Glass panel vs conventional

blandess · #1 07-02-2009, 03:09 PM

Hey guys(and gals),
I have been torn between a conventional six pack panel with an HSI vs an AFS PFD? I REALLY like the new synthetic vision system they have coming up but my wallet favors conventional. My radio stack will be GMA 340, GNC 300XL, SL30, GTX 327 and an A/P which I haven't decided from who. Engine monitor will be JPI EDM 930 in any case. The goal is simplicity and ergonomics friendly. I want to have provisions and space for an IFR upgrade later and I would like everyone else's opinion on it. I will do some aerobatics but they will be few and far between and STRICTLY zero clouds with unlimited visibilty so it won't matter too much if the ADI tumbles. Airframe will be a -7.

Thoughts?

Thanks as always!

islandmonkey · #2 07-02-2009, 03:53 PM

Do a cost comparison on all the instruments that you need to buy if you go the six pack route. If you go the glass route, you can throw out more than just the six pack. You can throw out the following:

RPM indicator
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Fuel Level and pressure.
Manifold Pressure.
EGT
CHT
Oil Temp and Pressure.

Plus you can get Angle of Attack on most glass displays available and your going to save a lot of weight.

Keep a conventional Airspeed Indicator and magnetic compass however if your just flying VFR. If your going to go IFR then consider a second glass panel or at least an additional conventional Artificial Horizon and a Altitude Indicator as well as the VFR stuff.

I plan on VFR only as we cannot fly IFR in experimental aircraft in Europe

Cost for AFS AF-3500EE Single 8.4" Display with all probes, back up battery and Angle of Attack option is $7384.

Chino Tom · #3 07-02-2009, 05:19 PM

You won't need the engine monitor if you buy the AFS 3500. You also won't need an encoder or a VOR/ILS/GS head, they are all in the AFS EFIS. I love mine, but as the previous poster indicated, i have backups, a ASI, Altimeter and a compass (that was a waste of money however as the GPS will give your ground track). Also, my EFIS has a battery back up, as does my 496 GPS and I have a tru-track A/P to keep the wings level as long as i have battery power.

frankh · #4 07-02-2009, 05:27 PM

If your going IFR a wing lveller will be essential.

Personally I don't like the idea of the EFIS and the a/p together in one box for redundancy reasons. Therefore a Trutrak A/p (the Pictorial pilot and a couple of others provide the backup turn and bank indicator also).

The Dynons are the cheapest EFIS and quite superb.

I think if you do a real sit down comparison you'll be very close on cast if you got with an EFIS and two machanical steam gauges, namely a Vans ASi and altimeter.

Dump the vacuum pump (with relish!) and do all the aerobatics you want and never be bothered with Gyro precession ever again.

Its really not a debate in my mind at least.

Frank

blandess · #5 07-02-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chino Tom

You won't need the engine monitor if you buy the AFS 3500..

How is the screen resolution on it? I was planning on just the PFD version and have the EDM 930 seperate. Are the bar graphs for EGT/CHT large and easy to read? How about LeanFind function? Are there any things that it doesn't have that you wish it would?

Vlad · #6 07-02-2009, 05:37 PM

Listen to your wallet.

Before you decide on instrumentation ask your wallet about new engine and prop

I know mine got crazy... still coughing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by blandess

......

snip

......but my wallet favors conventional.

snip

Thoughts?

Thanks as always!

blandess · #7 07-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vladyspassky

Listen to your wallet.

Before you decide on instrumentation ask your wallet about new engine and prop

I know mine got crazy... still coughing...

Hahaha! I'm already set on an IO-360 that I will buy used and overhaul myself with some help of a guy I know that used to build them. The prop is a 200RV from Whirlwind... Most of the instruments are all up for debate, and the functions I seek hasn't changed but the form that it will take has and I was wondering everyone else's thoughts on something I may have overlooked.

Vlad · #8 07-02-2009, 06:41 PM

All right. That's good news. The rest is easy

your used laptop or iMac, Kindle and iPhone you won't be looking at your panel anyway

. Others will. By the time you are done, Aspen avionics will develop new line of glass. Love them.

Ironflight · #9 07-02-2009, 09:23 PM

I did this cost comparison five years ago - even up capabilities between electronic and steam (IFR capable and quality), and even back then the Glass won on cost alone! Mechanical HSI's are very expensive - and prone to failure.

Paul

CNEJR · #10 07-03-2009, 06:31 AM

"What something actually cost you is the difference between what you buy and sell it for". I know most people don't think ahead to the day they will sell their baby, but that day will come. When building my plane, I kept this in mind. Will I recover the cost of all the little, neat dodads I put in my plane, probably not, but I will come close and it really makes the "difference" in a real nice plane and run of the mill. (Not trying to start a war here), but what really surprises me is engine selection, put a Subie on the front/cut your sales price by 30/40%. Might run good, but it's just a fact. In making selections for your plane, you are not spending money on perishable items but on durable goods. In many cases it is a "hedge" against inflation. When you actually consider today's dollar is worth 73% of what the dollar was worth in 2000, what is the better deal? Having your money in hard goods such as guns, airplanes, classic cars, etc. This doesn't even speak to where our dollar is heading in the next 24 months. Is is scary, buy guns and a few airplane parts in my opinion.