M20E Valuation

[highflyer77]

On 10/22/2025 at 5:14 PM, Jackk said:

Interesting panel

The panel was that way, when I bought the plane. But I really like the redundancies, esp. in the way that it is "dissimmilar redundancy" - e.g. suction driven AI against electric driven... the only thing I would quit is the altimeter on the right side, as I have one at the Aspen and one analog one already. As I don´t need a "bling-bling" cockpit, I  am absolutely happy withe the "steam gauges" installed. Also, when you have all information in an EFIS display (e.g. one G500 or G3x), and it goes dark, you have no information at all, anymore. On the other Hand, I think, that if there is a partially failing on such a system, it needs very deep system understanding to be able to find out what information given on your big display still is trustworthy. I have quite all information redundand but "declogged" on my analog instruments... 

[Greg_D]

On 10/29/2025 at 1:09 AM, highflyer77 said:

Also, when you have all information in an EFIS display (e.g. one G500 or G3x), and it goes dark, you have no information at all, anymore.

Not exactly true! Most installations require some sort of backup.  And while the G5 or GI-275 may be smaller, it has all of the same information as the larger unit and the backup instruments also have their own battery backup.  The example I posted has two separate backups.

 

 

[highflyer77]

Of course, G5 or GI275 are backup´s, but they are similar. Therefore I prefer quite a "wild mix" of instruments/systems. As mentioned earlier, I am planning a panel upgrade, but I am still not sure how to do it. As the GFC 500 seems to be the way I need to go for a modern, capable A/P, I am not quite sure how to upgrade my panel. I really like my Aspen... I heared, that Garmin is in the process to think about making it possible to use the GFC 500 together with the Aspen... this would be my dream coexistence in my cockpit. If not, I need to continue saving money and find another solution ;-) ! Problem is limited space on the panel, But maybe a (used) G500 with GDU 620 could solve this problem... here a idea of a new panel:Panel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdfPanel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdfPanel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdf

[TaildraggerPilot]

The Aspen units don’t hold a candle to the Garmin G3X. Couple that with a G5 (sorry 275 fanboys) and a GFC-500 and you’re done (Except for actual radios / navigators / audio panels / transponders)

[TaildraggerPilot]

On 11/2/2025 at 7:48 AM, highflyer77 said:

Of course, G5 or GI275 are backup´s, but they are similar. Therefore I prefer quite a "wild mix" of instruments/systems. As mentioned earlier, I am planning a panel upgrade, but I am still not sure how to do it. As the GFC 500 seems to be the way I need to go for a modern, capable A/P, I am not quite sure how to upgrade my panel. I really like my Aspen... I heared, that Garmin is in the process to think about making it possible to use the GFC 500 together with the Aspen... this would be my dream coexistence in my cockpit. If not, I need to continue saving money and find another solution ;-) ! Problem is limited space on the panel, But maybe a (used) G500 with GDU 620 could solve this problem... here a idea of a new panel:Panel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdfPanel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdfPanel M20E Entwurf 29.10.2025.pdf

As someone who learned to fly with round dials, foggles and cranked out a LOC BC with NDB radials as step-down fixes/map for my commercial multi rating, I say ditch the “wild mix” and old, obsolete radios (standalone DME, etc). I did something similar like what you are suggesting to my old Comanche and I still regret it to this day, over 15 years after selling it. If you are truly starting from scratch with a completely new / cut panel, forget round holes, for anything.