Help Me Pick and Avionics Shop

[docket]

I am trying to pick an avionics shop to do my upgrade on my Mooney. I am putting in the G600 and upgrading the autopilot to an STEC 55x. My choices are (a) Avionics Unlimited in Conroe, Texas -- they already did work for me and did a great job but it has taken a month just to get an estimate for the work -- I am concerned that they may be too busy; ( SelectAvionics in McKinney, Texas who have a good website and seem eager to do the work; and © SarasotaAvionics in Florida who seems to be the biggest retailer is this type of stuff.

As for the cost Avionics Unlimited and Select Avionics were within a few bucks of each other so the price differential does not seem to be all that different -- albeit the Select Avionics proposal includes making a new panel just to neaten everything up. I like the responsiveness of these guys at Select Avionics because they seem eager to get the work. Sarasota was the highest and it will be a considerable additional expense and effort to get it to them. I think Sarasota is not seriously in the running. Everyone seems to think 3 to 4 weeks to knock it out.

Thus, what I am looking for with this posting is any experience that any of you have had with any of these companies.

[LuvFlying]

I've heard that Gann at 9A5 La Fayette GA does excellent work for decent price. Chris (Mooney205KD,  the former owner of my bird, had them install an Aspen and a G530W and a new panel layout. He (and I) are quite happy with the results.  He has pics in his gallery of the upgrade work

Quote: mooney205kd

Gann Aviation in LaFayette (luh-FAY-it), Georgia  - 9A5 identifier - did my install in February of this year.

I highly recommend Gann.  Excellent workmanship, great personal service.  Tim Mathison is the avionics tech, 706-638-7921.

[The-sky-captain]

Docket- For what it's worth, Sarasota Avionics did the install on my 430 and STEC. I bought my plane in Florida so at the time it was convenient to have it done there before being delivered. They did great work, were on schedule and have provided great customer service after the install. I have had a few questions thoughout the last year or so and the owner, Kirk, is always very responsive. I do agree they seem to run a little on the high side pricing wise. I hope this helps, good luck in your search.

[jrjaks]

Ditto The-Sky-Captain, I had Sarasota Avionics upgrade my Gx-60 to a 430W just before Thanksgiving.  They were exactly on with their estimate, (no surprise charges), and finished the work on time.  They were also less expensive compared to the other estimates I got.

[231Pilot]

My 430 was done by Lone Star, my WSI and MX20 were installed by Epps in Atlanta.  Both were good, I have also had very good luck with Bondurant at KOLV, just south of Memphis.  If I had to choose, I'd see what Bondurant is able to do, excellant work, reasonable prices.

[Parker_Woodruff]

I've heard good words about both of the TX shops in question.  If you decide to go to McKinney, let me know.  I'm going to be in Addison and Fort Worth at least 2-3 times between now and February.

Also I'm getting my panel redone in Addison at a newer shop up there.  They are pretty small but they've matched a quote on what I wanted done at Hartsell Avionics in Tyler.  Reason I chose them is they are closer to Waco than Tyler and a CFI friend of mine works for the charter company that owns the shop.

I saw they did a good job on a couple Aspen installs.  I'll be going G500, GNS430W, SL30, GDL69.  Got a good deal on an installed price in contract.  I don't know about their autopilot work though.

[docket]

Parker, thanks.  I am pretty sure that I am going to have Select Avionics do the install.  I flew up there on Monday and met the guys (Jerry and Greg) and they run a nice clean shop and seem interested in getting the work.  I liked their attitude that they would do what it takes to make it easy like running me down to KDAL to return to Houston.  Nonetheless, I think what really sold me on the place is that Greg has a beautiful 1977 A36 with a complete panel that he had fabricated that looks as nice as anything an OEM would do.  If you didn't know how the panel was originally configured one would never know that it was a new panel.  That same vendor is going to fabricate my new panel.

In any event, and I want to make this clear since I like Johnny and Gina Blain a lot, I previously had a very good experience with Avionics Unlimited in Conroe.  I would certainly use them again but I think they are either too busy or not interested in doing the work.  Reinforcing this thought I flew the plane up there on November 27th and it took until December 10th/15th before I received an estimate which was pretty astounding to me -- especially since this is a high labor job.  After asking some questions about the estimate (I wanted to install an L-3 Trilogy as well) it has been pretty silent and I am tired of waiting.  But don't get me wrong -- they are a great shop -- just too busy and I am not calling them back.

