Cost to install IFR GPS in a basic IFR 172?

"JJS" jschneider@REMOVE SOCKSpldi.net wrote in message ...

guy looked it up on a sheet of paper and said that Garmin is still
repairing them but there was a $400 blanket charge no matter how
trivial the problem. You sure want to make sure it's broke before you
send it in, he said.

Wonder what the charge is for a newer (out of warranty) 430? Probably
similar.

He had a used King audio panel and was going to check into a used
KX155 and glideslope for me. We're talking 4500 to $5000 to get to
IFR equipped here. I'm a vfr pilot and probably won't get my IFR
rating. Give me some guidance here group.

When my #1 Cessna RT-385 started heading South we replaced it with a
TKM radio- designed as a slide-in replacement. I wouldn't consider
buying used when there's an option to buy a good new unit at a
reasonable price. In our case the lack of install cost made a new
slide-in a cheaper fix than a used rewiring job. I feel differently
about the GPS because the new/used price delta is far larger.

IMHO you're best off with a simple replacement rather than upgrade. If
you;re not going to use it, then don't buy it. It might be one thing
if it was a Mooney or Bonanza where you'd be looking to sell it to
mostly IFR pilots somewhere down the road, but a VFR-only 140 ought to
be plenty popular.

Best,
-cwk.