Ballpark price for entire exp panel

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Touchdown! Greaser!
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Dave Taylor
Flight instruments, engine gauges, radios - everything on the panel.
Include ADS-B.
Exclude labor, plumbing and wiring but include everything such as sensors, antennae etc which normally come with a new purchase.
Think Sears, not Neiman Marcus quality.
 
$18 k for Garmin hardware. $1500 for harnesses. $750 to cut, paint, and label the panel. $500 in switches. $2-5k to assemble & deliver. Includes autopilot and servos. VFR.

I've got recent quotes on all of this.
 
Last time I priced a new panel for the Venture it was between 30-40k for an IFR panel with autopilot depending on how much redundancy you want. That is all new of course, buying a used older GPS will cut about 6k off the price. That included a second nav/com, two screens, redundant instruments, and redundant hardware for the screens.
 
Between a couple of hundred bucks to 100k depending on what you want in it.

Bob
 
Do the notes above include flight instruments as well as radios?

The figure I gave above was a G3X Touch (10" screen) with engine instruments and a compliant ADS-B GPS (just a signal, not a navigator). A Garmin remote experimental ADSB (in and out), their remote experimental radio, an audio panel for a 4 place aircraft, and Garmin's autopilot controller and servos. If you want to PM me an e-mail address, I'll find and e-mail you the quotes. I have not negotiated the prices and do not know if there is much, if any, room for negotiation.
 
I just got a quote for a nice rv-10 ifr panel. Twin skyview, backup mini-x, avidyne 440, very nice audio, adsb in /out, Xpndr. Right at $30k
 
I just got a quote for a nice rv-10 ifr panel. Twin skyview, backup mini-x, avidyne 440, very nice audio, adsb in /out, Xpndr. Right at $30k

What does that include? Hardware? Harnesses? Panel cutting/painting/labeling? Integration? You can easily spend thousands on integration, panel cutting, and harnesses...
 
IMG_3277.JPG G3X Touch with engine mgmt package, 2 autopilot servos, remote comm, remote ES transponder, GDL39R, two GPS antennae, comm antenna, txp antenna, all the required connectors- $14K. (No XM capability, that costs more)

For my local avionics shop to pin and wire up the boxes already mounted on a tray I made to install behind the panel- $6200.00 (holy crap, that's a lot of wires. In my case all labeled with a wire printer, otherwise connecting them would be much more time consuming)

Installing the magnetometer in the wing and then my radio equipment tray and connecting everything up in the airplane- several days, and I'm talking about an uncovered Cub with wide open access. I'm missing a couple of small items to finish my own install.

In my plane the price of the Garmin parts is about 50% of the total installation cost.
 
IMG_3335.JPG FWIW if I had the space I'd have dual displays. Not that it isn't easy to toggle through the displays on one screen but one for nav and one for engine would be nice it there was space. In my case not nice enough to use the smaller 7" displays so I stayed with a single 10". I priced the Dynon Skyview system and it was about identical to the Garmin package. GRT and MGL never made my list but you could get those systems for a little less money. If economy was my priority I could have blended a digital engine monitor with steam gauges for less than the Garmin. That wouldn't have been the right place to economize.
 
Ballpark - $30 - $40k.

The pricing worksheets are readily available at Dynon, Garmin, Advanced, and MGL. Those are the most common in Vans. Loads of discussion about this over on VAF.
 
costs-an-arm-and-a-leg.jpg
 
That is like asking someone how much a car costs. There are too many options and variables out there to give a realistic answer. New car, old car, sports car, SUV, etc.

Personally I have less than $1000 in the panel in my Sonex. I bought a used Stratomaster Ultra from a builder upgrading his panel for $300 including the RDAC, CHT, EGT, Fuel Flow, and Oil Temp/Pressure sensors. On top of that I have a Icom A6 handheld hardwired into an intercom and external antenna. I bought the Icom for $150 used at the airventure aeromart one year. Same deal for the intercom and antenna ($50 for both). I bought a used backup airspeed indicator for $60 from another Oshkosh vendor. The transponder is a KT-76A with encoder that I picked up used for $180. Wire and connectors were probably around another $80 or $100. I wanted a backup attitude indicator so I found an old PC-EFIS one in the aeromart one year that runs off of a compaq IPAQ PDA for $50. Surprisingly it still worked. The compass was from a marine boat store. For GPS I use my phone running the free avare software. I also have a av8or GPS for a backup but never use it. The only thing I bought new was an instrument that is a combination G-meter, volt meter, clock and timer. I think it was around $125.