On that note, my calls to various shops in December to get estimates on this job were interesting.  The more experienced the shop in a G500/600 install the less they generally quoted.  Conversely, I had a few shops that are Garmin dealers that seemed to be asking me questions about the G500/600 which was a big turnoff.  While I know that there are lots of places to get avionics work done I have also been astounded at how poor the customer interface can be with some of these companies.  I never like dealing with any company that is difficult to get a return call from.  And, perhaps most notably, I am not going with the cheapest quote; to the contrary, I am going with the one that seems most interested in communicating with me about the process.

When it is done in about 6 weeks from now I will post my experience with Select Avionics.

 

[docket]

PS.  I posted a photoshopped picture of what the panel should look like after the upgrade in my gallery.  I will have a BFG 950 Stormscope, a Garmin 106 CDI, an STEC 180 HSI and a VSI to get rid of in about 6 weeks if any of you want these items let me know before they end up on Ebay.

[docket]

The Eagle will be landing in Mckinney on Monday for the install of the G500 and the STEC 55X.  I will let everyone know if I chose wisely. 

[docket]

I am in the process of doing the G500 upgrade.  I just thought I would post the photo of where we are at one week into the job.  This shop, Select Avionics, seems to be moving very quickly.

[docket]

I am getting close to the end.  I have not seen the plane in person but the photos make it look like they have done a very good job.  One thing which really made the install look right was they made an entirely new panel, painted it to match and silk screened all of the required markings on the new panel.  I hope to be flying it out of there on Friday and I will report how it performs with a new autopilot and the G500.  While it was there I also had the 696 flush mounted.

 

[FlyingAggie]

Very nice!  Who is doing the work?

Quote

: docket

I am getting close to the end.  I have not seen the plane in person but the photos make it look like they have done a very good job.  One thing which really made the install look right was they made an entirely new panel, painted it to match and silk screened all of the required markings on the new panel.  I hope to be flying it out of there on Friday and I will report how it performs with a new autopilot and the G500.  While it was there I also had the 696 flush mounted.

 

[docket]

Select Avionics in McKinney, Texas

[KSMooniac]

Docket, please post if/when you're headed to McKinney.  That is my hometown, and I might be going back for a visit Friday evening or Saturday AM.  It would be great to meet you and see your baby if the timing is good!

[fantom]

Careful Scott, that visit could cost you ;-)

[KSMooniac]

I'm currently getting a 330ES installed after my original KT76 (not the A, even) threw craps a few weeks ago.  I will have no money left for a G500!  I'm also telling myself I'll be good and pay off the plane before throwing money into a G500 or Aspen...hopefully I'll listen to myself too.  Like computers, there are cost advantages to waiting on stuff like this, so I'm content for now.

[docket]

I wish I could have held off longer but I am a techno geek and unfortunately the kind of guy that needs to be the first on the block.

[docket]

Quote: KSMooniac

Docket, please post if/when you're headed to McKinney.  That is my hometown, and I might be going back for a visit Friday evening or Saturday AM.  It would be great to meet you and see your baby if the timing is good!

[KSMooniac]

I understand how you feel.  I'm getting a GTX-330ES installed this week, and I called late yesterday to check.  They said it was done except for the paperwork, and then he started telling me about the neat voice features of the -328.  I said "you mean the -330?" and he went OOPS.  I haven't heard anything today, so I suspect there is more than simply sliding the -330 in the new tray...I bet they have to change some of the wiring.  I still hope they finish today so I can fly this weekend.

[docket]

I picked up 56FM a week ago and she had a few squawks.  I took her back to Select Avionics and they have knocked out all of the squawks except for one which should be pretty simple to finish (the OAT temp probe needs to be relocated as it is reading erroneously because of the proximity to the exhaust).  These guys at Select Avionics were good to deal with and seem like they want to get it right.  I have heard a lot of stories about the success of various shops in putting in these G500 systems and I think I came out on the better side of the curve -- albeit I would love to one day pick up a plane from the shop and have everything perfect the moment I arrive.

[Buster1]

Looks great!  How do you like the 696 flush mounted vs angle?

[KSMooniac]

BEAUTIFUL!

[docket]

Quote: Buster1

Looks great!  How do you like the 696 flush mounted vs angle?

[vicelong]

Hi,

I'm a owner of a M0J and I'ld like tom installa a used STEC55x but I'm not able to find the TSC (Stec ask a lot of money) and the supports .

Can someone help me?

Vic