MFD recommendations

"carlos" wrote in message ...
...
I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
thoughts/knowledge on this matter.

My current avionics stack includes:

Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
2 KX155 radios
King audio panel, ADF and transponder
S-TEC 50 autopilot

I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a stormscope.
Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be a
waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map, but
no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
would be less than a 430.
...

I think the previous suggestion of the Garmin 400 was a good one and
the King KMD 250 would be a good choice as well. Both have excellent
resolution. I don't know if the 400 takes FIS and TIS cards (uplinked
Radar & Terminal Area Traffic) but the 250 will. If your future plans
include those, it might be an important question to ask (and ask about
the King also - I'm taking the word of my radio man). I know I would
want uplinked or downlinked radar on mine, even if I had to save to
buy it. King's KDR 510 has far better resolution IMO than the Garmin
GDL 49 but the upcoming GDL 69 coupled with XM radio is purported to
be a whole different product. I'm also quite sure ChartView or its
equivalent would be on my list of eventual desires. So, the GDL 69 and
ChartView would point me in the Garmin direction.

Also do pay some attention to how the information is converted to the
moving map if you decide to buy on price. An older 5" 55R Avidyne uses
as its background map a sectional that was clearly scanned and then
displays as the page you are navigating on. It's a nice enough unit
and of good size but the KMD 550, for example, blows it away for
resolution and enhanced capabilities.

That didn't help a bit, did it? g. Well, at least you know some
questions to ask.

Mike

Thanks Mike... I'll look closely at those functions you mention to see if I
have a need for them (I don't fly in the US - At least not regularly, though
I may make a trip to Sun & Fun).

Best Regards,

CGP.

"Mike Long" wrote in message
om...
"carlos" wrote in message
...
...
I'm thinking of adding some avionics and would appreciate your
thoughts/knowledge on this matter.

My current avionics stack includes:

Apollo GX55 IFR GPS
2 KX155 radios
King audio panel, ADF and transponder
S-TEC 50 autopilot

I would like to add a color moving map to my stack as well as a
stormscope.
Since I already have two very good radios, I think a Garmin 430 would be
a
waste of money (even if I traded in one of the KX155s). A friend of mine
recommended I get a King MFD (150 or 250) which has GPS and moving map,
but
no radio. They also interface with the stormscope and the combined cost
would be less than a 430.
...

I think the previous suggestion of the Garmin 400 was a good one and
the King KMD 250 would be a good choice as well. Both have excellent
resolution. I don't know if the 400 takes FIS and TIS cards (uplinked
Radar & Terminal Area Traffic) but the 250 will. If your future plans
include those, it might be an important question to ask (and ask about
the King also - I'm taking the word of my radio man). I know I would
want uplinked or downlinked radar on mine, even if I had to save to
buy it. King's KDR 510 has far better resolution IMO than the Garmin
GDL 49 but the upcoming GDL 69 coupled with XM radio is purported to
be a whole different product. I'm also quite sure ChartView or its
equivalent would be on my list of eventual desires. So, the GDL 69 and
ChartView would point me in the Garmin direction.

Also do pay some attention to how the information is converted to the
moving map if you decide to buy on price. An older 5" 55R Avidyne uses
as its background map a sectional that was clearly scanned and then
displays as the page you are navigating on. It's a nice enough unit
and of good size but the KMD 550, for example, blows it away for
resolution and enhanced capabilities.

That didn't help a bit, did it? g. Well, at least you know some
questions to ask.

Mike