Anyone know a good avionics shop?

steingar

steingar

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steingar
So the KX155 in my new to me Mooney has some shortcomings. A couple lights are flickering once it gets warm, and the display is dark at night. There is a place in Indiana that advertises a new face plate on Ebay for not that much. But I would like to see the thing refurbished a bit. The radio is working just fine for the moment.

My usual avionics guy who I've used since I started flying has retired (getting old six), thus I can't ask him. So anyone know a decent avionics shop that can restore the display on a KX155?
 
Called and they have a display in stock. I'll be sending the unit to them next week. Spendy, but what's money for?
 
Scrabo said:
We just used Bevan-Rabell in Kansas for the same model of radio, quick turnaround time.

http://www.bevanrabell.com
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I got sort of a sour experience with them. Sent them the 135A from the Free Bird, a few times. They never really fixed the problem, nor did anyone tell me what it was. Just kept taking my cash. Not sending anything back.
 
We've used these guys three times, they used to be called Kings avionics:

http://www.butleravionics.com/

They refurbed a KX-197, all of our autopilot servos, and the 55a HSI nav head. All work was done at good prices and fixed correctly the 1st time. I'd use them again.
 
EdFred said:
Did you talk to Tim?
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Talked to Jeff, they are in possession of my radio and fixing it, with luck as I type this. Like I said, spendy, but if they do a good job it'll be worth it. I never feel badly about spending money on good work. Many thanks for the tip.
 
steingar said:
Talked to Jeff, they are in possession of my radio and fixing it, with luck as I type this. Like I said, spendy, but if they do a good job it'll be worth it. I never feel badly about spending money on good work. Many thanks for the tip.
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You know if you want it hand delivered, I need to 1) fly more, and 2) see the new bird. Of course weather does come into play this time of year.
 
steingar said:
So the KX155 in my new to me Mooney has some shortcomings. A couple lights are flickering once it gets warm, and the display is dark at night. There is a place in Indiana that advertises a new face plate on Ebay for not that much. But I would like to see the thing refurbished a bit. The radio is working just fine for the moment.

My usual avionics guy who I've used since I started flying has retired (getting old six), thus I can't ask him. So anyone know a decent avionics shop that can restore the display on a KX155?
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your display is probably going bad. I had the same problem with my display being very dark at night. I swapped it with a newer used display and it looks great. I painted my faceplate black and ran it over fine sandpaper to bring out the silver highlights. As far as the orange lenses, they delaminate with time and look like crap. I bought some lenses from ebay and added orange window film to them. It looks bad in this pic, but all the digits work.

mooney%20panel%202015_zpslhqpysub.jpg
 
EdFred said:
You know if you want it hand delivered, I need to 1) fly more, and 2) see the new bird. Of course weather does come into play this time of year.
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Ed, you will always be a welcome visitor to the Steinholme. I'd be thrilled if you wanted to bring it down. And of course, if I can get some good Wx you can try a landing or three in the Mooney. See how the gear swing works from the right seat. Keep me apprised.
 
rbridges said:
your display is probably going bad. I had the same problem with my display being very dark at night. I swapped it with a newer used display and it looks great. I painted my faceplate black and ran it over fine sandpaper to bring out the silver highlights. As far as the orange lenses, they delaminate with time and look like crap. I bought some lenses from ebay and added orange window film to them. It looks bad in this pic, but all the digits work
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Looks great. The shop in question is giving it a new display. Might do likewise via a via the clean up when it returns to me.

Sorry I missed you in Ga.
 
steingar said:
Ed, you will always be a welcome visitor to the Steinholme. I'd be thrilled if you wanted to bring it down. And of course, if I can get some good Wx you can try a landing or three in the Mooney. See how the gear swing works from the right seat. Keep me apprised.
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Let me know when it's going to be ready, and I can swing over there, and remind them that I bring them new business :rofl: and see if the weather would work out for me to zip down to C-town.
 
Ed, you missed your window as they shipped it down, arrived today. Looks really nice too. Probably won't get it into the airplane until next week, since I have to borrow a tool from the mechanic here and I don't think he'll be working tomorrow.

That said you are always a welcome visitor to the Steinholme.
 
Wow! I sent out a radio to the OEM which they received on dec 3, and have yet to hear anything about it. I'm not really happy.

I'm preparing for the bait & switch on it. He said they could fix it before I shipped it but I know they would rather sell me the latest model.
 
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bnt83 said:
Wow! I sent out a radio to the OEM which they received on dec 3, and have yet to hear anything about it. I'm not really happy.

I'm preparing for the bait & switch on it. He said they could fix it before I shipped it but I know they would rather sell me the latest model.
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:yes::yes::yes::mad2:..

And your radio has already been " recycled"...:mad:
 
EdFred said:
Let me know when it's going to be ready, and I can swing over there, and remind them that I bring them new business :rofl: and see if the weather would work out for me to zip down to C-town.
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Ed - You are volunteering to come to Ohio? Columbus? What the heck?
Anyway - if we get some good weather in January- maybe we could plan a meetin. 38D for lunch? I would like to see the new Money too.
 
I'm still a VFR pilot, but a, always happy to meet my POA friends. Ed is a special case however, since he was once a guest in the Steinholme and is actually willing to return.
 
not sure if you still need help, i used bevan rabell in kansas and they fixed very well my mx300 and when i had a problem they fixed it again for free during the warranty period
 
bavreze said:
not sure if you still need help, i used bevan rabell in kansas and they fixed very well my mx300 and when i had a problem they fixed it again for free during the warranty period
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Thanks for the missive, but like I said I had a rather bad experience with them previously. The shop to which I went (Mayday avionics) was not cheap, but had really good communication and got the thing back to me fast. That, and the bill did not come as a surprise. Like I said, I don't mind paying top dollar for good service. Based on my experience I would recommend them highly.
 
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