Dynon D-1

[Bennett]

Dynon has a new back-up AHRS for about $1425.00 Amazing!,in my opinion. This is a "portable", so you can use it in Certified Aircraft. It mas a miniature AHRS, but uses GPS for altitude and (ground) speed. In a pinch it could be a life saver, and considering my back-up Mid Continent Back-up AI (with battery that won't last as long as the Dynon's) cost over $7,000 installed in my panel, the Dynon unit is a bargain. No, I don't work for Dynon, but I have had their AHRS avionics in my LSA, and they are a great company that up to now only made avionics for the LSA and experimental market. I will definitely buy one of these. Can't wait to get to Oshkosh to see it in use.

[gsengle]

Wow, I cant think of any reason not to get this as a backup!  Anyone have another opinion?  I was going to install a backup in my panel...  I don't like having only one AI...

[1964-M20E]

This is neat.  Maybe for Christmas  I'd have to find a place for "temporary installation". Yeah one more GPS reciever in the plane this would make 4 but I know some of you out there have more than that.

[carusoam]

Sounds better than a back-up vacuum system and an electric turn coordinator...

But can it help you with standard rate turns?

-a-

[jetdriven]

Therfe is no need in the US IFR system for standard rate turns.  The FAA said so in their AC regarding substituting turn coordinators for attitude indicators. In jets, bank 30 degrees.  In these Mooney planes, at 150 knots groundspeed, bank 23 degrees. At 100 knots groundspeed, bank 17 degrees.

[M016576]

Quote: jetdriven

Therfe is no need in the US IFR system for standard rate turns.  The FAA said so in their AC regarding substituting turn coordinators for attitude indicators. In jets, bank 30 degrees.  In these Mooney planes, at 150 knots groundspeed, bank 23 degrees. At 100 knots groundspeed, bank 17 degrees.

[Bennett]

Pirep: I saw the Dynon D-1 at Oshkosh and ordered one. The screen size is about the same as the Evolution top half, and about the same presentation of data. (except as a portable, the altimeter is GPS derived as is (ground) speed. It is a portable, with several mounting options. One is a RAM suction mount that could go on a side window with a longer RAM shaft, or I am thinking about a permanent disk on the bottom side of the glareshield to allow for the suction bottom of the furnished RAM mount. It also comes with a flat plate that the unit snaps in and out of, and could be Velcroed to a panel for those who have room. The cleverest mounting option that comes with the unit is a device that literally snaps into an empty 3 1/8" hole and holds the unit. This is really pushing the "portable" aspect, but would really make a great mounting place (if you have an empty hole). I wouldn't want to fly an approach with it, except in a true emergency, but it could be a real life saver if you had to descend through clouds to get to VFR conditions. As soon as I receive it, I will figure out a good place to mount it, and post photos.

[PilotDerek]

Quote: Bennett

Pirep: I saw the Dynon D-1 at Oshkosh and ordered one. The screen size is about the same as the Evolution top half, and about the same presentation of data. (except as a portable, the altimeter is GPS derived as is (ground) speed. It is a portable, with several mounting options. One is a RAM suction mount that could go on a side window with a longer RAM shaft, or I am thinking about a permanent disk on the bottom side of the glareshield to allow for the suction bottom of the furnished RAM mount. It also comes with a flat plate that the unit snaps in and out of, and could be Velcroed to a panel for those who have room. The cleverest mounting option that comes with the unit is a device that literally snaps into an empty 3 1/8" hole and holds the unit. This is really pushing the "portable" aspect, but would really make a great mounting place (if you have an empty hole). I wouldn't want to fly an approach with it, except in a true emergency, but it could be a real life saver if you had to descend through clouds to get to VFR conditions. As soon as I receive it, I will figure out a good place to mount it, and post photos.

[Bennett]

Quote: PilotDerek

Of course, as an uncertified piece of equipment, I wouldn't really want to fly an approach with it either (I've ordered mine as an alternative to installing a 2nd certified AI in an open hole as a backup, having had my flight director get lazy and roll over in flight) but....

I'm curious as to whether you think the core feature, the attitude indication, is really less acurate/reliable than our certified gear?

[PilotDerek]

Quote: Bennett

Of course, as an uncertified piece of equipment, I wouldn't really want to fly an approach with it either (I've ordered mine as an alternative to installing a 2nd certified AI in an open hole as a backup, having had my flight director get lazy and roll over in flight) but....

I'm curious as to whether you think the core feature, the attitude indication, is really less acurate/reliable than our certified gear?  For me the other elements like speed, altitude are gravy - for me this is primarially a backup for a spinning gyro which is prone to failure.  The rest is also available on my 530...

And assuming that the AI portion works really well, would it really be a big deal to use to fly an approach if needed for the failure of the primary AI?  Actually I'm comfortable flying an approach without the AI if necessary; but often the trick in IMC is recognizing the AI failure before it becomes a unusual attitude - so the crosscheck is super valueable!

......................................................................................................................................

