Dynon HDX installed in PA32-300

FlyingMonkey

FlyingMonkey

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FlyingMonkey
Recently had the Dynon HDX for certified system installed in my PA32-300. System includes a Dynon D10A for backup. The HDX has it's own GPS receiver and antenna, it's own ADSB In module, and is connected to the Avidyne IFD540 GPS. I already had the IFD540, JPI900 engine monitor, PMA450a audio panel, and SL30 installed in the airplane before this upgrade. I also installed the Trutrak autopilot since the Dynon AP is not yet certified for the PA32 and I have a need for an autopilot this year for some long trips.

I have been extremely impressed by the Dynon HDX system during these first dozen or so hours flying back from Florida to California after the installation. It has so many great features and is very well thought out. I have made a video of the new panel and one of the features I quite like.

If you are thinking about an Aspen, dual G5s, etc, have a look at the Dynon system as well....

 

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Nice panel and nice video. I looked at the Dynon system while at Osh, but in the end it'd cost a lot more for me. Instead I decided to just add the second G5 for HSI, and replace my old audio panel with a PMA 450A. I also already have an engine monitor (MVP50), Avidyne IFD440, and Garmin GTX345.
 
Why did you choose Dynon over the rest of the choices available?
 
Unit74 said:
Why did you choose Dynon over the rest of the choices available?
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It has the best Features to Price ratio in my opinion and it's depiction of the PFD, HSI, map, weather and traffic is the best especially over the Aspen system. It is less expensive than the Garmin systems and includes a battery backup along with a D10A with it's own battery backup.
 
Good stuff! Pretty similar to the setup I had Jesse do as well with an HDX/PAR200/IFD540/830. Enjoyed the video, thanks.
 
Groundpounder said:
The Dynon HDX looks awesome, I would just worry about it being an orphan someday.
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I’m not worried about that. Dynon has been around a long time and does very well in the experimental world. The sky view HDx system is not version 1. It has been developed and improved over the years over several iterations of successful and proven products. (Skyview SE, skyview classic , etc). With the easing of certification for GA avionics I think Dynon is poised to not only continue their very successful experimental avionics business but expand to certified aircraft with a known, proven, and affordable product with a huge user base and long established great support. I would be more nervous about buying an Aspen with their reputation for problems and poor customer service.
 
Thanks for the video. I’m not ready to do anything for at least another year but I do like the Dynon system. How is the Dynon engine monitoring package? I love the EDM900/930, however it seems like it might be more cost effective to do the Dynon package. I currently have the EDM700 w/FF
 
dudemize said:
Thanks for the video. I’m not ready to do anything for at least another year but I do like the Dynon system. How is the Dynon engine monitoring package? I love the EDM900/930, however it seems like it might be more cost effective to do the Dynon package. I currently have the EDM700 w/FF
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I imagine the Dynon engine monitoring is good as it has been used on experimental for some time. I did not install it because unfortunately I already had a JPI900 installed which works great. No reason to spend money to pull it out and install the Dynon instead. As a benefit of keeping it, the engine monitoring does not take up real estate on the HDX screen...
 
Yeah, the one major limiting factor on HDX is the inability to integrate with most APs.
 
Unit74 said:
Why did you choose Dynon over the rest of the choices available?
Click to expand...

If my research is correct, you can get the basic nav updates - not IFR enroute or approach plates - for free from Dynon. I think the equivalent stuff requires a subscription for Garmin's G3X - if I compared correctly. So if all else is equal, one has lower cost of ownership.
 
Datadriver said:
If my research is correct, you can get the basic nav updates - not IFR enroute or approach plates - for free from Dynon. I think the equivalent stuff requires a subscription for Garmin's G3X - if I compared correctly. So if all else is equal, one has lower cost of ownership.
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Yes that is correct. The nav data is free. Sectional charts, IFR charts, and approach plates can be viewed on the HDX and are bundled at $99/year for full USA. Seattle Avionics provides the data.
 