Mine is just a very simple VFR only panel with no fancy bells and whistles. I could have easily spent more on the panel than I had in the entire plane if I wanted to. Almost all of my flying is just around the local area yanking and banking for an hour or two at a time. The panel was still good enough to get me to Oshkosh and back from Connecticut though.

Keith
Sonex #554
 
This is the breakdown for my panel back in 2012: Total $32,229

- 2-screen Garmin G3X EFIS with 6-cylinder Lycoming sensor package- $12,500
- GTN 650 $10,250
- SL 30 $3,950
- GTX 23ES transponder $2,199
- PMA 5000EX audio panel $995
- TruTrak Gemini backup PFD $1,300
- trays for the above $648
- TruTrak GX Pilot 2-axis autopilot $1,865

This all came with a partial harness from SteinAir and I did the complete install myself. As noted these are prices from 4 years ago and I believe prices have dropped in general, especially for EFIS components.
 
This is the breakdown for my panel back in 2012: Total $32,229

- 2-screen Garmin G3X EFIS with 6-cylinder Lycoming sensor package- $12,500
- GTN 650 $10,250
- SL 30 $3,950
- GTX 23ES transponder $2,199
- PMA 5000EX audio panel $995
- TruTrak Gemini backup PFD $1,300
- trays for the above $648
- TruTrak GX Pilot 2-axis autopilot $1,865

This all came with a partial harness from SteinAir and I did the complete install myself. As noted these are prices from 4 years ago and I believe prices have dropped in general, especially for EFIS components.

Was that with dual ADHRS boxes or just one? That's pretty much what I had quoted except for I added a couple of steam backup gauges instead of the Gemini backup.
 
Was that with dual ADHRS boxes or just one? That's pretty much what I had quoted except for I added a couple of steam backup gauges instead of the Gemini backup.

Just one, the largish GSU 73. Today with the small GSU 25's I'd have most likely sprung for 2.
 
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What does that include? Hardware? Harnesses? Panel cutting/painting/labeling? Integration? You can easily spend thousands on integration, panel cutting, and harnesses...

Thats just all the hardware. Displays, button panels, AP servos, radio, xpnder etc. I plan on doing the wiring and panel cutting stuff myself. Hell at $30k just for the hardware I don't really have any other options.
 
I have had my avionics guy make a harness based on what I plan to install and interconnect. it can be pretty inexpensive and money well spent.
 
Flight instruments, engine gauges, radios - everything on the panel.
Include ADS-B.
Exclude labor, plumbing and wiring but include everything such as sensors, antennae etc which normally come with a new purchase.
Think Sears, not Neiman Marcus quality.

is that ADS-B in, out, or both?
 
Ads-b in/out is available for experimentals pretty inexpensively. might be able to get a real deal with an Ads600-EXP right now if you are willing to gamble.
 
ok time to respond to the wallet screams; what would a steam gauge six-pack flight instruments, a waas capable (even used) gps, a standby radio, vac gauge, steam engine instruments plus EGT/fuel flow cost (what did I leave out?) No autopilot.
 
ok time to respond to the wallet screams; what would a steam gauge six-pack flight instruments, a waas capable (even used) gps, a standby radio, vac gauge, steam engine instruments plus EGT/fuel flow cost (what did I leave out?) No autopilot.

I think you're looking at almost as much as you'd spend for VFR glass. You can do a VFR glass panel, with flight instruments and engine monitoring, from GRT or Dynon for <$5k. Also, you'd be able to add an A/P later if you want.

For another $5k, you can have a GTR20, a GTX45, and Garmin's WAAS GPS source. That'll give you a modern radio and put you in 2020 compliance from a transponder/ADS-B standpoint. I'm sure you could piece together an equivalent system from Dynon or using Trig components, but I don't have pricing on those.
 
That's an interesting setup. I wonder how well it reads on a sunny day?
 
That's an interesting setup. I wonder how well it reads on a sunny day?

