Aspen’s new hardware!

[EricJ]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

The faster processor is only working at a small percentage of its capacity therefore runs cooler. I didn't ask what components, but here's a screen shot from the video.

 

It's probably just that it's a newer processor, which means smaller geometries so lower power consumption.   The trend in microelectronics has been lower power and faster speeds for the last fifty years (Moore's law), so it's not anything surprising or unexpected.    Since the new design updates a ten-year-old system, one would expect it to be a lot faster, smaller, cheaper, better, and use less power.

[rbridges]

11 minutes ago, EricJ said:

It's probably just that it's a newer processor, which means smaller geometries so lower power consumption.   The trend in microelectronics has been lower power and faster speeds for the last fifty years (Moore's law), so it's not anything surprising or unexpected.    Since the new design updates a ten-year-old system, one would expect it to be a lot faster, smaller, cheaper, better, and use less power.

I was doing benchmark comparison for laptops, and I noticed that.  The newer 7th and 8th gen processors aren't much faster, but they use less power.

[PTK]

1 hour ago, EricJ said:

It's probably just that it's a newer processor, which means smaller geometries so lower power consumption.   The trend in microelectronics has been lower power and faster speeds for the last fifty years (Moore's law), so it's not anything surprising or unexpected.    Since the new design updates a ten-year-old system, one would expect it to be a lot faster, smaller, cheaper, better, and use less power.

Somehow I don't think Aspen is that sophisticated!

[EricJ]

2 minutes ago, PTK said:

Somehow I don't think Aspen is that sophisticated!

They don't have to be.   Any new design will use newer parts, e.g., unless they specifically went out of their way to design in a ten-year-old processor,  they'll get the benefit of newer generation parts.

 

[MIm20c]

New processor (whole control board) is 4x faster. Refresh rate is also 4x faster. Heat output is lower. 

I’d assume power required is also less But forgot to ask. 

3k upgrade reuses some of the components. New screen, processor, etc but the bezel and case are retained. 

[LANCECASPER]

28 minutes ago, MIm20c said:

3k upgrade reuses some of the components. New screen, processor, etc but the bezel and case are retained. 

I don't think so. I was told the units are exchanged and you keep the configuration module which is attached to the back of the unit - this remembers your settings and what upgrades you had (SV, AOA, etc.).

[gsengle]

Modern processors can bundle instructions, maximizing low power idle time. They aren’t like your old intel desktop that ran flat out at the same clock speed all the time. So yes, faster really means more efficient for the same work.

 

Without this we wouldn’t have for instance modern smart phones.

 

 

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[rbridges]

The avionics shop just received my Aspen Pro.  He didn't know about the new units.  I asked him to call and see if they can send it back.  He'll find out Monday.

[MIm20c]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

I don't think so. I was told the units are exchanged and you keep the configuration module which is attached to the back of the unit - this remembers your settings and what upgrades you had (SV, AOA, etc.).

I think the config module is normally zip tied to the wiring harness and will remain with the plane. 

[LANCECASPER]

Just now, MIm20c said:

I think the config module is normally zip tied to the wiring harness and will remain with the plane. 

Yes exactly, the config module stays, but the whole assembly, screen, processor, etc gets replaced with the Max when you do an upgrade. Just the config module and wiring stays. Very minimal labor to do the upgrade I was told. Almost plug and play. If you want audio that will have to be wired to the audio panel from the MAX units. 

[MIm20c]

When I asked today I was told some parts are reused. My aspen logo is partially worn off and it would be returned like that. I presume the knobs/buttons would also be returned as is?  Not sure, the person I normally talk to was 5 people deep and I didn’t want to wait. 

[NJMac]

So there's down time for the upgrade? If its just plug and play, why not have the max on hand secured with a core charge that gets refunded once your old one is returned. I'd imagine a core charge would be preferable to waiting for most aspen owners - id bet most arent hard for cash.

When I asked today I was told some parts are reused. My aspen logo is partially worn off and it would be returned like that. I presume the knobs/buttons would also be returned as is?  Not sure, the person I normally talk to was 5 people deep and I didn’t want to wait. 

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[Marauder]

When I asked today I was told some parts are reused. My aspen logo is partially worn off and it would be returned like that. I presume the knobs/buttons would also be returned as is?  Not sure, the person I normally talk to was 5 people deep and I didn’t want to wait. 

The parts that would be reused would include along with the configuration module, the skin mounted AHRS, magnetometer, GPS antenna and the ACU or ACU2.


