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  #1  
Old 10-30-2013, 11:27 AM
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Greenley Greenley is offline
 
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Default Speed/Altitude backup?

Planning GRT HXR's with dual AHRS's for my RV-10 panel, and thinking about backups. One option is a pitot/static/AHRS unit like the trutrak Gemini PFD or the new GRT mini, the other option is something like the Dynon D1/D2. The first would give me pitot/static driven airspeed and altitude, the other GPS driven. I understand the pitot is normally better, but when would I use the backup, obviously one time would be if the both HXR's or both AHRS failed, they will have battery backup, so I think this would be quite rare. Another time a backup would be nice is if a pitot or static clogs, in that case while normally less accurate it seems like the GPS driven unit might be better.

Any thoughts?
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Last edited by Greenley : 10-30-2013 at 11:28 AM. Reason: spelling
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  #2  
Old 10-30-2013, 11:56 AM
BillC BillC is offline
 
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Location: Ramona, Ca
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Depending on how soon you are looking at needing this, you might want to look at the new Avmap Ultra. Has pitot /static, AHRS as well as GPS. Has primary flight display and will also give HSI & ADF direction and distance as well as frequency to selected point (VOR, Airport etc) which are in updateable Jeppesen database.
This unit is being offered by Aircraft Spruce but not sure if they actually have any for sale yet or not. Unit is still undergoing field testing but is much more mature than some of the previous Avmap offerings had been when first announced.

YMMV
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  #3  
Old 10-30-2013, 12:16 PM
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I have chosen the Dynon D6. It is completly independent and has it's own internal back-up battery.
The TruTrak requires a GPS input. If my EFIS's fail my GPS probably also failed.
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  #4  
Old 10-30-2013, 12:27 PM
TrutrakTech TrutrakTech is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkW View Post
I have chosen the Dynon D6. It is completly independent and has it's own internal back-up battery.
The TruTrak requires a GPS input. If my EFIS's fail my GPS probably also failed.
It doesn't necessarily REQUIRE a GPS connection, it is suggested. However, without a GPS the DG on the Gemini works the same as an unslaved gyro. It has to be set to a compass heading.
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  #5  
Old 10-30-2013, 12:54 PM
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airguy airguy is offline
 
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I ran Dynon as my primary screens, and used the MGL Xtreme mini-EFIS for a backup. With its own GPS feed and ADARS it makes a fine backup. I wanted something from a different manufacturer to avoid a possible software issue taking everything out.
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  #6  
Old 10-30-2013, 01:27 PM
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Greenley Greenley is offline
 
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I am thinking that the odds of losing attitude/altitude from both main battery backed up EFIS screens and AHRS units is as likely to be from a blocked pitot or static port as it is from both units going down at the same time. Thus I am leaning towards a backup that has its own independent GPS and battery and does not need pitot or static, recognizing that it will give somewhat different information than a pitot/static set of readings.
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  #7  
Old 10-30-2013, 01:49 PM
F1R F1R is offline
 
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Default Xavion

I have found Xavion to run smooth and reliable On I pad on two cross continent trips over remote northern bush. It also has IFR approach waypoints and all known airports from 60 deg north lat. to 60 deg south. It works best when velcroed or mounted directly in front of the pilot in a near verticle orientation. It uses both the US GPS and the GLONAS Russian gps systems as well as the IPAds internal inertial sensors. In short, Xavion is wunderbar. Waypoint insertion or deletion is quick and easy.

If used only for back up flight instruments it is well worth the price.
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  #8  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:20 PM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
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What's this new GRT Mini?????
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  #9  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:23 PM
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Thanks Lucas I did not know that.
Bill, When I was doing my planning I was considering heated Pitot for IFR. Had a friend remind me that we have GPS speed and Altitude. I can do without Pitot and static if needed. I doubt that your need for a back-up or efis failure will be pitot or static related.
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  #10  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:47 PM
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KatieB KatieB is offline
 
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Default At the risk of spilling the beans...

The Mini is our new backup EFIS that's coming out in the next couple of months. It's still sort of under wraps. I can tell you that the advanced model will also be able to control the GRT autopilot servos independently of the EFIS. None of the other brands out there can do that. Plus, by staying with GRT you'll have the same type of user interface across the entire panel.

The likelihood of a brand-wide software glitch taking out everything in IFR conditions is highly unlikely. We test our software updates thoroughly here before release, and because every airplane is different, you should flight test your system after every software update thoroughly in VFR conditions before taking it IFR. The airlines have had this happen, I believe, but they also do not have the luxury of flying each individual aircraft after a software update to test everything.

I'll have MUCH more information on the Mini when it's ready to be released. You guys will be the first to know.
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