1967 M20F Panel Upgrade

[Sheriff23]

I have a 67 M20F with a 430W, panel mounted Aera 660, Dual G-5s, STEC 60-2, and a EDM-830.

I am planning to upgrade the GPS and autopilot.  I am planning a GFC-500 paired with either a:

- Used GTN-750 (the shop has on a yellow tag)

- New GTN-650xi

Any inputs on the 650xi versus 750?

The shop stated that whether I go with a 750 or 650xi that the GFC-500 will not fit in the stack so they recommend putting it in the bottom right corner of the pilot panel.

Thoughts on panel layout?  The shop provided the last picture as a reference if I go with the 750.   I am not sure I am a fan of breaking up the 6-pack…it would work great with a single 10.6” G3X though. 

Has anyone completed a similar upgrade and where were they able to place the GFC-500 controller?

Thanks!

[Browncbr1]

If you put the Aera in vertical format next to the G5s, it makes a great mfd with backup syn vision.  That frees space to put the gmc in the center stack.  You have no need for a 750 sense you have an Aera..  charts and plates can be used on the Aera and you can get the 650xi and get the glide feature.  IMHO, 750 is not the best use of money and space.  
 

you’ll love the g5/Aera flush mount combo

Edited May 21, 2023 by Browncbr1

[Sheriff23]

14 minutes ago, Browncbr1 said:

If you put the Aera in vertical format next to the G5s, it makes a great mfd with backup syn vision.  That frees space to put the gmc in the center stack.  You have no need for a 750 sense you have an Aera..  charts and plates can be used on the Aera and you can get the 650xi and get the glide feature.  IMHO, 750 is not the best use of money and space.  
 

you’ll love the g5/Aera flush mount combo

I had not thought of that.  If the Aera is aligned next to the G5s then where does the altimeter and VVI move to.  Pretty sure they are still required equipment with the G5s

[Browncbr1]

9 minutes ago, Sheriff23 said:

I had not thought of that.  If the Aera is aligned next to the G5s then where does the altimeter and VVI move to.  Pretty sure they are still required equipment with the G5s

There is enough room to move them right or left of the Aera    You can’t use the air gizmo dock though.  You have to fabricate your own behind panel mount.  You can just make an aluminum bracket to bolt the standard garmin dock to.   It’s tight, but if you reposition your ASI and TC far left as possible, it works

Edited May 21, 2023 by Browncbr1

[DCarlton]

Curious.  How many external GPS antennas do you have now and how many will you have when you are done?  Thanks.

[ArtVandelay]

I would not put the GFC500 on the far right, you’ll want it close at hand, along with the Xi.
If you upgraded to a JPI 900, you could get rid of the legacy engine gauges, that would open up some panel space.

[Sheriff23]

23 minutes ago, DCarlton said:

Curious.  How many external GPS antennas do you have now and how many will you have when you are done?  Thanks.

Two currently and that should be it.

[Sheriff23]

15 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

I would not put the GFC500 on the far right, you’ll want it close at hand, along with the Xi.
If you upgraded to a JPI 900, you could get rid of the legacy engine gauges, that would open up some panel space.

I agree. Ideally I’d place it in the stack above the throttles.  The shop said the audio panel, gfc-500, 650xi, and the Aera 660 would not fit in the center stack. I’m am curious what other people have done. 

[DCarlton]

6 minutes ago, Sheriff23 said:

Two currently and that should be it.

The G5 and XPDR are getting GPS from the 430W?  And the AREA has its own antenna?  

[ArtVandelay]

I agree. Ideally I’d place it in the stack above the throttles.  The shop said the audio panel, gfc-500, 650xi, and the Aera 660 would not fit in the center stack. I’m am curious what other people have done. 

J panel must be slightly larger, I would follow the shop’s recommendation and move the VSI to vacant position and put it there.

[ArtVandelay]

The G5 and XPDR are getting GPS from the 430W?  And the AREA has its own antenna?  

Yes, it’s internal, works fine for me.

[TheAv8r]

The 650XI is the exact same size as the 430W, it's just 1" deeper, so the nice part about that is you don't have to move too many things where you would with a 750. Having used both in the air extensively in other planes, I think the 650 is the better buy, the 750 is more eye-candy then it is function. I use ForeFlight to brief approaches and charts so the 750's not really adding much for me. 

If you got rid of the Aera 660, put the AP above the 650XI, you'd have enough space for the GFC500 control unit underneath the 650 and everything would be in that stack and easily accessible without making modifications to the 6-pack layout you have now that would change your scan.

[Mooney in Oz]

12 hours ago, TheAv8r said:

Having used both in the air extensively in other planes, I think the 650 is the better buy, the 750 is more eye-candy then it is function.

My installer told me the 650 XI internals are exactly the same as the 750 XI internals, except of course for the integrated audio panel.

[ArtVandelay]

My installer told me the 650 XI internals are exactly the same as the 750 XI internals, except of course for the integrated audio panel.

I thought the 750 had more ports (RS232)? I use all 4 of mine in my 650 and could have used more.