KLN series GPS

P

paulwerbin

Headed to Andromeda
I'm hoping someone can move the first part of this discusscussion from the AEC topic.
I am a happy user of the KLN90B. I have it feeding a GPSS steering module and a Multi- function display for weather, traffic, and terrain. But... This is not a plug in replacement for the 89B or 94B. Those 2 are simliar. The Honeywell stuff is well built, reliable, easy to use. But reality is most people want Garmin these days.
But before going this way take a good look at upgrades planned for later. CDI and other displays might not like the new GPS just because it worked well with an old GPS. And Bendix/ Honeywell still does not have a WAAS unit for GA despite the great prototypes a few years ago.
Any panel mount IFR certified GPS is a big help in today's IFR environment. Even if not flying GPS approaches it saves a lot of navigating when trying to get around weather or some shortcut around busy airspace. With New York Tracon requesting "direct wxyzz" is more likely than "Heading xyz for 10 miles then south" is more like to be met with success.
 
https://vbl.beechaeroclub.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=26353#26353
paulwerbin said:
I am a happy user of the KLN90B. I have it feeding a GPSS steering module and a Multi- function display for weather, traffic, and terrain. But... This is not a plug in replacement for the 89B or 94B. Those 2 are simliar
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what the deal is with the kln90b here. There was a brief mention of it (& more info) but I don't have access to the rest of that info.

Edit - from what little info I looked over again, I think you're correct. The 90B probably came up as another option but not as an easy upgrade path to the 94B.
 
paulwerbin said:
But reality is most people want Garmin these days.
Click to expand...
Here's what a broker had to say back in Jan.

(Could someone confirm this link works please?)
http://www.grumman.net/archive/2008/msg00025.html
As an aircraft broker, I can tell you that, in this tough market, having a
430 or 530 is one of the most important additions a plane could have to make
it sell: I get calls on those that have them, and I don't on those that
don't. Simple as that. (But, the same is true for low total time, low engine
time, and new paint and interior: Only the creampuffs are selling...no one
is looking for a project.)

So, the question arises: Should I add a 430 (or new paint or interior) at a
cost of $10,000 if I want to sell? Well, it will definitely help it sell,
but it will only add $5,000 to the value of the plane (typical of all
improvements). My advice: Detail the plane, touch up the paint, repair
interior damage (holes, tears, etc)., keep flying it (at least 5
hrs./month), price it at the honest Vref value and drop the price by 2% a
month. Then, and only then, if it doesn't sell, start improving it until it
does.
Click to expand...
 
The link does work.
And as always I believe that there is no way to tell what will be desirable in 5 years. Ten years ago Garmin was hardly involved in aviation. If you plan on keeping the plane that long, buy what you like. If you plan on upgrading soon, plan on what you are likely to add later and use that to help make today's decisions. Some used avionics are great deals if installation doesn't kill you.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses.

Just to let everyone know, I will be getting door handles and a fuel valve from Mike when he gets back. Hopefully no more safety issues come up, I really need to finish my instrument training.

I checked Ebay for the 430's. Man, I don't think I want to spend that much right now. I need to do a new interior and paint... I need to go with something less expensive, but able to be upgraded after the whole plane is in better shape. I may be getting a job that will require me to be capable of GPS approaches (only approach to the airport). I'd like an installed GPS system for 3-5k, hopefully closer to 3. Avionics just aren't my real priority, as long as I can do my three approaches for the checkride. I called about the KLN90b's and am awaiting a reply. I think I was looking in to one in the past, but it didn't work out...This won't happen overnight.

Great feedback in this club. You've made one more member for life.

Ben
 
There was a GPS that was pin-compatible with the Apollo Loran, I think it was a GX-55. Does anyone here have one of these? Anyone have a lead on one?
 
I am also holding off on the purchase of the Garmin 430 for now. I think the prices of the original 430's are going to fall as most units will be WAAS certified in the future. I will replace my Loran with one of these but would ultimately like to have WAAS capability..... I am a VFR Skipper.

I actually have had my loran M1, ADF and one radio refurbished; the loran is actually a very good Nav device. I use a lowrance 2000C hand held for the moving map.


Tom
 
http://www.bennettavionics.com/gx55.html

http://www.avweb.com/news/reviews/182566-1.html
rack-compatible with their 600-series Lorans and their 800-series FlyBuddy GPS. The rack is the same, the wiring is the same, so installation is a snap: just slide out your old Loran, slide in the new GX55, and change the antenna. That's it! No change in wiring is required. If your Loran drives your autopilot and/or your HSI, then the GX55 will do the same.
Click to expand...

http://forums.piperowner.org/read/2/97731
 
I would not invest in installing an GX50/55/60/65 at this point. Garmin has issued an EOL stating that they can no longer obtain the plasma displays used. They are offering a (limited time) discount on upgrading to a 4x0/5x0 series unit. The issue is that these units may not be fixable/supportable other than a swap.

I have a Garmin 300XL and I'm happy with it. I knew when I installed it I was probably spending throwaway money on it - but the cost delta between the 300XL and a pre-WAAS to WAAS 4x0 upgrade ended up (as I predicted) being only about $2000. So not being able to afford a 4x0 it's been worth that $2000-$3000 to have an in-panel GPS and the ability to fly /G for the last 3 1/2 years.

