WannFly
Final Approach
https://www.avweb.com/avionics/aspen-introduces-new-e5-features/
replaced CDI with HSI
added OAT, TAS, Win dir for $495
replaced CDI with HSI
added OAT, TAS, Win dir for $495
New features - Aspen E5
- Thread starter WannFly
- Start date
WannFly
Final Approach
Lol... presumably
Lynn Dixon
Pre-takeoff checklist
I had my E5 upgraded to firmware 2.11 earlier this week. This is a free upgrade to get the HSI. The air data unlock is roughly $495 and requires no additional hardware or shop time. I have been incredibly happy with my Aspen. This new hardware and firmware does not have the same failure modes as the previous Aspen 1000 units. They have addressed that.
WannFly
Final Approach
Did already have the OAT probe?
Lynn Dixon
Pre-takeoff checklist
The OAT probe is in all of the RSM's that ship with the Aspens. Even the "basic" non-gps RSM that comes with the E5.
Bryan Herter
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Bryan Herter
I can't find the firmware 2.11 update on our dealer page, did your shop have to order it in, or had they found it somewhere on the Aspen site? Aspen told us it would be available with our dealer login, but maybe I just need to hunt further.
Thanks
Lynn Dixon
Pre-takeoff checklist
He called me before Christmas, (the 23rd I believe) and said he saw the annoucement email and then logged in and found the firmware download. He had it ready to go on an SD card when I got to his shop on the 30th.
Bryan Herter
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Bryan Herter
Thanks, I was looking in the wrong place.
Last edited:
Ignacio Allende
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Canalguna
As I see it, the Aspen loses against dual G5s (for the same price) regarding redundancy. Are we cleared to remove the vacuum system and retain IFR compliance with an Aspen even with a single screen? I'm a bit lost on details on these matters. I'm thinking about putting 3k more and going single G3x (7"), but I was told that would limit me to VFR only.
Eric Lehto
Pre-takeoff checklist
My understanding is that yes, you can pull your vacuum and retain IFR compliance with the Aspen E5. They have an asterisk on their site alongside their statement about complianc, best I can figure is that there are some circumstances where the vacuum must stay....vacuum attitude gyro for certain autopilots, etc. You've got to keep your primary airspeed, altimeter, turn coordinator installed though.
Lynn Dixon
Pre-takeoff checklist
I installed an E5 in My Cardinal RG. We pulled the attitude and heading gyros and then pulled the entire vacuum system. I also have a Trutrak Vizion so I don’t need any ofher vacuum instruments to run it. I am very happy with my E5 especially with this latest free upgrade that gives me an HSI. I have the air data unlock card on its way as well.
Lynn Dixon
Pre-takeoff checklist
Good luck getting the G3x installed for 8k. The prices I seen for a single G3x system were quite astronomical after install charges and labor out the door, and there was no real good way to drop the vacuum system without adding even more cost.
I also considered the G5’s but after flying behind my buddy’s I hated the screens on those things. Super tiny and easily washed out by the sun. They also lock you in to garmins walled garden
Bryan Herter
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Bryan Herter
The STC for both the G5's and E5 do not cover vacuum system removal in their STC. But, both units provide guidance on what steam gauges a required for backup to retain IFR capabilities (Altimeter, VSI, Turn and bank, airpseed) and if none of those is dependent on the Vacuum system it gives you a path to minor alteration to remove that system.
So, as someone that has installed G5's and E5's and has flow behind both, here is how I break down the Pro's VS Cons
G5's
Pros
-Redundancy of two screens, this is probably the biggest pro
-If installing a GFC500 autopilot they are needed and do a GREAT job of flying the airplane and the whole Can bus system really makes the autopilot install easier and cleaner as the servos are part of a "network" with the GAD, G5's, GMU11, etc... that does a great job of finding all it's components automatically.
-Garmin supports it's own equipment very nicely and if you already have a full stack of Garmin gear you know it will play nice.
-Reliability reports so far are very good, although I saw my first G5 on Friday that had a intermittent failure and would not boot up, but pulling the unit out, pulling the battery and letting it reset got it to boot up and work properly again. Will be keeping an eye on that.
Cons
-Garmin really protects it's own equipment and really pushes you to go with a full set of their gear. So, future support of the TruTrak with a G5 is in question and what is there now is very limited
-the screen size is smaller, the resolution looks poor, visibility issues in sunlight, etc... (biggest con in my opinion) Display seems "cluttered" at times with all the info you want on such small real estate
-the magnetometer is MUCH more sensitive to install location, you often chase multiple locations around until you find a clean install location.
-Due to magnetometer install mentioned above, plus the need for the GAD unit even if you aren't using it to guide an older autopilot the install times are longer by 5 to 10 hours
Aspen E5
Pros
-Screen size and resolution and layout of all the information is very good, without the divide in the information (all on one screen instead of two screens with bezel edges between them) I find it easier to scan and fly behind.
-Upgrade paths if you want to spend the money to an AMAZING display with traffic, syn vision, etc....
-Install times are not as long and I like the RSM over the GMU11 with the garmin for Magnetometer functions. The GMU11 has the look and feel of a chineese toy and considering they are going out in wings and other places where they are exposed to the environment I do wonder a little bit about longevity, but have not seen anything thus far to support that opinion, it just seems like a device that should only be mounted inside.
