Looking to purchase a G2 is there a certain year that is best? What items should I focus on when evaluating a G2. Thanks

[eabeling (Erica Abeling)]

@vinodrex

The analog gauges update real-time while the digital ones are sampled at a insufficient rate which makes me always look at the analog ones during the take off run and I think it is a big plus with early g2s

I have found the EMAX sampling rate to be sufficient. It’s definitely nice to have the backup instrument gauges, but they can have their own issues (gauges can fail, connection to the gauge can fail, etc) Always good to use everything you’ve got and compare, which is another reason that I like having the BlueMax installed.

[rpickett (Rich Pickett)]

@ajca

@2minute

Or use Clyde’s BlueMax at a fraction of the cost and display it on your phone/pad.

How does that work with ForeFlight? Do you need to switch back and forth to a separate app or use a separate device?

Not having the engine block on the other MFD pages is annoying indeed, especially on approach when I’m using chart view for distance steps.

Re the OP’s question I’d add that the best G2 is one with the terrible aileron rudder interconnect removed. Luckily that is very cheap to do.

I have a 2005 G2 with 5400 hours on it and the aileron rudder interconnect works perfectly - you just need to have someone who knows how to maintain it - which is very simple at annuals when you check control cable tensions.

[bobpatch5 (Bob Patch)]

Since you brought up the DFC-90, the Avidyne website says it is a slide in replacement for the STEC 55X and costs just under $10,000 for the unit. Is that literally true or is some wiring also required? Bottom line, I guess, would be what does it cost to upgrade from an STEC 55X to a DFC-90?

Thanks in advance.

[2minute (Jay Locke)]

Its priced at at 12k and depending on your bird could take 4 to 6 hours to install.

It is not a plug and play.

[bobpatch5 (Bob Patch)]

Thanks Jay

[alexis59 (Alexis von Croy)]

No wiring necessary except (if you want it. but recommended) the optional “Flap Wire”, so that the A/P knows the flaps setting. That’s an easy to install wire, will cost about 500. Autopilot is 10 K.

[2minute (Jay Locke)]

Stack fitment and cable length and routing can become an issue I’ve been told which necessitates the larger than expected labor cost vs simple swap like say IFD440.

[alexis59 (Alexis von Croy)]

But the DFC90 uses the same rack, cables, everything as the S-TEC55X. You simply slide it in and configure it. So how can cable lengths be an issue?

[2minute (Jay Locke)]

I don’t recall all the details but it doesn’t take 4 hours to swap so there is work involved.

[alexis59 (Alexis von Croy)]

The 4 hours can only be the Flap Wire work, not the installation of the autopilot. So that’s probably it.

[Bill_Melohn]

I think you are right, and the flap connection is optional; if you don’t install it, it will assume speeds below 85 kts are flaps up, and give you an annoying “Caution, Underspeed” warning, depending on your AP/FD configuration.

[hpux735 (William Dillon)]

Keep in mind that the DFC90 needs to have the updated PFD software. Depending on the age of the plane, etc., it might have to be shipped to FL for the rework. When I did my upgrade, Avidyne was offering the upgrade for “free”, but I had to pay for shipping, and given the mass and value, shipping was very expensive. Also, it added about a month to the job, if I remember correctly.

All that said, I absolutely love the DFC90, and I was going to need the upgrade for a WAAS upgrade anyway.

[ajca (Alex Campbell)]

@Bill_Melohn

I think you are right, and the flap connection is optional; if you don’t install it, it will assume speeds below 85 kts are flaps up, and give you an annoying “Caution, Underspeed” warning, depending on your AP/FD configuration.

@hpux735

Keep in mind that the DFC90 needs to have the updated PFD software. Depending on the age of the plane, etc., it might have to be shipped to FL for the rework.

Super valuable info, thanks for sharing Bill and William.