garmin/apollo mx-20s on ebay

[bd32322]

I was browsing ebay and recently saw some Garmin/Apollo MX-20 MFDs for sale for relatively cheap - 2k or so. I was thinking of a big MFD to display weather, flight plans etc - but the GNS 530 units are still pretty expensive for me. Wondering why these are so much cheaper.

I guess because they dont have a NAV/COM etc built in so they should be cheaper - but just wanted to check if people know of any pitfalls with the MX-20s

Thanks in advance

[aerobat95]

One of the A&P's that works on my plane has one and loves it.....says it was cheap ~1500 and it provides great SA. 

[smccray]

Why do you want the MFD?  Compare cost and capabilities between a MX-20 and a 696 or 796 in an air gizmo.  I'm planning an air gizmo for a 796.  It will download the flightplan data and provide a battery powered GPS backup.  It's not legal, but in an emergency you could use the handheld to shoot an LPV approach.  All that and you get XM too.

I've read that the MX-20s are really slow- the 200 is supposed to be a better choice, but of course that comes at a price.

[aerobat95]

Excellent point Scott.  A 676 or 796 would probably be the better bet.  I have a 496 and in a emergency I would have a backup and could shoot an approach.  Not to mention the 496/696 as WAAS, VNAV, and XM

[FlyDave]

A freind of mine has an MX-20 and the screen went south on it. Garmin told him they were not supporting them - I believe - after 12/31/11. Check into that before you purchase it.

[Cris]

It is true  that Garmin has orphoned the mx20's which is why they are so cheap. They can't be repaired. Garmin offered a trade up to the GMX200 which is is quite similar but does have a faster processor & is still being produced. One option is to install the mx20 with the idea of replacing it at some point with the GMX200 or even another used mx20 if it breaks as they will only get cheaper. The installation cost to make the change will be modest if going from the mx20 to the GMX200. BTW I have a GMX200 and it is an excellent product displaying WX weather, flight plans, split screen, garmin approach charts and so much more. It also allows for a cheaper 430W if going used. In my case I have a KLN 94 mated to it.   

[johnggreen]

I have flown behind a MX-20 now for nine years.  It has performed almost flawlessly.  The first one was in a Skylane driven by a King GPS (sorry don't remember which one) and then in my Bravo driven by a 430.  I have WSI weather and one big advantage with the MX-20 is that I can pan my weather map out to any distance and still select a moderate scale.  So, I can leave MS and immediately start monitoring radar in Colorado at the point of my destination.

I was aware that the MX-20 is now an orphan and don't know which unit I will go to if mine goes down and can't be fixed by my avionics shop.  Considering the price, it is probably still a viable option with one caveat.

DON'T BUY ONE ANYWHERE EXCEPT A REPUTABLE AVIONICS SHOP.  You are going to have to have some support and professional advice.  I don't know what that will add to the final cost and may put it out of reach, but getting an unknown unit off ebay doesn't make sense.

Lots of pilots are going to hand carried units like the 696, but you do so with limitations.  A good, panel mounted MFD is a very useful and desireable tool.  Just not cheap.

Jgreen

[smccray]

Quote: johnggreen

Lots of pilots are going to hand carried units like the 696, but you do so with limitations.  A good, panel mounted MFD is a very useful and desireable tool.  Just not cheap.

[rorythedog]

Quote: smccray

Why do you want the MFD?  Compare cost and capabilities between a MX-20 and a 696 or 796 in an air gizmo.  I'm planning an air gizmo for a 796.  It will download the flightplan data and provide a battery powered GPS backup.  It's not legal, but in an emergency you could use the handheld to shoot an LPV approach.  All that and you get XM too.

I've read that the MX-20s are really slow- the 200 is supposed to be a better choice, but of course that comes at a price.

[KSMooniac]

The 496 and 430W/530W have five times the refresh rate of the 396 and thus are quite smooth.  Just a case of newer tech with a faster processor and better screen vs. the older 396.  The non-W 430/530 are slower like the 396, and when I upgraded mine it was a very welcome change.

As mentioned above, the MX-20 is obsolete and no longer supported, so spending any money to install one is probably not wise IMO.  You might get lucky and have it last for a few years, but then again it might throw craps as soon as the power is put to it.  I don't know if the -200 is a drop-in replacement or not.

IMO, the 696 and 796 have obsoleted the hard-mounted MFD as you get more functionality at a much lower price, especially if you want the weather option.  A GDL-69 box costs thousands of dollars plus installation.  A 796 in an Air Gizmo dock gives you the same functionality at a much lower price compared to a GMX-200 + GDL-69, and it has a battery for backup power if your electrical system goes down.

