Now that my plane has been flying for a few months I thought I'd share how it compares to what I had planned. Overall I'm very happy with everything about the plane. If I was to build again I don't know that I'd change anything.
Engine and Propeller
The IO-360 and the 3-blade Catto prop is a great combination. Even with a prop pitched for cruise, I've had climb rates of more than 1800 fpm solo on warm summer days, with 1300-1400 fpm with someone along for the ride. Cruise speeds are excellent, easily traveling at 150-160 kts (about 170-185 mph) TAS with fuel flows around 7-8 gpm LOP.
I've also found the prop to be very quiet and gives a nice smooth ride as compared to a metal two-blade prop. I was a little concerned about slowing down with a fixed pitch prop, especially with such a clean airframe, but with just a little advance planning it's really not a problem.
Instrument Panel
Overall the panel is my favorite part of the plane. The dual AFS screens have so many features built in it's incredible and the screen resolution is excellent. To save a little money I installed a used GPS 400, which is basically a GNS 430 without the nav or com. Once I save up my pennies I'm already wired for a GNS 430W, so it should be a simple swap to upgrade. Finally the Trutrak Digiflight II-VSGV makes flying so simple. I can establish a climb after takeoff, engage the autopilot, then let it follow the flight plan up to and including the final approach to the destination airport.
In addition to upgrading to the 430W, I also plan to add an ADS-B receiver which will give me free traffic and weather on the EFIS screens once it's up and running in the Minneapolis area. I'm also planning on upgrading the AFS screens from 3500's to 4500's at some point. Finally, I will add a back-up EFIS in the open panel space on the right side of my panel to provide more redundancy for IFR flight. I'll also replace the chronometer on the left side of the panel with either a digital altimeter and airspeed indicator or a Trutrak ADI.
I also like the way I've laid out the panel. I debated putting the second EFIS screen on the far right side of the panel so the radio stack could be a little more centered. With the large moving map on the second screen, I've found that having the second screen is my primary navigation reference. The radio stack is still easily readable and reachable where it is. The switch arrangement across the bottom has worked well too, well organized and with each switch on the side of your free hand during each particular phase of flight. The autopilot location also works well across the bottom, readable and easily controlled.
Exterior Paint
I've gone through many different designs and think I've finally settled on one. In an earlier version I had included some design elements as a rememberance of my dad but I found I couldn't get them to be subtle enough, so everyone was misunderstanding them. Instead I incorporated some of those ideas in the interior of the plane and they came out great.
There's a paint shop called Pirate Air Aircraft Painting located at the Cambridge airport, which is just a 10 minute flight from Anoka. I'm planning on bringing my plane there in a month or two to have them paint it. They've done other RV's and seem to do really good work.
Lights and Strobes
I finally got up and did some night flight recently. I had been wondering how well the two taxi lights and my landing light would do lighting up the runway. I found that having all three on works great, plus after landing I can leave just the two taxi lights on and they do a nice job with the taxiways. I can also wig-wag the taxi lights during lower visibility days to make me more visible. This seems to be a good combination.