Thanks for the explanation. I'm not instrument rated, and don't plan to be, unless maybe it becomes real easy to install enough stuff to make the plane capable. Even then, I don't really care to do much flying in clouds, particularly with an experimental engine.
Technically, with just the G3, a T&B, a nav/com & transponder you have what is required for IFR. Of course you would want some sort of back-up for the G3. I use the rockymountain micro-encoder and a electric horizon. I just got my instrument rating (in my RV), and have already made plenty of use of it getting in and out of the marine layer that so often hangs over San Diego. I much prefer not to be in the clouds, but it sure is nice to have the ability to pop through a layer if you want to/need to.
As for the G3 though, my impression is that you're still very happy with it, despite the limited moving map. Is that a correct impression? Do they plan to improve the map? If so, do you expect that a unit purchased today would be able to update to the new map easily?
Yes,yes, and yes. VERY happy with the G3. They have just posted a new data-base that fixes 1/2 the problems with the moving map, but the other 1/2 of the problem is the hardware. The screen is just not designed to be a moving map. It is not big enough either, nor does it have the resolution. That being said, if you are looking at the moving map on the G3 you are wasting 95% of its more useful functions. Besides, it is less than optimal to be switching between screens. Clearly, even for VFR it is better to have a separate moving map. The the availability of quality hand held moving maps that do not cost very much, this is really a non-issue.
If you wanted to have 2 G3's for IFR redundancy of the gyros, you could use one as the moving map most of the time. With the new software upgrades (and more to come), the map is acceptable but will never be as good as some of the hand-helds. (except for the better vis)
I looked at a D10A the other day, and it was sweet. The only thing I had against it was that it was a little dim in bright sunlight maybe. I understand the G3 is probably brighter, and it certainly has more features.
Much brighter. It laughs at full direct sunlight. You never even notice when in the sun. At night you have to turn the brightness down to 5% of the daytime amount..
Another question, are there any remote electronics boxes to install, such as a compass sensor? I know the D10A can be standalone, but has a compass module available in cases where there is too much interference at the panel location. They also use the compass module as the input for OAT, so if you want OAT, you need the box. By the time you add that stuff up, you close the gap in price, plus have the hassle of installing that extra stuff. Still, the D10A doesn't have as many features.
It comes with an external compass module included. I bulit a small mount in the tail cone and attached it with 2-sided tape. Took about an hour for me to make and install. No internal compass so if you want Mag. info you have to attach it. However, if the compass is not attached it will still display GPS course in the HSI that is slaved to the gyro... you just have to me moving. All the other attitude data works fine without the compass.
You also need to install an included OAT sensor (if you want TAS), and the GPS antenna if you want. And of course pitot/static (very nice easy disconnect connectors). No other external box.
Go For it :-)
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Dave Leonard
Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rotaryroster/index.html
http://members.aol.com/vp4skydoc/index.html
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