When deciding on upgrading a navcomm-even if you decide to purchase a used system such as the ones we mentioned in the used equipment roundup in the January issue of Aviation Consumer, its not a bad idea to start with the indicator, selecting one that will support your GPS of choice. Many customers who spec avionics upgrades on the back of an envelope are shocked when they learn theyll have to spend another 15 percent of the budget for indicators. Otherwise, you could end up spending far more money than you planned or spending less for a panel that doesnt work correctly. Technical criteria such as OBS course resolver, VOR/LOC converters and the like must be considered in almost every case, so your shop techs experience and knowledge of new and old equipment specs is critical. The specs for appropriate nav indicators are critical whether youre choosing one for GPS or for old-fashioned VOR. Some older indicators wont support any so youre stuck buying new ones. Beware, however, that not all indicators will support all GPS navigators, even though the indicator itself is ship shape. Were the first to recommend utilizing as much of your existing equipment as feasible while acknowledging that some of this stuff just wont be worth keeping. In some-perhaps most- cases, it makes sense to think about an HSI in place of a standard indicator. On the plus side for the price savvy buyer or owner with tight panel space, the ability of the GPS and navigation receiver to share the same indicator has become commonplace and is often the only solution aside from cutting a new instrument panel. Since all IFR GPS, whether installed for approach operations or enroute, must also display course information on a remote CDI, you cant get by without an indicator of some kind. In this article, well cover the particulars. The tricky part of this business is that many owners assume they can use the old indicators with a new navigator but are shocked to discover theyll have to shell out another $1500 or so for a nav head because the ones they have wont play with new equipment. And whether good or bad, there are more choices than ever in indicators but not a big knowledge base on what indicator works with what box. With IFR certified GPS becoming more or less a standard item in the panel these days, the lowly indicators that provide the needles to follow have become more important than ever.
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