GRT Mini-X

[Slats]

Does anyone have one of these installed with first hand experience or: a pdf of the user manual or: purchased one with the manual for reference.

I really like many of the functions but have some questions.

Thanks

Jim

[Sid Lambert]

I'm pretty sure it hasn't shipped yet.

[Canadian_JOY]

Jim - first customer shipments are scheduled for the end of March (keeping fingers crossed).

There's another thread on this topic - a good read if you haven't already found it. Many questions answered there.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ht=KatieB+Mini

I'm one of those waiting for a Mini-X as it does indeed bring a lot of functionality to the panel while not taking up much space.

[Slats]

CJ, got yours yet?

Are there any first hand user reports for Mini-X?

[Frank Smidler]

Go to the thread noted above and post #130, Canadian JOY is the first person who has written about his impression on the Mini-X. Unfortunatly he has not flown behind it yet.

[jclark]

Originally Posted by Slats

CJ, got yours yet?

Are there any first hand user reports for Mini-X?

We put one of the first ones in Widget's panel and another in "RB"'s panel for initial testing.
(No room left in mine. :-( )

I will defer to Widget or RB as they have more direct flight experience with them now, but ...

1. Installation is straight forward. Minimally, +12, GND, PITOT, STATIC.
The **BIG** deal to me though is that it required #4 screws!! Hex head #4's are available from Ace Hardware if you find yourself on a weekend trying to "git 'er done. Also you will need #4 nut plates. Actually by now, GRT is probably shipping that hardware with the units.

2. On Friday, when Widget left my place (more tweaks and upgrades), I got an airborne report that the airspeed on it was within a knot or so of what was on the HXr. That is about the same as what I see on three different SX's I have installed.

3. The unit is well-lit. The color is nice. The resolution is nice. Easy to see and read from the back seat of an RV8 (where I have watched from on a couple of two hour trips).

4. The mapping of two knobs worth of functions onto one knob seems to be fairly well done, though you will have to think about it some times if you are used to dual knobs from any of the prior units.

5. I like the SLEW function **FAR BETTER** than what is in the current units. I hope the update the SX's and HX's to use that approach to SLEW.

6. I *think* that I like the "RANGE" implementation more as well. Just turn the knob! :-)

7. In Synthetic Vision, there is a slightly different "viewport" or "viewing angle" as compared to the HXr for example. Therefore, as you go higher, (say up around 9000 feet), you see different % ground vs sky. Will be recommending and adjustment on this. Works fine, just different and can be adjusted by GRT to be BETTER.

8. I am going to recommend a bit more dampening be done on the VSI and pitch reference. I actually think that the pitch sensitivity of the new modules **may** be more responsive than any of their other stuff and may need some more smoothing.

I actually like the units a LOT MORE than I thought that I would. Really.
So much so, that if I had the appropriate panel space, I would change over to one HXr and two Mini's.

James
p.s. GRT is a proud partner of Team AeroDynamix with which I am affiliated ... BUT!!! That has not tainted my view. Just gave me earlier access. I would add a Mini for backup even if I had a 10" Dynon SkyView or a Garmin 10" G3X Touch.


Feel free to email me offline if you have additional questions.

[Slats]

Appreciate the offer!

[RV8iator]

Continuing with what James said above..

I've been flying the Mini for a couple weeks now. It was a replacement for my Dynon D10A.

Screen brightness is much better. It's larger and easier to read which is good because it's also a moving map as well as a PFD.

If you're familiar with other GRT EFIS's, the menu structure will be easy for you to get comfortable with.

You can display either synthetic vision, terrain, or as a regular ADI. When I'm at lower altitudes I like the synthetic vision. Up higher, I prefer the ADI indication because as James said above, the view gives you a lot of sky and not much ground. Maybe just a preference, but I like seeing more ground just for reference.

The MAP mode is great. It uses the GRT data map and can display roads, lakes, rivers, etc and is easily tailored at different ranges. The SLEW function is easier to figure out where you're moving to. It has an arrow onscreen and FWD or BACK to move in the direction or opposite direction of the arrow. It will also display all the airport DETAILS like the other EFIS's do.

I have the internal GPS as well as my GTN650 feeding it. It"s great for playing what if with the FLP PLAN's without having to worry about messing up your NAV on the autopilot. FLT PLAN's are just like other GRT's as well as the Direct and Near functions.

I don't have the compass module yet but once it's moving it displays track and has an internal magnetometer.

I did have to do a little adjusting on the altimeter and it and the airspeed match the HXr very closely. Airspeed within 1 to 1/5 knots and now the altimeters spot on up to 13000 feet.

I'm extremely pleased with the readablilty, the build quality, and performance of the unit. It's a perfect match for the HXr or HX as a backup system, AND I think it will be a great stand alone unit as well. Installation was easy. I already had the Mini cutout and nutplates in from my last upgrade, but the connections were, Pitot, Static, PWR, GND, GPS antenna and a serial wire from the 650. Another serial port will enable it to talk to the HXr. When the compass module is installed, 4 or 5 wires to it like all the other magnetometers. Straight forward.

Below is a photo of the Mini at work. It's in the synthetic vision mode of the PFD. I'll try to get some map shots soon.



GRT is a sponsor of Team AeroDynamix.

[Slats]

It looks great!

I am a straight steam man at this point. It will be my attitude indicator backed with gauges.

I am dying to know what someone thinks of the g-meter.

[erikpmort]

Yeah nice write up, more screen shots please !