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[Marauder]

So there's down time for the upgrade? If its just plug and play, why not have the max on hand secured with a core charge that gets refunded once your old one is returned. I'd imagine a core charge would be preferable to waiting for most aspen owners - id bet most arent hard for cash.


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I think there may be either some programming or wiring involved if they need something from the GPS to make the new backup capability to function (aka Peter’s famous red X).


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[MIm20c]

10 minutes ago, Marauder said:

 

I think there may be either some programming or wiring involved if they need something from the GPS to make the new backup capability to function (aka Peter’s famous red X).


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Curious if they use the included emergency gps built into the unit/rsm for that info?

[Marauder]

Curious if they use the included emergency gps built into the unit/rsm for that info?

Good question to ask. I suspect it is the panel mounted GPS that is providing the source. Since you can run the MFD in reversion mode and the MFD is not standard with a backup GPS is it using the PFD’s or the panel GPS?


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[amillet]

9 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

You'll have to go to the Aspen booth yourself and wait in line behind all of the other interested buyers to get your questions answered. And if you want to relax in a quiet place when you're done go to the King booth and ask about the KI-300.

I did.  I was told it would be certified in Nov. 2019.  I said I’ve been hearing that for 5 years.  The rep corrected me.  It has only been 4 years

[gsengle]

I did.  I was told it would be certified in Nov. 2019.  I said I’ve been hearing that for 5 years.  The rep corrected me.  It has only been 4 years

Yet another year? That’s absurd.


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[MIm20c]

1 hour ago, amillet said:

I did.  I was told it would be certified in Nov. 2019.  I said I’ve been hearing that for 5 years.  The rep corrected me.  It has only been 4 years

You mean nov ‘18??? I don’t think even BK could push it out that far. 

[LANCECASPER]

2 hours ago, amillet said:

I did.  I was told it would be certified in Nov. 2019.  I said I’ve been hearing that for 5 years.  The rep corrected me.  It has only been 4 years

If they admitted November 2018 I have more respect for them for their honesty. They have been stringing people along a few months at a time for years now.

[gsxrpilot]

I spent some time at the Aspen booth looking at the unit, playing with it, and asking questions.  The new screen, faster processor, no reliance on air data for attitude, longer battery life, and a new two year warranty for $3000... I'm in and will upgrade as soon as it's available

I was told that during the introductory period it will be an advanced replacement program. Pay $3000, they'll ship a new unit to your avionics shop, have them do the swap and send back the old unit. They said expect 5 hours shop time... some of that for paperwork.

 I paid $6000 for my Aspen 1000 Pro off of Barnstormers... to get a brand new unit with a new warranty in exchange for $3000 sounds pretty good to me.

[MIm20c]

With 14k current aspen installs out there they are going to be seriously busy just keeping up with upgrades. If it is infact a total replacement I think I’m in for a new unit as well. Wow this OSH visit is going to be expensive. 

[PTK]

12 hours ago, MIm20c said:

With 14k current aspen installs out there they are going to be seriously busy just keeping up with upgrades. If it is infact a total replacement I think I’m in for a new unit as well. Wow this OSH visit is going to be expensive. 

In all seriousness this is a big step forward for Aspen and its customer base. It was a much needed and long overdue improvement. Hopefully they'll keep going with more to come.

Will they get my vote and show up in my panel? I don’t think so. But that’s irrelevant and I commend them nevertheless.  I’m curious to see what effect if any it'll have on G to push them to certify the G3X touch and position it right under the txi. That would be very interesting. 

As far as King I don't know what to say. I don't know why they're doing what they're doing. It seems their GA group is in a cloud on their own with no contact to the real world. Surely someone there has to know that announcing product that's not ready and continuously postponing can't be good for business. Unless they feel the KI300 is a nich product and that those who want it will just wait. To a certain extent that's true. The KI300 fills a very specific need with no competition at its price point. Those without that need wouldn't consider it. And I'm sure BK has run the numbers and knows where to price it and how many they can potentially sell.

[rbridges]

The avionics shop called me back and relayed that it wouldn't be available until later this year.  I told them I was fine with waiting.  They said they could sell it to me and then just charge the 2K difference when I upgrade instead of the 3K.  I said that would be fine if I could get something in writing holding them to the price.  This will let me get the Aspen install sooner since the unit I ordered just arrived.

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, PTK said:

In all seriousness this is a big step forward for Aspen and its customer base. It was a much needed and long overdue improvement. Hopefully they'll keep going with more to come.

Wow Peter is back on his medication! Good job