---------------------------------------------------------- Avionics-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 02/27/06: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:48 PM - GNS-530 vrs. MX-20 (Larry E. James) 2. 01:48 PM - Re: GNS-530 vrs. MX-20 (Tim Olson) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:48:00 PM PST US From: "Larry E. James" Subject: Avionics-List: GNS-530 vrs. MX-20 --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Larry E. James" Hello All, I'm new to this list and have what I hope is an interesting question: I have been planning on installing a Garmin GNS-530 for quite some time, and before I make the final commitment I want to address one final option; installing instead an MX-20 with all the appropriate additions to render the same functions as the 530. I am building a tandem 2-place (Harmon Rocket) with the primary mission statement of fun cross-country work. I want to minimize pilot workload and maximize safety and fun. I desire to have weather and may install traffic at a later time. The reason for this query is that I have heard the 530 has barely enough computing power to handle weather and that the MX-20 does this much better and with a better display. The MX-20 is also a better platform to make changes to later on. So my questions are: 1) any suggestions on the best equipment to integrate with the MX-20 to allow its function to match that of the 530 ?? 2) any input on which of these options offers the best performance ?? 3) any input on which of these options offers the most flexibility ?? 4) any input on which of these options offers the easiest use ?? Thanks a ton in advance !!!! -- Larry E. James Bellevue, WA Harmon Rocket II ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:48:55 PM PST US From: Tim Olson Subject: Re: Avionics-List: GNS-530 vrs. MX-20 --> Avionics-List message posted by: Tim Olson You're not making an apples to apples comparison. The MX-20 is just a MFD....takes input from various items and displays it. The GNS-530 is a NAV/COM/GPS. If you have an MX-20, you could integrate something like a GNS-480 and have quite a good interoperation going. You could integrate the 530 to the MX-20 as well. You could save money and use a GNS430. They're all very different and very different in cost. The MX-20 is going to be the nicest thing to display weather/traffic/terrain on and will blow the built in screens away for all the Nav/Com/GPS units. For some reason, at all the shows, you always see the MX-20 and GNS480 together. You then see the Avidyne EX500 paired to the GNS430 or 530. I am not sure, but I think that those pairs are because there are a few minor things that won't work with 100% functionality if you try to mix a MX-20 with a 430, for instance. Nothing too drastic though. Of course, if you're going to be spending the kind of money you're talking about when getting a 530 and MX-20 and integrating Garmin's pricey WX receivers and such, you may consider looking at the Chelton screens. If you go that route, the interfaces will cost less, and you can get most of what you need out of just a cheap SL-30 and SL-40 combo. If your goal is to save money, and not have an IFR plane, you may consider just a handheld 396 to display traffic and weather on. Of course, if you also get a GNS430/530/480 plus a CDI, you then could have a nice IFR panel too. It's a very excruciating process to pick the equipment, isn't it? ;) Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD - Flying do not archive Larry E. James wrote: > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Larry E. James" > > Hello All, > I'm new to this list and have what I hope is an > interesting question: I have been planning on > installing a Garmin GNS-530 for quite some time, and > before I make the final commitment I want to address one > final option; installing instead an MX-20 with all the > appropriate additions to render the same functions as > the 530. > > I am building a tandem 2-place (Harmon Rocket) with the > primary mission statement of fun cross-country work. I > want to minimize pilot workload and maximize safety and > fun. I desire to have weather and may install traffic > at a later time. > > The reason for this query is that I have heard the 530 > has barely enough computing power to handle weather and > that the MX-20 does this much better and with a better > display. The MX-20 is also a better platform to make > changes to later on. So my questions are: > 1) any suggestions on the best equipment to integrate > with the MX-20 to allow its function to match that of > the 530 ?? > 2) any input on which of these options offers the best > performance ?? > 3) any input on which of these options offers the most > flexibility ?? > 4) any input on which of these options offers the > easiest use ?? > > Thanks a ton in advance !!!!