Planning for some avionics upgrades this fall. GNS navigator, new autopilot, and new panels.

I like the idea of the Garmin GI275s, but when I price out the instruments (4 GI275s; AI, CDI, EIS, and copilot side), and everything else, the delta between that and a G500 system with two displays and EIS isn't that wide.

Is there any reason I would regret throwing a few more dollars down to get G500? I like the idea of learning glass, but I trained and have only flown on round stuff.

I have a G500Txi. I went with a 7 inch landscape screen because it fits better in an early C180. Also have a GTN650Xi/355/345R and a GFC 500AP. I love my panel and have zero regrets. I went full glass in 2020. Saved a lot of weight and feel the panel makes flying more enjoyable. It seems pilots of fairly polarized on their opinions of glass panels. The older folks tend to be gyro lovers while the youngsters are the so called children of the magenta line. I am in the older group but really love the glass. I think you get more bang for you buck going with either a G3X or Txi over the 275s. The bigger screen is nice. The only reason to go with the 275s would be if you want to keep some of your old gauges and do not want to cut a new panel. I think glass makes it easier to fly IFR and improves your situational awareness once you learn the systems.


Josh

CParker wrote:Planning for some avionics upgrades this fall. GNS navigator, new autopilot, and new panels.

I like the idea of the Garmin GI275s, but when I price out the instruments (4 GI275s; AI, CDI, EIS, and copilot side), and everything else, the delta between that and a G500 system with two displays and EIS isn't that wide.

Is there any reason I would regret throwing a few more dollars down to get G500? I like the idea of learning glass, but I trained and have only flown on round stuff.

Four GI275’s seems like a lot. I’d go full glass at that point.

You say a G500 system with two displays. That seems overkill from my experience. Split screen on a single G500/600/3X is more than adequate. Personally I would drop the EIS functionality and go with JPI for that instead - It’s all JPI does and they are simply better at it.

I have flown G500, 500TXI, 600, and G3X in VFR and IFR. They are amazing in all environments and operations in my opinion. I just can’t imagine what you’d do with a second display.

GI275 looks like a great unit, but it seems to me that it is an add on or replacement unit. If doing a full panel, I'd go glass. I intend to do that with my project 180, it seems to be simpler, cleaner, and lighter than a panel with steam gauges.
I'm an old school person most of the time, but when I had a flying job, I quickly came to like the G1000 in the Caravan and the Honeywell in the PC12.

Dog is my Copilot wrote:I have a G500Txi. I went with a 7 inch landscape screen because it fits better in an early C180. Also have a GTN650Xi/355/345R and a GFC 500AP. I love my panel and have zero regrets. I went full glass in 2020. ....

Can you post a pic of your panel, Josh?
Thanks.

Why are you going with right side instruments in a single pilot plane?

I’m planning on the 275s posted because I want to keep my panel more or less original looking

Cost comparisons come down to your mission, in my opinion. If you are going VFR everywhere, it matters less what you install, and I would even go as far as to say that installing the biggest and best portable Garmin units makes sense to me.

I installed the G500 and supporting WAAS GPS back in 2012. Love it. The newer stuff is even better, but I still find that 12 year old unit to be very functional. For any IFR work, the situational awareness is hard to beat.

If you have the room, and budget, the 10" G500TXi display allows for an EIS strip, removing the need for a separate EIS display.
I have 2 G5's, a GI 275 EIS, & GFC500 which I am thoroughly pleased with, but every time I use a G500 I think "next time the C180 gets one of these".
Look forward to seeing your final panel.

Thanks guys, the theme here confirms my bias

The comments about not needing two displays are valid, I'm a little naive about all this. I was checking out some aircraft at the radio shop hangar when I dropped mine off for some work on Friday, and one display on the left is plenty based on those examples. The question then became, Garmin EIS on the 500 or a 930 on the right side. The Garmin EIS is not as clean as JPI, but the integration is nice. The radio shop owner had bias towards Garmin EIS.

NineThreeKilo wrote:Why are you going with right side instruments in a single pilot plane?

I’m planning on the 275s posted because I want to keep my panel more or less original looking

Novelty. My wife is starting flight training and I have several friends who would really like to. I feel like giving them an instrument on that side to fly with would make taking the controls from time to time a more enjoyable experience.

This plane is something I'm going to keep for some time.

To directly answer your question, no. I went 10” G3X pilots side, G5 backup, along with a 750 and 500 autopilot. I run a IPAD on the copilots side and my engine instruments are on the G3X. I usually run the ribbon of basic EIS DATA on the G3X, along with half of the split screen with addition engine data. I will periodically use that side of the screen for other duties (flight plan, weather, traffic…..). I briefly considered putting in another G3X for the copilot, very glad I didn’t. The IPAD on the copilots side tilted towards me is the perfect for VFR and especially IFR. As I’ve been working on my instrument ticket, I’ve found it invaluable to have the GFC 500 directly above the control quadrant, every altitude and heading ATC instructs is quickly changed on the heading and altitude bugs with the GFC 500 knobs. When it comes to avionics, what little I know, it seems a single manufacturer for the entire panel is the way to go, everything’s made to talk to each other. I wouldn’t do a JPI, but it seems like this subject is like asking if somebody likes glass or round gauges, que the debate.

One things for certain, I’ve never heard of anybodies eyesight getting better as they age, do you want to look at a 10” screen or 3 1/4”

hotrod180 wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:I have a G500Txi. I went with a 7 inch landscape screen because it fits better in an early C180. Also have a GTN650Xi/355/345R and a GFC 500AP. I love my panel and have zero regrets. I went full glass in 2020. ....

Can you post a pic of your panel, Josh?
Thanks.

- just showing off some speeeeeeeed !


Josh

185er wrote: I wouldn’t do a JPI, but it seems like this subject is like asking if somebody likes glass or round gauges, que the debate.

I love my JPI 900. I think it gives you everything you need on one screen and has worked really well for me. At the time of my upgrade (2020) the Garmin EIS were not well tested. In retrospect I should have placed on EIS/MFD screen where the JPI is now. Would have been a little more functional and the Garmin EIS are top notch units. I also think the GTN750 is superior to the 650 but not by a lot. The bigger screen is great and I like how the 750 incorporates the NAV/MAP page on one screen. You have to toggle back and forth on the 650. You also have a separate setting for the NAV frequency - again a toggle on the 650. With practice it is pretty easy to navigate through the menus on the 650 and it saves space and some money. For an older C180 with an old style panel it makes it look more fitting for the era and space. It was important for me to be " Feng Shui " in the design.

I like having 4 screens. You need dedicated PFD/EIS/MFD screens. I have the 500TXi/JPI900/650Xi for those primary displays. I then use the 355 for traffic but can toggle between terrain and weather if needed. The system works really well for me. I really only need the Ipad for an IFR plate now. For VFR flying it has become almost obsolete.


Josh

These planes are small enough that if her eyesight is good enough to get a medical she should be able to fly one side and look to the other side, as a CFI I can attest it’s not a issue, even on bigger planes

I’d agree it shouldn’t be an issue. A 275 packs a lot of info into a 3 1/8” hole and it is a great unit from what I’ve heard. Given the choice though………