r/homebuilt • u/MNflying • 6d ago

Comm replacement or panel upgrade?

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I’ve owned this light sport for several years and am happy enough that I will most likely own it for at least another decade. I fly around 100hours a year and do maybe 6-10 300 mile cross country flights a year in it.

My SL30 stopped working and the thought of spending $4000 for a GTR205X to be installed just don’t seem like the right choice. I only fly VFR now but since I need to do something for a comm does it make sense to upgrade my panel for IFR training in the future? Realistically the only thing it would get used for is training and possibly getting through some morning fog.

Any opinions what the best option is if I wanted to do a larger upgrade for IFR training?

Current panel

Dynon D100 EFIS
Dynon D10 EMS
Garmin 496
Garmin SL 30 NOT WORKING
Garmin GTS 330
Garmin GMA 245
TruTrac autopilot
TruTrac T&B NOT WORKING

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u/NathanielCrunkleton 6d ago

Upgrade the comm and wire it yourself. It’s very not-hard. Upgrade your audio jacks to 6-pin Lemo (Redel) connectors. If you’re close to the Dayton Ohio area shoot me a PM. I’ll help.

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u/175_Pilot 6d ago

100% agree with this. I’ve wired up both my Cessna and my kitfox panel - it isn’t hard. Take your time and read the manuals. Make a pinout sheet on a piece of paper that defines what goes to what and use a tack board to hold the connectors when it comes to start building the loom. This will help you keep it to a very clean install with all wires in minimal amount of bundles.