GRT, Dynon or MGL efis?

[johngoodman]

You are getting a lot of good info. As another has stated, I also have a GRT HX with a Trio A/P. It's a great combination. I also have a small Dynon D-10A as a backup, with a battery. I like it, but you have to make up your own mind.
My big decision was made by the way each one does AoA. The Dynon uses the "stacking chevrons" that you see around a lot. I like it, and I use it. But the GRT HX has a unique "calculated" AoA that looks just like what I had in the Navy. I also have a manual AoA, but I'm a freak for AoA....
I recently flew an airplane with the AFS system. It's also great, but I had to do a little more squinting to read everything. It's also a little darker than I prefer, but hey! I haven't flown a Skyview, MGL, or Garmin, yet, but I hear great things about them, as well.
Find out where all the vendors will be next, and go there. Probably Sun 'n fun in early April. Look at all of them, and pick the prettiest one.

John

[donaziza]

Dewey, Check your PM's

[KatieB]

If you can wait til Sun n Fun (and attend Sun n Fun), you should go there and hit all the EFIS manufacturers. You should look closely at all their offerings, "press their buttons" and ask the sales and tech support people questions. In GRT's case, you can talk with the engineers who designed the systems and the techs you will be dealing with when you call for help.

Of the systems you've mentioned, I would prefer GRT. Their systems are very reliable and you'll get the most features for your money. (Disclaimer: I used to work there, but have no horse in the race anymore.)

[Spirko]

Originally Posted by KatieB

If you can wait til Sun n Fun (and attend Sun n Fun), you should go there and hit all the EFIS manufacturers. You should look closely at all their offerings, "press their buttons" and ask the sales and tech support people questions. In GRT's case, you can talk with the engineers who designed the systems and the techs you will be dealing with when you call for help.

Of the systems you've mentioned, I would prefer GRT. Their systems are very reliable and you'll get the most features for your money. (Disclaimer: I used to work there, but have no horse in the race anymore.)

+1 as far as trying out the panels at Sun n Fun or OSH.
I ended up with a different company (not on your list) but agree this is a great way to make a choice.

[Jesse]

I'll add, as I have on other threads like this, talk to someone who knows all 3 (or 4 or 5), and has no stake in what your choice will be. Each unit has their strong suit, and a salesperson for a company is going to try to convince you that you can't live without that feature or feature set. Touching a flying all of them is great, but talking through features is just as good or better sometimes. You will learn whichever you choose and will be a big proponent of it, most likely.

[SMO]

Originally Posted by control

Can you engage altitude hold without any horizontal hold on any of the major players EFIS integrated autopilots?

Seems like it would be simple enough to put a switch on the power wire of the roll servo so you can have it on or off.

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by SMO

Seems like it would be simple enough to put a switch on the power wire of the roll servo so you can have it on or off.

With a TruTrak, you switch off the torque control wire, I believe, to disable that axis.

[skylor]

Originally Posted by SMO

Seems like it would be simple enough to put a switch on the power wire of the roll servo so you can have it on or off.

I'm just curious why you would want to do this?

Skylor

[jclark]

Originally Posted by control

Can you engage altitude hold without any horizontal hold on any of the major players EFIS integrated autopilots?

I would like to have altitude hold and to be able to adjust course with rudder. (for photo sessions where both my hands are busy if you must know my reason)

On GRT: A/P Servo PIN #5 to ground via momentary/pushbutton switch.
On Dynon: Lots of flexibility with their A/P control "modules", as I recall on a previous installation of mine (but "dynonsupport" can give specific details on the various ones).

[dynonsupport]

You can engage only one axis on SkyView if you wish with no extra wiring or work-arounds. You don't need our button module to do it.