Geoff Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 Anyone have any experience with the company or the unit? Quote
1964-M20E Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 Looks interesting. it's space factor seems a little large to fit into a standard 3" hole if you do not have extra space around the front of the panel. Quote
OR75 Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 I have seen the unit in Oshkosh last year. It looks great. It is not FAA approved yet . Quote
carusoam Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 http://sandia.aero/product/sai-340-quattro/ Connects to power, pitot and static systems... 3.6 AMU Best regards, -a- Quote
kmyfm20s Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 I was waiting for this unit but they are way behind on getting it certified. It looks good on paper but the fact it has been in use in the experimental world for a while and it is taking much longer than projected to get certified makes me wonder what the hiccups are. The price point is aggressive compared to the competitors and I was waiting as long as I could until my backup steam guages went out. They finally gave up on me and ended up buying the SAM unit. If the Aspen backup unit becomes available that will be the best bang for the buck! Quote
Andy95W Posted May 15, 2015 Report Posted May 15, 2015 Anyone have any experience with the company or the unit? Unit no; company yes, and they are fantastic. I have spoken with quite a few of their employees at OSH. All very helpful. Found out that one of the guys was the owner/founder/president. He began his life with avionics working for a man named Mr. King, but left when the business was sold and merged with Bendix. He liked working for the smaller company that still believed in good customer service. I bought their transponder and think it's the best I've ever installed or used. They are working on an ADS-B solution using the UAT network. When it's done I intend to buy and install it. 2 Quote
OR75 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Posted May 16, 2015 The unit looks good, and agreed that sandia customer service is great. Too bad the certification is so slow . But it seems to be the norm in the avionics world where suppliers promise a certification by a certain time and timeline keeps slipping away ( Avidyne, king , etc....) Quote
ryoder Posted May 17, 2015 Report Posted May 17, 2015 What about this? http://www.grtavionics.com/mini-ga.html Removable too. They also have a panel mount for experimentals. I'd like to install something like this flush mount wits a magnetometer and airspeed somehow but still have it be removable. Quote
Alan Fox Posted May 17, 2015 Report Posted May 17, 2015 Not getting certified?? Pretty bold statement about a company that has many certified products......I use their encoders when needed they are the highest quality encoders out ......Great products.... Quote
OR75 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Posted May 18, 2015 Which one are certified ? GRT develops great products for experimentals Quote
Alan Fox Posted May 18, 2015 Report Posted May 18, 2015 Sorry OR75 , I thought you were referencing the Sandia products....Agreed that Grand Rapids will not get certified.... Quote
ryoder Posted May 18, 2015 Report Posted May 18, 2015 The mini ga is removable so it can be used in a certified aircraft just like a Garmin 796. But it has been designed as an efis from the beginning so I think it would be better as an attitude reference. It also has the ability to be hooked up to airspeed. Not sure how that would work in a certified aircraft. Probably need a 337 and field approval. Quote
JaredDavis Posted May 18, 2015 Report Posted May 18, 2015 How does it compare to the installed cost of an Aspen VFR unit? The Aspen VFR unit can be upgraded with software changes. What it the quattro path? Does the Quattro have the hardware to add heading info later? Quote
ryoder Posted May 19, 2015 Report Posted May 19, 2015 I was quoted 5k for the aspen vfr unit plus 4k to install it. It fits in panel slots so it's a very cheap install at only 4k. Quote
OR75 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Posted May 19, 2015 I was quoted 5k for the aspen vfr unit plus 4k to install it. It fits in panel slots so it's a very cheap install at only 4k. 4k is a lot ... 1 Quote
1964-M20E Posted May 19, 2015 Report Posted May 19, 2015 I was quoted 5k for the aspen vfr unit plus 4k to install it. It fits in panel slots so it's a very cheap install at only 4k. Sounds like a lot basically they re saying they will have someone working on it full time for 1 week. Seems like a lot of time but there are wiring harnesses that need to be reworked to integrated into the systems, NAV/COM, GPS, auto pilot etc not just plug and play. Is this fixed fee or T&M? Of course what do you gain by putting an Aspen in VFR only? Yes it can be upgraded later. Once you have any one of the slew of portable GPSs available when VFR I'm looking outside not inside. Now when I'm in the soup yes I'd like to have the Aspen and other gadgets. Quote
ryoder Posted May 21, 2015 Report Posted May 21, 2015 I was kidding about 4k being cheap. That was supposed to be the appeal of the Aspen, a cheap install in existing holes. The aspen vfr can be used for IFR operations it would just not have the HSI I guess. I really don't like the Aspens low resolution display. I am so used to looking at my cell phone with 1920x1080 so I am spoiled by higher tech devices. Quote
NotarPilot Posted May 31, 2016 Report Posted May 31, 2016 Has anyone installed this unit yet? It's now TSO'd and I think it's a great alternative to the Dynon D-10 since there's no STC for the Mooney yet. Quote
FoxMike Posted May 31, 2016 Report Posted May 31, 2016 I put one in my Bravo just before Christmas. I had some initial problems that has been fixed. Software is up to 16 (started at 14) so get one that is up to date. Since my KI 256 has 1750hrs on it I wanted some backup. So far I am pretty happy. Quote
NotarPilot Posted June 5, 2016 Report Posted June 5, 2016 On June 1, 2016 at 5:38 AM, FoxMike said: I put one in my Bravo just before Christmas. I had some initial problems that has been fixed. Software is up to 16 (started at 14) so get one that is up to date. Since my KI 256 has 1750hrs on it I wanted some backup. So far I am pretty happy. Mike, do you happen to remember how many how's it took to have installed? Quote
Chris from PA Posted June 5, 2016 Report Posted June 5, 2016 I'm replacing the vacuum ADI in my C model with the Quattro in late August. That's the soonest the shop I want to use can get me in. $500 quoted for the install. I'll give a PIREP after I use it for a bit. 1 Quote
NotarPilot Posted June 5, 2016 Report Posted June 5, 2016 HOLY COW! Only $500 for install? I definitely would like to hear your PIREP once you get it installed and play with it for a bit. Quote
OR75 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Posted June 5, 2016 1 hour ago, NotarPilot said: HOLY COW! Only $500 for install? I definitely would like to hear your PIREP once you get it installed and play with it for a bit. $500 or ~5 hours seems about right to me . It is a fairly simple install with no need to remove headliners and side panels. Probably the most time consuming will be to install the circuit breaker. The paper work is a simple logbook entry (it may require a new w&b sheet since the AI may weigh more than 1lbs) Quote
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