Dynon SkyView - period. The performance is as advertised and the after the sale service sets the bar for the industry. I have a lot of hard IFR hours with this system and find it superb for situational awareness.
I have just purchased another overpriced $9000 Garmin GTN-650 to go with the dual SkyView install on the new project - only because the alternative GPS navigator sufferers from all the things wrong with the TSO side of Garmin.
Carl
Your intended use is the first question you must answer.
If VFR only then the decision about the equipment is not critical.
IF IFR, then IMHO, any system that must have pitot-static input for the AHARS to function properly is unsatisfactory.
Murphy rules and while possible to fly across the great lakes in a single engine airplane, one must ask if the idea is sound?
Good Luck
John
I note with interest the G3X Operating Manual calling out both Pitot and GPS feeds needed for operation of the AHRS.
Something else for the OP: In asking what system (singular) is best, you sort of implied you want a fully integrated system. e.g., you enter the altimeter setting once, and all the other boxes get it. When everything works, these systems are very nice. But they also talk to each other. I still recall when a software bug slipped thru brand X, and entering a destination that did not start with a K caused a crash - which then propagated to all the other boxes, bringing the entire system down. While the software is pretty well tested these days, I personally chose to make one backup non-integrated. It is a different manufacturer, is not connected to any busses or other boxes, even has its own battery. Yes, I have to do the cross-checking, since the software cannot. So there are pluses and minuses. But do give it some thought.
While we believe that each person is entitled to their opinion for which avionics best suit their flying style, preferences, or budgets, I do want to make sure statements are factually accurate. The below AHRS operation information comes from the G3X Pilot?s Guide which you can download from the Garmin website: https://support.garmin.com/support/manuals/manuals.htm?partNo=010-00G3X-00
The Garmin AHRS in the G3X uses aiding from many sources to improve performance. This attitude solution is used in our certified platforms as well. Per the below chart, you must lose GPS, Magnetometer, and Air Data to lose your attitude solution.
If anyone has questions on G3X system operation or features, we are always happy to help. The fastest way to get a response is usually via email at the address below.
Thanks,
Levi
That?s why Garmin intentionally built the G5 to run on different hardware and a totally different software platform and they isolate critical code to prevent such a situation.
Levi, thank you for this information. But I am confused. Are green arrows ‘working’, red arrows ‘not working’? So if gps fails, I follow the red arrow down?
Magnetometer working, so I follow the green arrow? Air data not working, I follow the red arrow to ‘no attitude solution’? Isn’t this exactly what the poster complained about?
Bob,
The red arrow indicates that the item above has failed. If you follow any failure path down to an outcome you still have AHRS (Attitude) in each case except for the path on the far right side. The AHRS can run in many different modes and the path shows which mode the AHRS would be operating in with each failed state. The important point is that you still have a working attitude solution in all cases except if GPS, Magnetometer AND Air Data fail.
Thanks,
Levi
I put an MGL (Explorer 8.5?) in my aircraft. Their implementation of the can bus makes installation very easy and is near enough to ?plug and play? when you purchase their pre-made harnesses. Their engine monitoring box requires no pin crimping or soldering of sensor wires and is very simple and effective. Their screen layouts are the most customisable of any EFIS vendor, period. This will be a double-edged sword for some but if you are willing to learn the design interface they provide and you?re handy with a PC and mouse, you can literally start with a blank screen and build your own EFIS instrumentation, or just use what they provide, or anything in between.I haven't seen anyone mention MGL in this thread, but they too have glass panel fully integrated systems. I understand that the layout and presentation is nearly completely customizable as well, so if you want a certain arrangement of instruments/map/AHRS on your screen, you can probably build it.
Your chart must be incorrect then. It clearly shows gps fail (red), magnetometer working (green), air data fail (red) leading to “No attitude solution”. Can someone help me see the light here?
Your chart must be incorrect then. It clearly shows gps fail (red), magnetometer working (green), air data fail (red) leading to “No attitude solution”. Can someone help me see the light here?
This seems like I could be opening the primer wars here, but I'm curious why people go with Garmin vs Dynon vs MGL, GRT, etc.
I'd love to hear specifics as to why or why not one system over the other.
Thanks for the input!
MzeroA Did a nice video on their new glass cockpit that is Garmin-less. It's a Dynon Skyview HDX with an Avidyne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfAxIR99UuA&t=11s
I fly behind a Skyview, but did spend time with a G3X. In the end, I just found that the Skyview was much more intuitive. I think it comes down to personal preference, but Dynon is a wonderful, affordable system with terrific support. It wont disappoint.
Brian
Price out each of the systems complete. Make it apples to apples. You may find as I did that the huge price differences people in here talk about....just aren?t. That was the biggest surprise to me.
There are plenty of trash talkers on all sides of this argument. Most have only played with one system in flight and a shocking number with very enthusiastic opinions have never even done that much so be careful whose opinions you put a lot of faith in. The loudest are often the least informed.
My advice, go to Oshkosh or SnF and spend a week playing with these systems all lit up and working. Walk around the backside and look at the connectors. Push the buttons, spin the knobs...see which feels like you can punch it a thousand times in turbulence. If you?re intending to go IFR, remember you?re betting your life on that panel staying lit up. VFR in the dark isn?t much fun staring at a black screen either.
After you have done your research, you won?t need any outside opinions.