Insight G4 vs JPI 790 - pros and cons?

[mdrob1985]

Same EIS question. I currently have 2- EDM 701’s and a Shadin. Need to come up three decades in tech and I want more accurate fuel sensors while I’m at it. The G-4 twin setup (packaged for a 337) is a fair bit lower priced than the alternatives and go into an existing panel cut out. I want it on the left panel for line of sight. I’m sure the 960’s are nicer but I don’t want another big square box cut out on my right panel. The G-4 can just go into one of the two remaining 3 1/8 holes on the left panel. I have to keep my T&B for the S-Tec unless I can get away with adding a GAD 43e. Not sure that would be a full replacement for the T&B for roll inputs? If so, all vacuum and analog gauges would be gone. How are you getting space in your center stack? For me, anything in the av center stack is not an optionas it’s too full already. A pair of GI 275’s would be great but cost is quite a bit higher than one G-4 which has a package already setup for the 337’s. I’d like to know what you decide to do. Please share a picture of your final setup. Mine is sitting in the shop pending a second fuel pump rebuild.

[kbecker]

I replaced my old Gemini 1200 with a G4 and am very happy with it. I was able to keep the harnesses for the EGT/CHT, but had to add new wires for fuel flow, vibration, oil temp, oil pressure, OAT, etc.

It was well worth it. The old Gemini 1200 was a bear to download data from.

My only negative is the G4 doesn't have the "level the EGT" bars the old 1200 did. I kind of liked that feature as it was easier to tell which cylinders had an increase in EGT during a flight.

Kevin

[mdrob1985]

Did you swap out your senders for digital units or stay with the factory originals?

[Learjetter]

Originally Posted by mdrob1985

Did you swap out your senders for digital units or stay with the factory originals?

If you’re asking me, I put in CiES senders to feed the GI-275 EIS.

-LJ

[mdrob1985]

Sorry LJ, I know you’ve got a nice 275 setup. I was wondering if Kevin’s G4 was using new digital senders. My PFD just went T’ts up and so I’m doing a panel upgrade that I was planning to do much later in 2025. My eyes want all Garmin, my wallet says we are going all Aspen. Unfortunately I’m having some trust issues with Aspen right now as that’s what has failed. I haven’t dug through the logs to see when it was installed but photos from 2015 do not show it. I can further reduce costs down by going with a G4 and new senders. It’s certified and meets my needs without cutting up my panel. I’ll have a bunch of hole plugs in place until I can get a new panel formed in 2026.

[n86121]

Currently I have a stratus 2S (w external power and antennas) mounted behind smoked piglass. Its status LEDs are visible in flight.

Why do I have this, as backup to the unlikely event everything goes kerplunk.
If needed I could still use iPad etc and keep going.

Consideration above throttles -
In my mind, right where engine monitor of any sort could go,
To put anything just above throttles
requires re-locating the stratus 2s ...somewhere.
I can probably find somewhere.
Over to right behind overlay is/was an opening holding an old radio,
so it might mount on back ...perhaps.

Or maybe just drop stratus 2s backup?

Option 1 - Simplest install - right of Shadin
Remove EGT
G4 goes where EGT currently is, to the right of Shadin.
Not a direct line of view, but pretty close, and probably good enough.

Option 2 - G4 above throttles.
Remove EGT
Re locate stratus 2s ...somewhere.
Use same or similar panel w 3.25 cutout
mount G4 right over throttles.
Maybe slightly left, to be clear of RPM which sits higher up

Option 3 - JPI 790 nice big digit display / scanning mode or stop
Remove EGT
Re-locate stratus 2s ...somewhere
Install JPI 90 right over throttles
Remove or leave shadin in?

Option 4 - Upper left of pilot panel
Not sure curing 3.25 into overlay panel would go perfect;ly,
but stuff in that area is no longer used, OM, MM, IN, panel/speaker etc.
Far way from engine gauges, but worth considering

[Learjetter]

You changed my mind with the photos…Since the G4 is STCd as primary EGT, put it to the right of Shadin FF as in option 1 leave everything else alone. Wire in all the sensors you can, and enjoy!