201 Panel Upgrade Questions

[omega708]

Anyone had SWTA upgrade their vintage panel to a 201 style?  How did it turn out, and was it worth the $$?

Any other suggestions for getting rid of the "shotgun" panel in my 67 M20C?

 

Thanks!

[N601RX]

It's a lot of work and expensive to put a complete 201 panel in.  Most people just relayout their existing panel and position the instruments in a more user friendly layout.  The link below is what I done to my panel.  I did both sides, some people only do the pilots side.  This option only requires a fraction of the cost and labor as a complete 201 conversion would cost.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?action=gallery&userGallery=3175

[N601RX]

double post

[M20F-1968]

I started putting in a SWTA STD'd panel, then decided to do the extra work and put in a truely modern Ovation style panel.

The installation with the instrument panel bow is much cleaner but you have to decide how much you want to get into it.

You can see some pictures posted in my Gallery.  I can help with either versions as I went through the decision process, started one and then changed to what I have now which is a much better installation.

John Breda

[gregwatts]

When I had my 68 C model, I bought panels from LASAR. It was not a 201 style panel, but it was an upgrade. I think it came out to about half the price of an actual 201 panel. As far as being "worth it".....that is entirely up to you. You may not recoup the entire cost if you sell your plane....but you get to enjoy it while you own it. For my $$$$$ I would not go for the 201 panel........LASAR and possibly SWTA have a panel upgrade that won't rape your wallet. You keep the toggle switches and cluster guages. but you get your instruments in a more modern configuration.

My opinion only!

[DaV8or]

I did not choose go to the 201 panel either. The 201 panel offers you much greater space to put more stuff, but it costs a lot more, takes longer and you sacrifice a little forward visibility. IMO, Mooneys could use a little more window, so I think the original panel profile is a plus. With the way avionics are going these days, with more features being packed into single boxes and more MFD/PFD glass, I don't think we'll need so much real estate in the future. Below is what I did.

[flight2000]

I did the same thing as the other guys and skipped the 201 style panel in favor of redesigning my own.  The avionics shop had the panels cut locally and did the 337 with no issues.  It was cheaper that way too.  Below are before and after pictures.  I felt much more comfortable after getting rid of the shotgun blast for a panel. 

Agree with Dave in more view out the front windshield is a plus.

Brian

[Mooney65E]

Quote: omega708

Anyone had SWTA upgrade their vintage panel to a 201 style?  How did it turn out, and was it worth the $$?

Any other suggestions for getting rid of the "shotgun" panel in my 67 M20C?

 

Thanks!

[omega708]

Thanks for the great feedback. I think I'll likely skip the 201 upgrade and just change the layout of the existing panel. 

[M20C]

omega708,

I have a '68 M20C I redid the lay out on and it really came out nice.  I've also done two J models which I have not yet uploaded to my website.  I charge $600 for an unfinished custom "C model" panel plus another $200 to have the panel powdercoated and laser engraved.

 

You can find more information on my website: www.airplanepanels.com

 

[KSMooniac]

Dave and Brian, those are GORGEOUS upgrades!  I originally started shopping for an E or F and a modern panel layout was an important item on my wish list.  Your planes look great.  (I'm getting the urge to modernize my J panel, but am resisting for now...)

[M20C]

Scott, Here is a Pic of one of the J model panels I made...