Well, I finally got some decent weather today to try out the new multi-valve in the Bandit. As you can see from the install, it is a neat little package and can really clean up an equipment tray. I posted a pic of my old tray to show the equipment that was replaced with the new unit with exception of the gear door push button (not pictured).

I opted to use Mode 2 (Door open, Gear down, Door closes) just as a personal preference and to take full advantage of the vlave. The stock set-up did not allow for the door to close without adding a sequencer.

I do not want to be considered anyone's shill as is the habit of some to quickly throw that term around, but will give MY honest opinion which I always do, no matter if in a forum, magazine, or in-person; good or bad.

My first impressions were very good and I really liked the way it combines all the functions needed and incorporates the air gauges and gear failsafe into a fairly compact unit. I like tidy installs and this helps accomplish that. Since this is one of the very first units and I have never used this unit before or its predecessor, I was going through the programming for the very first time. The instructions were adequate and the initial programming quite easy, but found some of the programming to be slightly counter-intuitive when it came to programming the sequencing of the gear and door on the gear-down command. I quickly brought this to Todd's attention and he is looking into it. The only other area I brought up was the programming of the anti-lock feature. This requires you set the "off" point, "full on" point and then the two pulsing values where you want the brakes to be proportional. Once you set these values, you must complete the programming in order to check your braking action. If you need to change the first or second pulse value, you must do go through the programming each time until you get it where you like; not a big issue at all, but slightly annoying. He is checking to see if he can incorporate a "check" function while setting this up by pressing the manual button when you are in the brake programming, but like I said, no big deal; I just wanted to give you all the facts. Since I didn't have multiple doors, I can cannot speak to that portion, but do not see why it would be any different than my experience.

Although I initially played with the gear down sequencing, I did get it to work perfectly and today's flights proved it. All went well and the report is good. As a side note: I did not use any restictors in the final installation, but I did test many different set-ups initially. Todd recommends a supply air regulator, but I did not use one or test one. Also, AP recommends that you bleed the air after a day of flying; I typically do not do this, so we will see if this does or does not do anything down the road.

George

Great work, clean and comfortable feeling great.