N16 with Vega and G3X touch
Resurrecting this thread from 10 months ago. I have this set-up, using an N16 radio, Razor head and G3X touch system (Connected via RS-232). Here are the pro's and cons of this set-up in my opinion:
PRO's
1. Connectivity - Works pretty well with the g3X, except for the inability to input channels from the g3X to the N16. You can use the g3X like an OBS knob to dial in headings and so forth pretty seamlessly. The set up and connection it pretty easy.
2. Display - The Razor has a tiny little CDI and glide-slope display independent of the g3X system you could use in the case of a g3X system failure to navigate or shoot an approach.
3. Channels - The N16 can monitor a second channel so you can fly a localizer and then monitor a second frequency for the crossing radial. Pretty cool.
4. Price - The price is affordable.
CON's
1. Dimming - My biggest complaint is the dimming, the Razor does not accept an external dimming signal, the automatic dimming control does not seem to work correctly for me and the manual dimming is clunky. When I fly at night I was having to pay special attention to this one instrument to get it to dim. Now If I am not going to need it, I just kill the power to it to avoid the hassle.
2. Screen - It's not as bright as the G5 next to it so it's harder to see in sunlight. My wife complains about the amount of flashing/movement on the screen when you are not tuned into a receive-able channel. It can be a little distracting if not receiving a channel as the needles and things are constantly bouncing around, so we tend to turn it off when not in use.
3. Stability - A few times the N16 and Razor have failed to connect, but always seem to work if I cycle power.
4. Controls - The controls generally are okay, but could be improved. For example entry of frequencies works fine, but is not as natural as I would like. Or for example the control for the dimming is close in the menu structure to the set-up for the type of RS-232 connection, so you need to be rather careful with the touch screen (can be difficult in turbulence).
Overall the Razor/N16 works okay, a few tweaks and I would say it could elevate its status to a good radio. Fix a few items and I would be more willing to recommend without caveats. It seems to do everything the manual says technically, except perhaps the dimming, but the implementation is perhaps a bit clunky and takes some extra patience and attention to to use compared to my other avionics. If i had to do it again would probably spend some extra money for a val and G5 combo or just take the extra financial plunge for the Garmin Nav/Com even though the price jump still chokes me up a little.
Bryan