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Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:13 am
by RV Sometime
The time has come to buy the instruments for the Animal.
I got this quote so far. Are these prices reasonable, it seems so. Are Aviation Engines the best guys to deal with. George has an altimeter & I have a turn coordinator. An item forgotten is the rev counter, can you guys think of anything else. She will fly cross countries occasionally, but I feel a DI is ott. We will be fitting a gps.
Can you guys comment, please???
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:42 am
by Morph
It seems like a lot, but this is what you will pay for a Digital all in one MGL Stratomaster
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:07 pm
by RV4ker (RIP)
I have one of these which we can install, but my Uncle in the aircraft Business is not keen....

Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:13 pm
by Morph
hehehe, install that one right and the steam gauges left. Actually I must say I do love steam gauges
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:16 pm
by Trikenut
I think go for the MGL, i know a guy that had it installed, says it works great!
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:05 pm
by Miskiet
Steam gauges will be in keeping with your radial engine..... The Enigma will make using her a lot easier....
What about Morph's (I think for EPH?) idea of installing the Enigma behind a closable "cubby" hole. You then have the classic look but you get to open the door to the GPS when you're lost........

Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:20 pm
by RV4ker (RIP)
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:26 pm
by Uncle Spud Murphy
Greetings,
Good post topic Guys and Dankie. More information for me to print, file and re-call later when required. I just love ml.co.za

(Had a look at the other one today - no offence but not impressed)
Am I right in saying that one instrument replaces all the others? Makes sense to buy if it is (5c?).
Avdb

Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:40 pm
by grostek
Hi RV, RV4ker,
Whatever you decide to put in the dash is fine the Explorer will not know the difference
A While ago Tailspin bought some instruments ASI Compass VSI for his VP1 and he paid a very reasonable price.
Give him a shout for details.
Kind regards,
Gunter Rostek.
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:21 pm
by Boet
Kerels hou op kak droogmaak, en stuur alles en enige bleddie iets wat ons daar kan insit. ( net iets wat werk, en nie n dem rocket sceintist nodig het om aan die werk te kry nie!!
Sal nie nee se vir n paar steam guages nie......
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:34 pm
by Duck Rogers
Boetie, as ek Loeries toe kom bring ek jêm saam vir daai bek

Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:11 pm
by RV4ker (RIP)
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:23 am
by RV Sometime
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:26 am
by Gyronaut
Uncle Spud Murphy wrote:
Am I right in saying that one instrument replaces all the others? Makes sense to buy if it is (5c?).
Quite right Uncle Spud, downside is that if it pops in flight you have NOTHING. Another downside is that its complex to use and takes a while to master whereas the classic 'steam guages' make immediate sense to anyone that flies the machine and reduces the pilot workload drastically. I for one have always been in two minds but opted for steam gauges when I had the choice in my machine.
World class glass panels are manufactured and exported from SA by the container load (right here in the Cape) so there must be a huge demand for them although I seldom see them in use in the microlight fraternity here.
I am keen to hear the opinions of the 'informed' here.
Rgds
Len
Re: Instruments For The Explorer
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:20 am
by RV4ker (RIP)
Dead simple to use. It a bit like a computer. Huge capability which few understand or utilise fully. It gives far more info than the steam gauges, but you can customise the display to give you just what you want. Installing and configuring is far more complex than steam, but not impossible...
Takes a couple hrs once installed to get to know. I think main reason there are not many in ML's here is that they are all VFR machines and given the cost of the glass cost benefit arguments are valid. USA glass is far more expensive that the local version.
Most add a GPS to steam in any case. Here it all in one. Does not change the way the plane flies and they have redundant systems (2 batteries, some even 2 +internal backup to give 2hrs without external power). If it all goes dead you should not have a huge problem. During one of my renwals the instructor covered the whole dash and made me land without airspeed, alti or any other instruments (He was a tiger moth driver and said VFR ment you must look outside and feel the aeroplane). After getting over the initial shock it was not tough at all...
my 2c...