However, I cannot in good faith advise anyone to spend the money on putting in a used pre-WAAS GPS. If you're looking to save money and have a solid COM or NAV/COM look at a 400 or a 420 instead of a 430. But the real installed prices of a Garmin 155/300 or a King 9x is going to end up at $5k or more for an IFR installation. This is keeping in mind that most of us will have to fork out for a new CDI with an internal resolver as well as possibly additional annunciators.

A Garmin 420W can be had installed for $9k give or take - a 400W for even less. As the broker notes pre-WAAS GPS are adding virtually no value to the aircraft. A pre-WAAS 400 or 420 can be gotten installed in almost the same $5k range as an older 155/300 or KLN9x would run.

So save your nickels and get a unit like the Garmin 400/420/430 as appropriate. If you have the budget for a 5x0 I'd look seriously at the new Bendix/King KSN 770 which is pretty much the functionality of the 530 and MX200 combined for about the same coin as a 530 by itself.

If that is more than a year off I would advise getting a good value portable unit for awareness. My personal favorite recommendations are an EFB solution for the high end and a Lowrance 2000C or AV8OR for a sub-$1000 solution. I just don't see spending the $2000+ prices on a closed solution like the 696 versus what is available in the EFB based solutions. But there are some great units out there now in the sub-$800 street range. The AV8OR can be upgraded to WX weather for a total final cost of just a hair over $1000.
--
Mark
 
Mark,

I agree. I like the Bendix/King 770 set up. Lot of bang for the buck. For the interim GPS I'd opt for the AvMap GeoPilot. You can switch it to ground map and get dual use. Also, there is now an AirGizmos for it for those who like it in the panel. It has almost all the functionality of my EKP IV for about $1K. Probably will fit more panels than the larger AvMap. The AV8OR is probably a good choice too. I just don't know much about it except the graphics are a bit crude. Good article on it in April's Plane & PIlot. I like the AvMap displays. Much better presentation than the handheld Garmins for WAAAAAY less. The Garmin 696 is nice too, but only has a vertical display. I couldn't use it in my airplane. Then, there is the price. I believe they are $1K more than the EKP IV.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
I have the AvMap EKP 1V and added the terrain database (that was not available when I bought it 4 years ago) I think it is a great unit, but I am not sure about it's refresh rate. It seems I can overfly the map fairly often (screen shows a field 2nm ahead as you fly over it) so I would not want to have to rely on it in the soup (not that either me, or it, are rated for that anyway).

Unfortunately, I don't have room on the panel for a gizmo, otherwise I would fix it in.

Mark
In Oz
 
Mark,

I just loaded new software into my EKP IV. I don't have the latest data base for the nav data as they had an issue with my CF card ID number. I had to reload the new files on my card just to read it. Only thing, now I have no terrian data! I don't know what happen, but I have the old files if I have to reload. I couldn't do the Nav Data update today as Italy was shut down. The new SW and data base will make it a true "track up" display. There are more upgrades coming to remove the annoying "anticipation" mode when selecting airports or VORs as way-points. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I should get the GPS back hanging on the instrument panel and flight tested next week. I wish I could panel mount it too. I have the room for the unit, but can't install the AirGizmos. I really don't want to enlarge the existing hole for a "Rube Goldberg" installation (bet that stumps our younger members). I would prefer something a little more tidy. This is why I may go with the AvMap GeoPilot Plus and sell the EKP IV. Of course if I hit the Lotto, the upgrade will be big time.

One little note. Now my wife has had a few long cross countries in the Sierra, she mentioned that she doesn't ever want to have another airplane with only one door. Say's if the next airplane doesn't have two doors, it should have an airstair and a potty! Could I be looking at a Duke next?!

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
mvanover said:
Say's if the next airplane doesn't have two doors, it should have an airstair and a potty! Could I be looking at a Duke next?!

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
Click to expand...

One of our members went from a Musketeer to a Baron in one step recently.
I see some great prices on King Air's lately !!!!!!




When I updated the SW for the EKP, Italy supplied me a new (larger) data card for less than I could buy the blank CF card here. About 7 euros. That was about one third of the price that the local distributor wanted. That was about a year ago.
 
N6008L said:
There was a GPS that was pin-compatible with the Apollo Loran, I think it was a GX-55. Does anyone here have one of these? Anyone have a lead on one?
Click to expand...

I've got a GX55 that I purchase off of Ebay to replace my Apollo 604, but then I got the deal on the GX50 and had it installed instead.

I haven't gotten around to re-listing it on Ebay. I paid around $1300 for it. I would let it go for $1200. Make me an offer.

Steve
 
Ahhh... the King Air. I love the smell of kerosene in the morning. Who am I kidding? I couldn't afford the insurance on a King Air! I'd consider a Barron a step DOWN in comfort. Still only one door up front.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, AZ

Technical Editor: Not to mention the 2" narrower cabin width of the Bonanza and Baron!
 
I have a good GX50 that I plan to replace with a G430 in the near future. If you can wait a couple of months, drop me a line.

Rodney
 
"Rube" now I haven't heard that one in a while.

You can purchase a few DUKES at very low prices...Wonder what RAPID charges for parts on dat one..

Did you say once that Lowrance wasn't supporting the 2000C software updates in the future?

Tom
 
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