IFR GPS

[Paul Bruk]

Hi,

Looking to add an IFR GPS. Was thinking either the KLN 94 or the Garmin 175. King says they will continue to support the KLN as there are many units still in service. The main difference is WAAS vs. Non-WAAS and cost.

Does anyone have an approved Flight Manual Supplement for the KLN 94 that I could use as a template?

Is the Garmin 175 approved for the Meyers? I couldn’t find the STC.

Thanks!

• This topic was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Paul Bruk.

[Paul Bruk]

For those who might be interested in the Garmin 175, the STC and AML are here.

https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/62018D7400B0F8CD862585AE004277E9?OpenDocument&Highlight=%20sa02636se

Approval is for
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 200
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 200A
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 200B
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 200C
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 200D
3A18 — Interceptor Aircraft Inc — 400

[Dennis Martin]

Don’t even think of something non WAAS. They are all obsolete. With vor’s going away you want to be able to fly the full suite of rnav approaches as more and more airports are going that way.

The garmin 175 is a great budget alternative to ubiquitous 650s and 750s. Used garmin 430s and 530s are plentiful, but future support is a concern. Take a look at the Avidyne ifd 440 and 540 as well. I have them and prefer they have some features the Garmins don’t. All of this stuff is approved on AML STCs for the 200s

[Dean Siracusa]

I’d definitely pick the Garmin over the King. The KLN 94 is old, clunky and slow compared to the newer Garmin 175.

Also, figure that any of these companies will likely only support their GPS products for 10 years or less after production ends. Production on the KLN 94 has been out of production for a while now, so the clock is ticking. And, the Garmin 175 is still in production.

[Chris Blaine]

Hi Dennis, I recently flew a friend’s c310 with IFD540/440 and really liked them. They seem much more user friendly and so simple to operate. I was ready to jump on them when he had an issue and the avionics shop had to send his 540 back to FL somewhere. He waited many weeks for the repair and it was not inexpensive. SEA is a giant aviation hub and to think that he couldn’t get support somewhere here or in CA or nearby made me wonder about follow on support or long term prospects of those IFDs.
Do you have any advice that would make me want to return to then and add them to my panel? Also, it seemed that they came with all the bells and whistles at a lower $ than Garmin. Do you have some guidance regarding that?
Thanks for helping out. Aloha,
Chris Blaine

[Dennis Martin]

Hi Chris,

I haven’t had to send my Avidynes in for repair so can’t comment on that. I did have an issue I was able to fix in the plane and factory support for that was good. They have a pretty active and helpful forum as well.

FWIW, the Garmin 530w in my rv8 needs to go in and flat rate repair for that is $2300! Turn time is 2 or 3 weeks I think. So keep that in mind when evaluating the Avidynes.

[Chris Blaine]

Thanks Dennis, I’m tardy in my reply. I think both Garmin and Avidyne are quite expensive in the repair/flat rate repair department. I much prefer the Avidyne overall, but it seems so few shops (that I have had contact with) will recommend or even want to sell them. Garmin definitely has the grips on the business, and I guess some folks should just go with them to get the products out there in use… don’t know if I hear myself talking though!

[Dennis Martin]

Avidyne tried to hire me a few years ago. They said their biggest obstacle was getting shops to carry and recommend their stuff. When people actually try it they are sold (I was). It’s better.

For the shops Garmin is an easier sell. Customers know it and generally accept it. It works well, and they’ve done a great job building an ecosystem of products that integrate easily. It’s a lot more work to sell someone on an alternate brand, and when they do they don’t make any more money. In fact if they are replacing a Garmin 430/530 they’ll make less since the IFD’s are plug and play.

Keep in mind that 60 years ago Al Meyers built a better airplane than Beech. Better doesn’t always win in the marketplace, but those willing to do the research and take a chance get rewarded with a superior product.

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