Panel nearing completion

[ArtVandelay]

I chose the G3X over the G500 TXi for a greater degree of customization. The G3X allows a great deal of flexibility in screen configuration(s) and its integration with the GFC500 is great as the systems were intended to be used together. I was going to go with a 7” screen on the right side but chose to go big or go home. 
 
Partial panel IFR will be a piece of cake with this setup.

Does the 2nd G3X have it’s own AHRS?

[hubcap]

6 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

Does the 2nd G3X have it’s own AHRS?

Negative. It uses the same one as the other screen, and the internal GPS on the G3X is not legal for IFR.

[Pinecone]

I am finalizing my plans for my panel.

It looks like I am going with a 10" G3X and GFC-500.  Keeping my G-5 for backup.  Keeping my 650Xi for second radio and adding at 750Xi as primary.  I may keep my GTX-345 or go remote with it.

I decided to go PS Engineering on the audio panel.

For the right side, I will have the mount for an AERA 760.  I would like a 7" G3X screen, but stretching the budget already.

[kortopates]

On 4/24/2023 at 10:58 AM, Pinecone said:

I am finalizing my plans for my panel.

It looks like I am going with a 10" G3X and GFC-500.  Keeping my G-5 for backup.  Keeping my 650Xi for second radio and adding at 750Xi as primary.  I may keep my GTX-345 or go remote with it.

I decided to go PS Engineering on the audio panel.

For the right side, I will have the mount for an AERA 760.  I would like a 7" G3X screen, but stretching the budget already.

I don't think the center radio stack with the GTN 750 + 650 + GFC-500 will fit if you add the PS Eng audio panel on top, but it all fits fine with the Garmin integrated audio panel and it has a similar feature set including Intellivoice. I did already have my Mooney annunciator moved to the right  from a previous upgrade and not sure if that is still really necessary with the GTN stack.

Some people are placing the AP at the top of the stack, but with all the knob twisting I do on it for the Hdg and Alt bugs I am glad I have it on the bottom. But that is more a personal preference thing.

[natdm]

This thread is getting me anxious to "finish" my panel. I went through a mechanic that didn't do so well and the newer panel has a lot of "bugs" that need to get sorted out. Hopefully at the end of May or June, I'll be flying again with some upgrades.

Dual G3X's in a Mooney has me salivating.

[natdm]

On 4/24/2023 at 10:58 AM, Pinecone said:

I am finalizing my plans for my panel.

It looks like I am going with a 10" G3X and GFC-500.  Keeping my G-5 for backup.  Keeping my 650Xi for second radio and adding at 750Xi as primary.  I may keep my GTX-345 or go remote with it.

I decided to go PS Engineering on the audio panel.

For the right side, I will have the mount for an AERA 760.  I would like a 7" G3X screen, but stretching the budget already.

Any chance you would consider 345R and GMA35 to get the most use out of your 750 and save some room? I've only got a 650 but when I tack on a 750, that's the goal.

[Marc_B]

54 minutes ago, kortopates said:

I don't think the center radio stack with the GTN 750 + 650 + GFC-500 will fit if you add the PS Eng audio panel on top

@Pinecone I ran into this with my panel.  Depending on your top panel support bar (flat cookie cutter vs round tube) you may have enough for annunciator, GTN750+650, and GMC507 control head.  However I had a dual row annunciator and have the round tube on top as well as bottom.  So didn't have enough space for GTNs, GFC500, and original annunciator, let alone an audio panel.  I have the GMA35 remote audio panel and have really enjoyed it.  Plus that allows the audio panel "in the radio stack" hidden behind the GTN750.

I worked with International Avionics for a replacement annunciator that was single row and only conserved the indications that I still needed (no long had vacc system, didn't need Remote RNAV light, etc.) and was able to pare down to a single row annunciator.  A single row annunciator "just" fit in the stack along with the radios and AP controller.  No extra room at all...snug as a glove.

I previously had a GTX330ES and have it at the bottom of the copilot side...part of me thinks I should have traded in for a remote version...but part of me likes having a simple way to work the transponder with formation flights/flying with a copilot to just push VFR, etc.

[Pinecone]

3 hours ago, natdm said:

Any chance you would consider 345R and GMA35 to get the most use out of your 750 and save some room? I've only got a 650 but when I tack on a 750, that's the goal.

I am getting a price for swapping my 345 for a 345R. 

My plan is to put the autopilot controller outside the stack like I have seen several installs.  Especially since I found out you can use the autopilot knobs like the remote knob panel for the G500TXi.

 

My annunciater panel is only a single row.  But I think I may be able to delete it, with just a couple of warning lights along the top of the left side panel

 

[rbp]

39 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

I am getting a price for swapping my 345 for a 345R. 

My plan is to put the autopilot controller outside the stack like I have seen several installs.  Especially since I found out you can use the autopilot knobs like the remote knob panel for the G500TXi.

 

My annunciater panel is only a single row.  But I think I may be able to delete it, with just a couple of warning lights along the top of the left side panel

 

the remote TXP and Audio Panel for the 750 are great. much better to use the stack space for the 507 Mode Controller (for the GFC500)

[ArtVandelay]

I am getting a price for swapping my 345 for a 345R. 
My plan is to put the autopilot controller outside the stack like I have seen several installs.  Especially since I found out you can use the autopilot knobs like the remote knob panel for the G500TXi.
 
My annunciater panel is only a single row.  But I think I may be able to delete it, with just a couple of warning lights along the top of the left side panel
 

The GFC500 controller is not like a typical avionics box, it’s only like 2” deep, no rack needed. I’d recommend keeping on lower right side, very handy place to put it.

