I down loaded the Garmin GTN 750 simulator APP for the ipad. I think those Garmin products must be as addicting as crack cocaine! I was wondering if anyone has a GTN or a Garmin 500 installed and how they like it? Also trying to figure out between the two, wich one would give more capability for the money?

Thanks

Mark

I had a G500 and a GTN650 installed last April by John Van Bladeren. I love both units and plan to have a GTN750 installed by John this July. I really like the ease of using the GTN and want annother MFD so the 750. I also like the way the Garmins talk to each other and the synthetic vision on the G500 plus the GTS 800 TAS traffic display on the G500. So the bottom line is I like both of them equally.

Jeff Gaskill

Jeff, thanks for the information that is good to know. Did you opt for the remote audio panel and transponder ? Also do you have the GDL 69 WX and does the WX seem to be improved over the 530/430 displays? Do you have any difficulty manipulating the GTN 650 due to being smaller than the 750? What auto pilot do you have and any problems with integrating them? I have the S Tec system 30 and trying decide wether to remote mount the turn coordinator. Also i am told the 430/530 will not cross fill with the GTN 650/750.

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark. I have a G327 transponder which I like because it automatically turns itself on and off at takeoff and landing plus an automatic flight timer. I plan on moving it to the lower recessed panel by the copilots left leg for the GTN750 install. I have a PS8000B that I like and will move to the bottom of the stack due to its short length and put the GTN750 at the top of the stack as high as possible. I just like the idea of a stand alone audio panel with buttons. The autopilot I have is a S-TEC 55X with autotrim. I talked to a couple of people with a similar autopilot setup and they wished they had gotten the autotrim so I added it and I am glad I did. I also have altitude preselect tied to G500 which is very helpfull and dead on since they are both digital. John talked me into a used GDL69 for the weather and it displays beautifully on the G500. It also displays on the GTN650 but is much smaller. With the GTN750 it will be a great weather display. Also using the GTN units you can easily pull up the written weather for your destination or points on the map. I never had weather on a 530/430 but on a 7 inch tablet using Control Visions Anywhere Map which I currently still use as a backup. I actually still like their weather format with XM better than Garmins. Anywhere Map came out a couple of years before Garmin but they do not have the hardware Garmin now has. One of the reasons I am adding the GTN750 is because it will be easier to program with the full alphabet displayed. Also I will not have to pay extra for Garmin and XM subscriptions since they all talk to each other. Hope this helps.

Jeff Gaskill 1967 260B

Jeff, thanks, very nice set up you have! One more question, on the G500 is your speed in MPH or Knots? Just wondering if there is a requirement to go with MPH if all the operators manuel speeds are in MPH. Sorry for all the questions.

I also agree with your thoughts on the stand alone transponder and audio panel.

Thanks again

Mark

Mark, John Van Bladeren set up the G500 in MPH. I think it is that way due to the original airspeed indicator being primarily in MPH and also the operators manuel, however I am not sure. I have seen pictures of another G500 in a comanche set up in knots so maybe someone else can comment on this.

Jeff Gaskill

Hi Mark. I've had 2 GTN650's and the G500 installed in my Comanche last spring. Spencer Avionics in Spencer, Iowa did the install. As was said earlier, I, too, enjoy the 650's a lot. The G500 was displaying mph at first because the avionics shop said it was mandatory. I was disappointed, to be sure, but really got frustrated when, on my first flight home, ATC asked "say airspeed", and I couldn't tell them without referring back to my old airspeed indicator. So I called Garmin. I explained to them that my POH (the kind offered by ICS) lists both knots and mph, as well as my original a/s indicator. Garmin told me that switching over to knots on the G500 was just fine. I had them call the avionics shop to verify and the switch to knots was made. Why 2 GTN650's instead of one GTN650 and a GTN750 you might ask? Because I've had a GMX200 displaying WSI weather prior to the upgrade. WSI won't display on any other Garmin products. I've gotten quite accustomed to WSI and enjoy their dependability. So I have one GTN650 feeding the G500 and the other one feeding the GMX200. When on crossfeed, the displays are identical. When crossfeed is off, the two displays will show different flight plans...handy for missed approaches or to go to an alternate. You can see the panel in the "MY Panel" section of Photo Gallery in this website.

Rick Mascari
N64400

Rick, love your panel! Thanks for the info on the airspeed, that is good to know I have the option.

Thanks again

Mark

Rick,
I just saw a photo of your plane on flightaware. I was in Kissimmee last October and saw your plane on the ramp. I remember walking over and taking a photo of it because it was so nice. Nice plane and small world!

Mark

Thanks, Mark! I was at a body shop converntion in Orlando just before the heavy rains set in that weekend. Fun trip.

Rick Mascari
N64400