diamondaviators.net

Hi guys! This is my first post but I've been reading up on your posts a lot!

I have a pair of diamond da20-c1's that are getting upgraded to the new Garmin G5 units for a entry level glass system. I have contacted my local diamond maintenance shop but they are having a hard time giving me a quote for the install because they don't know how to install the magnetometer for the HSI. Has anyone here gone through this? Any help is much appreciated as I have the units in hand but can't install

Thanks guys!

I will be watching this thread as I'm also thinking about installing two G5s next year in my DA20-C1. I'm also interested in affordable ADS-B out solutions.

Has anyone been quoted on a G5 installation? There is a shop quoting me between 30-60 hours for installing dual G5 units plus removing the vacuum system and installing the magnetometer. To me this seems outrages.. Whats your take on it? Thanks!

30-60 hours sounds reasonable to me. Removing the vacuum system, rewiring much of the panel (I assume one of the G5s will be used as an HSI for flying approaches driven by a G430?), and adding a magnetometer out on the wing is quite a bit of work. You're basically converting from steam to a glass panel.

Yeah thats quite a bit of work, I see it more on the 30 than 60 hours though. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

On the Diamond DA40 with KCS55a HSI system the magnetometer is installed in the wing attached to an inspection panel. Possibly the DA20 has a place for the same?

Curious if you made any progress on the magnetometer install location. I'm going to purchase G5's also.

thanks. John

Hey John,

I did! I will test fly it tomorrow. Magnetometer was installed in the tail cone behind the inspection panel in the baggage compartment. It passed the calibration test. You could mount it near the wing tip as well but you'd need to switch to LED strobes $$$$.

Here is a shot of what it looks like in the cockpit. Not of the magnetometer.

I went with dual G5 with the flush mount.

Sweet. Thanks for the update and info. Do you know if they had to remove the fuel tank to do it? I'm still waiting to receive my gps unit to arrive so still have some time. I would think the wing tip option would be way too much work.

What is the flush mount option btw?

Nice! My eyesight is not as good as it used to be. Once you will have tested your new installation, could you please comment on the size and readability of the G5s?