scottfromiowa Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 http://www.insightavionics.com/g1.htm For anyone that has been waiting for a more cost effective solution to an upgrade of your Gem 602 engine analyzer your wait is just about over...The Insight G2 or G3-lite is coming soon. The G1 will ship soon. At $795 complete this is a HUGE upgrade over the GEM series and will greatly aid in safe and proper leaning and indication of cylinder temps not just with bar or numbers, but with color. The G2 takes it a step farther with probes for temp, fuel flow and totalization as well as volts. No price yet listed for the G2, but an upgrade should be reasonable... I will purchase and install the G2 right when it comes out and give a report. The instrument IS certified primary (G1-G3) for Cylinder temp and Exhaust. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 Thats looks promising. The G3 seemed too expensive for what it is. However, the G1 or G2 sounds just right. Quote
danb35 Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 It does sound promising. I like that it logs data (every second, even) to the SD card, though it'd be nice if it had an internal memory and could dump to an SD card on demand (it'd also be nice if it didn't have the front panel space taken up with the SD socket, but what can you do?). I doubt I'd upgrade from my UBG-16 to this, but if I bought another plane without a monitor... One thing I do see it missing, though, is a good alarm feature. I like that I can set alarms on any parameter on my UBG-16, and have any of them activate a big red flashing light (or, presumably, another warning device--a light is what I have). It looks like the G# only has redlines on a few parameters (CHTs and TIT), they're permanently set to the manufacturer's recommendations (insanely high for CHTs), and they just change the color of that parameter on the G# screen without provision for an external warning device. It might have more than I'm seeing, but I looked through the installation, operation, and pilot's manuals for the G3 and didn't see how to do what I'd like to do. The G1 sounds really cheap, but I'd never buy an engine monitor without data logging. The G2 could be the Goldilocks solution. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Posted October 30, 2011 G1 "Shipping Soon"; G2..."Coming Soon"...No specific dates. They won't do as they have been WRONG before so "soon" is as specific as Insight appears to get. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Posted November 14, 2011 Quick Follow-up/Update. I made the decision to Demo the G3 for two months (requires $500 on credit card) the $500 is credited or applied toward balance of purchase of G3. My future partner/Co-owner wanted to pay half so will BUY G3 at end of two month demo if all goes well. The total purchase price is $1852 for an upgrade from my GEM 602 to the G3 (that is with my avionics installer's discount). I have received the DEMO G3. I'll post on my initial experiences with the G3. (Just couldn't wait for the G2)... I had 155-175 knots (ground speed) returning from pheasant hunting in Mitchell SD yesterday. (Direct Tail Wind)...Off-set the 108-115 knots I had going on Thursday (Direct HEAD WIND)...Difference in Tach time 2.0 vs. 2.6. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Posted November 14, 2011 Quote: danb35 It does sound promising. I like that it logs data (every second, even) to the SD card, though it'd be nice if it had an internal memory and could dump to an SD card on demand (it'd also be nice if it didn't have the front panel space taken up with the SD socket, but what can you do?). I doubt I'd upgrade from my UBG-16 to this, but if I bought another plane without a monitor... One thing I do see it missing, though, is a good alarm feature. I like that I can set alarms on any parameter on my UBG-16, and have any of them activate a big red flashing light (or, presumably, another warning device--a light is what I have). It looks like the G# only has redlines on a few parameters (CHTs and TIT), they're permanently set to the manufacturer's recommendations (insanely high for CHTs), and they just change the color of that parameter on the G# screen without provision for an external warning device. It might have more than I'm seeing, but I looked through the installation, operation, and pilot's manuals for the G3 and didn't see how to do what I'd like to do. The G1 sounds really cheap, but I'd never buy an engine monitor without data logging. The G2 could be the Goldilocks solution. Quote
tony Posted November 14, 2011 Report Posted November 14, 2011 scott, I talked to them today. I asked how long until the prop balance function was availble. Of course they wouldnt really commit anything. However, they said that you will get the upgrade for free when its availble. They seem like a great company to work with. I'll be interested in your pireps. Quote
