Cost for an Avionics upgrade

[Buster1]

So in my Mooney research, I have found a few possible planes, but each is lacking a little in the avionics that I think I want.  I know the price for a G530 is around $15k, and an Aspen Pro is $10K.  Can I just purchase these things and have an A&P put them in for labor, or is there more to it?

I'm starting to see that getting the plane the way you want it first, may be cheaper than the upgrade route.

[Parker_Woodruff]

An interesting thing is starting to happen with our airplanes.  While the cost to get the airplane how you want it initially is higher, airplanes with ratty avionics seem to sell at a discount, and modern panels at a premium.

 

Naturally the quality of the panel can often lead to pre-suppositions about the quality of the aircraft in general if someone has spent the money on a new panel.

[Cruiser]

it is called "putting lipstick on ......." Unfortunately many people look at the glitzy new glass panel and don't see the rest of the airplane. All the more reason for a professional pre-purchase inspection.

[N207LS]

What you are looking to do will determine the price...  If you just want to remove 1 old nav/com and replace with a 430 or 530 and new garmin gs/cdi head then your cost is much less.  If you are considering a complete panel redo (new custom fabricated panel, new 430W/530W, new audio panel w/ new intercom jacks, GTX 330 (for TIS feature on 430/530), Aspen, Fuel Flow monitor interfaced with 430/530W, New Engine Analyzer, Voice Annunciator, etc...) then you are looking at something completely different.  If you are considering the former, realize that you will still have an outdated panel with a 430/530 in it (this is what I would consider "lipstick avionics").  It is similar to a poor sand and paint job just to say that a plane has "new paint", or taking the interior out and having it recovered with cheap auto upholstry at a local auto shop and calling it a "new interior".  If you are considering the latter, you will have a true "modern" panel, however your cost will most likely run upward of $25-30k.  I am sure that you can find and A&P to do the work, but the reality is that higher end avionics work is most likely best left in the hands of the true avionics professionals.  With a little bit of research, you can most likely find a top level, somewhat local (very important if you ever have to get work done after the fact) avionics shop.  My avionics shop is about a 45 minute flight and their service after the sale is what keeps me coming back to them.  Their prices were competitive, but not necessarily the cheapest.  Since my panel redo, they have had to make two separate adjustments and replace the audio panel under warranty.  All were at no cost to me, and only having to fly 45 minutes made it quite easy.  Before chooing to redo my panel, I looked at several "newer" Mooney's that had 430 or 530s with an outdated panel and decided that I was better served just re-doing what I had to get exactly what I wanted.  This was more costly, but ultimately I realized that my plane was not going to be for sale anytime soon and that I would just have to "fly the value" out of the electronics.   Best of luck with your decision.

Aaron

[bgpilot1]

Of note, check the VRef values on AOPA and you will see that you won't get your money back from adding a new Garmin or other avionics.  If you plan to keep the plane for a while no big deal, or get the plane at a discount.  The Aspen Pro sells for less but will be closer to 14k installed.  If buying a pre 70s M20, make sure the panel has the space for what you want.  The center stack is limited in space.  The depth at the top is less than what is required for most radios so you will have to move them down - leaving about 1 1/2 inches of clearance.

Barry

[docket]

I did a 530/430/330/347 upgrade in June of this year in my Eagle.  I traded in working and cosmetically clean avionics which consisted of a King GPS, 2 King 155a's, a PS engineering audio panel and a King Digital Transponder.  I upgraded mainly because I wanted GPSS steering and the King GPS did not support that.  I think they gave me $6000 for my old avionics.  In addition Garmin had a promotion at that time that gave me 3000 off at that time because I bought an entire panel.  It was a complete install with all new wiring and the whole deal was $33,000 with tax so without the promotions and the trade in it would have been about $42,000.  I had it done by Avionics Unlimited at KCXO which is a Garmin Dealer and they did a beautiful job and turned it around in two weeks without any squawks.  If any of you are in the Texas area I would recommend them highly.  PS a picture of my panel is in my photo gallery.