MFD recommendations

[Richard Kaplan]

"carlos" > wrote in message
...

> Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
> waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s).


At this point in time for a new IFR GPS installation, I think the Garmin
400/500 series or the UPSAT CNX-80 are the leading contenders since these
are the only GPS boxes for which their manufacturers have committed to
providing an upgrade for WAAS GPS precision approaches later this year.

If the Garmin 430 is overkill because you already have 2 Nav/Coms, you might
consider the Garmin GPS 400, which offers the same GPS functions as the
Garmin 430 minus the Nav/Coms.

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

[carlos]

Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v. 295
question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly due
to its redraw speed).

Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although it
did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
curious bunch.

I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
thoughts/knowledge on this matter.

My current avionics stack includes:

Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
2 KX155 radios
King audio panel, ADF and transponder
S-TEC 50 autopilot

I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a stormscope.
Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map, but
no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
would be less than a 430.

I suppose there are other possibilities as well.

Any thought, comments or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

CGP.

[Dude]

I am a big fan of trying to reduce the amount of vendors in the stack.

Also, I have read good things about the new King MFD.

For what its worth, I think the new King MFD may be the way to go.

However, I LOVE my 430.


"carlos" > wrote in message
...
> Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v. 295
> question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly due
> to its redraw speed).
>
> Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although it
> did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> curious bunch.
>
> I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
>
> My current avionics stack includes:
>
> Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> 2 KX155 radios
> King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> S-TEC 50 autopilot
>
> I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
> Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
> waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
> no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> would be less than a 430.
>
> I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
>
> Any thought, comments or recommendations?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> CGP.
>
>

[Mike Long]

"carlos" > wrote in message >...
> ...>
> I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
>
> My current avionics stack includes:
>
> Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> 2 KX155 radios
> King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> S-TEC 50 autopilot
>
> I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a stormscope.
> Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
> waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map, but
> no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> would be less than a 430.
> ...

I think the previous suggestion of the Garmin 400 was a good one and
the King KMD 250 would be a good choice as well. Both have excellent
resolution. I don't know if the 400 takes FIS and TIS cards (uplinked
Radar & Terminal Area Traffic) but the 250 will. If your future plans
include those, it might be an important question to ask (and ask about
the King also - I'm taking the word of my radio man). I know I would
want uplinked or downlinked radar on mine, even if I had to save to
buy it. King's KDR 510 has far better resolution IMO than the Garmin
GDL 49 but the upcoming GDL 69 coupled with XM radio is purported to
be a whole different product. I'm also quite sure ChartView or its
equivalent would be on my list of eventual desires. So, the GDL 69 and
ChartView would point me in the Garmin direction.

Also do pay some attention to how the information is converted to the
moving map if you decide to buy on price. An older 5" 55R Avidyne uses
as its background map a sectional that was clearly scanned and then
displays as the page you are navigating on. It's a nice enough unit
and of good size but the KMD 550, for example, blows it away for
resolution and enhanced capabilities.

That didn't help a bit, did it? <g>. Well, at least you know some
questions to ask.

Mike

[C J Campbell]

"carlos" > wrote in message
...
| Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v. 295
| question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly due
| to its redraw speed).
|
| Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although it
| did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
| curious bunch.
|
| I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
| thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
|
| My current avionics stack includes:
|
| Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
| 2 KX155 radios
| King audio panel, ADF and transponder
| S-TEC 50 autopilot
|
| I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
| Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
| waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
| recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
| no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
| would be less than a 430.

The King MFD also works better with your existing radios. Alternatively you
could get an Apollo MX20 MFD, which is a much nicer display than any of the
King or other Garmin products, and keep your existing GPS. I use the MX20 in
my own 206 and it is a very nice unit.

[carlos]

Thanks. Since I'm not flying in the US, I don't really have a need for all
the new functions that you guys are finally getting this year. I will look
at the 400, but I'm leaning more towards keeping a King stack... (Or adding
an MX20, since I already have an Apollo GPS).

Best Regards,

CGP.

"Richard Kaplan" > wrote in message
s.com...
>
> "carlos" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
> > waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s).
>
>
> At this point in time for a new IFR GPS installation, I think the Garmin
> 400/500 series or the UPSAT CNX-80 are the leading contenders since these
> are the only GPS boxes for which their manufacturers have committed to
> providing an upgrade for WAAS GPS precision approaches later this year.
>
> If the Garmin 430 is overkill because you already have 2 Nav/Coms, you
might
> consider the Garmin GPS 400, which offers the same GPS functions as the
> Garmin 430 minus the Nav/Coms.
>
> --
> Richard Kaplan, CFII
>
> www.flyimc.com
>
>

[carlos]

Thanks for the tip on reducing vendor-clutter in the stack. Which King MFD
are you referring to, the 250?

Regards,

CGP.

