need Avionics advice

[Glenn]

Everyone seems to like to bash Garmin, and it is understandable for those with a short memory.  But if it was not for Garmin would others have developed an integrated color, moving map GPS at a price-point suitable for single engine general aviation?  The 430 did not have much competition for a long time. How about XM radar?  Garmin's innovation has greatly increased the utility of light GA.  I contend that they are now in a competitive environment, but they are not villeins.  Others may differ...and I am sure that they will.

[Cruiser]

Glenn,

 

It is a natural reaction for people to express contempt, frustration, dislike, anger etc. when they know they are taken advantage of. Garmin found itself in a league of their own (by accident or foresight, doesn't matter) and exploited that position at the expense of their customers.  Many others have taken the same road, greed is a natural human trait. Fortunately there is very little customer loyalty because of these tactics.

[Bob_Belville]

Bob, that is the best panel mod I have seen on a classic Mooney, congratulations. Does the 930 has some form of aural alarm to alert you for an out of range indication? Two weeks ago I flew a TLS with the 930 on the right side but it was kind of difficult for me to read the EGT temps due to the text small font, so I mostly relied on the old TIT/CHT gauges on the pilot side. Not familiar with the 930, but can the text font be made bigger? I am planning on replacing my curremt EI EGT/CHT gauge with the 700 EDM gauge on my M20J, no room for the 930.

 

José 

Jose, thanks for the nice words. This '66E was low time and highly modified when I bought it 18 months ago. It made sense to me to redo the panel for my pleasure and safety for the rest of my flying career.

 

The small remote display above the Aspen will flash any parameter that is out of the green. (It routinely displays RPM & MP)

The digital temps displays are a little small but using the STEP or SCAN modes puts each temp, etc in the larger type below the graphs. My vision is not the greatest but even where I have the 930 has not been an issue. I put it there and after 50+ hours I would not change anything. The 696 is moving map backup and a great place to pull up airport info.

[Bob_Belville]

I was under the impression that Garmin's aviation products are not all that profitable. That that part of their business is being carried by the much higher volume, less technically critical, markets where product liability has to be dramatically different. Not true? 

[Jimfinleysr]

This has been a very interesting and informative discussion gentlemen.

After 20 wonderful seasons w/my B55 Baron I reluctantly relinquished her to someone who doesn't mind the 30 gal/hr fuel burn.

Currently I'm looking for an E or F Model w/that elusive combination of best equipment/bang for the buck-but isn't everyone?

A partnership would be nice!

Jim in ATL

[Piloto]

This has been a very interesting and informative discussion gentlemen.

After 20 wonderful seasons w/my B55 Baron I reluctantly relinquished her to someone who doesn't mind the 30 gal/hr fuel burn.

Currently I'm looking for an E or F Model w/that elusive combination of best equipment/bang for the buck-but isn't everyone?

A partnership would be nice!

Jim in ATL

Jim you are not the only one. My hangar neighbor has a B58 and a C-172 for checking on his marina business on the Keys. The B58 became a hangar queen on sale while the C-172 is his work horse. With AVGAS prices comming to $10/gal I don't see how can you justify economically flying a twin.

 

José 

[Cruiser]

from Gamin's 2Q 2013 report July 31, 2013

 

Aviation

2nd Quarter Business Review

• Revenue growth of 16% with OEM and aftermarket contributing

• Operating income flat as we invested an additional $8 million in R&D that will provide long-term benefit

Market/Product Update

• G5000 certifications are nearing completion

• Expect growth in 2013 and 2014 driven by OEM

 

from their 2012 Annual report:

Garmin's operating income was 72 million on revenues 292 million or about 25% margin from the aviation division which amounts to 12% of their income from 11% of their revenue. The largest division (automotive) operates on about 14% margin. Why so much more from aviation? Because they can............

[benpilot]

 

This is quite a good thread since I am looking at my first plane and 90% of the affordable aircraft under 100k (my budget) have ancient rotting avionics!

While I prefer the user interface of Garmin, they are super expensive to retrofit a completely new IFR stack. My dream setup would be a Garmin G500 with GTN 750/650 and new Garmin radios but that would cost me 50-60k and almost as much as what the plane cost.  

[Highflight]

I have a KMA24 Audio panel, which came with the 1982 M201J with a GNS430 WAAS as a Nav/Com. I have been getting a RX indication on my #1 COM

signifying a stuck mike. I have to cycle the com portion on the 430 to clear the problem plus there a quite a bit of clutter on the frequencies at times. I have a suspicion that it is the KMA24 Audio Panel. I am thinking of replacing it with a GMA350.

[Marauder]

I have a KMA24 Audio panel, which came with the 1982 M201J with a GNS430 WAAS as a Nav/Com. I have been getting a RX indication on my #1 COMsignifying a stuck mike. I have to cycle the com portion on the 430 to clear the problem plus there a quite a bit of clutter on the frequencies at times. I have a suspicion that it is the KMA24 Audio Panel. I am thinking of replacing it with a GMA350.

Check out the PS Engineering versions as well. Nice features on them.

[fantom]

Check out the PS Engineering versions as well. Nice features on them.

 

Agree....That is the only business of PS Engineering, and they make quality product.

[larryb]

We should be happy to have this technology available. We have 50 year old engine technology and 30 year old airframe technology. Our avionics are the only modern parts of the plane.