Originally Posted by Fuji Abound
You could even use it as an opportunity to fit a more reliable electric AI.
I'm not sure I like the idea of an electric AI if the only other horizon instrument (turn & slip) I have is also electric. The advantage with a vacuum-driven AI is that you not only have 2 completely independent power sources, but the TYPE of power is different, too, making the simultaneous failure even more unlikely.
Is getting the existing item rebuilt not an option? It might only be out of teh aircraft for a couple of weeks, just fly in good weather during that time. Presumably you'll still have the turn & slip 'just in case', to enable you to do a 180 if you do happen to go IMC.
Cheers,
TheOddOne