Thoughts on Aspen and Shop Recommendations

[tim417]

After only a couple weeks and 20ish hours in my new to me M20C, I am looking at future panel improvements since shops seem so swamped. Currently, the panel has a six pack setup with a Sandel 3308 as the HSI/CDI, a secondary CDI, and an electronic backup attitude with slip/skid indicator where a traditional turn coordinator would be. There is also a GTN625 GPS/Waas (no com) and two KX155s in the panel. 

Originally, I considered dual G5s or GI275s and an eventual GFC500 upgrade later down the line but then I discovered they wont talk to my KX155s. 

So now I am considering an Aspen E5 (with possible later software upgrade to the ProMax). I think I’ll need to install a traditional turn coordinator and I might like to keep the vacuum AI as a backup. Maybe an eventual addition of the BK Aerocruze if it ever gets an STC  or some form of STEC. Just want for safety, light IFR and convenience in cruise  

It looks like I might have to have a panel cut to accommodate the E5 

Thoughts on this? also, are there any quality local shops that will actually spend some time talking to you and giving you good service and support? I know everyone is busy….

Tim

[David Lloyd]

GI-275 works with the KX-155/KX-155A/KX-165/KX-165A.  Not so with the G-5.

[tim417]

Hmm good to know. GI275 might be a good option then. Any PIREPS on the Aspen by anyone here? Either the Pro Max or E5?

[Larry]

Decide on the autopilot first.  You will kick yourself if you later decide on a Garmin AP and just installed the Aspen.

[Jakes Simmons]

I just swapped out my two AV30’s for the Aspen E5. I plan to do a better PIREP once I get some solid IFR cross countries in. After an hour test flight and one three hour cross country, I REALLY like the unit. Exceptionally stable with crisp graphics. My middle aged eyes don’t have any trouble with the screen real estate. It’s still super early in the game but although more screens or Pro upgrade would be cool, I don’t think it is at all necessary with a good ADSB in and an IPad. I do have the TAS and OAT upgrade on the E5, worth it.

   Crossing my fingers just like you on the AeroCruze. Congratulations on your M20 ride…

[tim417]

I like the GFC500 featureset but the if TruTrak ever gets its STC that seems like a good option as well. That wil be sometime down the line. 

[rbridges]

2 hours ago, Larry said:

Decide on the autopilot first.  You will kick yourself if you later decide on a Garmin AP and just installed the Aspen.

This. I have the 2500 MAX and an STEC50.  Works great but no direct communication with the Garmin AP if I decide to switch. As far as the Aspens, I absolutely love them. No experience with the G3 to compare.  

[carusoam]

2 hours ago, tim417 said:

I like the GFC500 featureset but the if TruTrak ever gets its STC that seems like a good option as well. That wil be sometime down the line. 

I like BK stuff as much as the next guy…

Just know… they haven’t installed much beyond a few Transponders since the mid 90s in any Mooneys….

They hyped a few products similar to a GTN… but never got there…. A few dozen circulating in the field. Never fully deployed…

 

In today’s world… hardware will look good… but software makes it work…. With only a few dozen in the field… there isn’t the army of programmers to go with that…. 
 

Dynon has done a good job… they have an AP that works, just no STC for Mooneys yet… it is in the schedule…

Avidyne has done a good job… very reliable supplier….

BK hasn’t put a WAAS GPS in many Mooneys…. The butt of many well earned delivery jokes…

Keep an eye on the guy that runs TruTrak… he is still with BK after he sold the company….

Ask when your Mooney is getting its STC….

This is a nice way of saying don’t wait for BK…. Because, through the years…. that has not lead to any good feelings…. Plenty of heartache….

MS PSA for the new guys…. 
 

Thoughts on Aspen… they work… older units are like slow computers with old displays… slow….

Big G is doing its usual best to avoid having to connect with other supplier’s equipment….

The Big G guys learned this technique from BK… who was the King of monopolization…. Gary and Min, the original Garmin Guys… came from BK…

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

Hmm good to know. GI275 might be a good option then. Any PIREPS on the Aspen by anyone here? Either the Pro Max or E5?

I’ve flown behind Aspens since 2012. Mine have been a great solution for a mixed panel. And I like the approach Aspen has taken to allow you upgrade the unit without a wholesale hardware swap (i.e. a G5 will never be a GI-275 or a G3X).

The upside is the Aspen will play with everything in your panel. Mine is connected to an STEC 60-2 AP, a 650, Lynx 900 and a GTN 255B. The downside is that it isn’t as integrated as the Garmin products. Garmin does a nice job of integrating their hardware - but doesn’t play well with other vendors.

I would really think long term about how long you plan on owning the plane. It’s easy to go overboard on spending on avionics.





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[carusoam]

Marauder has one of the best examples of panel integration of non-Big G avionics!

And… has posted a few videos of how it all works… including a fly by of that funky old east coast intersection, aka Modena….   

 

Best regards,

-a-

[M016576]

On 2/8/2022 at 6:47 PM, carusoam said:

Marauder has one of the best examples of panel integration of non-Big G avionics!

And… has posted a few videos of how it all works… including a fly by of that funky old east coast intersection, aka Modena….   

 

Best regards,

-a-

Whoa!  What is mine,  chopped liver?  I’ve been flying with an aspen since 2014… I had mine refurbed/upgraded to “max” units when they came out.  I’m a big fan of the Avidyne/aspen combo.

 

 

[Marauder]

Whoa!  What is mine,  chopped liver?  I’ve been flying with an aspen since 2014… I had mine refurbed/upgraded to “max” units when they came out.  I’m a big fan of the Avidyne/aspen combo.
 
 

Is that icing on your windshield?