FlyingMonkey said:
I’m not worried about that. Dynon has been around a long time and does very well in the experimental world. The sky view HDx system is not version 1. It has been developed and improved over the years over several iterations of successful and proven products. (Skyview SE, skyview classic , etc). With the easing of certification for GA avionics I think Dynon is poised to not only continue their very successful experimental avionics business but expand to certified aircraft with a known, proven, and affordable product with a huge user base and long established great support. I would be more nervous about buying an Aspen with their reputation for problems and poor customer service.
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Agree, and to add to this...Dynon is a 20 year old company that has never abandoned a product. They still sell every product they ever made. Conversely, Garmin is a 30 year old company and has orphaned 92 products in aviation alone.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/in-the-air/discontinued/cInTheAir-cDiscontinuedInTheAir-p0.html
 
There is a beautiful 182 based near me with an awesome glass cockpit that probably cost $80k to install. The manufacturer of that glass cockpit is/was Chelton. They now have $80k of boat anchors in the panel.
 
Groundpounder said:
There is a beautiful 182 based near me with an awesome glass cockpit that probably cost $80k to install. The manufacturer of that glass cockpit is/was Chelton. They now have $80k of boat anchors in the panel.
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Dynon could wk away from the certified world and they'd be fine. Just wait theb10urs it'll take for that new class of airplane that sits somewhere between experimental and certified.
 
One of the complaints of the Trutrak autopilot is that it is gps based and will only fly track and not heading. However, when connected to the Dynon HDX it is possible for it to be controlled by the HDX and fly actual heading. All 3 parameters of the TT are controlled by the HDX. I created this video to demonstrate in case anyone is interested.

 
FlyingMonkey said:
One of the complaints of the Trutrak autopilot is that it is gps based and will only fly track and not heading. However, when connected to the Dynon HDX it is possible for it to be controlled by the HDX and fly actual heading. All 3 parameters of the TT are controlled by the HDX. I created this video to demonstrate in case anyone is interested.

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That's beautiful. My plane is getting a Dynon HDX. It already had a TT AP Cruze. It's fairly hard to get instruction from Bendix King about wiring instruction between the Dynon and the AP.

Could you explain how they are wired and how did you set up the GPS source selector?

Many thanks in advance.
 
9krpm said:
That's beautiful. My plane is getting a Dynon HDX. It already had a TT AP Cruze. It's fairly hard to get instruction from Bendix King about wiring instruction between the Dynon and the AP.

Could you explain how they are wired and how did you set up the GPS source selector?

Many thanks in advance.
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You should PM Jesse Saint ( a couple posts above). He did the install and knows everything about the HDX and Trutrak. You're going to love both!
 
Warmi said:
A few months ago they obsoleted bunch of their legacy glass ...https://www.dynonavionics.com/legacy-discontinued-product.php
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Obsolete, yes. Unsupported, no. I have a D180 and we're not worried about losing support for it. The software is stable and has been for a few years now. The only hardware I'd be even a little concerned about would be LCD panels -- but heck, they're still selling them, so I assume they have a good supply chain still.
 
A Dynon serial output set to, I believe, EFIS+Sys wired to pin 18, aux serial input, on the trutrak. You’ll need a DPDT switch that connects pin 18 at the same time as it disconnects one of the arinc wires in the Trutrak. Switch in one direction disconnects Dynon and completes arinc pair. In the other direction kills arinc and connects Dynon serial.
 
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FlyingMonkey said:
One of the complaints of the Trutrak autopilot is that it is gps based and will only fly track and not heading. However, when connected to the Dynon HDX it is possible for it to be controlled by the HDX and fly actual heading. All 3 parameters of the TT are controlled by the HDX. I created this video to demonstrate in case anyone is interested.

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing and great video. May I ask what else can the Dynon do with the TT AP via the Skyview mode/connection beside the manual hdg, vs and alt controls?
 
If FlyingMonkey is still getting replies to this, I would be interested to know what the total cost of parts and install was for the Dynon and TruTrak
 
The TruTrak works great with the HDX. It can follow your external GPS navigator in GPSS mode or the skyview can command it by the bugs on the HDX. I think it would also follow the HDX GPS flight plan but not in GPSS mode but in a nav mode (more hunting and no anticipating) but most people have an external GPS navigator anyway.
The cost for the install in my plane I think was 26k all in for everything.
 
I recently had a dual screen Dynon Skyview HDX system put in my airplane. You can message me for details on some things I like and don’t like about the system and installation.
 
Does the TruTrak still have the 700 foot limitation for approaches?
 
Salty said:
Does the TruTrak still have the 700 foot limitation for approaches?
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To be completely pedantic, it still has a 700 foot minimum operating altitude. Additionally, it is still not authorized for any coupled instrument procedures including approaches. Capable, yes, but legally authorized, no.
 
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