[hubcap]

3 hours ago, Pinecone said:

I am getting a price for swapping my 345 for a 345R. 

 

I believe you can eliminate the 345 altogether and use the G3X for the audio panel function…if that would free up enough real estate on the panel to make a difference. It may require giving up some functionality that you need….check with your installer.

[Pinecone]

1 hour ago, ArtVandelay said:

The GFC500 controller is not like a typical avionics box, it’s only like 2” deep, no rack needed. I’d recommend keeping on lower right side, very handy place to put it.

My thoughts, but maybe higher, so easier to use it to set heading bug and altitude

[Pinecone]

1 hour ago, hubcap said:

I believe you can eliminate the 345 altogether and use the G3X for the audio panel function…if that would free up enough real estate on the panel to make a difference. It may require giving up some functionality that you need….check with your installer.

345 is transponder.

But, AFAIK, you need the remote audio panel, even with the G3X. The audio panel can be controlled form the G3X, but the G3X does not have the inputs and outputs and switches to do the job.

[hubcap]

44 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

345 is transponder.

But, AFAIK, you need the remote audio panel, even with the G3X. The audio panel can be controlled form the G3X, but the G3X does not have the inputs and outputs and switches to do the job.

Oops…my mistake. 

[Fly Boomer]

2 hours ago, Pinecone said:

345 is transponder.

GTX-345 is a transponder.  GMA-345 is an audio panel.

[Mooney in Oz]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

My thoughts, but maybe higher, so easier to use it to set heading bug and altitude

I asked my installer what other owners of any aircraft type preferred. He said generally current or former airline pilots preferred up top and others preferred down low.

My preference is of course up top, not only because I’m used to it, but I also find it ergonomically comfortable as per @Pinecone’s reasoning.

Personal preference.

[ArtVandelay]

I think the key aspect of the layout should be everything you interact with should be in easy reach of right hand. You’re left hand is busy flying the plane, then the transponder, engine monitor can be in right stack.

[kortopates]

I asked my installer what other owners of any aircraft type preferred. He said generally current or former airline pilots preferred up top and others preferred down low.
My preference is of course up top, not only because I’m used to it, but I also find it ergonomically comfortable as per [mention=50295]Pinecone[/mention]’s reasoning.
Personal preference.

I think you nailed it. Mooney installed all the AP at the bottom, so those of us used to that after decades of use probably would find it odd to have to reach up. But if that is what you’re used to, familiarity is key.
With the new GFC AP’s there is much more interaction with heading and alt bugs than ever before making easy access even more important.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pinecone]

14 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

GTX-345 is a transponder.  GMA-345 is an audio panel.

OK, we need to be more specific then.

I don't know the Garmin audio panel products as well, as I was planning on going PS Engineering.

[Pinecone]

2 hours ago, kortopates said:

I think you nailed it. Mooney installed all the AP at the bottom, so those of us used to that after decades of use probably would find it odd to have to reach up. But if that is what you’re used to, familiarity is key.
With the new GFC AP’s there is much more interaction with heading and alt bugs than ever before making easy access even more important.

My KAP-150 is installed low in the stack.  But the KAS-297B is installed high in the top row of instruments.  So the buttons are low, but the knobs are up high.

I looked at a G500TXi setup, because you can add the small panel with the knobs were you want.  But finding out that the knobs on the GFC-500 serve the same purpose, I went back to the idea of the G3X.  I just wish they would announce a G3Xi, BEFORE I do my panel.  Maybe Oshkosh?????

[ArtVandelay]

My KAP-150 is installed low in the stack.  But the KAS-297B is installed high in the top row of instruments.  So the buttons are low, but the knobs are up high.
I looked at a G500TXi setup, because you can add the small panel with the knobs were you want.  But finding out that the knobs on the GFC-500 serve the same purpose, I went back to the idea of the G3X.  I just wish they would announce a G3Xi, BEFORE I do my panel.  Maybe Oshkosh?????

I hear they’re waiting for you to finish. ;-)

[hubcap]

2 hours ago, Pinecone said:

My KAP-150 is installed low in the stack.  But the KAS-297B is installed high in the top row of instruments.  So the buttons are low, but the knobs are up high.

I looked at a G500TXi setup, because you can add the small panel with the knobs were you want.  But finding out that the knobs on the GFC-500 serve the same purpose, I went back to the idea of the G3X.  I just wish they would announce a G3Xi, BEFORE I do my panel.  Maybe Oshkosh?????

I also looked at the G500TXi but prefer the G3X for its ability to customize the information displayed.

[Pinecone]

4 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

I hear they’re waiting for you to finish. ;-)

Probably  :D:D

[hubcap]

7 hours ago, Pinecone said:

OK, we need to be more specific then.

I don't know the Garmin audio panel products as well, as I was planning on going PS Engineering.

I have the GMA 345 audio panel which is the reason I originally thought that is what you were referring to.

[Schllc]

On 4/26/2023 at 3:46 PM, Pinecone said:

I am getting a price for swapping my 345 for a 345R. 

My plan is to put the autopilot controller outside the stack like I have seen several installs.  Especially since I found out you can use the autopilot knobs like the remote knob panel for the G500TXi.

 

My annunciater panel is only a single row.  But I think I may be able to delete it, with just a couple of warning lights along the top of the left side panel

 

You can likely sell the 345 for close what they cost new.  Last time I checked you can’t get a new one for over six months.  I paid 7k for a remote version used a few months ago.