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[PT20J]

I liked my Aspen a lot. I would have kept it and upgraded to the max had I not lost confidence in the KAP 150 after the second computer failure in two years. But needing an autopilot drove me to a Garmin panel.

[M016576]

12 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Is that icing on your windshield?


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Nope- just tks fluid from the prop slinger.  Was “exercising the system” when I took that photo.

[carusoam]

Memory is funny thing… and fades quickly… 

It is so hard to remember my own panel… never mind the more awesome panels of the Coolest MSers…

Cool MSers have a color screen count of two or more… 

Having a TKS control mounted on the panel breaks any ties… (looks like she is making the jump to light speed)

 

Thanks Jobe (?), didn’t mean to forget your awesomer panel…. (Click the like button if I got your name right )

Best regards,

-a-

[Oscar Avalle]

I went for an Aspen max2500 with an Stec 55x. I also installed a GTN750 and 650. Everything plays nicely together.

I also like the flexibility of the Aspen screens

Oscar


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[Baker Avionics]

On 2/8/2022 at 12:26 PM, tim417 said:

After only a couple weeks and 20ish hours in my new to me M20C, I am looking at future panel improvements since shops seem so swamped. Currently, the panel has a six pack setup with a Sandel 3308 as the HSI/CDI, a secondary CDI, and an electronic backup attitude with slip/skid indicator where a traditional turn coordinator would be. There is also a GTN625 GPS/Waas (no com) and two KX155s in the panel. 

Originally, I considered dual G5s or GI275s and an eventual GFC500 upgrade later down the line but then I discovered they wont talk to my KX155s. 

So now I am considering an Aspen E5 (with possible later software upgrade to the ProMax). I think I’ll need to install a traditional turn coordinator and I might like to keep the vacuum AI as a backup. Maybe an eventual addition of the BK Aerocruze if it ever gets an STC  or some form of STEC. Just want for safety, light IFR and convenience in cruise  

It looks like I might have to have a panel cut to accommodate the E5 

Thoughts on this? also, are there any quality local shops that will actually spend some time talking to you and giving you good service and support? I know everyone is busy….

Tim

Tim, where are you located?  We are a dealer for all of the manufacturers.  While Aspen is a good solution, the AP, as stated earlier, is the driver.  Get the AP decided first.  If you bank on Manufacturers to keep their word as far as the timelines are concerned for AP approvals, you will be sunk.  I would roll either GI275's or the Dual G5 route.  @PT20J had a similar need and he ended up with the GFC500.  It is a solid unit and Garmin isn't going anywhere anytime soon.  If you are close enough to the West Coast, Southern Oregon area, let us know if we can help.  If not, we are still here to bounce things off of.  

[tim417]

I have been thinking hard on this and based on the responses and the research I’ve been able to do, I think the dual GI-275s are the way to go. I like the simple layout of the GFC500 and it seems like aside from the kidney I will need to sell, it will serve my needs as an AP for safety, convenience in cruise, and light IFR. But first things first, I need my IFR ticket and also I want the GI275s installed. While I like the simplicity and lower cost of G5s, I have two 155As and want to keep using them for now, and the G5s apparently wont play nice. I also have an existing GTN625 already in the panel and I’d like to integrate it into the system  

I am based out of KCNO. Would love to come chat with you guys but logistically, not sure how I would make it back and forth to ferry the airplane (and myself) to leave it there and pick it up, especially with my crazy work schedule.

[PeteMc]

I've also got the Aspen Pro MAX and been very happy with it.  My backup to the Aspen is a GI-275 (ADAHRS).

[Baker Avionics]

11 hours ago, tim417 said:

I have been thinking hard on this and based on the responses and the research I’ve been able to do, I think the dual GI-275s are the way to go. I like the simple layout of the GFC500 and it seems like aside from the kidney I will need to sell, it will serve my needs as an AP for safety, convenience in cruise, and light IFR. But first things first, I need my IFR ticket and also I want the GI275s installed. While I like the simplicity and lower cost of G5s, I have two 155As and want to keep using them for now, and the G5s apparently wont play nice. I also have an existing GTN625 already in the panel and I’d like to integrate it into the system  

I am based out of KCNO. Would love to come chat with you guys but logistically, not sure how I would make it back and forth to ferry the airplane (and myself) to leave it there and pick it up, especially with my crazy work schedule.

Well, I think you made a great decision!  If interested, let me know, we would love to help you out on this and we basically are upgrading Mooneys all year this year.  At least one of our lines are nose to tail Mooney the entire 2022 year.  We are very well acquainted with them and are a reputable shop. 

[tim417]

7 minutes ago, Baker Avionics said:

Well, I think you made a great decision!  If interested, let me know, we would love to help you out on this and we basically are upgrading Mooneys all year this year.  At least one of our lines are nose to tail Mooney the entire 2022 year.  We are very well acquainted with them and are a reputable shop. 

Thank you! Maybe we can schedule a phone call and see if we can come up with a game plan and see if I can get the plane up to you later this year. Being a new owner, I don’t know how long installs like these take once in the shop, and I’m guessing you guys are pretty backed up and Garmin has a backorder. Timing might actually work out though. 

Tim

[Baker Avionics]

31 minutes ago, tim417 said:

Thank you! Maybe we can schedule a phone call and see if we can come up with a game plan and see if I can get the plane up to you later this year. Being a new owner, I don’t know how long installs like these take once in the shop, and I’m guessing you guys are pretty backed up and Garmin has a backorder. Timing might actually work out though. 

Tim

We do have a little bit of a lead time for work, not too bad though as we work a little extra to maintain and to help make schedules for customers.  Also the Garmin back order thing is a bit messy.  It is hard to have owners tie their money up for a long period of time. Whenever you are looking to get the process going, just let us know!  We are here to help in any way we can.