eldeano Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 G2 looks promising, thanks for the info, looking forward to your updates on the G3. Also I assume but did not see if it interfaces withe rs-232 gps interfaces? Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Posted November 21, 2011 I flew with the "lender" G3. First flight was at 3500 feet. 2500RPM and Ram Air Open. Throttle reduced to 25 inches. I did big pull and enrichened when rough "slightly" to smooth. I was indicating a fuel flow (on my EI) of 8.5GPH and cylinders were showing 310-325...#2 was actually 350, but it always runs 25 hotter due to position of sensor. Anyway I was surprised when each of the bars were indicating between 10 & 40 ROP? Cylinder temps remained fine, but I was surprised at this as I was always enrichening to find peak with my GEM...More flights and "learning" to follow. -I VERY much like the color and # on the cylinder temp (each cylinder) as well as box for %ROP/LOP for cylinder. -I didn't have the MP or other sensors installed as all must be removed returned after two month period. Quote
tony Posted November 22, 2011 Report Posted November 22, 2011 First question I have is do: you think the 2 inch is big enough? or if you had the space in the panel, wait for the 3 inch G4? Quote
JaredDavis Posted November 22, 2011 Report Posted November 22, 2011 Did you install the vibration sensor? Quote
John Pleisse Posted November 22, 2011 Report Posted November 22, 2011 I think the vibration sensor would be of great value and would be a great tool for all ops across the temp CHT scale. This would be a must-have if upgrading. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 22, 2011 Author Report Posted November 22, 2011 Good questions: To set for desired % you tap the bottom button twice and turn to desired %. I chose 30, but thought is that lean or rich? You set for parameter and it will do ROP or LOP... What insight says is go a couple gallons (fuel flow) higher for a couple of minutes in cruise and THEN reduce fuel flow slowly until all bars "fill" go solid. I didn't do this on initial flight. I was wondering if I set for ROP as I didn't know that one setting is "good" for both ROP & LOP. I agree I should have set a lower MP down low where I was flying. I feel the 2" is just fine for size, but like anything bigger is probably better...but more expensive. I had no problem reading the indications...again, the color (different colors) stood out and made reading gauge easier. Agree that Vibration analysis will be great. Didn't do anything with this on initial .7 flight. More photos and experimentation to follow. Quote
jetdriven Posted November 22, 2011 Report Posted November 22, 2011 Nothing wrong with 25"of mp at 3500 feet. I use 28" to sea level and 24-2700 rpm. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Posted January 15, 2012 O.K. Here is an update on status of G3 purchase. The G3 Demo was NOT a "true test" of the instrument as it only had the Cylinder temp and exhaust temp probes (from previous GEM 602) installed. The % lean function MUST have the fuel connected (in my case it is a connection to my existing EI totalizer)...THAT is why my % was wrongly indicating ROP when I was really LOP...The Demo unit has been returned and MY G3 is being installed with additional probes/connections for Outside Temp, Oil, MP, Volts, Vibration & Tach as well as fuel flow. Interior and G3 should be complete in a week...Looking forward to flying with the fully functional G3. Quote
jetdriven Posted January 15, 2012 Report Posted January 15, 2012 % of power is easy LOP. Just be sure the Mixture is 15-50 degrees LOP. You can pretty much ignore MP and RPM (provided you have enough of both) 10 GPH is 75%, 8.6 GPH is 65% 7.3 GPH is 55% see how easy that is? Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Posted January 15, 2012 It's even easier with a G3. Just go to a page and it displays the "theoretical Horspower"... Quote
MATTS875 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Posted January 16, 2012 OK Scott, I have seen the pictures of the work you have been doing on your plane and just wish I had half the patience.Looks absolutely wonderful.I need to do the same thing but I am updating my panel next month.. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Posted January 16, 2012 Thanks Matt. This is a normally a good time of the year (in Midwest) to do this stuff as the flying weather is usually lousy this time of year. We have had some great flying weather and me and my future partner are anxious to have this "project" completed. We work well together, but were driving 45 minutes to the hanager (it's heated) and then have to call it quits when work or family calls us. This stuff is NOT hard, but you do have to be patient for sure. It has been awesome to have Brian (my A&P) letting us use part of his hanger...the occasional tool...and expertise (drilling out stripped screws on windows). He is getting revenue (annual) and install of the G3 so it's all good. We think it might wrap up on Friday afternoon...at least we can dream that it might... We should do a photo op with our two "sister-birds" Quote
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