Radioflyer
Well Known Member
My firm belief is that an electronic engine monitor is the most important instrument to have in an aircraft, especially in homebuilts. Even more important than an EFIS. Nevertheless, I don't have one yet. Primary reason is cost and secondary reason is installation logistics with too many wires for too long a run.
(It would be ideal to have an engine compartment box blue-toothing to a dedicated display on the panel.)
I was briefly excited seeing recent ads for the EDM-350 for $798. Wow, great! But that is just for CHT&EGT. Come on, one needs rpm, oil pressure & temp also as a legal minimum. Everyone already has sensors for oil and tach and the software to include this as standard in the instrument would be negligible. If you opt for those "extra" 3 functions, adding several hundreds of dollars, the price no longer seems that great.
For the price of the EDM-350 with 3 basic options, there are are several other vendors, that offer more standard features or at least a better value proposition. Nevertheless, you wind up with either a more antiquated design (e.g., lcd dot display), and Product costing almost $2k and up.
In short, my rant is not only that I find these devices overly expensive, which I know is subjective. My rant is also that if the aviation industry really wants to enhance safety, we would all benefit from less expensive engine monitoring offerings. We all know that a well monitored engine can save disaster and warn of engine operation and installation problems.
(It would be ideal to have an engine compartment box blue-toothing to a dedicated display on the panel.)
I was briefly excited seeing recent ads for the EDM-350 for $798. Wow, great! But that is just for CHT&EGT. Come on, one needs rpm, oil pressure & temp also as a legal minimum. Everyone already has sensors for oil and tach and the software to include this as standard in the instrument would be negligible. If you opt for those "extra" 3 functions, adding several hundreds of dollars, the price no longer seems that great.
For the price of the EDM-350 with 3 basic options, there are are several other vendors, that offer more standard features or at least a better value proposition. Nevertheless, you wind up with either a more antiquated design (e.g., lcd dot display), and Product costing almost $2k and up.
In short, my rant is not only that I find these devices overly expensive, which I know is subjective. My rant is also that if the aviation industry really wants to enhance safety, we would all benefit from less expensive engine monitoring offerings. We all know that a well monitored engine can save disaster and warn of engine operation and installation problems.