I have a 1968 Arrow that I use for light IFR.
It’s time to replace my #2 NAV/COM and I’m looking for advice on the most creative, cost-effective way to do that.
Here’s my current lineup. NAV/COM #1 is is a Garmin 430W coupled to an STEC 30 autopilot and a GTN 345 Transponder with ADSB in/out. This talks to an iPad Mini running Foreflight. All that stays.
What I need to replace is the MAC1700 transceiver and a Bendix King 214 localizer/glideslope head. Both have become intermittent and are the oldest equipment on board.
I had considered simply replacing the MAC1700 with a TKM slide in replacement and trying to find a used BK 214 head, But all those heads are old and no longer manufactured and finding a good one probably isn’t worth the effort.
I then got a quote from the local radio shop to replace the units with a Garmin GNC255A transceiver and matching glideslope head. Total quote for the radio and the head and the removal of the old equipment is $8400. That price seems to be in line with the pricing for the specified equipment in Aircraft Spruce and others as well as 50 hours labor.
$8400 is the upper limit for my budget at this time. And while keeping the cockpit “all Garmin“ does appeal to me, I look to you for alternatives to my needs in this price range.
Any thoughts? I’d appreciate your advice.
It’s time to replace my #2 NAV/COM and I’m looking for advice on the most creative, cost-effective way to do that.
Here’s my current lineup. NAV/COM #1 is is a Garmin 430W coupled to an STEC 30 autopilot and a GTN 345 Transponder with ADSB in/out. This talks to an iPad Mini running Foreflight. All that stays.
What I need to replace is the MAC1700 transceiver and a Bendix King 214 localizer/glideslope head. Both have become intermittent and are the oldest equipment on board.
I had considered simply replacing the MAC1700 with a TKM slide in replacement and trying to find a used BK 214 head, But all those heads are old and no longer manufactured and finding a good one probably isn’t worth the effort.
I then got a quote from the local radio shop to replace the units with a Garmin GNC255A transceiver and matching glideslope head. Total quote for the radio and the head and the removal of the old equipment is $8400. That price seems to be in line with the pricing for the specified equipment in Aircraft Spruce and others as well as 50 hours labor.
$8400 is the upper limit for my budget at this time. And while keeping the cockpit “all Garmin“ does appeal to me, I look to you for alternatives to my needs in this price range.
Any thoughts? I’d appreciate your advice.
