GRT Mini as Primary EFIS?

Tram · #1 01-30-2016, 10:03 PM

Anyone running the GRT Mini as their primary EFIS?

I know lots of you guys are running them as backup, but I'm considering one for a primary.

Frank Smidler · #2 01-31-2016, 12:16 AM

Yes I am using the GRT Mini X as my primary EFIS...now. When I finished my 6 I kept it basic VFR due to budget considerations and wanting to get it in the air after an extended build time. I only had airspeed, altimeter, rate of climb, compass and slip indicator. Guess what, it flew wonderfully for 500 hrs. With a Garmin 296 it is a very capable traveling machine. Think of how many times Vans had flew planes from Oregon to OSH with similar set ups. That being said, there were several times when in haze or changing wx when having an attitude indicator would have made it more comfortable. That is why I installed the Mini and I love it. The addition of the Mini and a panel mounted tablet running ifly software has made it even more fun travelling.

Tram · #3 01-31-2016, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Smidler

Yes I am using the GRT Mini X as my primary EFIS...now. When I furnished my 6 I kept it basic VFR due to budget considerations and wanting to get it in the air after an extended build time. I only had airspeed, altimeter, rate of climb, compass and slip indicator. Guess what, it flew wonderfully for 500 hrs. With a Garmin 296 it is a very capable traveling machine. Think of how many times Vans had flew planes from Oregon to OSH with similar set ups. That being said, there were several times when in haze or changing wx when having an attitude indicator would have made it more comfortable. That is why I installed the Mini and I love it. The addition of the Mini and a panel mounted tablet running ifly software has made it even more fun travelling.

We lost our vac pump about 4 years ago and have been flying it sans Vac instruments since.

I've been thinking about updating the panel a little bit and am looking at the Mini X.

Canadian_JOY · #4 01-31-2016, 06:14 AM

The Mini-X is a nice device. Very capable. I think the one thing that surprised me about it is how bright/crisp/clear the screen is. Many folks use either a Mini-X or a Dynon D10 as their backup instruments; the display on the Mini wins hands-down. Both the Mini and the Dynon present more than sufficient information to be used as a primary. If I were building an airplane with a tight cockpit, I'd look hard at a pair of Mini's for primary flight instruments and engine monitor.

erikpmort · #5 01-31-2016, 06:37 AM

I have a mini ap with battery backup as my primary for ifr. It's been great. Wish the screen was bigger but for the money it's excellent and I fly lpv approaches couples to the screen on it

SMO · #6 01-31-2016, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikpmort

I have a mini ap with battery backup as my primary for ifr. It's been great. Wish the screen was bigger but for the money it's excellent and I fly lpv approaches couples to the screen on it

Interesting - will the Mini display the vertical component of the LPV on the main screen?

erikpmort · #7 01-31-2016, 11:27 AM

You bet. Anything you tell it to from the Garmin

Tram · #8 01-31-2016, 01:41 PM

Well that's all good to hear..

I'm considering 2 of them, and running one as an EIS.

Just weighing the cost. Don't "need" it, but I'd like to have it.

Walt · #9 01-31-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tram

Well that's all good to hear..

I'm considering 2 of them, and running one as an EIS.

Just weighing the cost. Don't "need" it, but I'd like to have it.

You may want to consider a single screen G3X as an option, not much more $$ that 2 Mini's.

Canadian_JOY · #10 01-31-2016, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt

You may want to consider a single screen G3X as an option, not much more $$ that 2 Mini's.

Not much more money, but considerably more real estate on the panel, and still only a single AHARS, whereas the dual Mini solution gets you dual AHARS.

The more I look at the equipment available to us today, the more I feel incredibly lucky to be able to take advantage of all of the fantastic modern avionics to which we now have access. Who would ever have thought of having two independent attitude systems in a light GA airplane even a few years ago? We live in very positive times when it comes to Experimental avionics.