Yep - plus the ipad can overheat if left in the plane with doors closed on a sunny day here in Texas.
 
Call Stein. He can give you a range.
 
OK another one has become available. It is without any interior. Two-seater and small baggage space. Leather seats and cloth mix with carpet are fine. Not a lot of real estate. What other info is needed, just post it.
 
I have had my avionics guy make a harness based on what I plan to install and interconnect. it can be pretty inexpensive and money well spent.

For DIY panels, the harness work is a good one to farm out.

I used the Approach FastStack hub and cables on my RV-10 and recommend them highly for cost, simplicity and expertise. It's like working with a very experienced avionics shop that specializes in exp panels (though I think the core of their biz is certified stuff). I listed the equipment, asked a bunch of questions that were all answered authoritatively, and they sent my a customized hub and all the required cables along with a full set of high quality documentation.

Five years later I am still thrilled by my DIY panel enabled by FastStack. When I added a new box, I called them up and they provided a a new cable, expertise, and updated doc for the price of the cable.

If you want to buy and install a custom panel, see Stein or your local shop. If you want to DIY, save money, and know the work as well as you know how your wing was built, and yet avoid the integration birds nest, checkout Approach FastStack.

For ref: 3 GRT HX displays, G430w, SL30, PS panel, TruTrak AP, G327 Tpx, NavWorx ADSB. Hey, I did it back in 2009.


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I think you're looking at almost as much as you'd spend for VFR glass. You can do a VFR glass panel, with flight instruments and engine monitoring, from GRT or Dynon for <$5k. Also, you'd be able to add an A/P later if you want.

So true. When I priced decent-quality new steam gauges, I found it was less to go glass panel, and I'm so glad I went that route!! I've got about $10K in the panel, with $3400 GRT Sport SX EFIS, another $1K in sensors, a Garmin GTR-200 radio that includes a great 2-place intercom (so no audio panel) for about $1200, GTX327 transponder for another $1200 or so, and an iFly 520 GPS as backup, recently upgraded to the 740 model. Also, two backup steam gauges for airspeed & altitude. Crazy how some guys spend $40K!!! GRT now has some even more affordable EFIS setups.

Doing all the panel/electrical system myself was by far the most satisfying part of the build.

My ADS-B in/out (which I'll put in early next year) will be the UAvionix setup with the GRT-supplied WAAS GPS source, about $1500 total. Right now, I have the Ping receiver ($135) that plugs into the iFly for ABS-D in weather and traffic. The UAvionix rig will let me utilize my existing transponder too, which is a big plus.

IMG_3782.JPG
 
How has your SX been in sunlight? I'm about to pull the trigger at OSH for dual 8.4" Sport SX screens, one with AHRS. Will Also install the uavionix UAT/GPS combo to interface with a Garmin GTX 327. Also planing to replace my Rocky Mountain engine monitor for a GRT EIS 4000. All told, about $8100.00
 
I think you guys who are looking at the uAvonix products are headed in the right direction. The FAA "ADS-B" team at SnF had very favorable things to say about them.
 
How has your SX been in sunlight? I'm about to pull the trigger at OSH for dual 8.4" Sport SX screens, one with AHRS. Will Also install the uavionix UAT/GPS combo to interface with a Garmin GTX 327. Also planing to replace my Rocky Mountain engine monitor for a GRT EIS 4000. All told, about $8100.00

It's amazingly good in the sun. I think you'd be very happy with that setup. I sparked up an extra $400 for the synthetic terrain...well worth it. I really like how the AHRS is built into the unit, so no separate box to mount.

Here's a pic where part of the 8.4-in. screen is in direct sun. Pay no attention to the bogus #2 CHT reading...I forgot to crimp a connector on the sensor so the reading was fluctuating as it made intermittent contact! The GRT tech support people are very helpful and friendly. I was always able to get a hold of someone quickly if I had a question.

IMG_3824.JPG
 
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I think you guys who are looking at the uAvonix products are headed in the right direction. The FAA "ADS-B" team at SnF had very favorable things to say about them.

Good to hear! I'll be spending some time at their booth at Oshkosh, for sure.
 
Thanks for the pic of the SX in the sun. Looks great!!!

I think the uavionix booth is going to be swamped at OSH. If some guy is elbowing you out of the way, it's probably me!
 
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