REFLECTOR:GPS/COM radio

Ronnie Brown reflector@tvbf.org
Tue, 11 May 2004 14:36:04 -0400


Brian,

Check with the avionics dealers too.  They may still have one in stock -
perhaps even a trade in/refurbished unit.

I used to own an SL60 - the slimline GPS Com (sold it in earlier this year
with my C172).  Before the new owner picked up the plane, I had the database
updated.  In talking with GarminAT tech support, I asked them about the
outlook of supporting the SL-60 in the future.  He was an old time employee
(II Morrow , UPSAT) and he said it wouldn't be a problem in getting
continuing support.  There is a lot of the stuff out there.  The GX55/60/65
is a newer line than the SL60.  I see Garmin is also offering trade in
upgrades from the GX55/60/65 to their new GX80 - so there ought to be some
out there.

Ronnie


----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Gietzen" <ALVentures@cox.net>
To: <reflector@tvbf.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:14 PM
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR:GPS/COM radio


| Brian;
|
| Check with Velocity; they may still be able to get you a GX-60.
| (Maybe I shouldn't tell you, I was still considering that option, and they
| may run out)
|
| Al
|
| -----Original Message-----
| From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org] On Behalf
| Of Brian Michalk
| Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 7:57 AM
| To: reflector@tvbf.org
| Subject: REFLECTOR:GPS/COM radio
|
| I am finally wiring up the instrument panel.  I had chosen the Apollo line
| of radios because they support RS232 communications to do a lot of things
| like load frequencies, etc.  Almost everything you can do from the front
| panel, you can do via the serial communication.
|
| I was concerned when Garmin bought out UPS, and figure I would always be
| able to get a radio that has the features I want.  I did manage to get a
| used transponder, and SL30 nav/com.
|
| Now I've gone to Garmin's site to see what they have.  I found out that
they
| have discontinued the GX60, which is a GPS/COM, class A1 IFR for enroute
and
| approach navigation.  I sent them an email, and the closest they have is
the
| GNC300XL.  Unfortunately, their RS232 connection does not allow very much
to
| be done with the radio; it's all GPS communications.
|
| So, now I'm worried that I will not be able to get the serial radio that I
| want.  I don't want to buy two separate radios (COM and GPS), but I do
want
| something with the serial capability.
|
| Does anyone know of other companies that might have something I'm looking
| for?  I am also interested in purchasing a used GX60 if the price is
right.
|
| I had planned to install the GX60 some time after I was flying, but am
| worried about the availability in the future.  Given Garmin's history of
| bundling everything into one unit, I am not optimistic they will have such
a
| radio in the future.  UPS was the only company that I'm aware of that made
| radios with such open (serial) communications standards.
|
| I see the avionics options available to use in the future to be slim.
There
| will always be the small guys, but what incentive do they have to open up
| their inter-radio communications?  Same way with Garmin.  I think they
will
| close it down so that third party vendors can't make enhancements, thus
| locking you into their platform.  I think UPS did this because they
weren't
| in it for the money.  They ship packages, and it showed on how they
| implemented their architecture.  It was open and flexible compared to what
| every one else is doing.
|
|  Brian Michalk  <http://www.awpi.com/michalk>
| Life is what you make of it ... never wish you had done something.
| Aviator, experimental aircraft builder, motorcyclist, SCUBA diver
| musician, home-brewer, entrepreneur and barely single.
|
|
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