Would You Rather have 2 x GI275's or a G3X 10"?

[GeneralT001]

Any thoughts on this as part of an overall panel upgrade? The overall price works out about the same. One side of me says go with the 2 x GI275's (one PFD and the other as an HSI) and the more "traditional" look for the panel but the other side of me says get the G3X (even though its already 5+ yrs old) and the versatility that that panel offers?

I'd probably be going with the GNX375 for the  G3X and a GTN750Xi for the 2 x GI275's

What does the voice of reason say....besides...just forget it all and save your money

Edited January 28, 2022 by GeneralT001

[Niko182]

G3X and G5. You will be able to get so much more information with that setup compared to the GI275. And you'll be able to see it better too. The G3X can also be setup to show gauges instead of tapes.

[TheAv8r]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:35 PM, Niko182 said:

G3X and G5. You will be able to get so much more information with that setup compared to the GI275. And you'll be able to see it better too. The G3X can also be setup to show gauges instead of tapes.

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What on Earth... the biggest advantage of a glass cockpit is it consolidating the information into 1 or 2 instruments, thus making your instrument scan considerably more efficient... why would you want to reverse it back to showing each instrument individually with no overlap?! 

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:41 PM, jacenbourne said:

What on Earth... the biggest advantage of a glass cockpit is it consolidating the information into 1 or 2 instruments, thus making your instrument scan considerably more efficient... why would you want to reverse it back to showing each instrument individually with no overlap?! 

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I think a bit of an advantage of this is that the glass panel would allow a slow transition to an all tapes type display. Slowly ween yourself of the "dials".

[Niko182]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:41 PM, jacenbourne said:

What on Earth... the biggest advantage of a glass cockpit is it consolidating the information into 1 or 2 instruments, thus making your instrument scan considerably more efficient... why would you want to reverse it back to showing each instrument individually with no overlap?! 

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I'm not saying I like it more. In the previous thread @GeneralT001 said he liked the layout of the 6 pack. This gives you the info on the g3x while keeping the conventional 6 pack. I would bet money though, at the end of the day, he'll go with the tapes. 

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/28/2022 at 6:06 PM, Niko182 said:

I'm not saying I like it more. In the previous thread @GeneralT001 said he liked the layout of the 6 pack. This gives you the info on the g3x while keeping the conventional 6 pack. I would bet money though, at the end of the day, he'll go with the tapes. 

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At the end of the day....your probably right.

[David Lloyd]

My Mooney has two GI275s and a GTX375 installed.  Great setup.  I've spent some time with a GTN750 and about 500 hours with a Dynon Skyview.

The two options you list 275/375 or G3X/750, make for a difficult decision. Either, you will really enjoy.

I would probably go with the G3X panel, more screen space and more information on one screen.  Is it compatible with your autopilot?

The Dynon would show the six pack similar to the G3X.  Limits what you can see.  If you want to fly a six pack, don't buy glass.

The most difficult thing for me to use is the airspeed tape.  No choice flying with the Dynon, there was no analog airspeed needle.  With the 275s, I kept my steam gauge ASI, altimeter, VSI (will be removed this year) and T&B (Stec autopilot).  I haven't been able to train my eyes away from the airspeed needle on short final.  I have even taped over the steam gauges for about 20 flying hours.  Durn, here comes the painter's tape again.

[ZuluZulu]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:35 PM, Niko182 said:

G3X and G5. You will be able to get so much more information with that setup compared to the GI275. And you'll be able to see it better too. The G3X can also be setup to show gauges instead of tapes.

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If Rube Goldberg designed glass panels, they might look like this!

[midlifeflyer]

  On 1/28/2022 at 6:05 PM, GeneralT001 said:

I think a bit of an advantage of this is that the glass panel would allow a slow transition to an all tapes type display. Slowly ween yourself of the "dials".

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The only way to wean oneself off the steam gauges is to use the tapes and get comfortable with them. 

[Mooney Dog]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:35 PM, Niko182 said:

G3X and G5. You will be able to get so much more information with that setup compared to the GI275. And you'll be able to see it better too. The G3X can also be setup to show gauges instead of tapes.

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I never knew about this feature and now i hate it even more, ha! 

[Mooney Dog]

  On 1/28/2022 at 5:11 PM, GeneralT001 said:

Any thoughts on this as part of an overall panel upgrade? The overall price works out about the same. One side of me says go with the 2 x GI275's (one PFD and the other as an HSI) and the more "traditional" look for the panel but the other side of me says get the G3X (even though its already 5+ yrs old) and the versatility that that panel offers?

I'd probably be going with the GNX375 for the  G3X and a GTN750Xi for the 2 x GI275's

What does the voice of reason say....besides...just forget it all and save your money

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The simple answer is how much remaking of the panel do you want? 

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/28/2022 at 9:42 PM, Mooney Dog said:

The simple answer is how much remaking of the panel do you want? 

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Well, the panel cost is the least of the costs....$1,500 - $2,500...so not really an issue.

[Jim Peace]

go for the big display and you can offset it a bit by using a GTN650 for the navigator.  No need for a 750 that I know of if you have a big screen in front of you anyway.

[PT20J]

It's not really an apples to apples comparison.

If you are doing a major rip and replace including cutting a new panel, the G3X/G5 gives you mores square inches of glass.