-The OAT sensor is built into the RSM and already wired in, you just need to unlock it. The Garmin update for OAT requires a probe placement and another module be wired in adding to install times
-Ability to interface with Non Garmin products and willingness to work with those companies more. They are working with trutrak (BK) for additional autopilot interoperability, Lynx support if you add traffic to the display, etc...
Cons
-One screen= one failure point I believe you are still much safer than you were when you had Vacuum Gyro equipment as your primary and your go to if the E5 fails is the same as where you were if the Vacuum pump were to fail (fly the Turn and Bank, Altimeter and airspeed).
-Aspen history of odd failures and reliability doesn't give the warm and fuzzy feeling.
-If you have, or are considering a GFC500 autopilot it is a no go, unless you want to add a single G5 as well to run the GFC500
My take. The E5 is a more enjoyable item to fly behind, has better interaction with equipment other than Garmin, is quicker to install, and is was my choice in my airplane having installed both and flown behind both. The biggest detriment to the E5 decision is the history of failures on past products and the single screen lack of an extra layer of redundancy. I fly behind an IFD550 with built in 3D Syn Vision via a certified AHRS, so in the case of a screen failure on an E5, I hit the 3D button on the IFD550 and I'm good to go. But, that is not an option for everyone. Other good feel good backup possibilities are to install an Aerovonics AV20 on the cheap (probably with the money you saved on the install time difference) and if you are flying with a Stratus/Stratux, etc... you have a backup on your phone/tablet with the AHRS and guidance of that uncertified unit.
So, as someone that has installed G5's and E5's and has flow behind both, here is how I break down the Pro's VS Cons
G5's
Pros
-Redundancy of two screens, this is probably the biggest pro
-If installing a GFC500 autopilot they are needed and do a GREAT job of flying the airplane and the whole Can bus system really makes the autopilot install easier and cleaner as the servos are part of a "network" with the GAD, G5's, GMU11, etc... that does a great job of finding all it's components automatically.
-Garmin supports it's own equipment very nicely and if you already have a full stack of Garmin gear you know it will play nice.
-Reliability reports so far are very good, although I saw my first G5 on Friday that had a intermittent failure and would not boot up, but pulling the unit out, pulling the battery and letting it reset got it to boot up and work properly again. Will be keeping an eye on that.
Cons
-Garmin really protects it's own equipment and really pushes you to go with a full set of their gear. So, future support of the TruTrak with a G5 is in question and what is there now is very limited
-the screen size is smaller, the resolution looks poor, visibility issues in sunlight, etc... (biggest con in my opinion) Display seems "cluttered" at times with all the info you want on such small real estate
-the magnetometer is MUCH more sensitive to install location, you often chase multiple locations around until you find a clean install location.
-Due to magnetometer install mentioned above, plus the need for the GAD unit even if you aren't using it to guide an older autopilot the install times are longer by 5 to 10 hours
Aspen E5
Pros
-Screen size and resolution and layout of all the information is very good, without the divide in the information (all on one screen instead of two screens with bezel edges between them) I find it easier to scan and fly behind.
-Upgrade paths if you want to spend the money to an AMAZING display with traffic, syn vision, etc....
-Install times are not as long and I like the RSM over the GMU11 with the garmin for Magnetometer functions. The GMU11 has the look and feel of a chineese toy and considering they are going out in wings and other places where they are exposed to the environment I do wonder a little bit about longevity, but have not seen anything thus far to support that opinion, it just seems like a device that should only be mounted inside.
-The OAT sensor is built into the RSM and already wired in, you just need to unlock it. The Garmin update for OAT requires a probe placement and another module be wired in adding to install times
-Ability to interface with Non Garmin products and willingness to work with those companies more. They are working with trutrak (BK) for additional autopilot interoperability, Lynx support if you add traffic to the display, etc...
Cons
-One screen= one failure point I believe you are still much safer than you were when you had Vacuum Gyro equipment as your primary and your go to if the E5 fails is the same as where you were if the Vacuum pump were to fail (fly the Turn and Bank, Altimeter and airspeed).
-Aspen history of odd failures and reliability doesn't give the warm and fuzzy feeling.
-If you have, or are considering a GFC500 autopilot it is a no go, unless you want to add a single G5 as well to run the GFC500
My take. The E5 is a more enjoyable item to fly behind, has better interaction with equipment other than Garmin, is quicker to install, and is was my choice in my airplane having installed both and flown behind both. The biggest detriment to the E5 decision is the history of failures on past products and the single screen lack of an extra layer of redundancy. I fly behind an IFD550 with built in 3D Syn Vision via a certified AHRS, so in the case of a screen failure on an E5, I hit the 3D button on the IFD550 and I'm good to go. But, that is not an option for everyone. Other good feel good backup possibilities are to install an Aerovonics AV20 on the cheap (probably with the money you saved on the install time difference) and if you are flying with a Stratus/Stratux, etc... you have a backup on your phone/tablet with the AHRS and guidance of that uncertified unit.
chemgeek
En-Route
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chemgeek
Same here. My G5s are plenty bright. I do like having two of them for redundancy, and 4 hrs battery backup. They play well with legacy autopilots, which means you don't have to ditch an expensive AP system. My GMU-11 is inthe wingtip, and is not magnetically crazy like the panel compass. I don't think it is particularly exposed to the elements.