I just went through this...
This is my thoughts on a simple VFR panel for my 7. Any thoughts or comments?
1. GRT Sport EX with AOA. No map, SV, or ADSB software.
2. uAvionics Echo ADSB with their GPS.
3. Garmin 327 Transponder (I already have this).
4. MGL V16 comm.
5. Use iPad Mini w/ WingX or Foreflight to view ADSB in and moving map.
6. GRT EIS engine monitor.
I bought an -8A late last year that had a dated panel and wanted to update it to an affordable VFR panel with autopilot, much improved situational awareness, and use the existing panel...if I could. I used to build panels for folks and have used GRT and Dynon in previous builds love their stuff. However, for the money, in my opinion, Garmin was a better choice for me...but there is give and take with all vendors.
The original panel had a six pack with vacuum attitude and dg, a 250XL, SL40, GTX327, Navaid wing leveler, and GPSMAP 496.
I deploy for work so have a lot of time on my hands at work and after several design iterations I came up with this for my initial upgrade and removed all the vacuum items, the Navaid wing leveler, Rocky Mountain uEncoder, Garmin 250XL, and a couple other items...
I installed a Garmin G5, 2 axis autopilot with GMC 507 controller, and Aera 660...all for less than $6k. So far I love it.
The G5 is miles above what i had before, is super bright and easy to see and read, and has a backup battery. However, although it has a remote magnetometer, it doesn't have support for an OAT probe, so there is no TAS, or other related features. It also doesn't have support a moving map or EMS. The GRT mini has a leg up on Garmin in this area.
The Garmin autopilot is amazing and rock solid, as is the 507 controller, which was one of the big deciding factors for me. I fly bigger stuff for work and the interface is as good an anything I fly. Dynon also has physical autopilot controllers, but I think Garmin did a better job of implementing it.
The Aera 660, for a VFR GPS, is also amazing. I won't go into details as there is a lot of info on the net and this forum, but it does everything I need and more. However, if I want to display weather and traffic on the 660, I must use a Garmin ADS-B in product...so I'm stuck there. GRT, uAvionix, and others make good, and less expensive solutions, but I wouldn't be able to see the information on my 660 (I don't think...things change quickly). At the moment I am planning in the GDL 82 and 50R for ADS-B.
I manage our pilot iPads (mini 4's) running ForeFlight and they work great for us in the much bigger cockpit with a roof. In the -8, it's much more difficult to see, but I have managed to use some different color / display settings to improve it. I have read recently there is a new mini 5 coming out. Hopefully it has a brighter screen. For mounting it I used this low profile Ram mount (
https://goo.gl/EsWbf1), attached to one of my instrument hole blanks, and a Ram X-Grip (
https://goo.gl/TZQFBB). Works great as it sits very close to the panel and not in your lap.
I still want to replace the VM1000 engine monitor and install a larger EFIS, so the next upgrade will include the G3X Touch 10" with EMS and etc. I have several designs I have been working on, but this is the frontrunner at the moment. I'm headed back to work for 2 months in a few days so I'm sure this will change many times before I'm done...