I’m making my 180 IFR capable, I was planning on two G5’s to go along with the 430. But then someone mentioned av30’s. They look like a really nice unit, but I cannot find if they can do radio and or gps glide slopes. Extra equipment, ap10?, but, I can’t find those.
Options?

I think the box to make it a full HSI with these options is coming soon.

I looked at the same two options but after talking to several avionics shop, came to the conclusion that the Garmin GI275 is the way to go for a single unit. The AV30 is just too early and it could be a real slog.
Best,
Tommy

TommyN wrote:I looked at the same two options but after talking to several avionics shop, came to the conclusion that the Garmin GI275 is the way to go for a single unit. The AV30 is just too early and it could be a real slog.
Best,
Tommy

My sense is the AV30's is a serious contender to the crown Garmin believes they wear.

Mapleflt wrote:

TommyN wrote:I looked at the same two options but after talking to several avionics shop, came to the conclusion that the Garmin GI275 is the way to go for a single unit. The AV30 is just too early and it could be a real slog.
Best,
Tommy

My sense is the AV30's is a serious contender to the crown Garmin believes they wear.

I agree if yoy compare the AV30 and the G5. The GI275 is in a whole different league, both in price and capability. But it's quite a step up in price..

The AV30 is starting out in a nice little niche; both features and price point, with room to grow. To be fair, full disclosure I purchased two for my panel build but they together still added to less then a GI275. Point of fact the GI275 was put out in direct response to the AV30 so that tells me that even Garmin see it as a serious adversary in the marketplace.

I hope the AV-30C works out for all of you. But I’ve been on the bleeding edge with avionics before. You gotta be a believer and all the stars and comets gotta align. I guess I no longer have the patience.

Best,

Tommy

Sorry. Not sorry. Not even close. Caution. Rant follows.

I’ve been looking for a place to make my case on this. There’s an autopilot thread running parallel to this, but I chose this thread.

The AV30 is a stand alone, single instrument replacement. If that’s all you’re looking for, fine, but don’t knock Garmin, because Garmin offers so much more. I waited a long time for Dynon to get their act together, and they’re going to need a lot more time. I stopped waiting.

I’m in the middle of a major avionics upgrade. The core is GFC 500, dual G5, and GTN 650xi. Show me alternatives, and I’ll show you gaps.

The GI 275 was put out in response to Garmin customers wanting a device that would integrate with as many autopilots and navigators as possible. This is the missing link. For a very reasonable price, IFR pilots are ditching their expensive gyro stabilized attitude indicators and HSIs and driving their autopilots with solid state instruments. They are compatible with a huge list of autopilots and navigation equipment. All the whining and crying (almost) about Garmin’s proprietary interfaces is put to rest by this device. It is also capable of providing primary indications for airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and turn coordinator. Two GI 275s can replace your full six pack. Maybe the AV 30 can do all this someday, but I’m not getting any younger while they make promises and try to figure out how to jailbreak the most capable equipment in the industry, Garmin.

Comparable to the G5? Nope. Not even close. The G5 won’t do what the GI 275 will, but it is the brains for the GFC 500 autopilot. If you don’t need this, then by all means, buy something cheaper. If you want the autopilot that gives you the biggest bang for the buck, it’s the GFC 500. Digital autopilot with digital servos. IAS climb, vertical airspeed, follows glide path and glide slope. The only autopilot that can do VNAV, as long as you have a GTN navigator, the only navigator that can output a VNAV signal. The G5(s) tie this all together. It has the autopilot mode indicators built in, supplies baro data to the navigator, displays the flight director with data from the GFC 500 and GTN 650xi, and syncs all the data and commands. Change something on any of the three devices, and the other two change in step. STEC 3100? Digital controller driving analog servos that build up with carbon as the brushes wear and have to be sent out for cleaning and repairs. TruTrak and Trio? Very affordable. Lack features. Narrow list of interfaces and limited certification for IFR.

If you want to cobble something together from a list of suppliers that does 90% of what a Garmin suite will do, go for it, but I wanted something that left nothing on the table. No excuses. No exceptions. No what if’s. No if only.

