What's the street price for a used KX 155?

[corn_flake]

When it comes to pre-owned items for aviation, the price can vary depending who is willing to pay. 

My KX 155 with Glide Slope is acting up.  I'm weighting my options on repair, replace with used unit, or buy a KX 155 replacement if such thing exist.  

Question.  

What's the street price for a used KX 155?  Specially 14v with glide slope?  

Thanks!!

[Prior owner]

Buying another old KX155 to replace yours is really rolling the dice…..with fairly bad odds.  Actually, doing anything with these old radios is rolling the dice. The capacitors are old and leak all over the boards and make a mess. Cleaning it up and repairing it is not a pleasant job, and afterwards you really don’t know how much longer the radio is going to keep ticking…

That said, I  don’t have a lot of need for fancy avionics, so elected to send my KX155 to KX155.com because I couldn’t bring myself to buy another old, used radio with an unknown history. I also didn’t  feel like doing an install for a brand new nav/comm. Perhaps I was just feeling lazy?

He really knows these radios and he “overhauled” the radio and adjusted everything correctly. It comes with a short warranty. 60 days? The radio came back looking brand new and has worked flawlessly for the last 12 months. It was the cheapest option for me, and as I have retired from IFR flying, I don’t need anything an iPad won’t give me, as long as I have two comms. My glide slope wasn’t working before I sent it in, and it works great now. Just one option. I think it was under $1600.

 

If you want to see prices of used KX155’s, they are listed on eBay every day. Or go to:

www.partsforplanes.com

[corn_flake]

Are you saying KX155.com charged you $1600 for the repair?  That would be quite steep.  

As for the "street" price, I was hoping for not "ebay" price.  Unlike the old days where people use eBay to get rid or thing they don't need, eBay is now filled with over-priced items from semi-professional retailers.  Ever notice many items on eBay are listed with "Buy it Now" price with no bidding option?  Those listings also stays on the site for months, sometime years hoping to catch that one desperate buyer.    

[Browncbr1]

I saw one on BT recently.  Check over there   $1100 is what he’s asking

https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=194746&view=unread#unread

Edited January 5, 2022 by Browncbr1

[TheAv8r]

My KX155 with GS is also on its way out, just my $0.02 from someone who’s thought about this same thing: just replace the radio with a new modern one. KX155s are great radios, but they have a host of issues from the knobs to the displays. Parts are becoming harder and harder to find to repair them, and you’re dealing with $1500-2000 repair costs to fix them up, which still doesn’t mean something else couldn’t break. There isn’t a good slide-in replacement, my plan is to put in a Garmin GNC 225 (costs around $2500 + install) and be done with it. I’d rather pay $800 more to put a modern, new radio in, then try to keep my KX155 running. I think in the long run I’ll thank myself for this. 

[cferr59]

9 minutes ago, jacenbourne said:

My KX155 with GS is also on its way out, just my $0.02 from someone who’s thought about this same thing: just replace the radio with a new modern one. KX155s are great radios, but they have a host of issues from the knobs to the displays. Parts are becoming harder and harder to find to repair them, and you’re dealing with $1500-2000 repair costs to fix them up, which still doesn’t mean something else couldn’t break. There isn’t a good slide-in replacement, my plan is to put in a Garmin GNC 225 (costs around $2500 + install) and be done with it. I’d rather pay $800 more to put a modern, new radio in, then try to keep my KX155 running. I think in the long run I’ll thank myself for this. 

That is true but the GTR225 doesn't have a NAV function.  The GNC255 lists for $4795.

[75_M20F]

 

[MikeOH]

The heretic, here again!  I'll gladly pay $1600 to have my KX155 refurbished by kx155.com when the time comes.  I just hope he's still around because my KX155 just keeps soldiering on.  Slide-out, ship, pay $1600, slide-in.  That sounds like a bargain by aviation standards.

Looks like the cheapest new solution is the GNC225 (that doesn't have NAV) is $800 more, BUT needs install!  Since a new tray and rewire is going to be needed, just how much do you think ALL of that will cost??  My bet...you're looking at at least another $500 to $1000. Also, Your plane will be down while the shop has it.

[Shadrach]

The price for a "Working when removed" KX155 is likely in the $1,200-1,500 range.  Bennett Avionics sells certified units with an 8130 and a 90 day warranty for $2800.

I like the KX series of radios as well (have two 165s) but the newest ones have been in service for a long time.  Ours have been very reliable but not mx free. 

I think KX155.com is likely the low risk/high value proposition. 

[TheAv8r]

27 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

The heretic, here again!  I'll gladly pay $1600 to have my KX155 refurbished by kx155.com when the time comes.  I just hope he's still around because my KX155 just keeps soldiering on.  Slide-out, ship, pay $1600, slide-in.  That sounds like a bargain by aviation standards.

