Cost of Garmin 300XL installed vs. GNS430

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Does anyone have recent experience getting a Garmin 300XL GPS/COM
installed? I'm trying to figure out the comparison in price between the
430 and the 300 when it comes to the total cost of the installation.
This will initially be a VFR only installation, but I want the GPS to
be IFR capable so that when I finish upgrading the rest of the panel, I
don't have to get a new GPS. I see factory refurbished 300Xls selling
for about $2700 which is significatly less than a 430 costs.

Any recent experiences with installations on either the 430 or 300
would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

[[email protected]]

430 is <$ 300XL, that the case. 50% about?

The installation is much messier since you
need a relay box to switch your indicator
from your VOR to the 300XL GPS. So that could
easily eat up part of the cost saving, both the sw box and the
hours to wire it up. Very tedious. Check quotes carefully.

FAA approval probably slightly easier on 430.

Another equation:

300XL old generation, nasty operation (tho not real bad)
430 sweet operation-- very nice implementation.

The sting on the bucks will be forgotten quickly.
The difference will be < you think.

Oh.. the 430 will affect the value of your plane more
positively.

Bill Hale BPPP instructor
430 enthusiast.

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the perspective on the 430. I know that the full IFR
installation on the 300 is a lot more complex, however I'm just looking
at VFR capability right now. The plane (a 50s vintage warbird) has zero
navigation equipment installed other than a Garmin 195 handheld (no
VORs, no ADF, and old electric gyros with no vacuum system)

I'm a long ways from an IFR capable panel, but I'd rather get a GPS
that could eventually be used IFR vs one that would definitely have to
be replaced at that point.

It looks like there is about a $3K difference in fully installed prices
(for VFR capability) between the 2 boxes, but I'm trying to confirm
that.

Thanks,
Eric

[[email protected]]

Well, the 300 is a good box for what you are doing now... you don't
have to connect it to an external indicator for VFR. And with the comm
built in, the install is pretty easy.

So it wouldn't be the worst thing you ever did... just leave enough
panel height to upgrade to a 430.

When you upgrade, you will get a good price for the 300... lots of
guys doing what you are.

I'm still guessing it's the best IFR answer.

Bill

[Jon Kraus]

You should probably just stay with your 195 or upgrade to the 396. There
really isn't any advantage to adding the 300 at this point. Unless you
are willing to dump many thousands into upgrading your panel you already
have a way to navigate and it isn't costing you anything.

You mentioned about eventually going IFR. If that is true it would be
more cost effective to sell the current plane and buy one that already
had the IFR panel in it. My wild-ass-guess would be that it would cost
you upwards of fifty grand to add all the necessary equipment to your
current bird to make it IFR capable. Maybe not that much but it would be
an expensive venture for sure.

Reguardless on what you end up doing, good luck to you.

Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ TYQ

wrote:
> Thanks for the perspective on the 430. I know that the full IFR
> installation on the 300 is a lot more complex, however I'm just looking
> at VFR capability right now. The plane (a 50s vintage warbird) has zero
> navigation equipment installed other than a Garmin 195 handheld (no
> VORs, no ADF, and old electric gyros with no vacuum system)
>
> I'm a long ways from an IFR capable panel, but I'd rather get a GPS
> that could eventually be used IFR vs one that would definitely have to
> be replaced at that point.
>
> It looks like there is about a $3K difference in fully installed prices
> (for VFR capability) between the 2 boxes, but I'm trying to confirm
> that.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric
>

[[email protected]]

Jon,

The total is probably closer to $25K to get to an IFR panel, but it is
significant as you point out. There really aren't any of my aircraft
available on the market with IFR panels, so its more of a decision of
whether I want this plane to be IFR capable in the long term.

After talking with the avionics shop today and looking at their demo
396, I may go the route you suggested anyway. Unfortunately now I want
a transponder upgrade so I can get the TIS traffic on the 396.

Thanks,
Eric
1959 Pilatus P-3 A-848
http://www.hometown.aol.com/bartscher/P3A848.html

[Jon Kraus]

Yea after I sent the post I figured that 50 AMU's was probably pretty
high... As far as the 396 goes I think that is a good choice, Sorry I
cost you more cash by wanting the TIS traffic upgrade... :-)

Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ TYQ

wrote:
> Jon,
>
> The total is probably closer to $25K to get to an IFR panel, but it is
> significant as you point out. There really aren't any of my aircraft
> available on the market with IFR panels, so its more of a decision of
> whether I want this plane to be IFR capable in the long term.
>
> After talking with the avionics shop today and looking at their demo
> 396, I may go the route you suggested anyway. Unfortunately now I want
> a transponder upgrade so I can get the TIS traffic on the 396.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric
> 1959 Pilatus P-3 A-848
> http://www.hometown.aol.com/bartscher/P3A848.html
>

[Thomas Borchert]

,

Are you familiar with the panel mounts at airgizmos.com? They might
help make it look tidy.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Dave Butler]

Thomas Borchert wrote:
> ,
>
> Are you familiar with the panel mounts at airgizmos.com? They might
> help make it look tidy.

I have the 396 and agree it is an excellent choice as your one and only GPS if
you can live without RNAV approaches.

I've seen the airgizmo thing and if you can get it past the FAA I think it's a
great concept. I'm not aware of any installations in GA aircraft, I think the
avionics shops are still afraid of them. I don't know what kind of certification
hoops you have to jump through for your warbird.

BTW, has anyone seen one of the airgizmo mounts that's been blessed by a FSDO
for other than homebuilt?

Dave

[Newps]

Dave Butler wrote:

>
> I've seen the airgizmo thing and if you can get it past the FAA I think
> it's a great concept.

Just put it in.


I'm not aware of any installations in GA aircraft,
> I think the avionics shops are still afraid of them.

We have about 6 on the field here alone. they are turning up everywhere
you look around here.



>
> BTW, has anyone seen one of the airgizmo mounts that's been blessed by a
> FSDO for other than homebuilt?

It's not up to FSDO as no 337 is needed, it's a minor alteration.

[[email protected]]

Newps wrote:
> Dave Butler wrote:
>
> >
> > I've seen the airgizmo thing and if you can get it past the FAA I think
> > it's a great concept.
>
> Just put it in.
>
>
> I'm not aware of any installations in GA aircraft,
> > I think the avionics shops are still afraid of them.
>
> We have about 6 on the field here alone. they are turning up everywhere
> you look around here.
>
>
>
> >
> > BTW, has anyone seen one of the airgizmo mounts that's been blessed by a
> > FSDO for other than homebuilt?
>
> It's not up to FSDO as no 337 is needed, it's a minor alteration.

I have seen the Air Gizmo mount for the 396, and since my plane is
Experimental the installation would be fine. However, I don't have the
panel space without moving a lot of stuff around so I'll be mounting it
on a bracket near the glareshield if I go that route.

I've seen several ads for combos of a 396, the dock, an SL-40 com, and
a GTX-327 transponder for $6K. Looks like they are actively marketing
to the LSA and homebuilt market.

Thanks,
Eric