Val Nav 2KR

[bdalporto]

Val has come out with a new Nav Receiver the Nav 2KR. Is this radio compatible with Skyview?
The manual on line says that it communicates using RS-232 via NMEA 0183 message format specifications.
Earlier in this forum, Cessna150 said he talked to Debbie at Val who said the Nav2000 transmits the same SL30 format. The 2KR manual says the 2KR is the same format as the Nav2000. So (deep breath) it sounds like it will work.
Brian

 

[KRviator]

This is exactly what I am looking for, a remote-mount NAV radio controlled through SkyView.

Only, I'm not sure it can be controlled through SkyView yet... AIUI, SkyView can interpret the SL30's Nav output signal, but cannot directly control the Nav frequency other than loading it from the database, "Nearest - VOR - Tune Nav".

This presents problems should the VOR or ILS not be in the database.

If there's any Dynon Guru's not getting ready for Oshkosh, can we clarify if I can manually enter a Nav frequency to push it to the Nav radio?

 

[Dynon]

You definitely can't manually tune a NAV frequency, because that's just not in the software today. But if it supports the SL30 style protocol, which it supposedly does per the spec (we've only looked at it briefly so far), pushing frequencies from SkyView's database should work.

 

[bdalporto]

Have you or are you going to look at this some more? I'm planning my panel and this looks like a good solution for a nav radio but only if it works.

Thanks
Brian

 

[bobl_51]

I also have been looking at this. I got stuck when I realized that Dynon pushes NAV frequencies to the standby position in the SL30, assume this would be so with the NAV 2KR. I can't figure out how this would get swapped to become the active frequency.

 

[dynonsupport]

I talked to Jim at Val at an airshow a few weeks ago, and I believe the standby thing isn't an issue. I think the radio takes any command to tune (standby or active) and uses it for the active. The idea of a "standby" is more of a user interface construct, and it doesn't have a user interface...

You should verify that with them if you are going to buy though.

This doesn't make it perfect, so you need to consider a few more things:

1) SkyView can only tune frequencies found in the database. So you can't tune any random frequency you want to, and you can't tune ILS frequencies (we might add those someday, but they aren't in there now)

2) You don't have any control of volume via SkyView so you need a way to adjust this

 

[Flighttester]

Re: Remote Val Nav 2KR and the Freeflight 1201 GPS

I am putting a dual Skyview in my (new to me) Pazmany PL-2 aircraft.  As part of the upgrade, I am definetly considering the eventual incorporation of ADS-B in and out as well.  Dynon seems to have addressed most of the issues except for an "affordable" TSO'd WAAS GPS source.   I guess I'd love to put a Garmin 430W in the plane but I'm discovering that even a used Garmin will cost about half what everything else costs for the entire upgrade.  In other words, I'm trying my best to stay away from Garmin, since unlike Dynon, they do not offer the reasonable bang-for-the-buck.   It seems that there are solutions that would work, there are deals on new WAAS/GPS remote devices like the FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS Model 1201 but that isn't supported by Dynon, even though it looks like if it was, there would be a low cost TSO-145a GPS data source for under $3,000 brand new.  Less than 1/2 a used Garmin 430 would cost. 

I have also seen another new offering that looks like a good fit for the Skyview, the VAL 2KR remote VOR/ILS/GS.  This looks like exactly what Dynon needs to flesh out their new Comm offering.  Something affordable for those who don't have pockets deep enough to go (even used) Garmin.  I think you guys just might be missing an opportunity here.   It seems like just a software development issue.  I personally have had pretty good service from previous VAL radios I've had the pleasure to use.  Aren't you just a little too fixated on Garmin hardware?  :-[

 

[dynonsupport]

Rich,
First off, we do support the FreeFlight 1201 GPS as an ADS-B position source, so feel free to use one of those if you want.

We'd love to have other ADS-B GPS options, but there aren't any on the market right now. It's a device that needs to be certified to an 800 page TSO, so it's not easy to make. However, given the 2020 ADS-B mandate, there is a good chance that in the next 6 years someone will come out with an affordable solution.

The nice thing is that the transponder is already ADS-B out legal, and can be updated in software. So if there is an affordable GPS device in the future, we can update for it. Until then, you can use the non-certified GPS built into SkyView and get all the benefits of ADS-B without the cost.

Today, there is no good reason to get yourself 2020 compliant. It's expensive, and the requirement is half a decade away. Because of this, the only time people really have certified GPS units in an experimental is when they are using it for IFR flight, which almost exclusively means a Garmin GNS or GTN, so it's what we focus on. Hopefully Honeywell and Avidyne will give them a run for the money, and if they do, we'll support them too.

As for the Val radios, we'll look into it once they are shipping. Yes, it's "just software," but it is a LOT more software than supporting a Garmin which has the volume and tuning controls right on the front. We have to balance every feature against customer demand, and there hasn't been much demand for Val support yet since nobody has one. I'm sure as they get more popular we'll get asked more.

Trust us, we have no fixation on supporting Garmin, but there is not a lot of other options out there. You'll notice though, that our real fixation is on making the stuff ourselves, while lowering prices, not just writing support for our competitors. Why do you think we keep coming out with stuff like GPS, transponders, com radios, intercoms, autopilots, ADS-B receivers... If the only thing we are missing is a NAV radio and a certified GPS device, I wonder what we should work on next.....

Coffee makers. We are in Seattle after all.

 

[gturner01]

Hi Dynon,

I've been lurking here for awhile while my build comes together. I really like the architecture and options of skyview, but when it comes time to purchase i will be looking for full support of the Val or something like it. Right now, GRT seems to be the only one offering that, but here's my vote to bump this up the priority list, right after you guys get that coffee maker right.

Gordon

 

[hstaton]

I recently purchased a Nav 2KR, but have sent it back to swap for a Nav 2000 due to the inability of Dynon to tune the radio. As far as I am concerned, this is the first serious chink in Dynon's armor. I have been an avid Dynon supporter for quite a while, but am experiencing some very real disappointment. The fixation (my perception) on Garmin distresses me considerably. Obviously, Dynon, since I just bought one, people do have the Nav2KR. So, what next? The 2KR was perfect for my uses, as it would not require another hole in panel. Unfortunately, I have to make the hole for a panel mounted radio because the Dynon can't tune the 2KR. To say I am not pleased would be a serious understatement. I am so invested in Dynon now, I am a captive audience. :-[

 

[dynonsupport]

Gordon,
Our sister company Advanced Flight Systems (AFS) supports the Val and even re-sells it.

 

[KRviator]

1) SkyView can only tune frequencies found in the database. So you can't tune any random frequency you want to, and you can't tune ILS frequencies (we might add those someday, but they aren't in there now)

2) You don't have any control of volume via SkyView so you need a way to adjust this

A bit of a follow up to this: the latest Pilots User Guide (Rev W) now says you have the ability to push ILS and LLZ frequencies to a Val Nav2000 - so presumably you can do it to the 2KR as well.

This isn't a typo is it, can we really push ILS and LOC frequencies to Nav radios now?

 

[rlallen1]

That would sweet..

 

[dynonsupport]

We added the push of ILS/LOC frequencies in 11.0, back in 2014.

The issue with controlling the 2KR is that you don't have control over volume or other audio, so you can't ident the station.

 

[KRviator]

Awesome, I must've missed that in the V14 release notes. Thank you!