Instrument brand

[jonstark]

Looking to price out a 6 pack and curious as to what brand people like?

One of the more compelling reasons to fly Experimental aircraft is to get away from the “mandated obsolescence” of certified. Why install steam gages when there are less expensive, more reliable, smaller, lighter alternatives? For the price of an old six pack you could have new technology.

Jon

[jiott]

Well said Jon; I agree completely. The new stuff is so complete and reliable you don't need to mess with an iPad except for backup. I'm really curious why so many guys install the old steam gauges because they like the old "look and feel", but then they cobble up some afterthought looking mounting for an iPad. Some iPad mountings look ok and "built-in" I will admit, but it still seems to me to be an attempt to overcome the inadequacies of the old technology. Just my own opinion being thrown out there.

[tjentzsch]

Makes sense, thanks for the input.

So basically a D-6 or similar all-in-one EFIS is all I would need? I guess I like having the redundancy of gauges as a backup in case the EFIS failed then I would have some instruments.

Lets say I do run something like a D-6 or other all-in-one system, what would be the best instruments to have as back up if not a full 6-pack?

As mentioned, the ipad will be used primarily for forflight. I had not actually considered using it for flight controls via other hardware/software options like the Talos.

[jiott]

Here's my 2 cents on backup instruments:
For VFR flight, the Kitfox is easily flown without any instruments at all (except for engine monitoring). You just look out the window for altitude and use the attitude techniques you were taught for airspeed; therefore you don't need any backup flight instruments. Navigation is the only consideration for backup. In my home state and some nearby others, I don't need any navigation aids 95% of the time, I just use pilotage, so the odds of needing backup navigation is nearly nil. A longer x-country flight may require backup navigation, but on those flights I am nearly always flying with a buddy or two, so the other airplane is my backup. OK, it probably would be comforting to have your own navigation backup, so I have a GPS app on my smartphone, Avare, that would serve very well as an emergency backup. I also carry a Sporty's handheld radio that serves as my backup radio, but it also includes old fashioned VOR navigation as a third navigation backup for me. I do know how to use VORs and always carry aeronautical charts with me (I admit they are out of date, but would serve well in an emergency to look up VOR frequencies).

So there you have it, just a simple panel with an all-in-one screen, a radio and intercom and a wet compass for good measure and no other instruments, leaving plenty of panel room for a generous glove box.

You asked about brands, and I chose Dynon Skyview, but there are several other good brands out there for somewhat less money. Don't forget the ADS-B mandate; choose a screen with WAAS GPS that is already set up to easily incorporate ADS-B out and in.

[aviator79]

For VFR flight, the Kitfox is easily flown without any instruments at all...

Jim beat me to it.

[tjentzsch]

Here's my 2 cents on backup instruments:
For VFR flight, the Kitfox is easily flown without any instruments at all (except for engine monitoring). You just look out the window for altitude and use the attitude techniques you were taught for airspeed; therefore you don't need any backup flight instruments. Navigation is the only consideration for backup. In my home state and some nearby others, I don't need any navigation aids 95% of the time, I just use pilotage, so the odds of needing backup navigation is nearly nil. A longer x-country flight may require backup navigation, but on those flights I am nearly always flying with a buddy or two, so the other airplane is my backup. OK, it probably would be comforting to have your own navigation backup, so I have a GPS app on my smartphone, Avare, that would serve very well as an emergency backup. I also carry a Sporty's handheld radio that serves as my backup radio, but it also includes old fashioned VOR navigation as a third navigation backup for me. I do know how to use VORs and always carry aeronautical charts with me (I admit they are out of date, but would serve well in an emergency to look up VOR frequencies).

So there you have it, just a simple panel with an all-in-one screen, a radio and intercom and a wet compass for good measure and no other instruments, leaving plenty of panel room for a generous glove box.

You asked about brands, and I chose Dynon Skyview, but there are several other good brands out there for somewhat less money. Don't forget the ADS-B mandate; choose a screen with WAAS GPS that is already set up to easily incorporate ADS-B out and in.

Very helpful info and beautiful panel.

What model skyview do you have?

[jiott]

My Skyview is the classic, not touch, 10" screen. Had it for over 5 years now with no problems. Database updates every month and yearly firmware updates are all free. I also used their remote transponder and engine monitoring module. Recently easily added ADS-B in and out.

[PaulSS]

Unfortunately for me the UK lot require backup instruments (even a compass despite the 5 different options of GPS track and heading I'll have). They'll accept electronic backup instruments provided they have their own power supply in case the aircraft loses its power. So, along with my MGL iEFIS Explorer Lite and flush panel mounted iPad Mini (using the FlyPad but might migrate to a Guardian Avionics mount) I'll be fitting the Funke BFI57. Not cheap but does everything (including another source of GPS track to make sure my wet compass is correct)

BFI57

[tjentzsch]

My Skyview is the classic, not touch, 10" screen. Had it for over 5 years now with no problems. Database updates every month and yearly firmware updates are all free. I also used their remote transponder and engine monitoring module. Recently easily added ADS-B in and out.

Very cool.

The classic seems like a very good value when one considers good gauges seem to range from 200-500 new, for the ones I have seen and seem to like.

[aviator79]

If you are VFR only, a single screen EFIS w/ backup battery and a charged GPS-equipped iPad in your flight bag is all the backup you should need. You're double-redundant at that point. When you are VFR, most of your flight instruments are just backups for what you see outside all of all the glorious glass in a Kitfox.

If you absolutely, positively can't be without a round backup gauge, install an airspeed indicator. Trent's setup with an ASI behind his iPad is pretty clever. Unnecessary, in my opinion, but clever.