Sandia STX 165 Transponder

[evroosevelt]

Has anyone tried the new Sandia STX 165 Transponder? I am thinking of buying one for a project and am trying to find if its any good.
Thanks
EV

[Superchub]

I sure looks nice! I played with it at KOSH and was impressed.

[snellerh]

I was going to use one in my experimental project but when I contacted Aircraft Spruce to order my avionics they said they had been on back order for around 6 months and were due in several months ago but still had not recieved them, so they had no idea when they would come in. That lead me to believe that it would be an iffy purchase and I ended up ordering a Garmin transponder instead. It looks like a great product but they might not be ready for mass production yet.

[MT12]

Wow, that time line is a bit scarey, I ordered one via Pacific Coast Avionics during Oshkosh week on sale so I just checked with them and they told me they expected delivery from Sandia in late August or early Sept. Very impressive looking little unit and it seems well worth the wait.

[Bugs66]

I am interested on all the new ADS-B txp's coming. Will be interesting.

[ndill]

Did you sell your Carbon Cub EV.

[evroosevelt]

Hope so, waiting on the deposit so I can order another kit.
EV

[Barry.LeBlanc]

Hi, The back log for a STX 165 Transponder is only 3 weeks out, It is a great Transponder. Please call the factory for any questions, Barry LeBlanc, 505.944.5756

[MT12]

Time for an update. I got my Sandia STX 165 Transponder with built in encoder about a month ago and got it installed. It was super easy to install with only a power, ground, and antenna. I just let my static system port right into my cockpit. The face of it didn't exactly fit into a 3" hole on my panel but then again maybe my 3" hole wasn't 3", it took a little filing. Last week I spent about an hour with a local FBO to get it certified, which was merely a matter of hooking up one vacuum line to it and letting them pump it up to 30,000. Super easy all around. I was also pleasantly surprise that the avionics dealer I got it from hadn't forgotten that they promised to give me the introductory Oshkosh special price. Got to love it when a plan comes together.

Not that I head into class C very often but I do feel a bit better knowing I ping back to the TCAS types since the install.

[Barry.LeBlanc]

Hi, here is Why Mode C will work.....
For aircraft flying blow 18,000 feet Mode C will continue to be used indefinitely. There is no requirement for aircraft flying at those altitudes to equip with more costly Mode S. It is true that Mode S will provide traffic and meet the 2020 ADS-B mandate, if the aircraft is equipped with an approved ADS-B GPS. However, we believe that a better solution for meeting the ADS-B mandate is UAT (Universal Access Transceiver). UAT has a much broader bandwidth than Mode S which allows it to transmit and receive more information. There are already many UAT receivers on the market that will receive both TRAFFIC and WEATHER, and there is no subscription fee for the weather. In contrast Mode S, because of its narrow bandwidth, will only provide traffic information. The UAT solution to ADS-B still requires the use of a transponder, either Mode S or Mode C. If the aircraft is equipped with UAT, the Mode S serves no purpose.

Why the STX 165
The STX 165 is a small, light weight Mode C transponder designed to fit a ½ 3ATI instrument hole, leaving more center stack space for today’s growing avionics packages such as the Garmin GTN 750. The STS 165 features a built-in 35K foot encoder simplifying installation, three timer functions, a pressure altitude readout and with the optional Sandia OAT probe, OAT display, Density Altitude display and an Icing Alert.
List Price $1700.00 Call Dallas Avionics for DEALER PRICING $1275.00 Ask for Clint or Kerry at 214.320.9770

[geoaspen]

STCd or experimental?

[Barry.LeBlanc]

The STX 165 unit is certified as all Transponders need to be certified in the NAS. Mode C transponders will be used in UAT - ADS-B set ups. The UAT will be able to give more band width and provide more services than a MODE S transponder.