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larry(at)ncproto.com
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 Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:13 pm Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Hello All,
I posted this to the Avionics-List and thought this
group might be a good help. I have been planning on
installing a Garmin GNS-530 for quite some time, and
before I make the final commitment I want to address one
final option; installing instead an MX-20 with all the
appropriate additions to render the same functions as
the 530. To make this an apples-to-apples (sort of)
comparison, I am making the assumption that I would
install a nav/com and GPS with the MX-20.
I am building a tandem 2-place (Harmon Rocket) with the
primary mission statement of fun cross-country work. I
want to minimize pilot workload and maximize safety and
fun. I desire to have weather and may install traffic
at a later time. Given the limited panel space of the
Rocket; I only want one "screen"; either the 530 or
MX-20. I am also partial to round gages and am not
interested in large displays for everything (I know this
is a debatable subject and this is my preference).
The reason for this query is that I have heard the 530
has barely enough computing power to handle weather and
that the MX-20 does this much better and with a better
display. The MX-20 is also a better platform to make
changes to later on.
So my questions are:
1) any suggestions on the best equipment to integrate
with the MX-20 to allow its function to match that of
the 530 ??
2) any input on which of these options offers the best
performance ??
3) any input on which of these options offers the most
flexibility ??
4) any input on which of these options offers the
easiest use ??
Thanks a ton in advance !!!!
--
Larry E. James
Bellevue, WA Harmon Rocket II
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russ(at)wernerworld.com
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Larry,
If you go with an MX20 you will still need a GPS to drive it. I use a CNX80
(GNS480) and wouldn't think of trading it for a 530. This combo will blow
the doors off the 530. Problem is, expense. What GPS do you plan to drive
the MX20?
Easiest to use. Keep in mind that the MX20 is largely just a display. You
can put weather, approach charts, radar, on it in addition to the basic gps
course info. The GPS will largely determine how easy/difficult it is to
use. I believe that it is a matter of training. On my CNX I can do about
anything complex in the way of flight planning or just go from A to B or
direct to. The 530 is probably easier to run, as it is seriously less
capable. The MX20 will work with nearly any GPS.
Flexibility. If you go with the MX20, you can interface nearly anything to
it. Weather is a bit more difficult as you need Garmins $5000 box to do it.
You'll need a box for anything, but that one seems a bit high. The more
stuff you want to interface to it, the price of the MX20 goes up and the
speed of the box goes down. The basic unit will not do weather. You need
the next box up (I think there are 3 versions) to get the weather input.
This can also be an upgrade from the base unit later. Either way, about
$1500 over base price. ChaChing!
Cheapest way to get weather is to get a 396 handheld!
Hope all that makes some sense.
Russ
HRII
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c.parkhurst(at)charter.ne
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Larry
I'll ditto Russ' comments. I built a 'traditional' panel on my F-1 and
stacked a -480/196/and PS CD/Audio panel. I think you get the most bang for
the buck out of the 480 - a little harder to use (relative) but a lot of
functionality. Also, if you're not in a big hurry to buy one you can
sometimes pick them up fairly cheap (I just got mine with all the updates
and warranty for $6900!!). What I did to save space was to run the GTX-33
(remote transponder) on my avionics panel which I can control through the
480. I also installed a Blue Mountain G3 light in place of an HIS in my
instrument "6 pack". I use that as my indicator/HSI and as a GPS/SUA/Map
back up to the Garmin. Satellite wx is nice I suppose but expensive option
and you can always add the box to your avi panel later if had the 480. If
you spend a lot of time flying VFR in/around class B airspace then you might
want to consider a Mode-S transponder (GTX-330/33). I've used it a number of
times in other aircraft and it's actually prevented a couple of potential
close calls. Happy to send you a picture of my set up if you contact me off
line....good luck
Chris
--
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RocketRob
Joined: 31 Jan 2006
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:07 am Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Subject: Re: GNS-530 vrs MX-20
Larry,
I disagree with Russ, but this is not the first time 
I think you are on the right track with the 530 for the Rocket.
The 530 is more intuitive and much easier to use in a high stress
environment (Rocket).
It is better suited to a combination VFR, marginal VFR and IFR mission
rather than only IFR. How will you be flying your Rocket?
First define the mission,
Now compare the specs.....
http://www.garmin.com/aviation/compare.jsp
The 480 tracks 15 channels to the 530's 12
The 480 has Airways
The 480 has a 8 watt transmitter to the 530's 10 watts
The 480's screen is only 2.25x3.25 to the 530's 3x4
The 480 has very slightly higher resolution
The 480 is WAAS the 530 is/will be upgradeable
I agonized on this and decided on the 530 for the Rocket and haven't looked
back.
The 530 has the terrain upgrade and is in line for the WAAS upgrade, it
drives a Century electric HSI, gets air/fuel data from my Rocky Mountain
encoder and monitor and is coupled to the trutrac GPS altitude tracking
autopilot......and the King 165 w/GS still fits in the panel for redundancy.
Rob
N540RM
HR-II serial #12
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russ(at)wernerworld.com
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| Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:34 am Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Rob makes some valid points.
"The 530 has the terrain upgrade and is in line for the WAAS upgrade, it
drives a Century electric HSI, gets air/fuel data from my Rocky Mountain
encoder and monitor and is coupled to the trutrac GPS altitude tracking
autopilot......and the King 165 w/GS still fits in the panel for redundancy"
True for both units, so not sure of the point here.
The MX20 has the terrain in it. If you want a one-box solution, the 530 is
your choice. Once you decide to go to a MX20 you have 2 boxes and the
display gets about a hundred times better than a 530. That decision will
set you back another stack of bills.
