensive" route.

[ArtVandelay]

OK, you made me go look - quoting from the PMA450B page at ps-engineering.com: NOTE: additional wiring to implement flightmate is required when upgrading from either GARMIN* GMA340 or PMA8000 series audio panels.
Which is weird, because the flightmate page at ps-engineering.com says flighmate comes with the PMA8000G as well as the PMA450B.
BTW: flightmate - Advanced Digital Audio Recording System found in the PMA8000G and PMA450B.
It is NOT just a replay of what you heard, quoting: This internal digital recording system allows the pilot to create custom audio alerts, create checklists, and acts as a continues loop recorder for primary radio receptions.

The problem is most avionics guys are resistant to tying anything to the safety systems of a plane, like hooking up to the gear down circuit.


Tom

[tmo]

Yeah, you guys had that discussion with MS just recently. So just proves my point - go fly!

[Tim Jodice]

Why is it all about the panel? That panel looks amazing to me just the way it is.

Do something that hasn't been done. IO-390, composite prop, power flow exhaust etc. 

[chriscalandro]

14 hours ago, carusoam said:

Mostly because I had a bet with another MSer... I said you would find value in being here and behave accordingly...

He said you wouldn’t stick around...

Oddly the bet hasn’t been cancelled either direction...

I have a bet with another MSer that you are actually a POE powered IBM Watson and get all your information from the internet, but you are frozen on the Mooneyspace web page.  Trying to reboot you results in total memory loss because your CMOS battery is dead, so the laboratory just leaves you alone.

Edited September 30, 2020 by chriscalandro

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, EchoMax said:

Actually, the currently installed audio panel is the GMA 340, not the PMA 8000, if that makes any difference.

I noticed that, and that's why I suggested the PS Engineering PMA450B which is a lot more capable than the Garmin 340. Plus the buttons eventually stick on the 340 after a number of years.

[LANCECASPER]

10 hours ago, Skates97 said:

This reminds me of a phrase a friend used to use, "Buy the best and cry once." I can say I don't think I have ever regretted spending the extra on something to get the higher quality, however there have been times I have regretted going the "less expensive" route.

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."   Benjamin Franklin

[EricJ]

5 hours ago, Skates97 said:

This reminds me of a phrase a friend used to use, "Buy the best and cry once." I can say I don't think I have ever regretted spending the extra on something to get the higher quality, however there have been times I have regretted going the "less expensive" route.

I've heard the Russian equivalent is, "A cheap man pays twice." 

[EchoMax]

3 hours ago, Tim Jodice said:

Do something that hasn't been done. IO-390, composite prop, power flow exhaust etc. 

Composite prop—done!

Power flow exhaust—done!

IO-390? Let’s not get ridiculous! 

[carusoam]

Max,

You earned the Mooney word of the day prize... 

For profligate...

Many an MSer got to where they are by being a CB at heart...

You are going to be one of the few MSers actually looking forward to the results of their first annual...

Best regards,

-a-

[M20F-1968]

On 9/30/2020 at 7:17 AM, ArtVandelay said:

Being appraised and actually selling it is 2 different things. You’ll have to agree I think, the potential buyer pool will be much smaller.

As an indication of this, I’ve seen modified E/Fs that call themselves Js when listed for sale because it has all the J mods. There currently is a nice F listed on MS that compares itself to a 201.

There is a huge difference between adding mods to an F model, as opposed to stripping and F model down to a bare shell, remove all wring, clean and paint the inside and tubular structure, and then use DER's, DAR's and IA's to modify the structural cage to the modern configuration, install a modern panel, and retrofit an Ovation interior, customize the airplane from the ground up, turbonormalize it, add speed brakes, long range tanks, onboard oxygen and more, essentially making a model that Mooney never produced.  It is the uniqueness and verifiable restoration from the ground up that sets a project of this type apart from "a nice F with some 201 mods."

John Breda

[M20F-1968]

On 9/30/2020 at 6:37 AM, EchoMax said:

Bob already did the Aspen PFD 1000 to MAX upgrade.  The backup vacuum pump has already been removed.  I don’t want to remove the remaining vacuum system because it powers the step, and the electric step conversion would not be cost-effective.  This may be why Bob didn’t remove the vacuum entirely.

Also, maybe it’s just me, but I like having a vacuum-powered AI to back up the electric one.  My home airport (KBLF) is in the mountains.  A friend recently experienced a nerve-wracking total electrical failure in IMC.  For newer aircraft that have two completely separate and redundent electrical systems, all-electric is ok, but I don’t like the idea of my life depending on the backup battery in a GI-275.  Ever find that your Iphone or Ipad is unexpectedly out of juice?

My thought exactly and I have the evidence to prove it.......

[carusoam]

I highlighted John’s evidence...   

Is anyone using a digital vac gauge?

Best regards,

-a-