I've noticed that some of you have installed the CGR-30P in your scooters. Would you mind giving some feedback on your experience with install, what choices you made for options and perhaps why?, and general happiness with the unit. I'd appreciate the intel. also… Anyone do the fuel level?

http://buy-ei.com/portfolio/cgr-30p-overview/

We have no engine monitor in the 205 and I need (ok, would 'like') a good fuel totalizer as well. The CGR jumped out as the best of both worlds and offers so much more. We have a shop visit scheduled the end of March and I think I could squeeze this in. We won't have panel space or scratch for the MVP's or other more expensive units so the choice may be CGR or standard engine monitor for now.

Thanks!

Will be keeping an eye on this thread as I am also interested what you guys have to say about the CGR-30.

I recently put it in the Margwagon and am very happy with it. I like the function,, I like the wt. reduction, simplifying the panel.
As everyone has said in the past, customer service has been very good. Installation very straight forward for me.
All the info I like in one spot. Annunciator lights warn you if something is out of parameters, and the infected bar graph/dial also changes color if something is off.
I have Manifold pressure, RPM, EGT,CHT, oil pressure, fuel burn and fuel remaining all on my primary page.
The only thing for me that takes a little getting used to is the EGT probes seem a little slow. Not a deal breaker, just takes a little getting used to. I haven't talked to them about it. I do have a buddy that says he has heard similar, but thinks it is better probe.
Gary

I'm having one added in the coming month, so can't say much yet. Except I went and looked at one in person before ordering. I wanted I make sure it was big enough and bright enough to be useable. I was impressed. The brightness helps compensate for the small overall size. I was convinced that I would be able to read it sufficiently well in flight. You might want to look at one in person too if you haven't already.

After a month of installing, I have only got to fly behind it for a couple hours. So far I like it.
The installation was great as mentioned above. As well as customer support.
I did not do the fuel level. I left my original fuel gauges in do to the fact that whatever gauges you replaced with this new unit that were [b]required instruments[b] for your make and model, have to be displayed on the primary screen (with the availability to have one more required instrument on the second screen as long as your alerted by the remote warning lights you mount on the panel).

The unit is meticulously packaged with a great install manual. The ol "Even a Caveman could do it" definitely applies here. I enjoyed the install process, and usually I'm quite grumpy when spending time under the panel (just ask my wife).
So far I give it a "positive pirep".

PS. EI has at your preference, quick response, or standard EGT probes. I chose the standard. The quick response probes are a thinner probe and given the choice I figured there might be some longevity in the thicker standard probes. Nothing scientific, just my thought holding one of each in my hands at the time. I've flown my entire life with a single probe EGT. So when I say the standard probes respond quick enough for me, or quicker than anything I've ever had before, take it with a grain of salt. Also, I'm flying a carb. not fuel injection, so not so critical with my application.

Hope that answers some questions for you.
Tom

A friend just installed one in his Husky this month and I am planning to install one in my own Husky this fall. Pireps to follow.

I put it in my cub when I re did the panel, and I had the boot cowl off. It was really easy to do at that point, mounted the box that all the wires run into, and ran all the leads and put the boot cowl back on. Very straight forward install.
Flying with it is great, only problem was, now I have high cht's so I had to do some work to the cowling and baffles. Which really isn't a bad thing. It takes about a minute after powering on to get to the home screen. Very simple to use. I have to send my display back to EI. The fuel total (which is great to have) has been re setting its self, sometimes to zero and sometimes to full. The tach has also been resetting it's self too. Sucks because I fly every day, but they said send it back and we will look at it, never had that problem before. Other than that, I love how the install went, and all the features. I did have one probe go bad, and they sent me out one no questions asked. The slow response, which is what I got with the cgr, is interchangeable with the fast response.

I will update once I pull the gauge and send it back to them. If I can stop flying long enough.

Tom, my CGR does the same re-setting on the fuel total as well? That's it though, never had any other issues.

All in all I really like it, we've got it in our Cub. I have a JPI 700 n 450 fuel flow in the Cessna. Between the two the CGR gets my vote.