Another thing to consider is the cost to feed an MFD (or a 796 for that matter) if you want to keep it current.  The subscription price for charts and plates is way too high IMO compared to what you can get for a tablet product these days.  The MFD is kinda like getting a pony for Christmas.    IMO, I don't want to continuously feed an MFD like those (or even the G-500/600/1000 or Aspen MFD) when I'm already paying for the required Nav Data for my 530W/430W combo.  That data is expensive enough and sufficient for getting me anywhere safely.  I don't need to see a pretty rendered map *on* my panel with an airplane moving on it when the bare bones nav data is enough to get the job done.  (I use an Android Xoom tablet for charts and plates for $60/year, and 496 for weather)

[flyby201]

I'm not positive, but I think if you want to display weather you will also need a Garmin GDL-69 (not sure that's the correct #).  Last time I looked they were around $5K.  If you want to display traffic you need a mode S transponder.  I talked to my avionics shop about installing one of these about a year ago and they quoted about $1500 or more for the install.  IMHO a 696/796 looks a lot more attractive.

[smccray]

Quote: flyby201

I'm not positive, but I think if you want to display weather you will also need a Garmin GDL-69 (not sure that's the correct #).  Last time I looked they were around $5K.  If you want to display traffic you need a mode S transponder.  I talked to my avionics shop about installing one of these about a year ago and they quoted about $1500 or more for the install.  IMHO a 696/796 looks a lot more attractive.

[AndyFromCB]

I had the mx-20 and wsi, replaced with gmx-200 and gdl69. Funny thing, I only use my 796. Much, muc easier to access all information for 1/4 the cost, plus if your gps dies, neither mfd have built in gps. My 796 does. Both gmx-200 and gdl 69 are for sale on beech talk. Need the panel space for a proper engine monitor. Gmx-200 actually has a lower resolution than my 796. It's not very often I disagree with jgg, but in this case, the only limitations I see are with a panel mount mfd. maybe if I had a wx500 but I have the wx1000e which also servers as a backup nav head.

[M016576]

In a light civil, the MX-20 doesn't bring anything extra to the party over a handheld like a 696 or aera unit.  I prefer a yoke mount over a panel mount personally, although the air gizmo docks provide a panel option if one is so inclined (perhaps for aesthetics sake, getting the wires out of the way?).  Honestly, you can't bring your mx20 into a rental car to give gps directions and xmradio with you once you get to your destination, and it costs quite a bit more in both weight and space, as well as money, to get less capability.  It also won't serve as an emergency backup in case of electrical failure, or gps failure.  The chartview option is nice, but a) you pay monthly for it and it is available through other interfaces- it is not solely a mx20/mx200 feature.

If my aircraft already had it when I purchased it, I wouldn't take it out, but I would not go out of my way to install one either.  Save that money for the old overhaul fund!

[Mac201]

Astelmaszek, how much are you asking for your GMX200?  I have an MX20 that the display has been going.  I am interested in upgrading.  Feel free to PM if you like.

[johnggreen]

Job,

Not meaning to nitpik, but a panel mount MX-20 does have a couple of advantages over a handheld; TCAS and panning of weather being two big advantages. In anything larger than a Mooney, a Bonanza for instance, you can also display on-board radar.

The upgraded version, 200 will also support certified TAWS should that be your need.

I am going to upgrade my MX-20 soon and have several options. I would certainly retain the panel mount MFD if that were my only option, but with the offering of the ne GTN-750, I can probably kill two birds with one stone for the same money.

Jgreen

[johnggreen]

Which raises another point.

When I upgrade, I will have an MX-20 that works, is working, for sale and will be removed by a professional avionics shop.

I can't tell you for sure whether I will make the move in two weeks or six months, but if you think you would have an interest, PM me and I'll put you down to call at that time. Will proabably have a 430 WAAS unit and KI-256 as well.

Jgreen

[M016576]

Quote: johnggreen

Job,

Not meaning to nitpik, but a panel mount MX-20 does have a couple of advantages over a handheld; TCAS and panning of weather being two big advantages. In anything larger than a Mooney, a Bonanza for instance, you can also display on-board radar.

The upgraded version, 200 will also support certified TAWS should that be your need.

I am going to upgrade my MX-20 soon and have several options. I would certainly retain the panel mount MFD if that were my only option, but with the offering of the ne GTN-750, I can probably kill two birds with one stone for the same money.

Jgreen