Stu,
Your panel looks incredible. I was wondering if the 5500 would really fit in an 8 panel and you answered the question. Given the relative costs, I have been considering a 2 screen G3X setup and I was wondering if you had similar thoughts. I have also wondered if the 5500 is too large, given the relatively short distance between panel and face in the 8(A).
Could you give us your reasoning to choose a single screen setup over a 2 screen setup? I have seen your beautiful ship on several occasions at OSH and SNF and I would really value your opinion.
Thanks!
Well, as I always do, I look at everything available, look at the capability presenting what I would like to see, "what if" in case it were to go out to make sure I have backups, think about it for too long, thought maybe the AFS3400 would be okay, but decided the AFS 5500 was the one to install because of multiple presentations (EFIS, Eng Monitor, and Maps) on the same screen and screen size for readability. The various other units had screens too small to read the small info stuff. Where I sit in the cockpit gives 19 to 20" from face to screen, just about what my glasses are set for and I find the screen very readable. And the various Map presentations (GPS, Sectional, IFR Low, Airport Diagrams, and Approach Plates) can all be panned and zoomed. So in the 3 hours I have behind it so far, I am impressed with overall capability and presentation, especially with the Garmin 420W, SL30, G496, and G327 all transferring info back and forth and being able to select one of 3 different nav sources as primary course and use one of the other two as a secondary bearing on the screen. And....if the 5500 were to go South, I still have my trusty G420W, SL30, and G496 independently with an Indicator to fall back on. So, this worked for me and so far I am happy with the result.
I learned another thing today while getting used to it. The 5500 has Terrain and Obstacle databases. While flying I saw a red triangle below the horizon line which started out small and then got larger to maybe an inch long, unlike anything described in the Manual. While trying to figure out what that was and what it was telling me both the G420 and the G496 finally soon after warned and reminded me about the 3100' tower. Sure enough, there it was in front of me. Now I will know what that is if I see it again. And I am reminded to keep my head out of the cockpit while I get used to this new toy.
Hope this answers your question.