In January 2019, I installed an all new Garmin ADSB in/out system in my RV4:
GTX 335
Aera 660
GDL 52R
I chose the Aera 660 because the Airgizmo mount fits in the same panel hole as my previous GPS 496. I chose the 335 and 52R because of cost (compared to GTX 345) and my desire to retain SiriusXM radio input. The 335 gets pressure altitude from my AFS 3400 EFIS (just like the GTX 327 it replaced). The Aera 660 provides navigation info to the EFIS and autopilot. The 660 also provides frequency settings to my SL-30 radio.
The installation and configuration went smoothly. Changing the transponder tray was the biggest job. Everything seems to communicate together as expected. The GTX 335 passed the ADSB out performance report and I got my $500 rebate from the FAA. ADSB-in seems to be mostly working as well. I get (real) traffic info and weather as expected.
The only real problem with the system is false traffic alerts. All too often I get the "Traffic!" audio alert when there are no other airplanes nearby. Mostly it's done this while I turn downwind in the pattern and the traffic display shows my position and tail number on the approach end of the runway. When doing touch-and-gos, it will give the alert almost every time. A few times, I've gotten the "Traffic!" alert while flying straight and level and the display shows a yellow dot directly on top of my position. The dot will stay with me for 10 or 15 minutes.
The false alerts add stress to what should be fun flights. Every time it happens, I am distracted from what I was doing. I have to divert my eyes to the display then crane my neck around to try and see if there might really be traffic nearby. I don't want to be habitualized into ignoring the alerts but I'm afraid that process has already begun.
I've opened a support ticket with Garmin but it's been frustrating. The technician seems to want to help. I've jumped through every hoop he's put up to try different configurations, etc. He even sent a replacement GDL 52R though it always seemed unlikely to be a hardware issue, IMHO. Also, he generally take days or weeks to respond after I email him so that's made things very slow.
So. Anybody here have ideas how to fix it? Am I expecting too much? How do others deal with it?
GTX 335
Aera 660
GDL 52R
I chose the Aera 660 because the Airgizmo mount fits in the same panel hole as my previous GPS 496. I chose the 335 and 52R because of cost (compared to GTX 345) and my desire to retain SiriusXM radio input. The 335 gets pressure altitude from my AFS 3400 EFIS (just like the GTX 327 it replaced). The Aera 660 provides navigation info to the EFIS and autopilot. The 660 also provides frequency settings to my SL-30 radio.
The installation and configuration went smoothly. Changing the transponder tray was the biggest job. Everything seems to communicate together as expected. The GTX 335 passed the ADSB out performance report and I got my $500 rebate from the FAA. ADSB-in seems to be mostly working as well. I get (real) traffic info and weather as expected.
The only real problem with the system is false traffic alerts. All too often I get the "Traffic!" audio alert when there are no other airplanes nearby. Mostly it's done this while I turn downwind in the pattern and the traffic display shows my position and tail number on the approach end of the runway. When doing touch-and-gos, it will give the alert almost every time. A few times, I've gotten the "Traffic!" alert while flying straight and level and the display shows a yellow dot directly on top of my position. The dot will stay with me for 10 or 15 minutes.
The false alerts add stress to what should be fun flights. Every time it happens, I am distracted from what I was doing. I have to divert my eyes to the display then crane my neck around to try and see if there might really be traffic nearby. I don't want to be habitualized into ignoring the alerts but I'm afraid that process has already begun.
I've opened a support ticket with Garmin but it's been frustrating. The technician seems to want to help. I've jumped through every hoop he's put up to try different configurations, etc. He even sent a replacement GDL 52R though it always seemed unlikely to be a hardware issue, IMHO. Also, he generally take days or weeks to respond after I email him so that's made things very slow.
So. Anybody here have ideas how to fix it? Am I expecting too much? How do others deal with it?