Autopilot upgrade

[mdrob1985]

I am in the midst of getting some panel updates. Going from a single Aspen Legacy 1000 PFD to 2000 Max PFD/MFD wtih two AV-30’s for backup AI’s to pull vacuum gauges. Current AP is an S-Tec 65 with a remote annunciator and remote ST 361 controller. It works very well with the Aspen and a pair of GTN 650’s. Garmin still has some incentives to exchange the two 650’s for new platform 650Xi’s. Anyone flown with both and how much better is the Xi platform than the original? I do not plan to sell this airplane and probably have at best, 13 years of flying left. If I elect to reduce some cost for this year’s work, I can either just upgrade the GTN’s and keep the S-Tec 65, or keep the GTN’s and swap the 65 for a 55X. Anyone have the S-Tec Yaw Damper? I am told it’s not needed for Dutch roll stability on a 337. Which pathway would you consider first, the autopilot or upgrade the GTN’s. Not sure how much better a 55X is than my 65. Disappointing to continue to hear that we are not getting a look from any of the digital manufacturers. Meanwhile, old models with much lower production runs, like the Cessna 303 (only 287 were ever built) are getting STC’s for them. Guess you have to know someone. Just curious to hear some thoughts. Thx