Baker Avionics

Interesting that I haven't heard any PROFESSIONAL advice from you about these units. There is more to Avionics than reading and a few units. Now, you can play the whole "Jump on the band wagon" game all you want, I really do not care. I have Garmin and am very very proficient in their units, installations and especially their troubleshooting because I do it A LOT. Interestingly enough to note that because a shop ins't a Garmin dealer doesn't make them less. The thing is that Garmin just wants sales, that's it! To be able to speak intelligently on items, systems and integration and why and how things work together or don't work together takes a real Avionics Tech not a Minion that all they know is to call Garmin's tired "Tech Support" and the same ones who call them, do not know how to troubleshoot because they only know installation manuals. Interesting you choose to put down "non-Garmin" folks who like to have units that work well with a wide array of other manufacturers and not just themselves. In the Avionics industry, as far as real shops are concerned, we talk and talk a lot. Garmin is simplistic and is like Costco, no thinking involved and just be lead around like a herd of cattle going to the livestock auction. Now, if you are liking Garmin because of whatever reason, "Good for you"! Seriously! Good for you! However, do not try to belittle others that have the ability to research and see why they want something and what suits them better. I am in the business to make money, yes, but ask any of my customers, first of all, 95-99% of them are ALWAYS return customers because here, we educate and give our opinion and why. I did this same thing with Heavy Iron, Helicopter, Corporate and VIP, Lasar and now with my own shop. It has been very successful and because the main demographic of my business is return business and word of mouth advertising, I will go ahead and keep doing what I do, as it has ALWAYS brought me success and will NOT be shaken, stirred or put on the rocks by someone who is trying to impose his thoughts on the world of Aviation by trying to get into a fight with EVERYONE. If I have offended anyone, I apologize, just will not stand for this type of rhetoric by someone who tries to call people out on the carpet and has no clue who he is calling out and what those people know. Either way, sorry, I will step off of my soapbox! Please forgive me in advance!!! Let the games begin!!!

I would keep rolling the KFC200 as long as possible. It is a solid AP and I am pretty sure it going to be serviced for plenty of years to come! Good choices and great idea!! I'm a fan! If you need a hand with it, let us know!

Nope, wouldn't do it if you are planning a GFC500, though I do not care for Garmin, you need to go with the G5 as a backup because Garmin likes to be like Apple, that is the only unit that will drive the GFC500.

Eric, the only caveat I would put in here is instead of the Dual G5's I would go with the E5 for upgradeability and overall better unit, in my opinion only.

I like the way you think

You have assumed correctly

The part number ends with an "A"

Yeah, it was Feb 2018 and you called and discussed an issue you had with them and a part that was taking forever to get to you, I believe and I just took over at that time and we talked for a bit after we chatted on here and sent some email back and forth. Small world. Let me know if he can take care of you on that!!!!! Be well and blue skies!!!!!

They just jumpered everything most likely and did a "Chinese blueprint" installation.

You know what you are talking about though. That is the difference.

Uhh......knowing the crowd that is on this forum, you may want to watch how you say that.......Just sayin!!!! LOL

Hey! That is not cool!!!! You never gave me a chance to blow their inheritance!!!! LOL

I agree and with the generation that thinks they are smarter than everyone and they do not need guidance. this industry is in dire need of real technicians and real personalities alike both as pilots and maintenance folks. Our shop is pretty much young as well, but I personally am training all of them without any bad habits instilled in them already as they are my kids. I have a smarter than hell 15 year old that is just one of the most motivated people I have ever met and is driven in life. He is learning this trade at this age to the extent of home school bored him because the teacher couldn't keep up with his work as he was working ahead. He is full time now at the shop and currently him and I are the only ones here at the shop today working on a Sportsman and a school 172. He is, right now, drilling and mounting the IFD and KX155 in the center stack. Drilling, positioning, terminating wires, coax cables and tie up better than his 22 year old brother. He literally just came and asked where the Tinnermans are. A 15 year old! He gets mad when I come in without him. LOL. The main thing is, WE are responsible to inculcate this type of behavior, ethic and initiative into this generation and it is up to us to make sure the future is taken care of as well. I am hoping to hand this over in a few years because I getting too old and fat to be doing this much longer...LOL

