GPS now a minor alteration

Talked to my Fed today about GPS installations. He told me it is now a minor alteration to install it including the antenna installation and just requires a log book entry if.......
If the GPS is certified for any IFR, even enroute only, you need to install a placard stating that the GPS is not for IFR use.
The placard needs a 337 field approval to change the aircraft operating limitations including all 16 points addressed for continued airworthiness.
This is making the installations easier?
Then after flight testing the GPS for IFR it needs another 337 to allow it to have the placard removed, again field approved.
Does anyone have a FSDO with common sense out there?

Avionics shops around these parts are REGULARLY installing hand held GPS's into panels. The Tiger I am flying tomorrow has a GPS196 in the panel, and it works slick. At less than 20% of the cost of a GNS430, and more features (except com and vor) why not?

(not saying anything bad about the 400 series. I have one in my plane, I LOVE it as an IFR platform in other planes I fly, it is top notch, just not necssary in a VFR bird, and quite heavy to boot).

sj

I have always thought that installing the 196 or 296 garmin in the panel would be great. If you already have a garmin gps installed you can by a splitter and use the same antenna.