So I’m in the process of amassing parts for a new panel setup in my 1960 182c. Currently I have an MX12 as my navcom and a gnc250xl as a com/gps. I use the GNC as my primary com. The MX12 seems to lack some range and also at times has spotty transmissions. Something is a little wonky with it, not sure what. It also doesn’t function correctly with my VOR/glide slope locator. Not sure what’s up with that either. I basically use it to monitor weather wherever I’m going or coming from and that’s about it.

All of these little issues with the MX12 should have been covered in my recent pre-buy, but I won’t go there. I had planned and priced in a panel upgrade anyway no harm, but still.....would have been nice to know.

Anyway, I picked up a recently refurbed GNS530W to be my new #1 navcom. My options for the #2 radio are to:

1. Run the GNC250XL and only have one nav radio at basically no cost.

2. Run the MX12 after a potential overhaul and have a 2nd nav/com at minimal cost ($1000 or less, as a guess)

3. Sell both and by a used SL30 as my #2 Navcom at some cost once you factor in a garmin compatible indicator ($2500)

Although I do plan to eventually use this airplane to get my IFR rating I seriously doubt I’ll ever be flying it in any real IMC with any real frequency and hopefully not for any great distances.

My buddy is trying to talk me into buying a used 430W to complement the 530. Personally it’s hard for me to justify that cost. If I were to run a second nav/com I would probably go the SL30 route even though it’s the most expensive of my three options outside of the 430w. At this point though, I’m leaning towards just running the GNC 250 and being done with it.

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Do you really think a second nav/com is need over just a #2 com?

I have a 430W and an SL30, plus an iPad. I fly IFR frequently.

I use the second comm constantly to monitor guard, listen to ASOSs, and sometimes listen to a CTAF when I'm using comm 1 for something else. The second nav receiver? I don't think you need it. Heck, I hardly use the first one!

Ditto. Haven’t used a VOR in the last 30 years of IFR. Without a monitor feature on the 530 a second comm is handy, and free if you keep the 250XL.

I think your friend is wrong. If you already have an IFR GPS, there are so many cooler things to spend your money on. Also, two nav's is so rarely used within IFR which you will also rarely do anyway. A couple options I would consider:

1. Sell 250 and other nav/com. Buy an SL40 (no nav). With the monitor function this essentially allows you to listen to 3 frequencies. You retain IFR GPS, VOR, DME, blah blah. One of my favorite radios of all time. Would probably break even by selling the 250. No second indicator to buy.

2. For zero cost, run the 250 as your second comm if it works well with intent to upgrade to SL30 or GTR225 in the future when you get some money. If you end up liking the 250 as your #2, remove the intent to upgrade.

Thanks for the replys fellas. That gives me a lot of insight. To clarify, I definitely want a #2 com, whatever that option is. It would be nice to be able to monitor 2 channels with the SL30/40....

You guys make me think I should just keep the 250xl and move on. It’s nice to have the redundancy in the GPS function (in addition to the 530 and my iPad with ADSB and weather), plus the ergonomics are similar to the 530. Take the extra cash and spend it on a heavy duty nose fork.

For cheap, run the 250. I would not bother with a SL30/40. Go with a GTR220/225. New, very nice radio that will link to the 530, and priced very well

I removed my Narco Nav/Com and replaced it with the GTR200 and Aera 660 GPS. I do missing having a nav capability some times, but my airplane was never IFR, so I'd never be flying IMC, just practicing. When I removed the Narco I kept the Nav antenna because I didn't have anything to plug it with. Yesterday I plugged it into my handheld and was surprised how well it worked.