PA28R-180 Piper Arrow Panel Upgrade Talk

[mandm]

I went to talk to an avionics shop about possibly making some upgrades. I was sort of thinking to remove the vacuum system with 2 x GI275’s, add a GNX375 GPS with ADSB in/out, remove the loran and old transponder, keep the KX155 and CDI/Glideslope for comms and VOR/LOC approaches, keep the GNC300XL for the additional comm radio and backup GPS. I think that could be a pretty good upgrade guessing it will be around 25k?

Then if I wanted to do more, add a GFC500 autopilot, guessing that’s another 25k?

Please share your thoughts on avionics, pricing, etc. Thanks!

 

[Ryan Klems]

Wow that looks a lot like the starting point of a PA-28R-180 I did a few years ago. He went with a GMA345, dual G5s, GNX 375, GNC255 and GTR225. Very functional panel.

 

[TiltOn22]

View attachment 135188

I went to talk to an avionics shop about possibly making some upgrades. I was sort of thinking to remove the vacuum system with 2 x GI275’s, add a GNX375 GPS with ADSB in/out, remove the loran and old transponder, keep the KX155 and CDI/Glideslope for comms and VOR/LOC approaches, keep the GNC300XL for the additional comm radio and backup GPS. I think that could be a pretty good upgrade guessing it will be around 25k?

Then if I wanted to do more, add a GFC500 autopilot, guessing that’s another 25k?

Please share your thoughts on avionics, pricing, etc. Thanks!

I would love to work with you and get you a quote for the work you are wanting done. We are in Indiana!

 

[Rene]

"Uncluttered"

 

[texasclouds]

Garmin 650, larger screen and nice nav/com.

I like the idea of the round 275 units but the G5 has a larger screen.

 

[asicer]

G5 has a larger screen.

Yes and no. The G5 does have 1.8% more area but the the GI275 is taller from top to bottom.The difference is difficult to discern from the naked eye.

 

[Pinecone]

I just don't like the curved tapes of the 275.

Not an Arrow, but my Mooney panel.

 

[morleyz]

My Arrow II came with dual G5s and an Avidyne IFD540. Added a GFC-500 earlier this year and the GAD-13 (I think). Removed the vacuum at that time. My only wish was that the panel was all Garmin, but I couldn't really justify the cost to dump the IFD for the few features, like being able to set my xponder from the MFD. I have short arms and my xponder is in the far right bay.

G5s are great. But I think it's mostly an opinion between them and GI275. I really like having the TAS, OAT and winds from adding the GAD to the G5s. If you're thinking about a GFC-500 now or later, get a GTN navigator.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I couldn't really justify the cost to dump the IFD for the few features, like being able to set my xponder from the MFD. I have short arms and my xponder is in the far right bay.

Talk to your avionics guy. I don't know if it's your transponder, or the installation, or it's there but you don't know it, but I've seen several installations where the transponder is remote and accessed via the IFD. It's the COM/VLOC tuning button. One tap switches from COM to VLOC; 2 taps to Transponder.