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RV-6A Panel Upgrade

mybombshells

mybombshells

Member
Hi All,
I'm looking for feedback on this panel setup. I've currently got a vac driven six pack with a KX125 NAV/COMM and a Garmin GTX355 ADS-B out TX and a GDL39 going to an Aera 795 GPS. Here is what I'm looking at replacing it with:

Garmin G3x 10" GDU460
+Garmin LRU Install Kit
+Garmin GAD29
Electronics International CGR30P Combo for EIS (I've already bought this so won't use the G3x EIS).
Garmin G5 (for backup)
Garmin GPS175 IFR GPS
Garmin GTR205xR (COMM 1)
King KX125 (COMM 2, NAV 1)
Garmin GMA245R Audio Panel
Garmin GTX355 Transponder (re-use)
Garmin GDL39 (re-use)

Later on I may upgrade the KX125 with a GNC215. With this setup I'll remove all the analog instruments and vac system.

Thoughts on this setup? I'm primarily looking to do VFR with the occasional light IFR.
 
mybombshells said:
Hi All,
I'm looking for feedback on this panel setup. I've currently got a vac driven six pack with a KX125 NAV/COMM and a Garmin GTX355 ADS-B out TX and a GDL39 going to an Aera 795 GPS. Here is what I'm looking at replacing it with:

Garmin G3x 10" GDU460
+Garmin LRU Install Kit
+Garmin GAD29
Electronics International CGR30P Combo for EIS (I've already bought this so won't use the G3x EIS).
Garmin G5 (for backup)
Garmin GPS175 IFR GPS
Garmin GTR205xR (COMM 1)
King KX125 (COMM 2, NAV 1)
Garmin GMA245R Audio Panel
Garmin GTX355 Transponder (re-use)
Garmin GDL39 (re-use)

Later on I may upgrade the KX125 with a GNC215. With this setup I'll remove all the analog instruments and vac system.

Thoughts on this setup? I'm primarily looking to do VFR with the occasional light IFR.
Click to expand...
I would look into Dynon and AFS for a comparison. I run a Dynon hdx 10” with flight director, ifd440 navigator and a g5 backup.

My only complaint with Garmin is it’s a lot more expensive.
 
The bird we bought in May has a similar Garmin panel, but with a 10” and 7” G3X, separate JPI engine monitoring. Prior owner with skills did a great install job.

We are Pretty impressed with capabilities but have not really utilized its depths of product.
(I fly a three-holer for “work” thus my desire for IFR in the 9R is I-15 northbound) but she is WAAS LPV capable.

- cappy
 

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My 2 cents:
-I would opt for a GNC355 GPS/Comm and delete the GTR205xR. Same price but one less box to mount.
-I might consider going for the GNC215 now, and deleting the GMA245R. More money but new box that retains ground based nav aids (for their limited near-term value), and this includes a 2-place intercom. I haven't looked at the wiring diagram in detail to confirm this has sufficient I/O vs. a GMA245r or other standalone audio panel but I suspect it does.
-You're going to want the GMC507 autopilot head, and of course the associated servos
-Definitely consider a second G3X display, though squeezing a 10" unit for the copilot may be a bit tough.
-I would reconsider the engine monitor, that space may be better used elsewhere and having all the data in one place on the G3X for later download is a very nice convenience.
-If you can, I would try and squeeze the G5 in above the radio stack, but this may not work with the limited vertical space in our panels. Otherwise off to the left. My standby attitude indicator is on the far right of the panel, not ideal in an IMC emergency.

I have the Dynon equivalent and it is worth pricing out. The "fast-track" system from advance panel (Dynon and AFS compatible) has the potential to save a lot of time for a DIY install. If sticking with Garmin, take a look at the VP-X electronic circuit breaker replacement module, biggest way to save panel real-estate.
 
mybombshells said:
Hi All,
I'm looking for feedback on this panel setup. I've currently got a vac driven six pack with a KX125 NAV/COMM and a Garmin GTX355 ADS-B out TX and a GDL39 going to an Aera 795 GPS. Here is what I'm looking at replacing it with:

Garmin G3x 10" GDU460
+Garmin LRU Install Kit
+Garmin GAD29
Electronics International CGR30P Combo for EIS (I've already bought this so won't use the G3x EIS).
Garmin G5 (for backup)
Garmin GPS175 IFR GPS
Garmin GTR205xR (COMM 1)
King KX125 (COMM 2, NAV 1)
Garmin GMA245R Audio Panel
Garmin GTX355 Transponder (re-use)
Garmin GDL39 (re-use)

Later on I may upgrade the KX125 with a GNC215. With this setup I'll remove all the analog instruments and vac system.

Thoughts on this setup? I'm primarily looking to do VFR with the occasional light IFR.
Click to expand...
I would definitely scratch the 175 and 205 and get the gps/com - I priced this recently and it’s actually cheaper to buy the single unit and saves panel space and install costs. I would also rather have a 7” screen and run the engine monitor off the same platform. Return or resell the CGR30s and buy a second screen. This gives you a lot more functionality, including flight instruments for your copilot when wanted.

For any IFR or cross country I would love to add an autopilot. If that’s in the cards, plan for the control head.

As someone else noted, price out similar with Dynon. The big 3 really are interchangeable in function. I fly a certified panel with dual G5s and Garmin radio stack, and an experimental panel with dual 10” Dynon and a Garmin radio stack. Love them both. I do much prefer my PSE450B audio panel over my Garmin, though.

I do not like my friend’s plane with 1 10” screen for everything. It’s too much in one place. Map/charts, flight instruments and engine instruments on 1 screen is too much in my humble opinion. I have flight instruments on one screen and map/engine on the other. I can shift map to mine to allow copilot to have flight instruments and that works well.
 
I have VPX on the experimental and love it. But I did Approach Fast Stack and breaker switches on my certified and really love that too - saved a lot of time and panel space to do it that way.
 
Echoing what others have said above, I would not do the stand alone GPS, get either the GNC355 GPS/Comm or GNX375 GPS/TPDR, just to save precious real-estate. Also 100% sell the CGR-30 and add the EIS to the G3X, again, to save real-estate, plus it should be more cost-effective that way.
 
mybombshells said:
Hi All,
I'm looking for feedback on this panel setup. I've currently got a vac driven six pack with a KX125 NAV/COMM and a Garmin GTX355 ADS-B out TX and a GDL39 going to an Aera 795 GPS. Here is what I'm looking at replacing it with:

Garmin G3x 10" GDU460
+Garmin LRU Install Kit
+Garmin GAD29
Electronics International CGR30P Combo for EIS (I've already bought this so won't use the G3x EIS).
Garmin G5 (for backup)
Garmin GPS175 IFR GPS
Garmin GTR205xR (COMM 1)
King KX125 (COMM 2, NAV 1)
Garmin GMA245R Audio Panel
Garmin GTX355 Transponder (re-use)
Garmin GDL39 (re-use)

Later on I may upgrade the KX125 with a GNC215. With this setup I'll remove all the analog instruments and vac system.

Thoughts on this setup? I'm primarily looking to do VFR with the occasional light IFR.
Click to expand...
What did you end up deciding? I'm interested in some of the things you'll be removing.
 
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