That's a good design IMHO. The 177 has the transponder way over on the CP side under the crap box (glove box), I never touch it as I remote control it from the GTN. If the GTN ever quit I'd still have mode C control and audio panel control.
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Thanks. It works well, with a pair of exceptions: First, the USB power location should have been awesome...right in the middle so everything reaches and minimizes cable. Didn't think that through...cables are in the way of everything and they drape over the power controls, too. Next update will move that somewhere else...haven't really figured out the right spot yet.
The other issue is that the digital fuel gauge at the left doesn't integrate into the panel dimmer. Three shops took a shot at it and gave up. So, you have to scroll through menus to set the brightness. And you must for night flight if you don't want to be blinded by what is minimally visible in the day. Wouldn't be that bad, except that it's a leaseback, so I get the occasional squawk on the gauge that is really just the brightness too low.
I want a GI-275 EIS, but can't justify the cost. Would ditch so much! Fuel gauge, oil pressure/temp, volt/amp/OAT, tach, vac/amp, EGT/fuel flow. And would add CHT. Set of GAMMI's and I could go LOP. Six out, one in, complete with backup battery, and a useful new function. Just need, what, around $8,000 installed? sigh...priorities...bought a house recently and its lighting money on fire faster than the plane. That's saying something.
EDIT: almost the volt/amp/OAT...that also includes the clock, so I'd have to add back in a clock to stay IFR. I should check if the GTN-750 has the ability to be a primary clock.