Looks like the cheapest new solution is the GNC225 (that doesn't have NAV) is $800 more, BUT needs install!  Since a new tray and rewire is going to be needed, just how much do you think ALL of that will cost??  My bet...you're looking at at least another $500 to $1000. Also, Your plane will be down while the shop has it.

Short term pain, long term gain. You're trying to keep a 30-year old radio that has limited to no replacement parts available alive by investing more money into it vs spending a relatively small amount more to go modern and not have to worry about it for decades to come. You could spend the $2500ish people are saying they've spent to keep the KX155 alive and run into another issue in a few years where there aren't any parts to replace it with. 

In general, I think it's a value trade-off. For example, I just got my 430W "overhauled" by Garmin for $1850. It's basically brand new now. That was a similar decision: overhaul the old tech or put in a GTN650. However to do the GTN650, even selling my 430W at around $5500 with the issues it had, was going to cost $7k more. $7k vs $1850 is an easier decision, I could overhaul it 4x before I'd hit the 650 cost. $2500 to fully repair/OH the KX1550 vs. $3200-3500ish to go with a GNC225 is a much smaller delta and makes me think modern is the better way to go. Yes, if you want the 2nd Nav, then that delta gets bigger. I find the 2nd Nav useless in my plane but others may find it crucial and want to spend $4700 for the GNC255 which now you're talking about 2x the cost to OH. Which might still be worth it to have a brand new modern solution good for 10yrs vs. a 30-yr old solution you might have to pour more money into in the next 10yrs, closing the gap on that delta.

Just my $0.02. If there are huge $$$ differences, it's often worth it to OH the old stuff. If it's not that much, do future you a solid and get the modern replacement.

[MikeOH]

20 minutes ago, jacenbourne said:

Short term pain, long term gain. You're trying to keep a 30-year old radio that has limited to no replacement parts available alive by investing more money into it vs spending a relatively small amount more to go modern and not have to worry about it for decades to come.

I'm not seeing the gain; just a large cost that I don't see a justification for. The KX155 I have has provided DECADES of reliable service (and, hasn't failed yet...can't say the same for my MUCH newer 430W!).  I maintain any other solution is going to be close to DOUBLE the cost of refurb.  And, for a radio that may have poorer reliability (based on the failure of my 430W); I'm NOT convinced the new stuff is going to provide "decades of worry free service."

[Shadrach]

21 minutes ago, jacenbourne said:

Short term pain, long term gain. You're trying to keep a 30-year old radio that has limited to no replacement parts available alive by investing more money into it vs spending a relatively small amount more to go modern and not have to worry about it for decades to come. You could spend the $2500ish people are saying they've spent to keep the KX155 alive and run into another issue in a few years where there aren't any parts to replace it with. 

In general, I think it's a value trade-off. For example, I just got my 430W "overhauled" by Garmin for $1850. It's basically brand new now. That was a similar decision: overhaul the old tech or put in a GTN650. However to do the GTN650, even selling my 430W at around $5500 with the issues it had, was going to cost $7k more. $7k vs $1850 is an easier decision, I could overhaul it 4x before I'd hit the 650 cost. $2500 to fully repair/OH the KX1550 vs. $3200-3500ish to go with a GNC225 is a much smaller delta and makes me think modern is the better way to go. Yes, if you want the 2nd Nav, then that delta gets bigger. I find the 2nd Nav useless in my plane but others may find it crucial and want to spend $4700 for the GNC255 which now you're talking about 2x the cost to OH. Which might still be worth it to have a brand new modern solution good for 10yrs vs. a 30-yr old solution you might have to pour more money into in the next 10yrs, closing the gap on that delta.

Just my $0.02. If there are huge $$$ differences, it's often worth it to OH the old stuff. If it's not that much, do future you a solid and get the modern replacement.

Don't disagree with your decision but your numbers are way off. The "$2500ish" is to purchase a stand alone off the shelf, 8130 certified radio with a warranty.  The cost of fixing an existing radio will vary quite a bit depending on the problem. I believe the OH price is <$1500 including shipping.  

[75_M20F]

I don't believe there is going to be a parts problem for the KX-155. They are manufacturing new LED displays for them, so that says to me there will be plenty of support for quite sometime. My old KX-155 (which I just had overhauled with new display)  will probably outlive the Garmin I have as #1 NAV/COMM in fact.

Look at all the avionics that has come and gone over the years while the KX-155 keeps chugging along doing its job nicely.

Edited January 5, 2022 by 75_M20F

[Mooney-Shiner]

Keith Peshak fixed my MAC 1700 for $500. https://www.barnstormers.com/classified-1588254-King-KX-175B-NavCom-Repair.html?catid=16683

He gets your eqpt and tells you outright if its repairable.

