Are Van's flight instruments accurate?

[Camillo]

Hi to everyone.
It's panel time for my 9A and I finally decided for the classic 6 analog instruments, with the difference of a Dynon EFIS D10A in place of attitude gyro and attitude gyro in place of T/C (and Dynon EMS-D120, as engine monitor and HSI, under radio). My idea would be to expand the panel to have IFR funcionality (double VOR and double radio).

I'm planning to buy Van's altimeter, airspeed and VS indicators. My question is: since they are not TSO, are they accurate? Would you believe them as EFIS backup during night/IFR operations? If not, which brand would you suggest me? I searched for a specific thread but I didn't find it.

Thank-you.
Camillo

[N941WR]

Cam,

I had my VFR transponder check done last week, which included an AS and altimeter check.

My Van's AS & Altimeter are plumed in with my Dynon D100 and the check showed the altimeters to be w/in 7 feet of each other and the airspeed indicators on both units matched.

How long they will remain that way is anyone's guess.

[Mel]

I'm not familiar with the accuracy of Van's instruments, but my "transponder guy" always recommends that the altimeter be TSOd. It needs to match up with your blind encoder and he says that most non-TSOd altimeters are "all over the place."

[lrfrey]

Mel I have a Van's Altimeter and a Dynon like Camillo, and my plan is to feed the Transponder from the Dynon. Any problem with that? (I'm not flying yet).

Larry

[Camillo]

Thank-you both.

I found this http://www.avionics.com/Avionics%20OnLine/kitplane.htm
It says the same.

Actually, I also checked Uma website and they only have TSO'd airspeed indicators. Van's does not specify if they sell the non TSO version. Looking at the price, it seems to be non TSO.

I also checked Aircraft Spruce website, and I found that they don't sell TSO altimeter. Falcon gauge instruments are all non TSO (I checked their web site's faq).

I shall search a different supplier for at least an altimeter (TSO).

Camillo

[Mel]

Originally Posted by lrfrey

Mel I have a Van's Altimeter and a Dynon like Camillo, and my plan is to feed the Transponder from the Dynon. Any problem with that? (I'm not flying yet).

Larry

My "guy" says that the Dynon altimeter and encoder seem to work fine. He has done quite a few and says that the Dynon passes every time. (Some of the other EFIS don't!)

[frankh]

Originally Posted by lrfrey

Mel I have a Van's Altimeter and a Dynon like Camillo, and my plan is to feed the Transponder from the Dynon. Any problem with that? (I'm not flying yet).

Larry

And it works great.

Frank 7a 180 hours IFR

[Michael Burbidge]

Sorry for the totally naive question. But what is a TSO v.s. a non-TSO instrument?

[Coinneach]

Originally Posted by mburbidg@adobe.com

Sorry for the totally naive question. But what is a TSO v.s. a non-TSO instrument?

TSO (Technical Standard Order) = approved for use in certified aircraft. Non-TSO = may only be used in experimentals.

[JHines]

"TSO'd" means the piece of equipment meets the performance requirements set forth in the applicable Technical Standard Order (I think it's TSO-C10b for sensitive altimeters).

Equipment that complies with the TSO meets the performance standards required for certified aircraft.