I think that the Dynon D-1 will provide a perfectly good attitude indication.  I've had Dynon glass screens in my LSA and the AI function was as good as any I have used.  The unit has a set up routine to get the horizon level, and once this is done all else seems to work fine. The rate of turn indication on the D-1 is very responsive, as is pitch and roll.  I woiuld have no issue using it in IMC if my primary AI failed.  To be fair, the D-1 is a back-up to a back-up.  I have a Mid Continent electic AI with battery back-up, but we all know that Murphy is an optimist.  When things go to hell, everything seems to fail at the same time.  The D-1 is, in my opinion, cheap insurance when it comes to AI failures in IMC.  I've had two instances of vacuum pump failure in actual, and I am wary.  The GPS altitude and ground speed tapes are nice, in that in an emergency, all data is in one place.  It is doubtful that one would lose the pitot static system at the same time, but stuff happens, and the D-1 gives you a place to concentrate on.  Recognizing AI failure can be a problem if the vacuum system winds down slowly.  I find myself cross checking the vacuum AI with the electric AI even in VFR conditions.  Nice to see agreement.

[Bennett]

The problem with multiple vacuum pumps is that the tubing and fittings can break or come loose which a substitute pump can't fix. Also the vacuum AI can fail if the filter doesn't trap parts of the failed pump.

[PilotDerek]

Quote: Bennett

The problem with multiple vacuum pumps is that the tubing and fittings can break or come loose which a substitute pump can't fix. Also the vacuum AI can fail if the filter doesn't trap parts of the failed pump.  I've had the vacuum AI itself fail that way (expensive to repair). The Mid-Continent electric AI is a great unit, with its battery back-up, and if I had not seen the Dynon D-1 I woud have no problem with it as the "perfect" back-up.  When I saw the Dynon D-1 it became apparent to me that having all the pertinent information in one place was a great idea - sort of a "poor man's" Evolution.  Sure, it shows GPS speed and altitude, but this is good enough in a true emergency and a lot better than nothing at all.  Cost is relative. Compare the D-1 with L-3's (certified) Trilogy of about the same size. The Trilogy 2000 (the battery back-up version with a one hour battery life) sells for about $13,000+ plus installation, or well more than twelve times (installed) the $1425 cost of the D-1 which requires no installation.

[fantom]

The new RCA Allen 2600 series digital AI is most impressive. 5 or 6 hours of backup power, optional inclinometer, 2 or 3 inch sizes, and about $2500 plus several hours installation. With a Garmin 496 or Area for a backup panel you have a wonderful emergency backup.

[Bennett]

I hadn't seen the R.C.Allen unit before. Great value, and with the inclinometer, it could replace the Turn Coordinator. Much less expensive than the Mid-Continent unit I have. Hard to keep up with the newest avionics, but I am glad to see so much competition, and "reasonable" pricing. All in all, I think we are seeing a great trend here with inexpensive "portable" solid state AHRSs, and iPad programs.

[PilotDerek]

Quote: Bennett

I hadn't seen the R.C.Allen unit before. Great value, and with the inclinometer, it could replace the Turn Coordinator. Much less expensive than the Mid-Continent unit I have. Hard to keep up with the newest avionics, but I am glad to see so much competition, and "reasonable" pricing. All in all, I think we are seeing a great trend here with inexpensive "portable" solid state AHRSs, and iPad programs.

[BorealOne]

Keep us posted - I too was looking at the RC Allen to replace my failing electric gyro standby AI, but the Dynon appears to be a more impressive unit at lower cost. 

[DaV8or]

Quote: Bennett

[Bennett]

Not sure that the D-1 is a good candidate for an Air Gizmo(recessed)mount. There are buttons on the top and both sides, and I would think that snapping the unit in and out to get to the buttons would be a pain. It would be easy to use the surface mount, or better yet, if you have an empty 3 1/8" hole, use the snap in unit furnished, and this would leave the unit right at the surface of the panel where the buttons would be easily accessible.

My dealer called and said he has my unit. I will pick it up next week and do a pirep.

[m20exec]

Quote: DaV8or

BTW- this thing looks Gizmo ready!!

[jackn]

I'll prob go with the Levil Tech AHRS unit, when the new iPad mini comes out. The current iPad w/WingX is just too big in my opinion.

[PilotDerek]

G, 

Look at your log in name. You've been bugged. You posted three times under my profile. None of the above posts are from me.

[Gilt]

I have a mini ADI ( noncert ), in a pinch it would keep the greasy side down. However, had problems with vibration with it...so placement is very important with these portable ADI's.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Bennett

Not sure that the D-1 is a good candidate for an Air Gizmo(recessed)mount. There are buttons on the top and both sides, and I would think that snapping the unit in and out to get to the buttons would be a pain. It would be easy to use the surface mount, or better yet, if you have an empty 3 1/8" hole, use the snap in unit furnished, and this would leave the unit right at the surface of the panel where the buttons would be easily accessible. My dealer called and said he has my unit. I will pick it up next week and do a pirep.

[Gilt]

This is what I got awhile back... Pcflightsystems.com.  I have the egyro2

[fantom]

Quote: Bennett

I hadn't seen the R.C.Allen unit before. Great value, and with the inclinometer, it could replace the Turn Coordinator. Much less expensive than the Mid-Continent unit I have. Hard to keep up with the newest avionics, but I am glad to see so much competition, and "reasonable" pricing. All in all, I think we are seeing a great trend here with inexpensive "portable" solid state AHRSs, and iPad programs.