Are Garmin GNC300XL or GPS155XL usable?

P

PIC69B

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
Messages
10
Display Name
Display name:
Joe
I used to fly with a GPS155XL IFR certified Non-WASS GPS. It did not have a pretty color display but worked great for me. I’m considering installing one in my old 172, but want to know if anyone out there has any recent experience with one of the legacy Garmin GPSs. If so, what Firmware version are you running? Where do you buy for data?

Thank you.
 
PIC69B said:
I used to fly with a GPS155XL IFR certified Non-WASS GPS. It did not have a pretty color display but worked great for me. I’m considering installing one in my old 172, but want to know if anyone out there has any recent experience with one of the legacy Garmin GPSs. If so, what Firmware version are you running? Where do you buy for data?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Jeppesen provides subscription service. A special card and reader are required. The data is too much for one card. You will have East or West with Central US on both. The unit is a bit clunky to use compared to newer units with Wass and somewhat limiting for approaches. A decent indicator for use with it can cost more than the Navigator.
That being said, I plan on installing the '300' I removed from our Bonanza and put it in our 172. Inserting an opinion here, although older aircraft are less expensive to purchase, installing and or maintaining ancient technology can be counter productive. The price of newer equipment can be breathtaking but the pain goes away. The joy of putting it in action is always there every time you hit the switch.
 
BoButt said:
Jeppesen provides subscription service. A special card and reader are required. The data is too much for one card. You will have East or West with Central US on both. The unit is a bit clunky to use compared to newer units with Wass and somewhat limiting for approaches. A decent indicator for use with it can cost more than the Navigator.
That being said, I plan on installing the '300' I removed from our Bonanza and put it in our 172. Inserting an opinion here, although older aircraft are less expensive to purchase, installing and or maintaining ancient technology can be counter productive. The price of newer equipment can be breathtaking but the pain goes away. The joy of putting it in action is always there every time you hit the switch.
Click to expand...

Wow! Thanks for the quick info.

As recently as 2019 I was able to get the full America database on one data card (the Blue Version) but I know that’s a moving target, so not surprised that the data now exceeds the old cards capacity.

I have a dual G5 setup and I know that with a GAD29B these will interface with the older GPSs Rs-232 for position and ARINC 429.

If you have a chance, next time you boot up your GPS, please take note of which firmware version you’re running. I think my mine (last updated in about 2014) was Version 2.10.

Our local VOR (Clovis, Ca CZQ) was taken offline so I’ve got to add some IFR GPS capacity and it’s nice to stick with what works and is familiar to me (use it with my eyes closed — almost) rather than learning the latest thing. Call me a Luddite!
 
Last edited:
A friend of mine bought a very nice C model Mooney with an old but very nice panel with a 300 XL. I flew aN approach in it last weekend and was pleasantly surprised. I had been looking at a 155XL for my IFR 140 that has a custom panel from many years ago. I took that thinking so far that I actually bought a complete 155XL setup with indicator, annunciator and everything including prefabed wiring harnesses. I had full intention of putting it in my 140 until I came up with a 420 which suits my particular needs much better.

It might be worthwhile for your to read the thread below I started on this. I think it was entitled “RNAV Approaches on a Budget” or something like that.

Here it is: https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/rnav-approaches-on-a-budget.130559/
 
PIC69B said:
Wow! Thanks for the quick info.

As recently as 2019 I was able to get the full America database on one data card (the Blue Version) but I know that’s a moving target, so not surprised that the data now exceeds the old cards capacity.

I have a dual G5 setup and I know that with a GAD29B these will interface with the older GPSs Rs-232 for position and ARINC 429.

If you have a chance, next time you boot up your GPS, please take note of which firmware version you’re running. I think my mine (last updated in about 2014) was Version 2.10.

Our local VOR (Clovis, Ca CZQ) was taken offline so I’ve got to add some IFR GPS capacity and it’s nice to stick with what works and is familiar to me (use it my my eyes closed — almost) rather than learning the latest thing. Call me a Luddite!
Click to expand...

Yes, familiarity is important. That is why I changed direction to a 420 for my little taildragger. I have a 430W in my Mooney, so having them operate in the same way is a big plus. The 155 for me would have required a learning curve that my 71, almost 72 year old brain might have struggled with.
 
Have one in the 182 and it’s been there since they were new. Still use it for IFR. One problem is Garmin no longer supports them, so there is no factory service if you have a problem. The display is the weak spot, at least in mine as I’m on the third one.
 
Yes, there are plenty on the used market as replacements for now which make the system maintainable. Since the installation is done, replace with used and keep flying. The only thing that would shut down an early navigator user would be discontinuing the updates, but I really don't see a reason for them to stop making them available.

After having shot an approach with one I don’t see them as a bad solution. I guess if there had been ceilings a little lower requiring a precision approach it would have been different, but I think that would not be a common situation. If I already had one installed and it was working properly I believe I would stay with it as long as possible.
 
Last edited:
I tied mine to a Garmin 696 via Rs232 and now it displays in color on a big screen
 
It makes no difference either way it just displays the same info to make it easier to interpret the information. My setup is appropriately ifr approved. It’s tied to an annunciator/switch panel and a dedicated CDI
 

Attachments

  • D7E3D303-DC11-4F52-A05B-825A0E8CFE22.jpeg
    D7E3D303-DC11-4F52-A05B-825A0E8CFE22.jpeg
    187.1 KB · Views: 28
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top