MGL Avionics gobbly gook

Zenith Cruzer fitted with MGL avionics

[todaywefly]

“The navidata yeyeuemumbmble”.😂. I hear ya! Good luck mate.

[gregbevpriest]

MGL Gobbly Gook you should have lashed out and gone with the best user friendly EFIS either Dynon or Garmin.

[tylerdowdy]

I have the same iEFIS in my new KFA Explorer and feel the same way. Came with a South African map. Trying to get it updated to North America is a pain. Hoping getting traffic on the screen (ADS-B in) won't be too hard.

Congrats on the build. Been following for a while!

[dwayneneufeld]

I hear you! Unfortunately, MGL assumes we are all as computer-literate as they are. If MGL would take some time to work with people like us (the not-so-computer-literate majority) and let us ask the questions for them to cover, then MGL to make instructional videos explaining the language they use, (what it means) and show us the steps of how to do it, it would save them a massive amount of tech support time and sell a lot more products. Reading the forums, most people are just looking for the how-to answers.

There is a YouTuber named "Dutchroll" who is very good at explaining screen design, how some of this works, and how to load it in your display. I enjoy making my own screens and have learned many shortcuts by Dutchroll, and just by chance on my own. I really appreciate Dutchroll's instruction, but there is more that needs to be clarified. Much of the screen design is really simple, but only after spending quite a few frustrating hours. I still struggle with files and how to work with them.

MGL has a fantastic idea here that is not appreciated by many because of the mystery of how it all works which is because of the poor technical instructions.

[pandyseven]

Hi Scott,

Hope all is good down in the southern state and must say enjoying the Sopwith Build. That said I have and hope you may steer me in a direction of who in the hell in this country can help design an electrical system for our homebuilt aircraft. I too purchased MGL and had all the promises in the world from lightflying with design and wiring diagram and subsequent wiring harness, so all the bells and whistles. Is there such a thing in this country? It is the one thing of my build that I am totally out of depth with. I think this is a niche market for this country no one is tapped into yet…. looking forward and fingers crossed for your response.

Regards Andy

[johnfisk]

I'm in the same boat with you, I'm not working on the maps but all other initial set up screens are NOT USER FRIENDLY at all. The selling price and ability to customize each screen was a big reason to choose MGL. They really need to make some videos to explain each function of how to set up and change things in their system. i saw on another forum someone mentioned if someone knew how to customize the screens they could save them and make them available for people to down load, that would be a great help. let us know if you get this stuff figured out.

[DIYPackraft]

That is frustrating! I think it’s the same here in Canada - not enough customers for MGL to care. It sounds like the easiest thing to do is subscribe to Jeppeson chart data and download the files from there (and rename them according to that document if that’s necessary for MGL to understand what they are). You could then cancel the Jeppeson subscription so you don’t have to keep paying for updates if things don’t change much where you live (then use other means to make sure you have legal charts and can avoid flying into a new tower). I think a Jeppeson subscription costs a few hundred dollars per year. Good luck!

[mirinconaeronautico]

Thank you for the video Scott.

I was thinking about installing the same EFIS for my ICP, but if support for installing local maps is going to be zero... bye, bye.

I'm emailing Adam from MGL USA (talking about the non intuitive manual for customizing screens too). Let's see his answer.

[nja]

You're probably aware of this, but AirGizmos makes a panel mount dock adapter with an optional tilted face so you can angle your right side screen towards the pilot for a good viewing angle. I don't know if they have one for a full-size iPad, but they have one for the Mini. As talented a fabricator as you are, I'm sure you could fab up something similar if necessary. I use mine with an iFly GPS and find that it holds the iFly securely and the viewing angle is perfect!

[philmiller]

Clear as mud. And I'm an ex-Radtech(A) with 15 years in IT as well. I'd just use OzRunways too. Maybe a teenager can work it out?
😃

[kengreaves]

Geezz good luck with that Rowdy I wonder why so complex the geeks don't realise ordinary people have to untangle this mess.

[FlingwingNZ]

Hiya mate. I've buried myself in the MGL Gobbledeegook and come out the other side. If you'd like some help i can give you a hand... it's a nightmare but does make sense when you get it sorted...

[noahjbarr]

Does the iPad ur using have a SIM card, or does the maps, weather and gps work without internet.

[stevemowat]

Sounds like you need to find a teenage technogeek (around the airport preferably) to assist you Scott! trade some flying time

[noahjbarr]

Also, did you end up getting the EFIS maps installed on your screen?

[capt_yeti]

Maybe give Ozrunways a ring. You can also maybe ring Avplan. Both are very good products and very helpful staff

[SimjetAU]

Installing the data is easy. The problem is there is NO current maps or data for Australia. The maps you have to make yourself. I have had a go at it doing the local VTC charts. The MGL software to do it is crap. Its very difficult. I have spent hours trying to get it done. I have something for the local Brisbane one here its not perfect but its ok. The local MGL agent here you would think would get the mapping done and make it available. Everything is available for the USA and South Africa. You have to use the Mapmaker software from the MGL site and dload the tiff files for the charts. They are available here but its such a convoluted process

[duanestace]

Good Luck Scott. I'm an IT guy, and that didn't enlighten me either. 😥

[BigglesAviator]

Hi Scott...come on....get the old paper maps and whissey wheel out ...no confusion there. Easy as and no install instructions needed. Only joking...bring on the technology - Ozrunways is all that's needed these days...unless the battery goes flat, overheats, loses internet access or just fails. Blue skies

[pandyseven]

Thanks Scott,

I had browsed over the sites previously and largely the information provided is generic and specific to one iEfis system to what I can see. That said my system does not require the ibox so I have been told by LIGHTFLYING . I was more after someone here in AUS who can provide all the bells and whistles, from design of a wiring diagram [ using my instrument locations etc] to providing the wiring harness so I can simple “plug and play”. LIGHTFLYING half did it and now I get no return calls.

I reached out to you in hoe you would know someone here, and guess like many others it seems to be a grey area, anyway I have taken enough of your time...Regards Andy