"Dude" > wrote in message
...
> I am a big fan of trying to reduce the amount of vendors in the stack.
>
> Also, I have read good things about the new King MFD.
>
> For what its worth, I think the new King MFD may be the way to go.
>
> However, I LOVE my 430.
>
>
> "carlos" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v.
295
> > question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly
due
> > to its redraw speed).
> >
> > Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although
it
> > did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> > curious bunch.
> >
> > I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> > thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
> >
> > My current avionics stack includes:
> >
> > Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> > 2 KX155 radios
> > King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> > S-TEC 50 autopilot
> >
> > I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
> stormscope.
> > Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
> > waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> > recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
> but
> > no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> > would be less than a 430.
> >
> > I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
> >
> > Any thought, comments or recommendations?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!
> >
> > CGP.
> >
> >
>
>

[carlos]

Thanks Mike... I'll look closely at those functions you mention to see if I
have a need for them (I don't fly in the US - At least not regularly, though
I may make a trip to Sun & Fun).

Best Regards,

CGP.

"Mike Long" > wrote in message
om...
> "carlos" > wrote in message
>...
> > ...>
> > I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> > thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
> >
> > My current avionics stack includes:
> >
> > Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> > 2 KX155 radios
> > King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> > S-TEC 50 autopilot
> >
> > I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
> > Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
> > waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> > recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
> > no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> > would be less than a 430.
> > ...
>
> I think the previous suggestion of the Garmin 400 was a good one and
> the King KMD 250 would be a good choice as well. Both have excellent
> resolution. I don't know if the 400 takes FIS and TIS cards (uplinked
> Radar & Terminal Area Traffic) but the 250 will. If your future plans
> include those, it might be an important question to ask (and ask about
> the King also - I'm taking the word of my radio man). I know I would
> want uplinked or downlinked radar on mine, even if I had to save to
> buy it. King's KDR 510 has far better resolution IMO than the Garmin
> GDL 49 but the upcoming GDL 69 coupled with XM radio is purported to
> be a whole different product. I'm also quite sure ChartView or its
> equivalent would be on my list of eventual desires. So, the GDL 69 and
> ChartView would point me in the Garmin direction.
>
> Also do pay some attention to how the information is converted to the
> moving map if you decide to buy on price. An older 5" 55R Avidyne uses
> as its background map a sectional that was clearly scanned and then
> displays as the page you are navigating on. It's a nice enough unit
> and of good size but the KMD 550, for example, blows it away for
> resolution and enhanced capabilities.
>
> That didn't help a bit, did it? <g>. Well, at least you know some
> questions to ask.
>
> Mike

[carlos]

Thanks. How do you like your MX-20? I do think it's a bit more expensive
than the King. One reason I'm leaning towards the King is that these are the
units Cessna uses on their newer planes (well, at least until they start
using the Garmin 1000s), so maintenance/support should be easier.

Best Regards,

CGP.

"C J Campbell" > wrote in message
...
>
> "carlos" > wrote in message
> ...
> | Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v.
295
> | question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly
due
> | to its redraw speed).
> |
> | Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although
it
> | did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> | curious bunch.
> |
> | I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> | thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
> |
> | My current avionics stack includes:
> |
> | Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> | 2 KX155 radios
> | King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> | S-TEC 50 autopilot
> |
> | I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
> stormscope.
> | Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
> | waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> | recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
> but
> | no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> | would be less than a 430.
>
> The King MFD also works better with your existing radios. Alternatively
you
> could get an Apollo MX20 MFD, which is a much nicer display than any of
the
> King or other Garmin products, and keep your existing GPS. I use the MX20
in
> my own 206 and it is a very nice unit.
>
>

[Dude]

Since I have limited experience with the King products, I really have no
specific advice on which of their products to go with.

They seem to have a good reputation, and be getting good reviews on their
products, though.

I just try and avoid the inevitable integration problems - and finger
pointing that comes with them - of having products from different companies
trying to work together.

While many times there is no problem with the integration, there seems to be
less problems with single vendor solutions. Also, diagnosing and fixing
problems is easier with one vendor.


"carlos" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the tip on reducing vendor-clutter in the stack. Which King MFD
> are you referring to, the 250?
>
> Regards,
>
> CGP.
>
> "Dude" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I am a big fan of trying to reduce the amount of vendors in the stack.
> >
> > Also, I have read good things about the new King MFD.
> >
> > For what its worth, I think the new King MFD may be the way to go.
> >
> > However, I LOVE my 430.
> >
> >
> > "carlos" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v.
> 295
> > > question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly
> due
> > > to its redraw speed).
> > >
> > > Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although
> it
> > > did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all
you
> > > curious bunch.
> > >
> > > I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> > > thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
> > >
> > > My current avionics stack includes:
> > >
> > > Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> > > 2 KX155 radios
> > > King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> > > S-TEC 50 autopilot
> > >
> > > I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
> > stormscope.
> > > Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would
be
> a
> > > waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of
mine
> > > recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving
map,
> > but
> > > no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined
cost
> > > would be less than a 430.
> > >
> > > I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
> > >
> > > Any thought, comments or recommendations?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance!
> > >
> > > CGP.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[C J Campbell]

"carlos" > wrote in message
...
| Thanks. How do you like your MX-20? I do think it's a bit more expensive
| than the King. One reason I'm leaning towards the King is that these are
the
| units Cessna uses on their newer planes (well, at least until they start
| using the Garmin 1000s), so maintenance/support should be easier.
|

The King displays are at half the resolution of a VGA screen and show only
eight colors. Special use airspace is depicted in the same color as your
route. I have *frequently* found this to be a serious problem.

