Avionics Decision

[donkaye, MCFI]

10 minutes ago, M20F said:

What do you gain from the 750 that the 500/650/iPad doesn’t provide?

For one thing, the Garmin audio panel, GMA 35c with Telligence.  Yes, you can get by with the G500 TXi, GTN 650, and iPad, but I don't like the iPad mini due to character size and screen brightness, and the larger iPad is too bulky for me to put on the yoke.  The screen size of the GTN 650 is too small for me to use the display much.  I use it mostly for its default page with its 6 data fields.  That's just my preference.  Some could be satisfied with the above, but not me.

[Pinecone]

2 hours ago, donkaye said:

As of today, I wouldn't change a thing.

It seems a post got lost.

NICE panel.  I would love to have that setup.  Maybe eventually.   A couple of questions.

Why the JPI versus Garmin EIS?

Why G500TXI versus the G3X?

[M20F]

1 minute ago, Pinecone said:

Why the JPI versus Garmin EIS?

EI MVP-50 not JPI and because it is the best.

[donkaye, MCFI]

14 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

It seems a post got lost.

NICE panel.  I would love to have that setup.  Maybe eventually.   A couple of questions.

Why the JPI versus Garmin EIS?

Why G500TXI versus the G3X?

I was responding to a post above about my panel.  The first answer to the 2 questions are that neither was available at the time I upgraded my panel.  However, I have since flown with students who have the Garmin EIS and I find the characters too small for my preference.  I don't want to think about character size every time I try to read something.  It also takes up screen real estate.  I like the 60/40 setup on the G500 TXi for the PFD/MFD and the ability to change it to 40/60 during cruise.  That allows for a magnificent flight plan page on the TXi that gives an unbelievable amount of information, much more than even the GTN 750Xi has.  With the EIS that wouldn't be possible.  The EI MVP-50 that I have (not the JPI 930) in my opinion is the best separate engine monitor out there with multiple pages of good information.  WRT the G500 vs the G3X both are good, but the TXi is newer, brighter, has some additional functionality, and supports more external sources.  As I said, I wouldn't change a thing that I have right now.

[Pinecone]

Thanks

[KLudwick]

On 7/10/2022 at 12:23 PM, JohnZ said:

Is the gear unsafe light illuminated?

It is - it's since been fixed, as it was an electrical issue and not a gear issue.  

[M20F]

4 minutes ago, KLudwick said:

It is - it's since been fixed, as it was an electrical issue and not a gear issue.  

Don’t feel bad I am surprised I didn’t catch shit on the image I posted yesterday :-)

[Pinecone]

I think I have decided on a plan.  For now.

Currently there is a GTN650 (not Xi), GTX-345, Aspen 1000, G5, King Nav/Com, KAP-150 w/ KAS 297B (alt hold/preselect), JPI EDM-700, Stormscope, ADF.

I have a nice offer to buy a GTN750 (not Xi) and GMA-35R.

So thinking, step one is to add the GTN750 to the existing 650 and get rid of the King Nav/Com and ADF.  This gives me a large nav screen.  Install the GMA-35R or a PS Engineering audio panel

The next step, in the future, is to put in G3X with EIS and GFC-500.   This will allow me to sell the Aspen and KAP-150.

Then later, upgrade the 750 and 650 to Xi.

Gets me where I want, in stages so not such a huge bill at once.

 

Thoughts?

[David Lloyd]

Don't spend money to put something in that you're already planning to replace.

[Pinecone]

Agreed.  Nothing I plan on putting in would be replaced.

750/650 to Xi is an upgrade of the box, not a replacement.

https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/gtn750-to-750xi-upgrade

https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/gtn650-to-650xi-upgrade

Like the 430/530 non-WAAS to Waas.

 

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Agreed.  Nothing I plan on putting in would be replaced.

750/650 to Xi is an upgrade of the box, not a replacement.

https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/gtn750-to-750xi-upgrade

https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/gtn650-to-650xi-upgrade

Like the 430/530 non-WAAS to Waas.

 

No, read the fine print* in the links you posted, the 750Xi (or 650Xi) replaces the box

 

**GTN 750 trade-in must be in good working and cosmetic condition, subject to evaluation. Advertised pricing is for black faceplate units only. Core charge of $1,350 will apply until trade-in is confirmed on bench to meet manufacturer's specifications.

 

Don't waste labor dollars by putting in a 750 and then later spend more labor dollars to have another shop pull that and install the Xi and then spend time reconfiguring. Spend some time flying the airplane and then buy the newest, most capable at the time. You'll keep it longer and save money in the long run.

[Pinecone]

OK, I misunderstood the upgrade.

So it is worth the extra for the Xi?

 

[donkaye, MCFI]

9 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

OK, I misunderstood the upgrade.

So it is worth the extra for the Xi?

 

Having done the upgrade, in a word, YES.  Much more capability and adaptability for future upgrades, like the recent upgrade to include Smart Glide.

[flyingscot]

6 hours ago, Pinecone said:

OK, I misunderstood the upgrade.

So it is worth the extra for the Xi?

 

It absolutely is. I have also done the upgrade and was (very pleasantly) surprised at the difference. Not just an upgrade, really, a different unit.

[Pinecone]

Thanks.

So Step 1 looks like installed GTN-750Xi, some audio panel.

And probably upgrade JPI 700 to 730 or 830.

[jetdriven]

22 hours ago, donkaye said:

Having done the upgrade, in a word, YES.  Much more capability and adaptability for future upgrades, like the recent upgrade to include Smart Glide.

You have to have the GFC500 and 275s or better to have the smart glide.

[LANCECASPER]

On 7/18/2022 at 8:17 AM, jetdriven said:

You have to have the GFC500 and 275s or better to have the smart glide.

G5s also work

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/smartglidecompatibility/

[ZuluZulu]

In hindsight you might wish you had waited, saved up, and done everything all at once.  Piecemeal gets expensive and this is complex work.

[LANCECASPER]

On 7/17/2022 at 10:12 PM, Pinecone said:

Thanks.

So Step 1 looks like installed GTN-750Xi, some audio panel.

And probably upgrade JPI 700 to 730 or 830.

Everyone is telling you on here and Beechtalk just to fly it awhile, save up and do it all at once, but it sounds like you made up your mind awhile back and want validation for your decision.

[Pinecone]

It is too much fun to plan and decide what to do.

If nothing else, it will be a while before anything is done due to lead times for units and shop time.