anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEMS?

Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

It is pretty terrible, compared to the Garmin 430. What do you want to know about it?
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

Only ever used one for en route guidance...
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

I have a little bit of time behind the 89B. If you can't find the approaches, it's because they're hidden on Airport page 8. Make sure the airport at the top of page 8 is the one you're going to, otherwise it won't have the correct approaches. What, specifically, would you like to know?
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

The KLN 89B is OK. You just need to sit down with an instructor or read the manual and you can figure it out.

You will learn a lot just from reading the manual. Here it is for free.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

I have a lot of time with the 89B. It is a very capable unit. Just think of the logic as similar to chapters and pages. RNAV approaches aren't too bad with it, just get comfortable with the flight plan "chapter" with adding and subtracting fixes and resetting "direct to". Sometimes the unit gets confused so you have to go back in the flt plan and reset what it needs to navigate to. Overall it is a really nice unit, even for today's standards, IMHO.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

well I would go for a GNS 430, but it's out of the budget.
We are looking to get an airplane and import it here in Brazil, we have the plane located, it has two King COMM-NAV, PS Audio Panel (with built in intercom) and a King mode C transponder.

In order to get IFR certified here in Brazil, we need two different NAV sources, usually they have a VOR and ADF. Well it seems that ADF are not cheap so I was thinking what would be the cheapest alternative as IFR GPS. The 89B is the only one that would stay in the budget, you can get a refurbished one (new screen) for little over 1K, an used 430 still goes for 5K. the plane has a 495 so we got the moving map....

I found a nice free simulator on the King website, it does not seem to bad to use.

My question is how well it works for non-precision approaches, especially NDBs...lots of them here
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

My question is how well it works for non-precision approaches, especially NDBs...lots of them here

Guidance-wise, it works as well as any other IFR GPS. In other words, it'll get you where you want to go as well as a Garmin.

The user interface takes some time but once you have it figured out it's not that bad.

We have a couple and they have been pretty reliable. The only downside is the displays, which seem to develop issues as they age. IIRC, it's cheaper to just buy another unit than replace the display.

Also, I don't know what the cost, but the KLN-94 units have a better (in my opinion at least) user interface.

I think updating the database is a little more difficult than in the GNS-430/530 and KLN-94 units but I'm not certain about that. They may be more expensive subscriptions as well but again, I don't see the bills so I really don't know for certain.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

I used to think the 89B was a bad product. The problem was that I was comparing it to the KLN 94 or the even better G430. Now I fly a KLN 90B which makes 89B look great.

The approach page (Airport, 8) and loading approaches can be a little challenging. Once you get used to the GPS functions, you'll find that it is a very capable GPS unit. I now think it does a fine job.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

Lots of experience in the 89B, 90B, GNS430 and even Glass. For the price, you can't beat a 89/90B. Either of these units are great for easy navigation and RNAV approaches. Like stated before, it's very simple logic. It's good for getting information about where you're going, but the map lacks something to be desired. Nevertheless, it's easy to use when you get used to the Chapter-Page logic of operation, and you can always do Direct-To functions with the NDB, but it won't allow you to do an overlay. If you take the time and can input waypoint fixes, that works, or assisting your guidance with using the OBS function with the NDB.

SHort story long, I have liked it. Go for it.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

My question is how well it works for non-precision approaches, especially NDBs...lots of them here

Easiest way is to use the OBS feature and plot the course on the 89B's moving map as a backup to what the ADF is telling you. Works like a charm.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

I've used the 89B alot in a C152 i fly often.

Its a handy/good GPS unit.

Actually looking for one myself- prices i've heard are around the $1000 mark, depending on who you get it from. The last one i purchased came from a guy at my local airport who had one out from another aircraft, and got a really good deal on it.
 
Re: anybody experience with KING KLN 89 & KLN 89B GPS SYSTEM

It's all we got baby!! remember that the stim on the knob pulls out.
 
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