GDL88 and GTX330ES Out and GTX345R In?

[RoundTwo]

Is there any logic in swapping out a perfectly good GDL88/GTX330ES combo for a GTX345R connected to a GTN?

Is there any functionality gained, or lost, doing this swap?

On the single point of failure topic, if you were to lose the GTN, would a remote device connected to the XPNDR, still be able to display traffic, and if the optional GPS were installed, have backup GPS for emergency navigation? 
 

[glbtrottr]

I believe and I could be wrong the only function you gain is a higher ceiling cert, ahrs and built in Bluetooth for tablets. Gdl 88 is only up to 18000’. If you don’t fly above 18k, you get zip.

Moreover I don’t think the gtx buys you zip over an old narco or kt 76 beyond more serían ports.


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[RoundTwo]

31 minutes ago, glbtrottr said:

I believe and I could be wrong the only function you gain is a higher ceiling cert, ahrs and built in Bluetooth for tablets. Gdl 88 is only up to 18000’. If you don’t fly above 18k, you get zip.

Moreover I don’t think the gtx buys you zip over an old narco or kt 76 beyond more serían ports.


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I should have better explained the benefits I see as coming from the swap.

1) Remote mounting GTX345R frees up panel space.

2) Eliminating GDL88 frees up 4lbs useful load.

3) Moving GTX345R to the avionics bay counteracts weight loss of rear mounted GDL88.

3) GTX345 w/GPS gives backup GPS accessible from portable device in case GTN dies and you lose primary GPS.

Are there other benefits I’m missing, or are there any drawbacks I’m ignoring?

 

[Schinderhannes]

49 minutes ago, glbtrottr said:

I believe and I could be wrong the only function you gain is a higher ceiling cert, ahrs and built in Bluetooth for tablets. Gdl 88 is only up to 18000’. If you don’t fly above 18k, you get zip.

Moreover I don’t think the gtx buys you zip over an old narco or kt 76 beyond more serían ports.


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The GTX330ES has the same ADSB out capability as the GTX345 - in the above mentioned combination the GDL88 serves only for ADSB in.  

[glbtrottr]

4 lbs of useful load. Gotcha.

Just a thought…

If I have to rely on a portable I sure as heck I’m not going to rely on an alternator / battery situation to get my navigation - all I want is for the engine to turn, everything else becomes portable battery run.

I fly with battery operated iPads, garmin 696’s / 796’s, battery operated scout adsb-in or battery operated gdl 39 3d’s. If my alternator dies taking radios with it, (and it has) - I’m not going to rely on it for navigation. USB connected battery bricks being charged until the main battery dies is what I do.

796/gdl39 with their batteries or
iPad w Scout connected to Mophie large bricks


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[Fly Boomer]

2 minutes ago, glbtrottr said:

4 lbs of useful load. Gotcha.

Just a thought…

If I have to rely on a portable I sure as heck I’m not going to rely on an alternator / battery situation to get my navigation - all I want is for the engine to turn, everything else becomes portable battery run.

I fly with battery operated iPads, garmin 696’s / 796’s, battery operated scout adsb-in or battery operated gdl 39 3d’s. If my alternator dies taking radios with it, (and it has) - I’m not going to rely on it for navigation. USB connected battery bricks being charged until the main battery dies is what I do.

796/gdl39 with their batteries or
iPad w Scout connected to Mophie large bricks


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Lotta juice in those bricks.  I bought one that can start a car engine with a dead battery.  It's somewhat thick and heavy -- about like 2/3 of a carton of cigarettes.  Saw a video where a guy disconnected the battery in his diesel pickup, and this thing started it with no problem.

[glbtrottr]

The GTX330ES has the same ADSB out capability as the GTX345 - in the above mentioned combination the GDL88 serves only for ADSB in.  

You’re right - I forgot.

So Bluetooth and ahrs. I’m other words - nothing short of useful load


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[RoundTwo]

48 minutes ago, glbtrottr said:

4 lbs of useful load. Gotcha.

Just a thought…

If I have to rely on a portable I sure as heck I’m not going to rely on an alternator / battery situation to get my navigation - all I want is for the engine to turn, everything else becomes portable battery run.

I fly with battery operated iPads, garmin 696’s / 796’s, battery operated scout adsb-in or battery operated gdl 39 3d’s. If my alternator dies taking radios with it, (and it has) - I’m not going to rely on it for navigation. USB connected battery bricks being charged until the main battery dies is what I do.

796/gdl39 with their batteries or
iPad w Scout connected to Mophie large bricks


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In this situation I’m not concerned about total loss of electrical system because if that’s the case, then the rest of the flight deck is dark too. This one scenario is limited to the GTN dying by itself, leaving everything else up and running. In that scenario, the remote mounted GTX345 could still supply GPS and traffic information to a portable device for basic navigation. Backup coms would become primary.

[gmonnig]

I basically have the same thing GTN650, GTX33ES, and GDL88. I already had the GDL88 in my airplane so I just removed my GTX327 and added the 33ES. The panel is nice and clean now! I wanted 1090 out for possible Canada, Mexico and Bahamas flying. It wasn't worth the extra money to me to get a new GTX345R. The extras that the 345R offers didn't really make sense for me. Bluetooth, don't really care. Already have ADSB IN on my iPad via Stratus and ADSB IN with the GDL88 on the GTN650. I've heard that the ADAHRS on the 345R isn't nearly as good as the Stratus 3. There's no battery backup if your panel goes dark & that's a big one for me. Since I already have the Stratus remotely mounted with external antennas, i saw no benefits. Maybe someone else can point out other differences. People are also selling these perfectly good GTX330ES and GTX33ES for around $1AMU. So you can go through a few of these before getting up to 345R prices. 

[LANCECASPER]

On 2/8/2023 at 7:47 AM, RoundTwo said:

Is there any logic in swapping out a perfectly good GDL88/GTX330ES combo for a GTX345R connected to a GTN?

Is there any functionality gained, or lost, doing this swap?

On the single point of failure topic, if you were to lose the GTN, would a remote device connected to the XPNDR, still be able to display traffic, and if the optional GPS were installed, have backup GPS for emergency navigation? 
 

That swap would be at the very bottom on the list of things I would consider doing. The GDL88/GTX330ES already give out ads-b out and in.

By the time this combo is ready to be replaced there will be something out there newer and even more capable than the GTX345. On top of that I definitely wouldn't get the GTX345 built-in GPS model and add another GPS antenna to the airplane. The more GPS antennas up there the more chance for interference between them. That model transponder is for people who don't already have a WAAS source.

Take the money that this swap would cost and put it in an airplane reserve account. You can rest assured that you'll need it for something else down the road. 

[RoundTwo]

26 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

Take the money that this swap would cost and put it in an airplane reserve account. You can rest assured that you'll need it for something else down the road. 

One of the few guarantees there are. 

[hammdo]

Are you flying out of the US? (Canada, Mexico, Bahamas). If so you’ll need to swap as the transponder/GDL 88 is not a 1090, it’s 978 - that is required everywhere else. 
 

So, that is a consideration…

 

[RoundTwo]

5 minutes ago, hammdo said:

Are you flying out of the US? (Canada, Mexico, Bahamas). If so you’ll need to swap as the transponder/GDL 88 is not a 1090, it’s 978 - that is required everywhere else. 
 

So, that is a consideration…

 

You are correct that the original GTX 330 is UAT but GTX 330ES is 1090. 

[hammdo]

That is true - missed that…

-Don