really is a nice setup. Kudos!

G44 wrote:How much weight did you save by removing all your vacuum system and instruments? Looks fantastic!

FWIW the vacuum junk (pump, instruments, etc) that I removed from my 180 weighed 13 pounds.
G5 weighs 1 pound.

colopilot wrote: I have read that doc a few times now both with and without the benefit of coffee. I don't see a single word mentioning approval of non-STC'd avionics. The intent of the document just looks to specifically allow the replacement of a vacuum attitude indicator with an electrical one as a primary indicator, and dictates the things you need to do for that to only be considered a minor alteration (i.e. mail your 337 and you're done with it). I'd think if it were as simple as "slap in whatever experimental AI you want and fill out this form", it would effectively negate the STC process Garmin and Dynon recently underwent with their AI replacements.....

I got it in writing from not one but two different FAA inspectors.
Since it's a bit of a gray area, I kept copies of their emails with my G5 paperwork.

Part of it may be that my 1953 airplane was certified iunder the old CAR standards, long before TSO's and all that existed.
Another might be that the horizon and DG were not listed as a required instrument on my original factory equipment list.
Now if I was to need IFR capabilities, that might be another story.
Not sure what all's required to be IFR legal without the standard traditional (vacuum) gyros,
but maybe that's where the twin-G5 STC from Garmin would come into play.

G44 wrote:How much weight did you save by removing all your vacuum system and instruments? Looks fantastic!

That 170 panel looks great! Nicely done.

FWIW, I shed 14 lbs by deleting my vacuum pump, hoses, filters, A/H and DG, which I replaced with a G5.

before....


after.....

A couple of great G5 panel shots there! Keep 'em coming!

Flush mount G5

Looks good!

upnorth180 wrote:after.....

where is your compass - are you able to replace that with the G5?

We are doing exactly what you are thinking about doing, GTN750 and two G5s. Gone is the crappy old vacuum system and all of it's headaches. The really cool part about the G5 is that it weighs almost nothing compared to what comes out of the airplane. You get a kick butt setup for the money you send to Garmin.




One thing to note is that the unit just will not run an autopilot.
Back in my topic where I posted about the HSI page being "activated" for certified units, a member here hinted that something is in the works,

JP256 wrote:Back on the topic -- sort of...

A friend who is at Sun-N-Fun got one of the Garmin people aside at an "after hours" event, and was told that they are expecting to have the G5 DG/HSI approved to drive an autopilot (presumably their own from the experimental world) in the near future. He was told to look for it at AirVenture... Then the guy realized what he had said, and shut up without answering any more questions.

Here's hoping it's true!

Keep us posted on your new avionics!

FWIW... I installed a G5 in my Wagon two months ago and have had nothing but poor luck.

It was an early unit and had the older software. I spoke to one of the higher up Garmin engineers at the onset of this issue and was told (as has been mentioned) to update the software.

Here is the link BTW: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download ... 9#Instruct

Anyway, after doing the update, the unit is still acting wonky. I know others have praise for the unit, but to me, its a novelty toy. So far, in NO WAY would I trust this unit IFR. Old vac unit is the only way I can fly. Tons of $$$ and time wasted so far.

Currently trying to get Garmin to take it back, or at least send me a replacement.

Bigrenna wrote:FWIW... I installed a G5 in my Wagon two months ago and have had nothing but poor luck.

It was an early unit and had the older software. I spoke to one of the higher up Garmin engineers at the onset of this issue and was told (as has been mentioned) to update the software.

Here is the link BTW: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download ... 9#Instruct

Anyway, after doing the update, the unit is still acting wonky. I know others have praise for the unit, but to me, its a novelty toy. So far, in NO WAY would I trust this unit IFR. Old vac unit is the only way I can fly. Tons of $$$ and time wasted so far.

Currently trying to get Garmin to take it back, or at least send me a replacement.

Bigrenna,

I share your frustrations. I thought that swapping out the vacuum system for the G5 set-up was the way to go. Like you, I am far from impressed. My first unit showed an erroneous attitude display most of the time, starting with a lean to the left a few degrees, and evolved into full blown attitude failure during flight, indicating upwards of 30-40 degree bank when in fact straight and level.

With thanks to my dealer, the unit was replaced with another new G5. I updated the latest software (3.10 at the time, now 3.20 is out). at first, I thought the problem had been resolved. After flying several trips in the last couple weeks, I have found it to be nearly useless. Any measurable amount of turbulence skews the attitude display, badly. I really can't believe that a company such as Garmin allows their products to be this pathetic. This unit will kill pilots who rely on it in hard IMC. Period.

We just installed our G5 and it is spot on in both pitch and bank. Hopefully it stays that way

.

I too have a G5 installed, and it is also one of the first ones off the line.
it worked fine for a while, then the dreaded leaning left....aligning......BS
found the updated software and installed....awesome...... till today that is
started leaning left again.
will see if there is a new update ....again

NO way id trust in IFR conditions. shame
anyone in the experimental world have any problems with the G3x's like the G5's?

Bradley

We have over 50 hours on our G5 now, and it's rock solid. No weird leaning or alignment problems at all. I'll check our software version, but I thinks it's the 3.10 version. It's much more reliable than the vacuum instruments it replaced. I'll keep an eye on it though.

Just an FYI, last Feb I upgraded the avionics in my 2001 Husky A1B with new Aspen Evolution Pro 1000 PFD and Avidyne IFD 440 FMS/Nav/Com (slide in replacement for my G-430). Love it. No issues and works great together. Didn't intend to thread jump, just share a PIREP on an alternative.

kygreen229 wrote:Great looking panel and install as others have said. Just curious, if the vac. system is removed, what is running your standard DG in the pic? Am I missing something? This G5 overall is starting to really look like a cool unit.

It appears to be an MCI all-electric unit, from the photo. Great looking setup!

Yes, it's an electric version.