Trio Auto-Pilot update

[J. mitchell]

Just received an email from Paul Odum of Trio Avionics. Following is part of what pertains to vintage Mooney aircraft:

 

Mooney owners,

 

We are attempting to work with the Mooney factory in Kerrville on a retrofit for the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot. We will update you as soon as possible. These talks commenced this week.

The Trio Pro Pilot autopilot will be offered for $3,495 plus shipping, insurance, and taxes, if required.

 

Installation Kit Prices with the necessary STC and related paperwork are as follows:

 

Mooney                                                               $3000.00 USD

 

[N6758N]

Just now, J. mitchell said:

Just received an email from Paul Odum of Trio Avionics. Following is part of what pertains to vintage Mooney aircraft:

 

Mooney owners,

 

We are attempting to work with the Mooney factory in Kerrville on a retrofit for the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot. We will update you as soon as possible. These talks commenced this week.

The Trio Pro Pilot autopilot will be offered for $3,495 plus shipping, insurance, and taxes, if required.

 

Installation Kit Prices with the necessary STC and related paperwork are as follows:

 

Mooney                                                               $3000.00 USD

 

So $6,500 plus installation? Still cheaper than anything else, but not the $5,000 they promised previously....

[J. mitchell]

It appears to me to be in the ballpark with the two other autopilots coming to market. Certainly good opportunities for upgrades for our vintage Mooney!  

[Browncbr1]

Magically the same price as the GFC500... figures

[jetdriven]

At that price why bother. Because the Garmin GFC500 is going to be a hell of an auto pilot.  I flew a GFC 700 in an Acclaim once. I think it’s pure magic;  it was smoother than the Boeing 737 and it even had Flight level change and envelope protection. 

[N6758N]

16 minutes ago, Browncbr1 said:

Magically the same price as the GFC500... figures

Funny how they market it like it is a price drop, all they did was start charging for the install kits, $3,000?! 

[Browncbr1]

Yea, they just shot themselves in the foot.   Now anyone with the hot selling dual G5s setup is assuredly going to go GFc500.   Now there is no reason not to.  

[ArtVandelay]

If they can be first to market, they can charge $6500, then drop the price when they have more competition.

[MIm20c]

9 minutes ago, teejayevans said:

If they can be first to market, they can charge $6500, then drop the price when they have more competition.

I think people are already in a holding pattern for anything avionics related.  They need to come strong out of the gate and grab every inch of market share possible. 

[Hank]

1 minute ago, MIm20c said:

They need to come strong out of the gate and grab every inch of market share possible. 

This is how all businesses need to operate, and is also why so many (especially software) companies use early adopters for Beta testing . . . And that's why I'm never an early adopter.

[smccray]

1 hour ago, teejayevans said:

If they can be first to market, they can charge $6500, then drop the price when they have more competition.

An option, but only if they want to upset their customers. $6500 now and then $4500 in 6-12 months... recipe for disaster. 

The problem with these stand alone autopilot options is the lack of integration options in the future. Dynon will only STC their entire system.  Garmin will likely do the same when they release a competing product, and they will. I suspect that will use a GFC500.

[Browncbr1]

1 hour ago, smccray said:

An option, but only if they want to upset their customers. $6500 now and then $4500 in 6-12 months... recipe for disaster. 

The problem with these stand alone autopilot options is the lack of integration options in the future. Dynon will only STC their entire system.  Garmin will likely do the same when they release a competing product, and they will. I suspect that will use a GFC500.

Watch garmin for more bundle pricing on the stuff they already have certified once the GFC is available.   I think they are already bundling dual G5s.  

[aviatoreb]

4 hours ago, MIm20c said:

I think people are already in a holding pattern for anything avionics related.  They need to come strong out of the gate and grab every inch of market share possible. 

I am holding and not making any changes for the moment....

Does anyone have any intel regarding when the GFC500 will be available?

[J. mitchell]

I spoke with a Garmin Representative at the AOPA fly in at Tampa. He said it would probably be the 4th quarter of 2018 before the GFC500 is approved for Mooney aircraft.  It appears to me all three autopilots that are being introduced for certificated aircraft are similar in what they can do.  I have no experience with an autopilot as the wing leveler was removed from my Mooney before I bought it.  It appears that all 3 options are going to be a bargain compared to older autopilots.  It would be nice to hear comments from pilots that have used any of these autopilots in experimental aircraft.  I appreciate the one comment on the GFC 700. 

[smccray]

11 hours ago, Browncbr1 said:

Watch garmin for more bundle pricing on the stuff they already have certified once the GFC is available.   I think they are already bundling dual G5s.  

Agree. 

I also expect the STCs to be limited- if you want to use the Garmin low cost EFIS option it must be paired with a Garmin navigator.

More importantly, a significant portion of the cost of a new panel is the custom design portion including custom wiring harnesses. The limitations of the new fully integrated systems lend themselves to compelete panel replacements using standard parts and wiring with limited customization.

[ArtVandelay]

Agree. 
I also expect the STCs to be limited- if you want to use the Garmin low cost EFIS option it must be paired with a Garmin navigator.
More importantly, a significant portion of the cost of a new panel is the custom design portion including custom wiring harnesses. The limitations of the new fully integrated systems lend themselves to compelete panel replacements using standard parts and wiring with limited customization.

Definitely, why take on extensive additional testing required? The only argument is that it would broaden your potential customers but I’m sure they believe existing Garmin customers are far more likely to buy Garmin and large enough to sell all the GFC500s they can build.
I thought Trios are GPS only, and the 500 can do VOR,ILS?

[N6758N]

I'm still holding out for the Trutrak option, hopefully they will stick to the 5 AMU price they've told us. I have a feeling it will be a while though...