- Joined
- May 1, 2017
- Messages
- 72
- Reaction score
- 31
I am a recent new owner of a Piper Seneca 2. I love the old bird, but it has a 1975 factory original avionics setup. I'm not saying that the avionics are orginal equipment, but as the old wore out, it was replaced with same type radios, nothing new. I have 2 NAV/COMS with 2 OBS/GS dials, steam guages, a dg, and a mode S xponder. I have a working Altimatic 3C autopilot and a stormscope. Last annual, the ELT battery was found exploded so it ruined the 121.5 ELT, so I upgraded that to the 21st century with a 406.
Now, I'm looking to spend @$30k plus or minus on an IFR avionics and guages package but even trying to delve into what's out there quickly results in information overload. I am considering going to a recommended radio shop for inquiry, but I worry that they will see me coming a mile away and set me up with whatever has the best margins with the easiest install. What works great for the radio shop may not be the ideal for the private pilot.
Going to websites seems to fair no better. I don't know what works with what, what is outdated, what is unproven, what has shown to be little more than junk, and what may be out of my price range in the long run considering what additional equipment is needed or what other equipment is best to fill a compete quality package.
Where does one begin? And, how much of a disadvantage would buying a few pieces at a time, be over busting out the whole $30k and hoping it all works out as planned?
The old girl has 1000 hours left on the engines, so, God willing, I hope to have her for many years to come.
Any help would be much appreciated, as always.
Now, I'm looking to spend @$30k plus or minus on an IFR avionics and guages package but even trying to delve into what's out there quickly results in information overload. I am considering going to a recommended radio shop for inquiry, but I worry that they will see me coming a mile away and set me up with whatever has the best margins with the easiest install. What works great for the radio shop may not be the ideal for the private pilot.
Going to websites seems to fair no better. I don't know what works with what, what is outdated, what is unproven, what has shown to be little more than junk, and what may be out of my price range in the long run considering what additional equipment is needed or what other equipment is best to fill a compete quality package.
Where does one begin? And, how much of a disadvantage would buying a few pieces at a time, be over busting out the whole $30k and hoping it all works out as planned?
The old girl has 1000 hours left on the engines, so, God willing, I hope to have her for many years to come.
Any help would be much appreciated, as always.
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