Avionics

[Shadowrider]

I am at a point of deciding what antennas I need and where to put them along with the OAT probe. I am going to be using a G3X, GTX-45R transponder, GTR-200 panel mount radio. So the questions are, what have others used, the location of mounting and if flying how it all worked out.

I just put an order in on a kitfox and have not yet decided on avionics. Where are you getting your avionics from? Looks like a nice package...what do you think the package will cost you? I priced out a MGL and its 10k for everything including engine monitoring. If its close and not to much more I think I will go with garmin.

[DesertFox4]

Dustin, I moved this post from antennas thread to it’s own so we don’t hijack the antenna thread.

I went with MGL’s Lite iEFIS and V-6 com radio to keep costs down. Still has more features than I’ll need. Installation was simple with the engine RDAC module and canbus system. Havent flown behind it yet but powered up it looks really good. No where near $10,000.00 however I only wanted one screen.

9113E847-BE2F-41D1-BD18-4B7E2FC6D31D.jpg

[Esser]

Personally if it was me and the same price, I would go with MGL

[jiott]

When you are comparing avionics on features and price, don't forget to figure in the cost of software (firmware) and database updates. Major software updates usually happen once a year or so, but database updates come out once a month. The different manufacturers vary widely on the charge for these updates. I have Dynon Skyview and ALL the updates are totally free with no yearly subscription. Garmin, I have heard, charges quite a bit, others are somewhere in between. If you figure in the update costs over a few years it may change your mind about just looking at first cost. With costly updates you also may be more tempted to fly around with out-of-date information or forego the latest new features.

[PaulSS]

MGL databases are free. Also, you lucky people in the USA can get free map downloads

I bought MGL kit so that I could configure the screens how I want. Initially it was quite daunting because the manual assumes a knowledge that I don't have but the MGL geniuses obviously do. However, an extremely helpful guy on the MGL forum (Australian ) put together a couple of videos and they were enough to kick start me. Once I got going it all became a lot easier and now I'm adding, deleting and designing all sorts of goodies. I'm even getting rid of panel warning lights by designing analogue and digital inputs to trigger 'lights' on the EFIS. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can.

PS: Same MGL unit as DesertFox but Trig radio and transponder remote units only, hidden behind the panel and controlled by the EFIS.

[Shadowrider]

MGL databases are free. Also, you lucky people in the USA can get free map downloads

I bought MGL kit so that I could configure the screens how I want. Initially it was quite daunting because the manual assumes a knowledge that I don't have but the MGL geniuses obviously do. However, an extremely helpful guy on the MGL forum (Australian ) put together a couple of videos and they were enough to kick start me. Once I got going it all became a lot easier and now I'm adding, deleting and designing all sorts of goodies. I'm even getting rid of panel warning lights by designing analogue and digital inputs to trigger 'lights' on the EFIS. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can.

PS: Same MGL unit as DesertFox but Trig radio and transponder remote units only, hidden behind the panel and controlled by the EFIS.

Thanks guys! Who is the best to buy from? I am doing one 10" screen, v6 radio, transponder ads-b, rdac engine monitoring. I got a quote from MGL and I attached it to see if I am thinking correct and have not forgotten anything. I know I need an ELT aslo. I am planning on running the Edge Performance turbo 912, so I want boost gauge and EGTs. Are those videos on youtube on how to setup the screens?

[Shadowrider]

When you are comparing avionics on features and price, don't forget to figure in the cost of software (firmware) and database updates. Major software updates usually happen once a year or so, but database updates come out once a month. The different manufacturers vary widely on the charge for these updates. I have Dynon Skyview and ALL the updates are totally free with no yearly subscription. Garmin, I have heard, charges quite a bit, others are somewhere in between. If you figure in the update costs over a few years it may change your mind about just looking at first cost. With costly updates you also may be more tempted to fly around with out-of-date information or forego the latest new features.

Thanks Jim, that is one thing I don't like about garmin, they charge you for everything. What do you think the Dynon Skyview system will cost me, efis, engine monitoring, transponder, ads-b, and who do you suggest buying from?

[PaulSS]

You really don't need to buy the harnesses for the MGL CAN bus. It really is a matter of twisting some 22AWG wire (or using a shielded cable where the twisting has already been done for you) and at either end of the daisy chain of connected components you just chuck in a resistor. If you can solder then you might choose to solder wires into the DSub connectors. If you're like me and it looks like a cat has got loose with a soldering iron, just use the crimp-type pins in a DSub connector. Yes, those MGL harnesses make it more plug 'n' play but you can save yourself a few 00 $s by doing a very simple job yourself.

The videos on the MGL website from Dutchroll will get you going and after a short while you can see that it is easy to put a boost gauge onto your screen (try doing that with the others). You simply insert the type of drawing you want into the list of things on the screen e.g. you might want a barograph for boost instead of a round dial. You then just tell that barograph what it is displaying (so you tell it it's the boost from RDAC 1) and that's it. Chuck in the max and min boost you want, throw in an alarm if you want to and just put it where you want on the screen. EGTs are even easier

Edited to add: since you're buying a Lite you'll need to add an Extender Module in order to input OAT. You can use it for many more things than that, including AoA and it gives you a bunch of ports for digital and analogue inputs and outputs but, specifically, the Lite doesn't come with an input for the OAT probe.

Edited Edited: Seriously, take a look at the Trig TY91 radio and, for you guys in the US with the 'upped' requirements for ADSB, the Trig TT22 transponder. They both work with the MGL interface and the TY91 does have a built in intercom as well, so no need to buy a separate one of those.

[Shadowrider]

Dustin, I moved this post from antennas thread to it’s own so we don’t hijack the antenna thread.

I went with MGL’s Lite iEFIS and V-6 com radio to keep costs down. Still has more features than I’ll need. Installation was simple with the engine RDAC module and canbus system. Havent flown behind it yet but powered up it looks really good. No where near $10,000.00 however I only wanted one screen.

9113E847-BE2F-41D1-BD18-4B7E2FC6D31D.jpg

I like your panel that looks sweet. Is that carbon fiber back for the panel or did you just wrap it? Where did you get it from? Can you post another picture closeup of your panel? I like you only have a few switches and your panel is clean. Do you have to have a separate power supply to these avionics for "clean" power?

[jiott]

The Dynon website has everything you need to know, including prices. Generally you can do somewhat better pricewise if you buy a complete package at a show. I bought my Skyview package from ACS at the Arlington, WA show and saved about 10%.