Panel mount 796

[bnicolette]

Fellow Mooniacs,

I have been toying with the idea of replacing my 396 with the 796 in my panel.  However, space may be an issue?  Have a look at the picture and see if you think it would be possible to fit the 796 in this panel.  Obviously things would have to be moved.  Does anybody else have the 796 panel mounted that could share a picture?

Thanks,

Brett

[Parker_Woodruff]

The 796 would be neat, but I'd rather have an IFR approved GPS in that panel, especially if you're an instrument rated pilot.  You could clean things up pretty nice on the main radio stack and later have enough room for a 796.  That said, it won't be cheap and I don't know what your existing CDIs are.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Take a look at the panel pics in my photo gallery. I have a 696 mounted in the location your talking about; however, the air gizmo docking station for the 796 is the same footprint.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

[bnicolette]

I couldn't agree more Parker but now is not the time for me to go down that road.  I am holding out for the Avidyne ID540.  I was just thinking that a couple little things could be moved on the right side of this panel to allow room for the 796 but wasn't sure?

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

i had to remoave the dme/adf to make it happen.  i couldnt be happier with the choice.  I now have a 650 which crossfills to the 696.  I didnt like the 796 and went with the 696

[N601RX]

Quote: Bnicolette

Fellow Mooniacs,

I have been toying with the idea of replacing my 396 with the 796 in my panel.  However, space may be an issue?  Have a look at the picture and see if you think it would be possible to fit the 796 in this panel.  Obviously things would have to be moved.  Does anybody else have the 796 panel mounted that could share a picture?

Thanks,

Brett

[bnicolette]

Nick......Funny you should say that about the 796 as I was thinking the same thing and installing the 696 instead as I kind of like having the buttons.

Mike.....I was thinking maybe I could move my intercom controls to the right side of the yoke and even put them vertical if I needed.  I don't need the power port there and the music input can be moved anywhere.  ???? 

 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Bnicolette

I couldn't agree more Parker but now is not the time for me to go down that road.  I am holding out for the Avidyne ID540.  I was just thinking that a couple little things could be moved on the right side of this panel to allow room for the 796 but wasn't sure?

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Brett-

696 is cheaper, doesnt get as hot, and I like the buttons much better in turbulance. Also the xm wx connection plugs directly into the unit which I think is nice when your panel mounting.

[N601RX]

Quote: Bnicolette

Mike.....I was thinking maybe I could move my intercom controls to the right side of the yoke and even put them vertical if I needed.  I don't need the power port there and the music input can be moved anywhere.  ???? 

 

[pjsny78]

Why not just put it on a ram mount on the yoke. That's what I do for my larger 696. It's cross filled to my 530w and even have a deditcated xm radio switch on the panel. it's my fav pice of avionics. It will save you some money on the install cost and all the info is right in your face.

[bnicolette]

Patrick, I can't possibly cover up that beautiful Mooney emblem on my yoke!!!  

I just don't like stuff on my yoke but I certainly understand how nice it is to have it right in front of you.

[pjsny78]

Yeah that's true. My mooney emblem did come off for me to do that. I was never a fan of the older style logo anyways. Now my plane is decked out with the newer logo all over it. 

[bnicolette]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

 If you do your measurements and it looks like it could fit with the transponder still on the right side, here's what I'd do:

- As you wait for the Avidyne ID540, go ahead and get a new audio panel that includes intercom.  PMA8000B or Garmin 340, or similar

- If you still need more room on the right side after removing the intercom....Consider a Garmin SL30, if you budget allows, so that you can ditch the KX-155 or both of the other two radios.  You could then possibly fit the Transponder on the main avionics stack.

Ideally, you end up with this from top to bottom:

PMA8000B/ GMA340, ID540, SL30, Transponder of choice (current one, GTX327, GTX330, etc.)

Right stack:

Garmin 796

[jetdriven]

Brett:

That audio panel wont go any higher. You would have to move everything to the left side to get the 796 to fit. Which means dumping the KNS-80 to make room for the transponder.  You might could swap the COM for a regular KX-155 then you would have all your stuff on the left, and the 796 on the right. Then the iFD-540 would not fit later unless it was your only NAV-COM box, you might could still fit it with the king COM or a SL30.

Our audio panel is lower than yours and there is no room to raise it up.  We dumped the filler panel above the audio panel, and put an Aera 500 in a panel dock there.  Dumped th inop ADF and rounded up all the misc stuff and put it on the top right side.  Swapped the defective Northstar GPS for a King KLN-89B to drive the autopilot.  Before and after is below.

[PTK]

Brett, have you priced the GTN750, with the GMA35, and GTX32 remote tx and ap? This will enable you to keep your 165 as totally independent number 2. It's an excellent radio by the way and I see no need to ditch it. And  get some trade in value for your equipment. It will totally clean up your panel, give you a huge GPS/MFD and leave the entire right stack clean. Check my gallery for pics and pm me if you want for detailed costs.

Since you are buying audio panel tx etc seems logical to consider the remote option.

[skyking1]

I had the same thought but did not know if gizmo had come out with a panel dock yet for the 796? I will check at sun n fun!

 

[Bennett]

Just a few comments re Garmin 696 and 796 panel mounts.  AirGizmos is releasing their 796 panel mount on March 10th, and they are taking pre-orders., I've had lots of conversations with them, and they tell me that the 796 mount fits in the same hole (exactly) as their 696 panel mount.  This is great, since I will replace my 696 with a 796 in the next week or two. There is a photo of the new mount on the AirGizmo web site.  Apparently they have added a button in their mount (the 796 is not as wide as the 696) to turn the unit on and off, and for other functions. After I make the switch I will report back to the forum. 

[bnicolette]

Man.......you guys with these big displays!!!  Just when I think I know which direction I'm going to go........then I get a look at something else, I start trying to justify going that direction.  I love aviation......Aviation is my life......

I'm kinda stuck with the Avidyne which I think I will be more than happy with.  I have an avionics guy coming down to look at my panel next week to see what I should do long term and if a 696/796 will be possible on the right side without having to add anything other than the Avidyne.  If only I didn't have a budget.

Thanks for the input though everybody.  I really appreciate it.

[Txbyker]

Brett,

I went the cheaper mounting route on the yoke.  The 796 comes with the yoke mount.  Notice that the arm goes beneath the yoke.  The mount gives plenty of vieable clearence over the top of the unit.  This picture of the 796 was almost at yoke level.

 

 

[Txbyker]

Brett,

I went the cheaper mounting route on the yoke.

[jetdriven]

Man,  I could not fly with a 796, 696, or a iPad mounted to the yoke.  Then the wires etc going to it.  That must block out a large area of the bottom of the panel and the fuel selector (pre-1978).   Also, can you imaging the injuries during a crash?

[MooneyMitch]

"Also, can you imaging the injuries during a crash?"

Yeah, after the yoke, windshield, and instrument panel was done with you, the 696 might cause some serious problems!! 

[MooneyMitch]

Please ignore my silly posts!  I've been in trouble once already today, so I'm on a roll.