It is SO funny you bring this subject up. I called a buddy of mine, who is an Avionics Manager in Minnesota. We have never shook hands, but have stayed in contact for the past 20 or so years by default because one day one of us called the other for help, obviously he called me (Ahem!!!), I seriously do not remember, but we have bounced things off of each other, helped each other out and such throughout the years. We both have been doing this for about 30 years now and we were discussing this very subject. To us, Avionics is actually getting easier for us. We are used to the 10 wire Altitude encoder, OBS lines, Sine/Cosine, XYZ, blah blah blah that USED to happen with avionics. Now with them being mostly digital, not a lot can go wrong and it is mostly configuration or pure workmanship that are causes. We laughed at having to allow these "kids" struggle through the troubleshooting process trying to figure things out and we think to ourselves, "My GOD, it is this!!!! Can't you see it?" It is a new generation and we are trying our best to train this new influx of technicians and we need to let them fail and learn by research because a ton of knowledge comes from figuring out how the systems work.

You are correct!!!

Well, Jason, most of us know about your attitude, in general.....LOL I got a taste of it when I was at Lasar, if you remember...LOL. TOTALLY kidding my friend.... Anyway...there are adjustments that are supposed to be done when the aircraft is level when you are setting these units up and doing configuration. I am sorry that you are dealing with this and as a bit of advice, Aspen just came out with a new processor that is faster and better. I just sent back 13 of the ones I have here to get the upgrade at no cost to the customer. Maybe see if your local shop can take care of you for this as well. It is for all Evolution MFD and PFD units.

Ahhhh!!!! SO Mr. " @gsxrpilot " the truth comes out eh!!!!!????? LOL

Is any other Avionics Shop checking out their installations prior to delivery or not? My Goodness this chaps my behind!!! Sometimes I cannot stand being grouped with shops that have the same "Profession" as ours. It is true, you need to reset your course to reflect the same as the CDI. Should you have an issue still, let me know. @bd95r any luck with yours yet? If not, shoot me an email with details. I am in contact with Aspen virtually everyday, not for issues, just because we are close to the Reps and Technical folks. Let me try to help

That's the one

I actually advocate more for the customer by far. I am currently working with a manufacturer with someone who isn't even my customer. I feel it ultimately lies on the manufacturer to figure it out but we are all in this together and need to look past finger pointing. I am not saying that you are doing that at all or anyone is. The advice I offer is recommend what my opinion is but help to educate the customer to the best of my ability. Once they are educated, they make their decisions based on their wants, needs and thoughts. I feel most manufacturers are over zealous about their products and I know that most shops do not know what they are doing when it comes to quality work and knowledge of true avionics integration. They pretty much rely on the Tech Support that the manufacturer has but little do they know they sit in front of a computer looking at scripts and they come, mainly from the industry and they are really not that good at what they do and that lead them up to driving a desk. Just my opinion. I also think customers like household names and big box stores and that is sad to me when the quality just isn't there.

Can you send me the logs please? Gbaker@bakeravionics.com

God made some perfect heads and the rest he put hair on!!!!! Check out our website and you will see my dome!!!!

I totally agree and pointing the finger is easier than figuring out the real problem/issue. It is what it is and we are all in this together! We just need to put our heads and experience to work together and solve issues one by one.

Correct Configuration!!!! Also check the NAV ARINC as well toward one of the last pages. Be sure it is set to VHF 429 ONLY!!!!!!!

It seems like there is a loose connection, to me at least. We have installed a ton of these and are continually selling them, as we are the highest selling Aspen Dealer in the Western Region(plug for us), and we haven't had any of these issues. Now, is the bundle double shielded and have the overbraid? Does it happen when transmitting on the radio and if so, which frequencies? It truly sounds more like a bad crimp to me. Call me if you need more info or if you have time so I can maybe help out. Also, Where are you located and did the same ones who installed your unit install the one for @NJMac?