Hmm I'll let you know what comes from it. Hopefully they figure out what's going on with it. Even with that problem I love the instrument.

Tom and Skalywag
Same problem with my CGR 30P: it (sometimes) resets fuel total to Zero. (I am NOT having the tach reset problem).
The fuel total resets to zero happened at power-up, three times out of a total of maybe 25 power ups over the 10 days I have had the instrument in. The fuel flow, which I look at very often in flight, has no problem, so it must be a software issue. I am shocked that they don't try any software fix before asking you to send the unit in. We are calling them tomorrow about it.
More to follow.

Another problem I forgot to mention is that display, at max brightness, is too dim in full sunlight. Addressing that with them tomorrow too.

I've had one for 70 hours since doing my new FWF, and been loving it. No bugs at all, and never had any problems with brightness. Hope you guys that are having issues manage to get them sorted out.

-DP

Any new info on this? I’m looking for an install shop in the West. I’m in southern Nevada right now, but headed to Alaska. Got a quote for 50-60 hours to install. Very reputable shop, but still seems high based on what if heard...looking for ideas on a good shop experienced with this unit.

I stuck one in my 180 about 1.5 yr ago works great, no issues. No fuel level just amount. remaining and flow.

I put one in my 180 awhile back. I like it very much. I've had lots of JPIs and an Auracle in various planes. I like the CGR-30 the best. Spring for new fuel senders and include the fuel level as well. You won't regret it!

gunny

ps. As Bigrenna says the wire connectors are a little goofy.

I’ve spent a lot of time flying JPI instruments and have always liked them. Yesterday I flew in a Cessna with a new EDM 900 engine gauge, and I was VERY impressed. So, you might consider one of the new JOI products as well.

MTV

Thanks! I actually already bought the unit.... just wondering if a quote if 50-60 hours to install is reasonable... it seems a bit high, but it’s a shop that I’ve worked with and was very happy with their work.

I really like mine.

The old gauges in my 1969 Cessna 172 were typical old Cessna gauges. Wobbled about and only gave you a green arc and red lines. I am a computer person; I like digital screens and numbers.

Not only did I want an engine monitor, but I wanted one that would replace basically my entire right panel (the old engine and fuel gauges).

My bird has 2300 hrs on airframe and engine. I figured the engine monitor would help me take better care of my engine and get as many hours out of it as I could. AND, the engine monitor would help tell me when it was getting ready to need an overhaul.

We also redid the fuel sending units. One had gone bad, so I decided to update them both to the new kind. They are magnetic. Supposed to last longer and be more accurate (and seem to be).

Its really nice knowing how each cylinder is doing. The fuel totalizer is nice. The fuel flow needs to be dialed in first. (its not totally accurate at first)

I like the yellow and red lights that flash to get your attention if there's an issue.

It cleared up alot of room on the panel. I don't know what to mount on the right panel, yet.

I don't know much about the install. But the main mechanic at Red Willow Aviation (McCook, NE) said he does many engine monitor installs per year, so he's got it pretty well figured out.

All in all, it wasn't cheap, but I felt it was worth it.

Selway wrote:Any new info on this? I’m looking for an install shop in the West. I’m in southern Nevada right now, but headed to Alaska. Got a quote for 50-60 hours to install. Very reputable shop, but still seems high based on what if heard...looking for ideas on a good shop experienced with this unit.

We had Roin Miller @ the Avionics Shop in Twin Falls, Idaho install ours. It was his first but it has been a few years. Seems like he charged us 35-ish hours but if he bills 50 hours, it really took that long. He is honest to a fault and does great work. ADSB installs have him backed up a bit like every other shop these days...

I can't say anything for the -30, but I LOVE my -50. I have had a few bugs with it that were unfortunately user/operator/installation errors, but Electronics International has been a dream to work with support wise. All of the issues have been resolved but they want us to send the unit back when its convenient for us to do so (free of charge) to double, triple check that we will be safe.

It took us about two-three weeks to get mine hooked up. This was partly due to the fact that a hundred different things were being done at the same time on the airplane and the guy who was doing the install on the -50 was overseeing half of those other things.