I am very happy with my GNX375 interfaced with ADL. 330 removed…old encoder went to garbage.
RobertL18C wrote:
Thanks arj1, the swap is around 4AMU so may just upgrade the transponder.
For the 4 AMU, likely! :)
Thanks @arj1, the swap is around 4AMU so may just upgrade the transponder.
RobertL18C wrote:
Other than LPV capability and getting a refurbished unit, is there any other advantage to this swap?
RobertL18C, I think the main things were:
- Vertical guidance
- Faster screen refresh
- Holds improved
- LNAV is no longer “tram tracks” – due to SBAS it is more like ILS, a cone
- SBAS integrity checks
I think the main question is the cost of the new unit and comparing it with the cost of the likes of IFD 540 (which is just a slide-in replacement) and GTN750.
GTN or IFD will obviously give you visual approaches and Enroute VNAV (which some use to create DIY approach even if the other options fail).
And AFAIK in all cases you need to replace the GNSS antenna and the cable.
Another question for the EuroGA brain trust? I am considering upgrading my 530 for a refurbished 530W. I like the knobology of the 530/430 and while I don’t need WAAS/EGNOS (my SOP in a SEP is lite IFR), getting a recently refurbished unit would be nice. There was a window when you could send your 530 to Garmin for overhaul, and it came back as a 530W, but I missed that one.
Other than LPV capability and getting a refurbished unit, is there any other advantage to this swap?
@Silvaire I boast a steam gauge panel, and in fact am going retro as the BK KI825 EHSI has become unreliable, and uneconomic to try and fix – and is being replaced with an old skool overhauled BK KI525.
Sebastian_G wrote:
If you have a steam gauge panel it all does not matter but then you might not want any expensive Garmin transponder to start with. Other solutions from smaller vendors might be your choice then anyway.
Which is the reason Garmin was forced to offer the GTX335 to the open market, not just for installation through their dealers, and discount it heavily. With Garmin forced into that position and with the ability to remove the existing encoder from the plane, the 335 with plug-in encoder and internal GPS became a good technical choice for my purpose. One installed hardware item versus three, plus (unfortunately but unavoidably) a new antenna. Less is more, when it comes to installed equipment in my plane and ties to the manufacturer.
I would recommend the GTX 345. Weather is not yet available using the UAT receiver in the UK, but in talking to uAvionix at Sun N Fun, they seem to think that there is a 50-50 chance that the UK might spring for ground station coverage. It would probably only take 8 to 10 ground stations to cover the UK. Built in traffic alerting is much better than with a portable and meets the TSO standards. There is ongoing work in the RTCA world that Europe is participating in to bring more weather data to the cockpit. Also, when you decide to sell, the GTX 345 will have greater appeal. I have two BT linked devices in my cockpit (FS210 and FS510) and IMHO, it is more reliable than Wifi.
RobertL18C wrote:
), so don’t see the need for the more expensive GTX345. Am I missing something?
If you have or plan having any other installed Garmin screens like GTN650, GTN750, G500 etc. etc.the GTX345 will enable you to display weather data on all those displays. If you go for the GTX335 that route is blocked. No portable ADs-B receiver will make this happen.
At least once a week I have call from an aircraft owner realizing this fact and many regret not getting the GTX345. If you have a steam gauge panel it all does not matter but then you might not want any expensive Garmin tarnsponder to start with. Other solutions from smaller vendors might be your choice then anyway.
Like others I went with the GTX335 (in the the US, where ADS-B IN is a factor) because:
(1) Garmin would sell the GTX335 for installation by me and my A&P, unlike the GTX345 which they will not ship except for dealer installation. I dislike Garmin’s business practices and want to do as little business with they or their dealers as possible.
(2) I didn’t want the obsolescence issue related to installed ADS-B IN needing to interface with potential new portables and apps for decades to come. The OUT part is the product of FAA regulation and is unlikely to change. I don’t want to touch the thing for decades, and would rather update portables if/as required, except where installed hardware is required by regulation.
(3) I prefer a more reliable Wi-Fi connection versus Bluetooth for the in-cockpit connection and my Stratus 2S has a very reliable connection to multiple devices in the cockpit with no action on my part. It just works, shortly after I turn on the avionics master I have two iPads and an iPhone logged on and showing traffic.
(4) The 335 is considerably cheaper with the Internal GPS GTX335 + GPS antenna + GAE12 plug-in encoder bundle and my primary objective was to satisfy the 2020 mandate at my US base with the simplest and most reliable hardware possible, and as few hassles as possible.
