Dynon Flightdek D180, Apperro ESG3i,

[jiott]

Just my 2 cents on Dynon, but I would if at all possible go with the Dynon Skyview rather than the D180. Skyview is the far newer and current technology and is much more likely to be supported with frequent updates and firmware for many years to come. Don't get me wrong, Dynon is a good company and I haven't heard any rumors of the D180 being abandoned, but when I was trying to make this same decision 6 years ago a Dynon sales rep told me basically what I said above. Face it, we all know the inevitable nature of the fast moving electronics market.

[FlyinFish N928M]

Appreciate your inputs everyone,
The GNC 250 is a previous investment and never used, afraid I will take a big loss trying to resell. Simply trying to integrate along with today’s technology. Mapping, traffic and communications in center stage for touch screen interface, old school airspeed and altitude, at a quick scan for takeoff and land as a backup if the Dynon ever went dark. Figured Dynon positioned just off line of site would be acceptable. Airspeed equals life which is why I considered it within the panel having never flown with a glass airspeed indicator. If I can sell the GNC 250 I would have a clean slate to go for the Skyview system. AmFm CD player was a previous plan too, but why, considering all the newer alternatives. Can anyone suggest the best marketplace for reselling avionics for the hombuilder? The inflight video of the Dynon 180 from DessertFox is very impressive for consideration!

Thank you all!

[Av8r3400]

I've been extremely happy with my D180. My panel cost me $7500 with iCom A210, 327GTX, Garmin Aera 500 and D180. (I supplement with an iPad Mini and Garmin Glo as a backup, not factored into the cost.)

A comparable Skyview (extremely nice, not saying it isn't!) was $14k when I was shopping a couple years ago.

[jeffbock]

When I built and bought instruments in 2013 I didn't like the display or additional cost of the Skyview. Now the Skyview might get my attention.
Having said that, I have the D-180 and after 4 years of flying have had no problems and like the simplicity. In a light sport A/C flying into unimproved strips simple is good. Jeff

[PaulSS]

I like the Skyview and have a good idea of how it all integrates, having just finished up a friend's RV8 with one in it. The display is nice and crisp but, to be honest, I really can't see anything that would make me pay the extra over a similar MGL EFIS. The MGL is actually more configurable and the ability to make your own custom screens and indications is better than adding or subtracting various ready-made options on the Dynon.

If I were allowed, in the UK, the freedom you guys have in the US with panels I would simply have a 10" MGL display and a Guardian Avionics flush-mount for an iPad (with cooling fan). The Trig radio (with built in intercom) would be remote mounted, along with the remote mounted Trig transponder. Even better now that you can buy a certified GPS box from MGL that just plugs into the system using the CAN bus and gives all the 'stuff' you need for the ADSB out.

Anyway, at their price point, I think the MGL EFISeseses are well worth looking at.

[efwd]

For me, I am very glad I have all Garmin. As I am completing this install I am noticing that there are numerous occasions where I would have to do more research or more configuring to make things work together with the G3X. Im not implying all this stuff is plug and play but the fact that Garmins software recognizes its own equipment is making things a bit easier I am sure. Maybe I am just imagining it would be harder. There are times I read in the manual that there are items that wouldn't even work with the G3X. Imagine if I had one of those pieces and just discover 1.5 years after purchase that it isn't compatible. Sometimes it may even be a Garmin item that is not compatible. What a bummer that would be.

[jiott]

Since we are talking about various brands and their features, I want to throw out one more piece of information regarding the Dynon Skyview (it may also be true of the D180) that I found extremely helpful. When you purchase the Dynon EMS (engine monitoring system) module you should also purchase their package of engine sensors for your particular engine, in my case the Rotax 912. Then when you go to turn the system on and set everything up, the setup menu lets you tell it you have the Rotax 912 and the appropriate sensors and it then automatically configures most all the sensor readouts, ranges, red-yellow-green ranges and warnings. There is very little you have to do to configure the whole setup except choose the type, size and location of the readout widgets on your screen. I know Advanced Flight Systems (owned by Dynon) also does this and very likely some of the other brands. For me, not being very electrically inclined and not highly computer savvy, it was a tremendous help and confidence builder. As Eddie said, the more you stay with one brand of add-on modules the easier it is to get everything to work together. It probably is not the cheapest way to go, but I have a hunch it will make life much easier for downstream support and troubleshooting.