[TheAv8r]

1 hour ago, Shadrach said:

Don't disagree with your decision but your numbers are way off. The "$2500ish" is to purchase a stand alone off the shelf, 8130 certified radio with a warranty.  The cost of fixing an existing radio will vary quite a bit depending on the problem. I believe the OH price is <$1500 including shipping.  

I was basing it off of other people's numbers in this thread here: https://mooneyspace.com/topic/40736-kx-155-replacment/. I do agree the cost will vary based on the problem, but I'm putting it in the context of the most frequent problems (display failure requiring LED replacement, which is averaging around $18-2000 just for that) and OHing which as you mentioned, hovers around $1500. Some MSers had both done for about $2500. Returning it into a like-new state is about $2500.

[toto]

On 1/4/2022 at 7:22 PM, corn_flake said:

When it comes to pre-owned items for aviation, the price can vary depending who is willing to pay. 

My KX 155 with Glide Slope is acting up.  I'm weighting my options on repair, replace with used unit, or buy a KX 155 replacement if such thing exist.  

Question.  

What's the street price for a used KX 155?  Specially 14v with glide slope?  

Thanks!!

I've seen these guys advertising a drop-in replacement for a while. Sounds like it may not be certified yet. 

https://tkmavionics.com/our-products/mx155-navcomm/

I have a KX-165 sitting in a box somewhere but it's a 28v. 

 

[Shadrach]

19 hours ago, jacenbourne said:

I was basing it off of other people's numbers in this thread here: https://mooneyspace.com/topic/40736-kx-155-replacment/. I do agree the cost will vary based on the problem, but I'm putting it in the context of the most frequent problems (display failure requiring LED replacement, which is averaging around $18-2000 just for that) and OHing which as you mentioned, hovers around $1500. Some MSers had both done for about $2500. Returning it into a like-new state is about $2500.

LCDs do fail but it is not what I would call common. The LED you mention is a total display upgrade/conversion not a replacement.  The $2550 quoted is actually quite reasonable for renewed internals and an upgrade to modern LED display and circuitry.  These are great performing, reliable radios by any standard. 2.5AMUs to hit the reset button is a compelling option.

 

[jaylw314]

On 1/5/2022 at 8:39 AM, jacenbourne said:

Short term pain, long term gain. You're trying to keep a 30-year old radio that has limited to no replacement parts available alive by investing more money into it

Ha!  Wouldn't that logic apply to 90% of Mooney's out there? 

Also, I think the KX155 and the like have plasma discharge tubes rather than LED's, so not quite as cheap or reliable displays

Edit: oooh, I see, there are some people supplying replacement LED displays

Edited January 6, 2022 by jaylw314

[RobertGary1]

3 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

Ha!  Wouldn't that logic apply to 90% of Mooney's out there? 

Also, I think the KX155 and the like have plasma discharge tubes rather than LED's, so not quite as cheap or reliable displays

Edit: oooh, I see, there are some people supplying replacement LED displays

The original King equipment used radioactive gas! Not many are aware of that. As a result there really isn’t any county where it’s legal to make the old style displays. They ran at very high voltage so replacing it with something more modern is more than just swapping the display. 

[Cloudmirth]

I had my kx155 overhauled by kx155.com last year.  Cost was around $1,000.  The radio came back looking and working like new.  Ed only works on kx155’s and really knows his stuff.  He even sends videos of the radio as he works on it to give you a better sense of what he’s doing and how the radio is performing.  I would use his services again without reservation and, when he’s finished you have a radio you can trust

[Shadrach]

10 minutes ago, Cloudmirth said:

I had my kx155 overhauled by kx155.com last year.  Cost was around $1,000.  The radio came back looking and working like new.  Ed only works on kx155’s and really knows his stuff.  He even sends videos of the radio as he works on it to give you a better sense of what he’s doing and how the radio is performing.  I would use his services again without reservation and, when he’s finished you have a radio you can trust

Looks to me like Ed only works on King radios but does not limit himself to just the 155.

[carusoam]

Nice pireps for kx-155.com… 

 

Thanks for sharing them…

Around here we also have alan and his infamous shelf of pre-flown avionics… @Alan Fox

Best regards,

-a-

[corn_flake]

Here you go...

http://www.kx-155.com

[Htmlkid]

I had issues with mine and sent it to Brevan Aviation and they did a great job at the repair... I think it was $700 total....

[PT20J]

On 1/6/2022 at 3:31 PM, RobertGary1 said:

The original King equipment used radioactive gas! Not many are aware of that. As a result there really isn’t any county where it’s legal to make the old style displays. They ran at very high voltage so replacing it with something more modern is more than just swapping the display. 

What radioactive gas?