Fs210

[Brian Scarano]

Accordingto Garmin, the FS210 is the "solution" to the GTX345 bluetooth issues, but that involves locating the FS210 up front somewhere. Unfortunately, I get consistent bluetooth disconnects even with my O2 access door removed. May not be an issue with the J since you sit closer to the tail area, but I would still mount it as far forward as possible. Maybe try testing the desired install location first with some other bluetooth device.

First I discussed it with my avionics guys who told me the main labor was to route several pairs of wire from panel area (GTN750 location, and circuit breaker panel) and the rear avionics bay (FS210, GDL88 & GDL69). They told me exactly what type wire to use, how many pairs.

During my owner-assisted annual while the belly panels were off I routed all those plus spares. Even with the plane opened up it took me several more hours to get the wire in and secured. Not hard, just intricate.

A few weeks later the avionics shop installed the FS210 on the rear avionics shelf. They charged me 3 hours labor total. If I hadn't done the wire routing it might have taken five or six additional hours.

I ran the coax for adding ADS-B to the Aspen. The GDL 88 is in the back and the Aspen is in the panel. Running the wire probably saved me at least a half day, maybe more of avionics shop rate. I have to be at least as efficient as the electron chasers at R&R seats and side panels. Twin Lakes did the ADS-B, AOA, and SV unlock is a half day while I waited.

I'm doing mine probably next week. I'll let you know how it goes. I have a GDL-69 in the back so it makes the most sense to run the power off the same CB to both devices and install on the avionics shelf.

Thanks for all the great input! Was just as curious about the whole tail install and signal strength as that kind of surprised me regarding the location(I guess not shocking though given how cramped it is up there), and of all the FS210 posts I've seen I guess I never really saw it discussed where shops were locating them.

We would also be getting a 345 installed, and with that already having bluetooth, ahrs, etc, another $2k just for the convenience of pushing flight plans to 430 drove my curiosity to ask and possibly cut $1k out at least while enjoying putting some work in(agreed with proper signoffs, etc).

The instruction manual says to mount inside the cabin as close to the Flight compartment as possible. The arrow on the side says point in the direction of flight but the antenna is at the rear of the unit so if it's mounted behind the baggage area the antenna's behind the unit and points rearward. My gtx 345r Bluetooth randomly drops out with people in the rear seat. I wouldn't trust it to be 100%. To move it is another 1000$.

No problem with blue tooth signal strength with 02 door in place.I did the complete install myself with IA sign off.I used a pair or 232 signal leads already going to the gdl 69 sat weather.The FS 210 was wired in series and provided good function.After the Avidyne install ,I no longer needed the fs210 talking to the 430 but I rewired it to provide gdl 69a control from the iPad and also provide a redundant ahrs

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