The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I'm considering installing an additional COMM and was looking at the various options out there. Since I already have some Narco equipment on board, I was considering a Narco COM810+ since I can get a factory reconditioned one for significantly less than a brand new one and still get a 2 year factory warranty.

Anyone out there have any recent experience or opinions on Narco's products and factory reconditioned quality? Would this be a good idea or should I look at other manufacturers instead?

Thanks,

I have a Narco AT50A txp. I've read numerous comments about them & the earlier AT50 being no good, get rid of them,get an AT 150A. Narco even had a trade-in deal going a few years back. I've had nothing but trouble free service from that no-good AT50A for over 6 years.
No experience with their com radios,though. From what I've heard,one of the gripes with Narco equipment is that only factory dealers can get replacement parts? A friend has Narco com & nav stuff in his apache & I think he's gotten good service from them.
I do like their stand-alone nav radios--the Nav 122 & earlier series,where everything is self-contained in the nav indicator--but don't have any experience with them either.

Eric

Narco seems to be a has been company that for one reason or another hasn't gone out of business. They haven't developed anything new in years. Surviving on selling old technology and repairs. I've heard from my avionics guy that what Eric said about parts is true so you may not be able to get it fixed except for the factory. Their transponders have worked OK for me. The Nav 122 doesn't have anything else on the market like it.

I've visited the Narco booth at 2 trade shows in the past and had the guy from Narco tell me unless I was upgrading a from Cessna radio, I'd be better off with someone elses product.

I live within easy driving distance from the "factory" in fact used to work across the parking lot. I wouldn't consider paying any serious money for Narco equipment and neither would anyone else I know of in my area. Narco isn't even mentioned in avionics conversations unless they are removing it.

Bottom line. If it works and fits your need and you can get it for a song, why not. I'd think of it as a throw away if/when it quits because I can't believe the compnay still exists today let alone any time in the distant future.

Narco is an honorable old name in GA avionics. I have a Narco AT150 Transponder and it works very well.
Avionics shops hate Narco and will never recommend them.
If a Narco radio goes bad it must be sent to the factory for repairs but I understand that they give good service with fast turnarounds. I'm not speaking from personal experience however.
If I were buying a new radio I'd certainly consider a Narco.

(My first Cessna 180 a '60 model new from the factory, had a Narco Omnigator with whistle stop tuning !)
Rudy

Thanks folks. I've been hearing some negative feedback about Narco in recent years, so that's why I posed the question. I have to agree with Bruce's point. The fact that they haven't developed anything new in the last few years when technology has made great gains in the cockpit makes me wonder about the future of the company.

The list price for the COM810+ is $2050 believe it or not . Eastern Avionics sells it for $1599. Narco has some factory reconditioned ones for $750 & $995. But even at that price, I can get a new Icom A200 or King KY97a and have a contempory company behind the product. I guess that makes it a no-brainer.

Vermont170, thanks for the offer, but I'm actually in the same boat as you. I've got a Mitchel MX-300 w/indicator that I'm going to remove in favor of a Garmin GNC250XL. I'm looking for an additional comm that takes up little room. IMHO, it sure makes life easier in the Northeast if you have dual comms.

I think the final version of my radio installation will be something like:
Garmin GNC250XL
King KY97A
Narco AT150 txp (currently installed)
PS Engineering PMA4000 audio panel (cool little unit that will fit in a 2 1/4 instrument hole)

My plane has a MK 12 D and a AT 50 and I like them both and they give good service. I also have a King KX 170 B for a second navcom but I like the MK 12 D much better. I have no complaints with Narco.

Harold

Doug,
So you won't have a nav radio? Just curious because I'm removing a perfectly good nav/com in favor of a GPS/com. Some folks think I'm nuts to get rid of the nav, but panel space and cost are the big factors. When I'm done I'll have a 250XL, refurbished KT76A transponder, and a JPI 450 fuel flow. The JPI will go in the hole where the nav indicator was. I thought about keeping my Narco nav/com, but then I'd need an audio panel and a new hole for the JPI fuel flow.

I fly strictly VFR in pretty rural areas so a second com is not really necessary. I consider it a good flight when my only transmissions are to a quiet grass strip with no one around.

Back to Narco, it seems like there are better radios out there at similar prices if you are buying new.

Yes, I'll be getting rid of my nav/com. I know it may sound sacreligous to some, but there's just so much more bang for the buck with a GPS, that I can't see holding on to the nav/com. If I were going the IFR route I'd probably install an Apollo SL30 nav/com along with an IFR GPS, but since I'm staying VFR (and want to retain most of the original panel look & feel) I'm going the dual comm/GPS route.

If you're thinking in terms of a COMM only radio,you should seriously consider the VAL COM760 TSO. This little flip flop sells brand new for $590 from CHIEF Acft.
I've had mine for over ten years of perfect service without ever a problem of any kind. It sends out one helluva strong signal, too.

Doug, my radio installation version from 1996 is something like that:
Garmin GNC150XL (didn't have 250XL in 96)
Icom A200 (love this radio)
Garmin GTX-327 transponder
PS Engineering PMA4000 audio panel in a 2 1/4 instrument hole.
Except for upgrading to the newer model 250XL, I wouldn't change a thing. Wish I were home, I'd send you a panel picture.

Dave, I've been looking at the Icom A200 too! Nice to hear a positive report for it. Looks like we'll have a near identical setup. Where did you install the PMA4000? If you get a chance to send me a pic that would be great. I'd love to see your installation.

I'm not a big Narco freak or anything,in fact I probably wouldn't even buy any Narco stuff if I was in the market for avionics,but feel I gotta stick up for them. Maybe the reason they're still in business is because they're not introducing a buncha new technological wonders.
Look at 2Morrow,I mean Apollo,I mean UPSAT, oops--they went out of business didn't they? They had a nice line of affordable modern stuff,including about the only reasonably priced IFR-approved GPS boxes.
Where are they now?
That said,I'd probably go with a King 97 or maybe an Icom for a VHF radio. The KX155 in my 170 has worked flawleddly for 6-1/2 years (as has the AT50A txp). I might conside the Val or the Microair based on price.

Eric

Eric
I follow your logic but since I live so close I have friends who know friends who's neighbor delivered mail to the "factory". We are all waiting for the door to be closed and locked.

Don't get me wrong. I have a Narco transponder and am not getting rid of it. If I got a Mark12D cheap or a Nav 122 I'd use it. I do think I know someone around here that is fully satisfied with Narco but I can't think of their name right now.

***

I read the above with interest as I have had several Narco units in several planes. Still have a 150 transponder that I bought new 10 or so yrs ago--so far, not a bit of trouble. I've had the old tube Narc's both 90 channel & 360. When the tubes were working there wasn't a stronger radio out there, King included. Had a MK 12D in a 182 along with one of the round nav units--really good units. Last one I had in my 170C was a MK12A. Now all I have is a ICOM panel mount (A200 I think) & it has given me yoeman service and if adding a second com I would seriously consider another one. I hate to hear that Narco may soon be among the has beens. For many, many years they have made good equipment that lasted as long as any on the market.