If you want the lowest impact/lowest cost, the GI 275s will be less expensive because they fit in the existing panel and the labor will be much less.

Skip

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/29/2022 at 4:25 PM, PT20J said:

It's not really an apples to apples comparison.

If you are doing a major rip and replace including cutting a new panel, the G3X/G5 gives you mores square inches of glass.

If you want the lowest impact/lowest cost, the GI 275s will be less expensive because they fit in the existing panel and the labor will be much less.

Skip

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Actually, I've gotten several quotes and the difference isn't that significant...within $3,000 between the 2 options.

 

[LANCECASPER]

  On 1/29/2022 at 4:31 PM, GeneralT001 said:

Actually, I've gotten several quotes and the difference isn't that significant...within $3,000 between the 2 options.

 

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I would make sure you get whatever you need for the Garmin safe glide option. It needs at least a 650xi.  If you don’t do it you’ll wish later that you had.

[PT20J]

  On 1/29/2022 at 4:31 PM, GeneralT001 said:

Actually, I've gotten several quotes and the difference isn't that significant...within $3,000 between the 2 options.

 

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Well, its still $3K. I’d want to understand the bids very carefully if it were me. Just a panel alone done by a quality panel shop can be $3K. In my airplane I installed a G3X, G5, GTN 650Xi, GFC 255, GFC 500 and it works out well. Cost about $50K for equipment an $30K to install it.

You didn’t mention an autopilot. If you plan on a GFC 500, the G3X/G5 is a better choice as these were all designed by TeamX to work well together. If you have a legacy autopilot that you plan to keep, the GI 275s might be a better choice.

Skip

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/29/2022 at 6:22 PM, PT20J said:

Well, its still $3K. I’d want to understand the bids very carefully if it were me. Just a panel alone done by a quality panel shop can be $3K. In my airplane I installed a G3X, G5, GTN 650Xi, GFC 255, GFC 500 and it works out well. Cost about $50K for equipment an $30K to install it.

You didn’t mention an autopilot. If you plan on a GFC 500, the G3X/G5 is a better choice as these were all designed by TeamX to work well together. If you have a legacy autopilot that you plan to keep, the GI 275s might be a better choice.

Skip

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I was going to keep the current KAP 150 AP for now (it was just overhauled for 6K, before I bought the plane) and seems to work fine...for the most part....it did exhibit a little bit of altitude wander (+/- 40') during the flight out here...somewhat annoying

The numbers are what they are...no cheap way of doing this work

[LANCECASPER]

  On 1/29/2022 at 9:04 PM, GeneralT001 said:

it did exhibit a little bit of altitude wander (+/- 40') during the flight out here...somewhat annoying

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For a 40 year old autopilot +/- 40' is rock solid. That's as close as they were when they were new.

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/29/2022 at 9:17 PM, LANCECASPER said:

For a 40 year old autopilot +/- 40' is rock solid. That's as close as they were when they were new.

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Well...sweet...I only wish it could fly a glidepath....I think all you can do is adjust the nose up/down to try and match a 500'/min 3degree GS. But it tracks well

[LANCECASPER]

  On 1/29/2022 at 9:24 PM, GeneralT001 said:

Well...sweet...I only wish it could fly a glidepath....I think all you can do is adjust the nose up/down to try and match a 500'/min 3degree GS. But it tracks well

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A KAP 150 can definitely fly a glidepath. I don't believe a KAP 100 can.

The only thing that a KAP150 doesn't have that a KFC 150 has is a flight director when connected to a KI256 Attitude Indicator/FD. (The KAP150 has a KG-258 Attitude Indicator I believe)

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/29/2022 at 9:37 PM, LANCECASPER said:

A KAP 150 can definitely fly a glidepath. I don't believe a KAP 100 can.

The only thing that a KAP150 doesn't have that a KFC 150 has is a flight director when connected to a KI256 Attitude Indicator/FD. (The KAP150 has a KG-258 Aiitude Indicator I believe)

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Ill research that...but I did find out the GS is not useable at the moment and will have an avionics tech check it out...the loc was fine though. Cant say the GS antenna (T bar looking thing on the center support inspires confidence in accuracy

[LANCECASPER]

Personal opinion after going through this a few times over the last 35 years . . if possible, don't do it in stages. Plan it carefully, budget it carefully and when you rip open the panel do everything the way you want it once. Even with the way things are changing, with a good plan, the panel will be good for a couple decades.

[GeneralT001]

  On 1/29/2022 at 10:29 PM, LANCECASPER said:

Personal opinion after going through this a few times over the last 35 years . . if possible, don't do it in stages. Plan it carefully, budget it carefully and when you rip open the panel do everything the way you want it once. Even with the way things are changing, with a good plan, the panel will be good for a couple decades.

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Agreed, and that is definitely my plan. The only money I plan to pour into the plane before this avionics upgrade is to get the current Transponder fixed (KT79 TSO) as it simply just stopped working and obviously a necessity in the short term.

I'll comfort myself with the "buy once...cry once" philosophy

[Brian E.]

As several have noted the G3X and GNX375 is an awesome combo.  You'll have great SA and will have no need (or a very limited need) for a tablet. ADSB, FIS-B, TIS-B, integrated comms, transponder, etc as all fully integrated.  It will be an amazing setup that will change the way you fly.