NAV 122

[aerofarm]

My old NAV 12 is dead. I found a used Nav 122 for a reasonable price, my question is are they interchangable. Does the 122 have different wiring, antennas, etc. Can I install it or does it have to be done in the shop. I like the system as it doesn't take up much panel space. I have been looking at a Garmin 430, but am not IFR and want to work on my IFR with a true ILS system. I thought if I could put this in for reasonable money, I could add the 430 after I get the rating. Any advice is appreciated.

Nate

[Jay]

OK, let me get my bias out in the open right now. I think Narco's are caca. There, now you know where I'm coming from!

Seriously, my 2 cents are that if you are going to get your IFR rating, then by all means get a WAAS GPS before you start training. If you get it before you start work on the rating then you'll have lots of practice and you'll really be able to make your WAAS navigator stand up and sing. If you get it after, then you'll have to spend a number of hours getting comfortable withe the new technology.

A Garmin 430W is a good unit, it will do everything that you need. If you don't mind a used box, then you might also look at 480s, which are more capable IFR units than either the 430W or 530W. Either way, if you buy a used box don't let anyone tell you that you don't need a WAAS unit!

Jay

[aerofarm]

So you don't think I need an ILS system to learn on? Buying the Garmin was my initial thought so that I could learn on it etc. I thought maybe I would need an ILS system in the plane to get my rating with and as backup.

I know NARCO isn't the best of the brands, but I have had pretty good luck with the NAV 12, so I figured I would just replace the one I've got and it won't take up any more panel space.

I was going to replace the King 155 with the 430.

Thanks,

Nate

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Nate,
The 430W has integrated Com, Nav, and GPS. It is all in one. Why would you need another Nav receiver? Push the nav button to switch between Nav and GPS outputs, and you can fly either a traditional ILS, or a GPS WAAS derived LPV. Spending any money on anything else would be fools savings at this point in my oppinion.
-Zach

[N3322G]

Nate,

We had Nav 12s in the Twin. When one died, sent it to Narco and they made magic. Economical. Got my instrument rating with that panel. No problem.

Worked great until we decided to renovate the whole panel to get GPS approach function and then went with 530W, 155 with Glide Slope for full ILS backup. Had to do re-learning to fly the 530 in IFR conditions but it wasn't difficult - just takes practice and continued currency and with our usually lovely Texas weather, you get out of practice pretty quickly. I compensate by setting higher minimums based on what instrument proficiency I have for the subject flight.

Hope this helps.

[Jay]

As Zach posted, the 430 is an all in one unit. It isn't just that it can fly every kind of approach (except a stand alone NDB approach) it can do much more.

Since ALL the procedures are in the box's database it can use the GPS to fly to the initial approach fix of an ILS, and can even navigate a procedure turn or holding pattern course reversal, then switch from GPS to ILS to fly the actual approach.

If you have GPSS (GPS Steering) for your autopilot, the 430 will pretty much fly everything except altitude changes (you won't get to use the autopilot during your training, but it's great capability for actual IFR flying). The Narco box isn't even on the same planet in terms of capability.

A 430 with a 155 for NAV/COMM 2 is a rock solid IFR setup.

Jay

[aerofarm]

Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that the 430 was capable of all that. Thanks for making the decision easy, now just have to scrape together some more cash.

Nate

[Jay]

Yeah, there's a reason Garmin sells so many of the darn things!

You might talk to John Van Bladeren while you are in shopping mode, he can give you scoop on requirements for an indicator and annunciators.

Jay

[skipsouthernsky]

To Nate and all,

Sorry to go against the grain, but............. I have to differ. I personally have flown behind a Nav-122 for many years and have nothing but good to say about it. Yes, Narco is not in this century, I'll admit it. I don't know what their problem is with development, but what they do, they still do well. For a low price, reliable, low weight, all in one ILS unit, I think the Nav-122 is a good product.

For someone learnig to fly IFR, and I'm not an instructor (heck, I only have 6000 hours in singles and twins), I think that having a good stand-alone VOR, LOC, ILS unit is an attribute. I would encourage Nate to persue this unit as long as it is working properly and at a reasonable price. I think Spruce is selling them new for around $3000, used has to be less.

I have one in my comanche and it has always been very dependable and accurate. In my opinion it is a good unit and worth having in any airplane.

I don't know which model you are looking at, but some of them have inputs to display the output of a GPS including vertical either WAAS or not with the proper switching. That part you will have to work out and plan your panel strategy for what you plan to purchase in the future.

In short, I would consider the Nav-122, depending on the price and condition, and future panel planning.

Sincerely,
Skip Dykema

[BobPicker]