To show that I’m objective, and not just a Garmin boy:

I didn’t go Garmin for the audio panel, and knowingly left Telligence on the table. I picked up an intuitive user interface and Intelliaudio with the PS Engineering PMA450B

I didn’t go Garmin for the transponder either, because I wanted active traffic and Garmin doesn’t compete price wise. I bought the Lynx 9000D+. I left Garmin TargetTrend and display integration on the table, but in Canada ADS-B adoption rates are so low that active traffic beats ADS-B 10:1 or more.

Not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but Garmin gets bashed a lot. I don’t think they deserve it. They don’t need to allow the rest of the industry to ride on their coat tails. We’d be far worse off if they weren’t causing all the others to try to catch up. They deserve to be applauded and defended.

Well defended Pinecone; it sounds like you will have a very capable setup once completed, very nice.

As with everything in aviation its all about fulfilling the mission requirement. Avionics are no different, arguably one of the longest, deepest, darkest rabbit holes in this game we play. Identify what sort of setup fits with the mission goals, stay focused on that path and the bank account won't suffer to much stress and irreparable damage.

Of one more thing, send pictures once your build is up and running we all like to see shinny new instrument panels

Pinecone wrote:Sorry. Not sorry. Not even close. Caution. Rant follows.

I’ve been looking for a place to make my case on this. There’s an autopilot thread running parallel to this, but I chose this thread.

The AV30 is a stand alone, single instrument replacement. If that’s all you’re looking for, fine, but don’t knock Garmin, because Garmin offers so much more. I waited a long time for Dynon to get their act together, and they’re going to need a lot more time. I stopped waiting.

I’m in the middle of a major avionics upgrade. The core is GFC 500, dual G5, and GTN 650xi. Show me alternatives, and I’ll show you gaps.

The GI 275 was put out in response to Garmin customers wanting a device that would integrate with as many autopilots and navigators as possible. This is the missing link. For a very reasonable price, IFR pilots are ditching their expensive gyro stabilized attitude indicators and HSIs and driving their autopilots with solid state instruments. They are compatible with a huge list of autopilots and navigation equipment. All the whining and crying (almost) about Garmin’s proprietary interfaces is put to rest by this device. It is also capable of providing primary indications for airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and turn coordinator. Two GI 275s can replace your full six pack. Maybe the AV 30 can do all this someday, but I’m not getting any younger while they make promises and try to figure out how to jailbreak the most capable equipment in the industry, Garmin.

Comparable to the G5? Nope. Not even close. The G5 won’t do what the GI 275 will, but it is the brains for the GFC 500 autopilot. If you don’t need this, then by all means, buy something cheaper. If you want the autopilot that gives you the biggest bang for the buck, it’s the GFC 500. Digital autopilot with digital servos. IAS climb, vertical airspeed, follows glide path and glide slope. The only autopilot that can do VNAV, as long as you have a GTN navigator, the only navigator that can output a VNAV signal. The G5(s) tie this all together. It has the autopilot mode indicators built in, supplies baro data to the navigator, displays the flight director with data from the GFC 500 and GTN 650xi, and syncs all the data and commands. Change something on any of the three devices, and the other two change in step. STEC 3100? Digital controller driving analog servos that build up with carbon as the brushes wear and have to be sent out for cleaning and repairs. TruTrak and Trio? Very affordable. Lack features. Narrow list of interfaces and limited certification for IFR.

If you want to cobble something together from a list of suppliers that does 90% of what a Garmin suite will do, go for it, but I wanted something that left nothing on the table. No excuses. No exceptions. No what if’s. No if only.

To show that I’m objective, and not just a Garmin boy:

I didn’t go Garmin for the audio panel, and knowingly left Telligence on the table. I picked up an intuitive user interface and Intelliaudio with the PS Engineering PMA450B

I didn’t go Garmin for the transponder either, because I wanted active traffic and Garmin doesn’t compete price wise. I bought the Lynx 9000D+. I left Garmin TargetTrend and display integration on the table, but in Canada ADS-B adoption rates are so low that active traffic beats ADS-B 10:1 or more.

Not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but Garmin gets bashed a lot. I don’t think they deserve it. They don’t need to allow the rest of the industry to ride on their coat tails. We’d be far worse off if they weren’t causing all the others to try to catch up. They deserve to be applauded and defended.

