Yourpilotincommand Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I want to purchase a GFC500. I have a preference for my mechanic for installation. However, He is not able to install it because he is not an authorized dealer. How long does the exclusivity typically last before non-Garmin dealers can install Garmin products? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I've never heard that it's temporary. All Garmin installs / updates / repairs must be done through the friendly local Garmin dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yourpilotincommand Posted June 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Just now, Hank said: I've never heard that it's temporary. All Garmin installs / updates / repairs must be done through the friendly local Garmin dealer. Not all installs. I had my G5’s installed by a non-Garmin dealer… I was in a club where 430’s were installed by a non-Garmin dealer, etc etc, oh.. I recently had my GAD13 installed last week by a non-Garmin dealer.. the exclusivity is a temporary thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Yourpilotincommand said: Not all installs. I had my G5’s installed by a non-Garmin dealer… I was in a club where 430’s were installed by a non-Garmin dealer, etc etc, oh.. I recently had my GAD13 installed last week by a non-Garmin dealer.. the exclusivity is a temporary thing. The g5 was the only one I’d heard of. That was kind of a special deal. I don’t expect they’ll ever allow the gfc500 to be installed in a certificated aircraft from other than a dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbridges Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I believe even my million year old 430 needed a dealer to send it back for WAAS update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Some of the basic things like G5's seem to be open to anyone for installation. The higher end equipment is through their network only. Clarence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N201MKTurbo Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 It helps if you know a dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boilermonkey Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 You might want to use their dealers who have experience installing more complex systems...rather than paying someone to come up the experience curve on your dime. Or worse yet, having it done incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yourpilotincommand Posted June 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 I’m just trying to understand the Garmin exclusivity… specifically how long before certain products are allowed into the mainstream A&Ps… that’s all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skates97 Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 2 hours ago, Boilermonkey said: You might want to use their dealers who have experience installing more complex systems...rather than paying someone to come up the experience curve on your dime. Or worse yet, having it done incorrectly. I installed dual G-5's, a GTX335, and a GNC355 under supervision. For the GFC500 I was happy to pay an installer with experience installing them in Mooneys, and they still managed to mess up my trim which I caught during pre-flight. It required them opening it back up, disconnecting the joint in front of the trim servo, turning the tube to get it positioned correctly, and then reconnecting everything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 1 minute ago, Yourpilotincommand said: I’m just trying to understand the Garmin exclusivity… specifically how long before certain products are allowed into the mainstream A&Ps… that’s all. Maybe never. Letting anyone buy and install their products undermines their dealer network. I’d be a little miffed if Mooney, Diamond and Cirrus (all of whom I have service centres for) let every shop or maintainer deal directly to buy parts and services. Clarence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midlifeflyer Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Yourpilotincommand said: I’m just trying to understand the Garmin exclusivity… specifically how long before certain products are allowed into the mainstream A&Ps… that’s all. Another, maybe never, ut for a different reason. Whether it's Gamin only allowing authorized installers or McDonalds only permitting its franchisees to buy from certain suppliers, it's an effort at controlling quality (yeah, I know, McDonalds and quality in the same sentence). Edited June 29, 2021 by midlifeflyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 Working in the instrumentation field, I think what you are seeing from Garmin is a three prong approach. There are products that are categorized for the experimental crowd. This allows them to install the product on their own. The second prong is a group of products that they are allowing non-Garmin dealer shops install (G5s, etc.) and then there are the premiere products that they require authorized dealers to install. From my industry, the authorized dealer approach ensures that the dealer is formally trained on the product, including installation, troubleshooting and authorized repairs. This keeps down warranty costs and ensures that a product isn't installed by someone who creates warranty costs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LANCECASPER Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 I wouldn’t want someone who hadn’t installed a few GFC500s in a Mooney to install one in my airplane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 4 hours ago, Yourpilotincommand said: I’m just trying to understand the Garmin exclusivity… specifically how long before certain products are allowed into the mainstream A&Ps… that’s all. Yea I’m going with never as well. Products like the g5 were specifically sold as non dealer items. The 500 wasn’t positioned that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted June 30, 2021 Report Share Posted June 30, 2021 Things to keep in mind… The G5s came from the Experimental avionics department at Big G…. Then switched over to the certified side afterwards… G5 installation must be near bullet proof… In a similar way the GI275 installation, has had a few red Xs in their recent history… and that is with their preferred shops… The GFC500 is a complete step up in complexity…. The STC testing has been more complete/complex than any other AP in Mooney history… Installation issues… like failure to clean yoke tubes has caused the AP to stop functioning…/cut out. So…. It seems to go against the Big G protection of their business partners program… Don’t hold your breath… contact Trek and ask… See what the Experimental kids are doing with their GFC500s… There may be an odd reason that Big G woukd loosen their grip on this highly prized device… Either way… I would prefer to be the second customer to have his AP installed by any one installer… APs have the ability to do some nasty things on their own… never mind having any help from an installer… qualified or not… PP thoughts only, not an avionics tech… Best regards, -a- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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