The MX-20 is bigger, full VGA, and shows 256 colors. You can get options to
have it depict Jeppview approach plates and superimpose your aircraft right
on them. It has many more features than the King displays and is much easier
to use for monitoring terrain and course.

This display gives you a lot more bang for the buck than the Garmin 430/530,
being bigger and clearer without forcing you to replace your GPS or radios.

[Mark Manes]

Carlos,
I had a similar stack to yours in my 310. A used Garmin GPS 400 came
available locally. I decided to go with the GPS 400 and an Avidyne EX500 MFD
(it has integrated datalink) for the built in weather capabilities. The
EX500 was less than the other MFD's to boot. It works great. Also you
might consider that later you may want Traffic Information Services (TIS)
which will allow the GPS 400 to display Mode S traffic data from a Garmin
GTX330 (only works in areas with Mode S implemented). I fly in the Dallas
area a lot and the Traffic comes in very handy. I also added a Garmin 340
audio panel. With my two KX 155's and KN64 I really like what I have in the
plane now. You could probably add an EX500 MFD and display the GPS data from
your GX55. Avidyne's got a web site with some good stuff on it. Check it
out.



"carlos" > wrote in message
...
> Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v. 295
> question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly due
> to its redraw speed).
>
> Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although it
> did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> curious bunch.
>
> I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
>
> My current avionics stack includes:
>
> Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> 2 KX155 radios
> King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> S-TEC 50 autopilot
>
> I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
> Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
> waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
> no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> would be less than a 430.
>
> I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
>
> Any thought, comments or recommendations?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> CGP.
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004

[carlos]

Thanks Mark.

I'll take a look at the Avydine products. Right now, I'm checking my second
KX155 as it seems to be broken. Depending on the outcome/cost/etc I may opt
for a Garmin 430. Also thinking of getting a 340 audiopanel and a
transponder.

Cranking numbers as we speak...

I wish I had an unlimited budget, so I could add HSI and JPM 900. :-)

Best Regards,

CGP.

"Mark Manes" > wrote in message
...
> Carlos,
> I had a similar stack to yours in my 310. A used Garmin GPS 400 came
> available locally. I decided to go with the GPS 400 and an Avidyne EX500
MFD
> (it has integrated datalink) for the built in weather capabilities. The
> EX500 was less than the other MFD's to boot. It works great. Also you
> might consider that later you may want Traffic Information Services (TIS)
> which will allow the GPS 400 to display Mode S traffic data from a Garmin
> GTX330 (only works in areas with Mode S implemented). I fly in the Dallas
> area a lot and the Traffic comes in very handy. I also added a Garmin 340
> audio panel. With my two KX 155's and KN64 I really like what I have in
the
> plane now. You could probably add an EX500 MFD and display the GPS data
from
> your GX55. Avidyne's got a web site with some good stuff on it. Check it
> out.
>
>
>
> "carlos" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v.
295
> > question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly
due
> > to its redraw speed).
> >
> > Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although
it
> > did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> > curious bunch.
> >
> > I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> > thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
> >
> > My current avionics stack includes:
> >
> > Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> > 2 KX155 radios
> > King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> > S-TEC 50 autopilot
> >
> > I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
> stormscope.
> > Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
> > waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> > recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
> but
> > no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> > would be less than a 430.
> >
> > I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
> >
> > Any thought, comments or recommendations?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!
> >
> > CGP.
> >
> >
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004
>
>

[McGregor]

$600 - for a color moving map:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2455710659&category=26436

Argus 7000 - It'll run off of your GX55, displays airways, shows bearing and
distance to any navaid or airport, has ARTCC freqs, VOR freqs, Runway
dimensions (and maps), can be configured with an RMI option for IFR
approaches, etc. etc.

"carlos" > wrote in message
...
> Hi everyone and thanks to all who helped me out with my Garmin 196 v. 295
> question. It seems the 196 is ahead by a nose at the moment... (mainly due
> to its redraw speed).
>
> Anyway, I just got my plane (first flight was this morning!!! although it
> did greet me with a dead battery)... It's a 1977 Cessna 206G for all you
> curious bunch.
>
> I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
> thoughts/knowledge on this matter.
>
> My current avionics stack includes:
>
> Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
> 2 KX155 radios
> King audio panel, ADF and transponder
> S-TEC 50 autopilot
>
> I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
> Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
> waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
> recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
> no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
> would be less than a 430.
>
> I suppose there are other possibilities as well.
>
> Any thought, comments or recommendations?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> CGP.
>
>