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  #1  
Old 07-31-2017, 10:50 PM
RV6_flyer's Avatar
RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
Default Garmin G5 GPS Antenna?

Looks like my G5 will be here on Wednesday. Thank you SteinAir for fast shipping.

My Vacuum AI went TU on way to Oshkosh. After sitting in on several Garmin seminars, I decided that I would replace my AI with the G5.

Been looking though the install manual but one thing I will not know till it is installed unless someone who has one can report in. Does the Garmin G5 built in GPS work mounted in an RV panel without using an external antenna?

My plan is to use the G5 as an Attitude Indicator and not add a GPS antenna. IF the internal GPS works without an antenna, there are other features in the G5 that I may be able to use.

Other than the GPS antenna, the electrical install looks extremely simple. The mechanical install with be the hard part. My desire is to prepare the mechanical install so that a 2nd G5 can be added in the future when the vacuum DG goes TU. Was dreaming that the G5 replacing the DG would make it into a nice HSI but my old IFR GPS/COM does not look like it will work. At the present time, I use an ACU coupling the GPS / SL30 to my CDI and that looks like it will need to stay.
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Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6
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Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012

To most people, the sky is the limit.
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  #2  
Old 08-01-2017, 05:48 AM
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Pat Hatch Pat Hatch is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 881
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Gary, I think it is best to add a GPS antenna (a Garmin GA 26C works well, available for about $50 on eBay), although there is an internal antenna that may work just fine. Adding the antenna will ensure that the internal GPS is receiving a good signal, which I have been told by Garmin will also enhance the integrity of your attitude sensor's output.

P.S. I mounted mine right on the glareshield with velcro. Works well.
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Last edited by Pat Hatch : 08-01-2017 at 05:52 AM.
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  #3  
Old 08-01-2017, 05:56 AM
swordtail swordtail is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Grindstone, PA
Posts: 143
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Mine works fine without an external antenna. No problems at all with the panel mount. Stop by my hanger and take a look. I bought the backup battery also.
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  #4  
Old 08-01-2017, 06:13 AM
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MS19087 MS19087 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 689
Default Mine did not work without external antenna

Mine is located top center in my -9a tip up panel. It did not work well at all. Added an external antenna and it works perfectly now. Picked up the specified antenna on ebay for $35
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  #5  
Old 08-02-2017, 09:52 PM
F1R F1R is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ____
Posts: 829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV6_flyer View Post
Looks like my G5 will be here on Wednesday. Thank you SteinAir for fast shipping.

My Vacuum AI went TU on way to Oshkosh. After sitting in on several Garmin seminars, I decided that I would replace my AI with the G5.

Been looking though the install manual but one thing I will not know till it is installed unless someone who has one can report in. Does the Garmin G5 built in GPS work mounted in an RV panel without using an external antenna?

My plan is to use the G5 as an Attitude Indicator and not add a GPS antenna. IF the internal GPS works without an antenna, there are other features in the G5 that I may be able to use.

Other than the GPS antenna, the electrical install looks extremely simple. The mechanical install with be the hard part. My desire is to prepare the mechanical install so that a 2nd G5 can be added in the future when the vacuum DG goes TU. Was dreaming that the G5 replacing the DG would make it into a nice HSI but my old IFR GPS/COM does not look like it will work. At the present time, I use an ACU coupling the GPS / SL30 to my CDI and that looks like it will need to stay.
You will really like the G5 top & center. Perhaps before you buy a second one, do yourself a favor and fly with somebody that has a GRT Mini GA and try the various map pages and approach features in flight. It will mount right over the DG hole in minutes.
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  #6  
Old 08-03-2017, 07:38 AM
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RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F1R View Post
You will really like the G5 top & center. Perhaps before you buy a second one, do yourself a favor and fly with somebody that has a GRT Mini GA and try the various map pages and approach features in flight. It will mount right over the DG hole in minutes.
SteinAir had a great display of all the small EFIS at AirVenture 2017 where one can compare all the different options.

I made my decision based on what will work best with my panel and two G5s were what fit the requirements the best. There was more positives for the G5 than any other unit that was on SteinAir's display. The plan is one now and one maybe later.

Building a new airplane, I plan to keep everything working in the 20-year old flying airplane and not do upgrades till the new airplane is DONE. When something requires maintenance or repair in the old airplane, a cost benefit analysis is done and many times it is more cost effective to upgrade to new instead of overhaul of the old.
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Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6
Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012

To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
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  #7  
Old 08-03-2017, 07:52 AM
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airguy airguy is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Garden City, Tx
Posts: 5,145
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My G5 worked fairly well in my 9A slider with just it's internal antenna - but it was slow to grab satellites and frequently would not have a fix until I was already at the runway, occasionally even airborne. I bought an external GPS antenna for it and it grabs a good satellite fix very quickly now and is rock solid.

Does it work on the internal antenna by itself? Yes.
Does it work much better with the external? Yes.
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  #8  
Old 08-03-2017, 02:11 PM
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GaryK GaryK is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Zeeland, Michigan
Posts: 398
Default G5 RV10

When I replaced the D6 with a G5 I thought for sure I would need the additional GPS antenna. To my surprise it has worked perfectly with the internal antenna. Approx 100 hours and it never missed a beat. Mine is located above the center stack just under the glare shield.


Gary
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  #9  
Old 08-08-2017, 07:06 AM
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jmbrwn jmbrwn is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Carrollton, GA
Posts: 313
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Does the G5 used as an attitude indicator have a heading bug that can be controlled with the GMC305/307 controller? Or do you have to have another G5 as a HSI for that?
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RV6, Christen Eagle II(Sold)
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Carrollton, GA
Lyon?s Landing
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  #10  
Old 08-08-2017, 08:09 AM
EPG Aero EPG Aero is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 21
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My friend that set me up with 2 G5s last year (used as Art Horz/DG...I'm now vacuum free), who is now a Garmin Rep for the midwest, advised me the internal GPS antennas will be sufficient. Even though I was skeptical, I went ahead and installed them without the external antenna. He was right, so far they've performed very well. As other posts have said, the external may work better, I just didn't want ANOTHER antenna....making it number 9, to have to install.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148189365@N07/
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