If you want WAAS get the 480. Garmin has been trying for years to get the
530 WAAS certified. Not sure if they ever accomplished this.
Either way, you'll have a fine setup.
Russ
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larry(at)ncproto.com
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| Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:42 am Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Thanks Russ and Chris,
I spent some time at the Garmin display at Arlington
talking with the Garmin folks. First, they were very
knowledgeable and helpful. I came away with choosing
the -530 over the -480 for the primary reasoning of
ease-of-use. I currently fly back/right seat to a
couple of -430's and use a 195. The normal Garmin
syntax is easy and intuitive. I think I'd rather use
80%-90% of a pretty good box than 40% of a really killer
box (does this analogy apply??). What I'm getting at is
that I'm not a professional pilot and would like
everything in my panel to play nicely with each other
and be natural for me to use. Simple is good ......
with the caveat that I am trying to build in some real
capability.
It's sounding like a little more background info is
needed because the left stack will be "talking" with
other units in the panel as well. My current
configuration is a standard six-pack with the top-center
horizon replaced by a Dynon or BMA and the lower left
T&B replaced with an electric horizon (keeping the T&B
function and adding horizon redundancy). Far left stack
is GNS-530, xponder, audio panel. Second comm radio is
Xcom located under T&B/horizon (next to the audio
panel). All engine instruments to far right. AoA on
top of glareshield. Fuel level gages low between legs.
My purpose is to create a natural and easily interpreted
scan. I like round gages. The airspeed, altitude, and
VSI will all be just what and where I would expect them.
In place of a round horizon would be a square
solid-state horizon that can act as other things as well
(an added benefit of this may be to have a "repeater"
display having all the digital flight instrument in the
back-seat). Chris, you say your BMA is linked to your
-480 and also displays GPS/SUA/Map ........ can you
explain further ?? What is SUA ?? I like the idea of
moving this unit down a notch to the normal HSI space;
do you have a round horizon in the normal position ??
I'm visualizing this configuration to be standard
six-pack with the only deviation being the BMA (or
Dynon?) in place of the HSI. This sounds neat !!
I really do appreciate this advice and really could use
more. Truth is that I'm stretching here; working to
build a panel that is above my current knowledge level.
Help from you that have more experience / knowledge is
great to have. Thanks.
--
Larry E. James
Bellevue, WA Harmon Rocket II
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c.parkhurst(at)charter.ne
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| Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Larry,
For what it's worth I think you've thought it through well and have a good
plan. If you're more comfortable with the 530 then that's what you should
probably go with. I fly fighters for a living so didn't have a lot of
concern with being able to negotiate a more complex box.
SUA = Special Use Airspace (e.g. MOA's, Restricted Areas, Warning Areas,
etc...). The BMA EFIS has that loaded as well as class B/C depictions as an
overlay on the moving map function. You would also get that on the Garmin
unit as well.
I did intend to install a standard electric attitude gyro in the top center
position of the 6 pack and opted for the new TruTrak ADI Pilot instead. They
just came out with that unit and for the price of a good electric gyro, you
can get the gyro and the AP (including the servos). I also like the way the
TruTrak instrument works - it doesn't have mechanical gyros so no need to
cage during acro and the 'pipper' acts like a velocity vector or flight path
marker. In other words, the pipper in a normal gyro takes AoA into account
so the sight picture will change as speed (AoA) changes. The trutrak will
will point where the A/C is actually going so if you are doing 200kts and
have a zero VSI, the pipper is on the horizon. Pipper will still be on the
horizon at approach speed provided the VSI remains at zero. Still waiting
for the instrument since TruTrak is still building them (I think I will have
one of the first one's) but they already sent me the wiring harnesses,
manuals and servos so I could press on with the install.
I'll send you some pics in sepcor...
Chris
--
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Lee Logan
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: GNS-530 vrs MX-20 |
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Chris: I too am planning to use the TruTrak Pilot in my Rocket. I'm a ways
away at this point (kit not here yet), but I'd be very interested to hear
your experience with installing and flying the Pilot ADI in your aircraft.
I flew military jets too, but I never had all this cool stuff in the ones I
flew!
Regards,
Lee...
On 3/2/06, Chirs Parkhurst <c.parkhurst(at)charter.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
c.parkhurst(at)charter.net>
Larry,
For what it's worth I think you've thought it through well and have a good
plan. If you're more comfortable with the 530 then that's what you should
probably go with. I fly fighters for a living so didn't have a lot of
concern with being able to negotiate a more complex box.
SUA =3D Special Use Airspace (e.g. MOA's, Restricted Areas, Warning Areas,
etc...). The BMA EFIS has that loaded as well as class B/C depictions as
an
overlay on the moving map function. You would also get that on the Garmin
unit as well.
I did intend to install a standard electric attitude gyro in the top
center
position of the 6 pack and opted for the new TruTrak ADI Pilot instead.
They
just came out with that unit and for the price of a good electric gyro,
you
can get the gyro and the AP (including the servos). I also like the way
the
TruTrak instrument works - it doesn't have mechanical gyros so no need to
cage during acro and the 'pipper' acts like a velocity vector or flight
path
marker. In other words, the pipper in a normal gyro takes AoA into
account
so the sight picture will change as speed (AoA) changes. The trutrak will
will point where the A/C is actually going so if you are doing 200kts and
have a zero VSI, the pipper is on the horizon. Pipper will still be on the
horizon at approach speed provided the VSI remains at zero. Still waiting
for the instrument since TruTrak is still building them (I think I will
have
one of the first one's) but they already sent me the wiring harnesses,
manuals and servos so I could press on with the install.
I'll send you some pics in sepcor...
Chris
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