PA28R-180 Piper Arrow Panel Upgrade Talk

[mandm]

I went to talk to an avionics shop about possibly making some upgrades. I was sort of thinking to remove the vacuum system with 2 x GI275’s, add a GNX375 GPS with ADSB in/out, remove the loran and old transponder, keep the KX155 and CDI/Glideslope for comms and VOR/LOC approaches, keep the GNC300XL for the additional comm radio and backup GPS. I think that could be a pretty good upgrade guessing it will be around 25k?

Then if I wanted to do more, add a GFC500 autopilot, guessing that’s another 25k?

Please share your thoughts on avionics, pricing, etc. Thanks!

 

[Ryan Klems]

Wow that looks a lot like the starting point of a PA-28R-180 I did a few years ago. He went with a GMA345, dual G5s, GNX 375, GNC255 and GTR225. Very functional panel.

 

[TiltOn22]

View attachment 135188

I went to talk to an avionics shop about possibly making some upgrades. I was sort of thinking to remove the vacuum system with 2 x GI275’s, add a GNX375 GPS with ADSB in/out, remove the loran and old transponder, keep the KX155 and CDI/Glideslope for comms and VOR/LOC approaches, keep the GNC300XL for the additional comm radio and backup GPS. I think that could be a pretty good upgrade guessing it will be around 25k?

Then if I wanted to do more, add a GFC500 autopilot, guessing that’s another 25k?

Please share your thoughts on avionics, pricing, etc. Thanks!

I would love to work with you and get you a quote for the work you are wanting done. We are in Indiana!

 

[Rene]

"Uncluttered"

 

[texasclouds]

Garmin 650, larger screen and nice nav/com.

I like the idea of the round 275 units but the G5 has a larger screen.

 

[asicer]

G5 has a larger screen.

Yes and no. The G5 does have 1.8% more area but the the GI275 is taller from top to bottom.The difference is difficult to discern from the naked eye.

 

[Pinecone]

I just don't like the curved tapes of the 275.

Not an Arrow, but my Mooney panel.

 

[morleyz]

My Arrow II came with dual G5s and an Avidyne IFD540. Added a GFC-500 earlier this year and the GAD-13 (I think). Removed the vacuum at that time. My only wish was that the panel was all Garmin, but I couldn't really justify the cost to dump the IFD for the few features, like being able to set my xponder from the MFD. I have short arms and my xponder is in the far right bay.

G5s are great. But I think it's mostly an opinion between them and GI275. I really like having the TAS, OAT and winds from adding the GAD to the G5s. If you're thinking about a GFC-500 now or later, get a GTN navigator.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I couldn't really justify the cost to dump the IFD for the few features, like being able to set my xponder from the MFD. I have short arms and my xponder is in the far right bay.

Talk to your avionics guy. I don't know if it's your transponder, or the installation, or it's there but you don't know it, but I've seen several installations where the transponder is remote and accessed via the IFD. It's the COM/VLOC tuning button. One tap switches from COM to VLOC; 2 taps to Transponder.

 

[mscheuer]

I just don't like the curved tapes of the 275.

Not an Arrow, but my Mooney panel.

Thanks for selecting our PMA450C, I hope it has met all of your audio panel requirements1
Mark

 

[mandm]

Thought this thread would have been a little more active. So the thoughts are coming to:

1) GMA345 audio panel
2) GTN650Xi GPS/NAV/COMM
3) GTR205 Secondary Comm
4) GTX345R (remotely mounted ADSB in/out)
5) 3 x GI275 (ADI, HSI, EIS)
6) GFC500 Autopilot
7) USB A/C ports
8) LEMO plugs + traditional mic jacks for pilot/co-pilot
9) Newly cut metal panel powder coated

Decided to skip the secondary NAV radio as I didn’t think I would ever use it. I only use the secondary COMM for getting weather but I can get that thru foreflight anyway.

I welcome your feedback

Kind of excited to get everything Garmin and equipment that I’ve trained with and is relatively easy to use. Thought about upgrading airplanes but most aircraft for sale only had a couple upgraded avionics options with some old stuff present with exception for the newer aircraft’s running G1000 which are considerably more expensive. Also I know my airplane and I’m comfortable flying it and it’s been pretty reliable. After hearing many many stories when people changed aircraft, it really made me not want to take those risks although who knows on either route.

I’m hoping I can retain most of the value invested for future purposes and I might try to get a second “faster” airplane down the road with more experience and knowledge of what would be a good option for us.

 

[asicer]

Thought this thread would have been a little more active. So the thoughts are coming to:

1) GMA345 audio panel
2) GTN650Xi GPS/NAV/COMM
3) GTR205 Secondary Comm
4) GTX345R (remotely mounted ADSB in/out)
5) 3 x GI275 (ADI, HSI, EIS)
6) GFC500 Autopilot
7) USB A/C ports
8) LEMO plugs + traditional mic jacks for pilot/co-pilot
9) Newly cut metal panel powder coated

Decided to skip the secondary NAV radio as I didn’t think I would ever use it. I only use the secondary COMM for getting weather but I can get that thru foreflight anyway.

I welcome your feedback

Kind of excited to get everything Garmin and equipment that I’ve trained with and is relatively easy to use. Thought about upgrading airplanes but most aircraft for sale only had a couple upgraded avionics options with some old stuff present with exception for the newer aircraft’s running G1000 which are considerably more expensive. Also I know my airplane and I’m comfortable flying it and it’s been pretty reliable. After hearing many many stories when people changed aircraft, it really made me not want to take those risks although who knows on either route.

I’m hoping I can retain most of the value invested for future purposes and I might try to get a second “faster” airplane down the road with more experience and knowledge of what would be a good option for us.

See if you can get your installer to wire the GTR205 as a GNC215. Outside of the antenna connection, it should only be a couple of extra wires. If someone in the future decides to upgrade then it will mostly be a slide-in affair.

 

[Racerx]

I know my airplane and I’m comfortable flying it and it’s been pretty reliable.

I’m hoping I can retain most of the value invested for future purposes and I might try to get a second “faster” airplane down the road with more experience and knowledge of what would be a good option for us.

Knowing your airplane is very underrated. A huge sense of comfort when you know every nuance.

As for faster….maybe @JimK can build you an Rv14. Let me know when you need a lift to keep 2 in the hangar

 

[asicer]

Knowing your airplane is very underrated.

So if you don't rate, just overcompensate.
(uno dos tres cuatro cinco cinco seis)