I'll agree with the last poster and say this was a well reasoned argument. The trouble with being #1 is that you're always a target and will have haters. I installed a GNC 255 Nav/Com in the T-6 last year. I'm still shaking my head that it's about the only Nav/Com left on the market. The features I really like about it are the built in 2 place intercom (one less thing on the panel and out of my wallet), the ability to monitor the backup frequency and auto-mute when the primary is receiving, and the ability to auto identify VORs.

That said, I like the AV-30 a LOT. I can't say squat about its ability to fly approaches, but the round face, flush mount, very customizable interface is appealing. With just power, ground and pitot/static lines it can provide a ton of information independent of anything else on your panel, including AoA with out a probe. Until I read how it works I thought it was a cheesy gimmick but at this point I look forward to owning one.

You wanted the best panel and your budget allows for it. Me, I have no desire for an autopilot. When I fly planes with one I might use it for a few minutes in cruise, but I guess I'm old school and prefer to hand fly.

I'm building an experimental which thankfully opens up a whole world of options not available on my current airplane. I have not reached a conclusion about what will be on my panel other than it being simple (read: cheap).

Dynon may be second best in the race for our wallets but it does have one glaring advantage over Garmin: Software and database updates are free. Go to the website, download, done. And it's real money, especially for IFR use. Just a few years of not paying Garmin's subscription rates would put a second display on my panel.

I like to do all my own work (A&P here). Is it possible to purchase the GI275 and install oneself or is it dealer only item?

C180_guy wrote:I like to do all my own work (A&P here). Is it possible to purchase the GI275 and install oneself or is it dealer only item?

If you want warranty coverage it has to be installed by a Garmin dealer. I installed the GNC255 under the supervision of the dealer using the harness they made up.

aftCG wrote:

C180_guy wrote:I like to do all my own work (A&P here). Is it possible to purchase the GI275 and install oneself or is it dealer only item?

If you want warranty coverage it has to be installed by a Garmin dealer. I installed the GNC255 under the supervision of the dealer using the harness they made up.

Garmin may be a fine product but “forcing my hand” isn’t cool and for that reason I’m out.

Dynon may be second best in the race for our wallets but it does have one glaring advantage over Garmin: Software and database updates are free. Go to the website, download, done. And it's real money, especially for IFR use. Just a few years of not paying Garmin's subscription rates would put a second display on my panel.

No Canadian data base available for the Dynon at any price. Planned for the future.

Ordered 2 G5’s today.
Av30’s look great, but I can’t wait for a maybe on certification for approaches.
I’m really curious how much weight will be saved by eliminating the vacuum system. It’s hard to see 12 pounds.

I love Garmin products but I think they went way overboard with the almost soul touchscreen utilization and maybe its kind of petty but is it just me or are the graphics very "cartoonish"? almost animated? Hey If you're shooting an approach to minimums do you want to be thinking "man I'm not sure I trust this thing..."?

That said! I think the AV30 is a great option and as far as for approaches... I think yes but not for vertical guidance. This was off of the the Uavionix website under FAQ for hte AV30.

"The AV-30 does not currently support vertical navigation display, but this feature will be introduced with the APA-10 autopilot interface box."

Does that mean I need to buy the autopilot box for a glideslope indication? Not sure.

Non-precision? Id say yeah it'll work. Precision? Maybe stick with your old school CDI for those.

I have a 'garmin 430W with a CDI and glide slope. Why would I worry if an AV-30-C has vertical reference or not

StillLearning wrote:...I’m really curious how much weight will be saved by eliminating the vacuum system. It’s hard to see 12 pounds.

I removed all the vacuum stuff from my C180, and installed a single G5.
Net weight loss was 12 pounds.
(I weighed everything myself)

I own an AV-30, it's being installed later this week. That being said, I ordered it because my 182 is VFR only, here in Idaho our rare IFR conditions are not something I'd tackle with a 57 year old single engine airplane. That said, if I was looking for an IFR platform I'd go with the Garmin units. When you're in IMC with the family in the plane, I'd prefer to have the security of knowing all the instruments were designed by the same team, and designed to work well together. No mish-mash of electronics for me.

Just to second CParker, that was a deciding factor for me as well to go with the GI275 on my plane. Its hard enough to get Garmin stuff to place nice together, let alone devices from other manufacturers.