Panel options - Prebuilt CC panel, or custom? - Opinions wanted.

[JHawkins]

Hi all,

Getting down to ordering time for the panel and was hoping to solicit advice and opinions on those that have gone through it.

Does anyone know how much money you'd save, approximately, by building a G3x panel like CCs "executive" option yourself? Even a ballpark estimate or gut feeling would help.

Those that built their own custom panel - Given a time machine, would you do the same thing again or order a pre-built panel?

I wouldn't mind building a custom G3x panel myself, and I'm sure I would be capable of doing so, given enough time and effort. Just weighing that against the cost savings and time savings.

Thanks in advance!

[aflyer]

Well, I did do my own panel. I included a G3X and a GNX-375, not an option offered by CC. I had SteinAir cut and silkscreen the panel, and bought the Garmin stuff from them. I believe I saved something like $10K.

It was a pretty big project, between the research involved, the 750 page G3X install manual, and the wiring itself. But the information you need is all there.

I had some advantages. I have an EE degree. I previously built 3 complete panels for my RV8. I have a good friend with an avionics repair station two doors down at the airport, who was a great source of advise and small parts.

Yes, I would do it again.

Good luck! John

[Dan L]

I machined the panel for my EX and purchased the instruments 12 years ago. I did that work on a knee mill but you could have someone with a router do it for you.

I have a new project I’m just starting on now and am planning the panel now. Paying an avionics shop to do installs is often about the cost of the avionics. In other words plan on roughly double the price of the panel instruments. This time I’ll have quite a few can bus units. It will get busy behind the panel.

[aeroaddict]

I did my own (Dynon, 10" HDX, 2020 compliant). I did have SteinAir cut the panel and I bought the avionics from them as well.

It was a good challenge and I enjoyed (most of the time) the building of harnesses (boy those pins are small) and the wiring.

I'm guessing here, but if one was to buy a prebuilt panel, there is still a lot of work to do during the install. Another point; what tools will you need if you buy a prebuilt panel? And what's the difference in tools between a prebuilt and self built? I don't know. Also, I wanted to build as much as I could; panel, covering, paint, ........

$$ wise, I can't give you a good answer, but compared to what I spent and the prices on CC for their panels, I bet I got about 100 hrs of 100LL burn on the plane!

[Andy]

If I were building a kit I think I'd design my panel from scratch and build it myself. Even the latest FX-3 panel is very limited for space. I would extend the panel center several inches lower to make space for at least two rack mount units under the GDU. Revising or relocating the "avionics tray" could allow a longer unit to be put in the lower right side slot of the Exec Glass panel.

I have made 3 phased avionics updates to my G3X FX-3. I can tell you that working on the panel wiring with the boot cowl in place is a lot harder that working on it before the boot cowl is fitted.

I put power on the phase 3 update today. This added a GPS 175 IFR/LPV navigator. Still some finishing touches before it's ready to fly. Lots of hours of research, making drawings, fabricating harnesses, and installing in the aircraft. If I costed my time at anything like a reasonable rate it would have been far cheaper to pay CubCrafters. That's not why we do experimental though is it.

Adding a G5 and a GPS 175 IFR/LPV navigator is costing me under $6,500 in parts and materials. Similar functionality would have cost about $20k from CubCrafters.

If you are planning autopilot consider the GMC 507. It won't fit in the CubCrafters panel but it has select knobs, track select mode, and an internal AHRS that is cross monitored against the GSU 25.

[aeroaddict]

Good point from Andy.

If you build your own panel, you can build it any way you want.

For me, basic simple VFR panel.