Hello,

I'm i n the process of getting a xpndr. Looks like that the Sandia STX 165 is the most inexpensive and simple available.

Is it there someone which has experience with it (and with Sandia products in general)? What do you think about?

I'm open to suggestions anyway.

Regards,

How much is "the most inexpensive"? Seems lke the new txp's are all in the upper teens nowadays.
I've never heard of Sandia. Always had oldie but goodie King's or Narco's myself, but Garmin's seem to be the big thing now. A few people I know have old Collins txps & a couple have Microair and/or Becker mini's.

I have been to the factory in New Mexico. They have good engineering and are known for their encoders, adapter devices behind the scenes in many panels etc. Their encoder design is completely digital unlike other designs that drift and need field service at times. Ask any reputable shop if they use Sandia products on their installations, and I think you will find they are quite familiar. I think the new tranponder comes in two versions.... remote and panel mount. Good luck

Googled it up, suggested retail price $1700. Smaller than the "standard" transponder at 1.78"H x3.5"W x 7.34" L. Has a built-in altitude encoder, what a great idea to simplify installation plus save space & cost. Only down side would seem to be that it doesn't really fit in a standard avionics rack. But that oddball smaller size could also be a plus if you're trying to fit it into a crowded panel.

Thanks to all!

(well, with "inexpensive" i would mean "the least expensive )

Sandia make a good products. They make a GREAT encoder. They also make inside components for some of the big brands. I met the crew from Sandia at Oshkosh[2011] at a party. [Great time had by all] However it showed me the culture of the company where they are out to be the best and believe in their own product. However Garmin with their marketing machine also produce a outstanding product. Their transponders the GTX-327 and 330 are very good for bang for bucks. I have my own aviation engineering company and use both products.

I've looked at them for a battery powered unit in a non-electric airplane.
Very low power use with their encoder and small/lightweight size.
Dave