Best value in autopilot for M20 E?

[Clrd4appch]

No electric trim so wondering if all the wizardry of a GFC500 is worth it?  Maybe a Tru Trak?  Or even an STEC 30?  We have WAAS on board so will want GPSS. Has anybody studied the cost/benefit of the options?  Thoughts? Thanks!

[McMooney]

I'm still thinking the trutrak is the absolute best value, 90% capability of the others, much cheaper.

so i had this plan, if  trutrak came out before i purchased a g5/gi-275, i'd install trutrak. 

 

sometime in the next two weeks, I'll have a pair of g5's installed and while technically trutrak was first, you still can't get one.

so now, that i'll have prereqs for a gfc-500,  i'm in the same boat, trutrak or gfc500.  

personally, i'm hoping the perfectly working brittain sticks around for a few years more, as in 10, so i don't have to make a choice.

what i'd like to know, what is the install estimate for the gfc500 once you have the underlying components.  if it's still 20k+ no question, trutrak.

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Clrd4appch said:

No electric trim so wondering if all the wizardry of a GFC500 is worth it?  Maybe a Tru Trak?  Or even an STEC 30?  We have WAAS on board so will want GPSS. Has anybody studied the cost/benefit of the options?  Thoughts? Thanks!

Show us your current panel now and it's easier to make a recommendation

[ArtVandelay]

what i'd like to know, what is the install estimate for the gfc500 once you have the underlying components.  if it's still 20k+ no question, trutrak.

$15k for 3 servos would be a good estimate, there’s a lot of labor, don’t forget about the time to remove the old equipment.

[Clrd4appch]

Actually, in doing rudimentary research, I think the GFC500 is the only currently produced AP with the M20E STC. This sound right?

[Utah20Gflyer]

I don’t believe anyone has successfully installed a trutrak in a Mooney, with the exception of maybe the airplane that was used to certify it.  If you can make it happen there are many people here who want to find out how you got your hands on one, including me.  

[Hank]

14 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

I don’t believe anyone has successfully installed a trutrak in a Mooney, with the exception of maybe the airplane that was used to certify it.  If you can make it happen there are many people here who want to find out how you got your hands on one, including me.  

Me too!! It's time to upgrade my Brittain, for less than the value of my C!

[Ragsf15e]

On 2/23/2023 at 5:07 AM, Clrd4appch said:

Actually, in doing rudimentary research, I think the GFC500 is the only currently produced AP with the M20E STC. This sound right?

Theoretically, the truetrac is also certified for you, but they are unobtainable.  Your best bet is probably a gfc500.  You can do a pretty minimal install if you want and leave out trim and yaw damper.   You will need at least one g5, gi275, or g3x to run it.  It’s probably your best bet for long term support too based on king vs garmin.

The older STEC models cost more and are generally not worth purchasing new.

[DRH4249]

I have an S-TEC 50 in my F model with GPSS. It was in the airplane when I bought it; it seems to work very well so far, but it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other auto pilots. Hopefully I didn't just jinx it.