DME: Take it or Leave it?

[Michael]

Sorry I missed the fun in Sedona this year. I did have a chance to catch up with Andrew in New Orleans last week and that was nice!

Here's a question for you IFR guys. I'm getting bids on some avionics upgrades and am having to choose between losing my DME to fit an MX20 and 430, or settle for the 530 and keep the DME. I use the DME once in a while to help give controllers a good idea as to my whereabouts, and I use the automatic flight timer function all the time, but that's about it. I guess I like having it in the event of a GPS failure. What have the rest of you done? Do you all still have one?

I am throwing out the ADF. I NEVER use that! But I'm making space for a Skywatch. I've had too many surprises over/around LAX, even with flight following.

Dean, if you read this, I was looking at the pictures of you new panel and had a hard time figuring out where your second radio went...it's hard to tell what the smaller boxes are.

Best,
Michael N97AV

[Todd Peterson]

I think you will find that the Garmin 530 vs Garmin 430 with the MX20 debate is a little like my friends with their Fords and Chevy's. If you are happy with your choice then you made the right one.

You really need to sit down and look at the differences between the two set ups. Both are state of the art and those that have the 430/MX20 love them. On the other hand I have a 530 in both of our 260SE's and personally I like them better. As long as your happy with your decision you've got a winner.

[kwmoore]

I think Todd is right on, and would add the following based on my personal experience.

I elected the 430/MX20 combination because I thought it would do everything the 530 does, plus some extra functionality such as a VFR chart-like display and terrain awareness. Compared to the 530, IMHO you sacrifice a bit of time learning how to use the MX20, but it's easily mastered. If you get the MX20, I highly recommend a UPSAT SL30 navcomm as #2. When used properly it is very nearly like 2 navcomms in one. I now have some 8 hours flying with this combination (Dean's plane) plus 2 hr as right seater in Tom's 735GH, and feel like I can use it easily. Really looking forward to using these in 812KT!

Regarding DME, I had a DME in 8367E, along with a 430 and KX155 as #2. In my own real-world flying, both VFR & IFR, the DME spent most of its time not even turned on. There were only a handful of times when I used it, and those were usually when I received a clearance such as, "maintain 2000 until OAK 6 dme," or "report Manteca 10 dme." I could alternatively have easily accessed this information via the "nearest VOR" page on the 430. You can display it directly on the main map page or nav page of the 530, and I believe the MX20 will display it in the VOR information box of any VOR you have tuned in the SL30.

One thing I really recommend is this: get a Garmin gpsmap 295 (a 195 will also work) and have the avionics shop interface it to the 430 or 530 and connect it to ship's electrical power. All flight plans, approaches, etc. loaded into the 430/530 will be automatically crossfilled into the 295. Then you can put it on the yoke and have all desired information (such as distance from any navaid or airport) available without changing the main panel display. It also provides an HSI page if you like to look at an HSI. You can also use the 295 to plan out and evaluate "what-if?" route change scenarios without messing with the active flight plan in the 430/530. The 295's operating logic is very intuitive if you know the 430/530; the 195 only slightly less so. I had this arrangement in 67E (and soon in 812KT) and wouldn't be without it now.

On balance, I would suggest relocating the DME to the far right of the panel where it's there if you need it. You won't need it most of the time, but once in a great while it may be convenient. :p