For everyone that said I was wrong last year about continued support of 430/530 units

[chriscalandro]

Here it is. 
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/repair-parts-running-out-for-gns-430-530/

[LANCECASPER]

Two days ago on Beechtalk:     https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=217186

 

GNS 430/530 Series Repair Service

• The GNS 430/530 series has a storied history, with over a decade of production between 1998 and 2011. Twenty-five years later, Garmin continues to support the GNS series. 
• While closely monitoring the components required to continue repairing this mainstay navigator, it has come to our attention that some components are reaching a critical level to continue support. As a result, comprehensive service will become limited in the years ahead. At this time, we estimate some repair limitations will begin occurring in 2024.
• Both database updates and product support are planned for years to come. Repair service will continue to be offered while components required for a specific repair remain available.
• Specific versions include both WAAS and non-WAAS GNC 420, GNS 430, GNS 530, GPS 400, and GPS 500.
• I know most here have either flown or continue to fly behind this iconic navigator that revolutionized flying. Knowing this, we felt an obligation to communicate this as soon as we became aware, so you can start thinking about a transition plan. From our decades of experience, the GTN Xi series now offers the best capabilities on the market today, with features only available from Garmin, like Smart Glide. More here: https://www.Garmin.com/AviationGPS

 

I read this as “since finally sales have slowed down on the GTNXi series after three years of back orders, we thought this would be a good time to mention this”. Everyone has known it was coming eventually. Servicing these is still a huge cash cow, so they will milk it until the cow runs dry.

This is exactly why though for the last few years people have been told don't spend the labor to do a new install of one of these. Then labor was roughly the same on these as on any newer box and cost per year is going to be expensive is you only get a few years out of it.

[EricJ]

Sometimes what happens, with some manufacturers, is that once factory support stops they release maintenance manuals or some sort of support path for continued field maintenance.   I suspect Garmin won't do this, but one could hope.   I think there are still Apollo units, et al, working in the field, so some of these can keep going a long time.

[jetdriven]

Hopefylully they don't sell the rights to Extant.  They have the Integra R9 series stuff now.  And a broken knob is a 29k flat rate screen repair.  

[McMooney]

don't think anyone can be mad at 25 years of support.  

[midlifeflyer]

  On 3/17/2023 at 1:08 AM, McMooney said:

don't think anyone can be mad at 25 years of support.  

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Many manufacturers simply say, "too bad, so sad" at some point to service requests.  I can appreciate those  few who say, in effect "Look, this is now 2+ generations old. We are no longer manufacturing replacement parts. When we run out, we run out. Word to the wise." 

[midlifeflyer]

  On 3/17/2023 at 12:24 PM, bluehighwayflyer said:

I think 25 years is darn fine customer support for consumer electronics, personally.   But being fully integrated and required by the type certificate I do wonder if the Mooney G1000 fleet size will be large enough to incentivize Garmin or anyone else to STC it’s eventual replacement.  

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I think the G1000 issue is a little different since, as an OEM product, it requires airframe manufacturer approval. So I think it's more about Mooney than Garmin.  Other manufacturers have upgrade paths. With Diamond (IMO the worst in this respect) at least the G1000 itself is an STC so one can (with enough bucks) trash it for something completely different.

edit. I'm making an assumption that the G1000 Mooneys have a type certificate and not a non-G1000 type certificate plus an STC. I have not checked to verify that.

[JayMatt]

Even with my 430 I haven't found that its better than the free App on my phone and a stratus... To think we used to fly with charts and paper and now people can't function without 50k worth of glass. 

[LANCECASPER]

  On 3/17/2023 at 1:24 PM, bluehighwayflyer said:

Yes, different.  But even worse than the 430/530 for the reasons we both stated.  Time will tell.  I don’t think it will happen any time soon, but I doubt these airplanes will have lifespan that their predecessors have enjoyed.  

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Jonny Pollack mentioned last June at MooneyMax that Mooney was close to getting an STC that would allow G1000 Mooney owners to put in their choice of avionics.

[Pinecone]

  On 3/17/2023 at 12:09 PM, midlifeflyer said:

Many manufacturers simply say, "too bad, so sad" at some point to service requests.  I can appreciate those  few who say, in effect "Look, this is now 2+ generations old. We are no longer manufacturing replacement parts. When we run out, we run out. Word to the wise." 

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Uuuh, that is exactly what they said, a bit more nicely.

"Repair service will continue to be offered while components required for a specific repair remain available."

[midlifeflyer]

  On 3/17/2023 at 5:38 PM, Pinecone said:

Uuuh, that is exactly what they said, a bit more nicely.

"Repair service will continue to be offered while components required for a specific repair remain available."

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I know. Ive seen various people putting more and less into it.

[PT20J]

  On 3/17/2023 at 4:22 PM, LANCECASPER said:

Jonny Pollack mentioned last June at MooneyMax that Mooney was close to getting an STC that would allow G1000 Mooney owners to put in their choice of avionics.

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That would be a smart move for Mooney. It would allow them to sell the STC in lieu of having to certify any future upgrades to the G1000 systems.

[MikeOH]

My 430W bricked a couple of years ago and I paid around $1500 for the flat-rate repair and it's been fine ever since.

When it dies next time, I'm planning on an Avidyne slide-in replacement.

[DCarlton]

There will be plenty of used 430s on the market for a long time.  I worry about how long we’ll be able to reliably update the databases.  

[PT20J]

  On 3/19/2023 at 4:14 AM, DCarlton said:

There will be plenty of used 430s on the market for a long time.  I worry about how long we’ll be able to reliably update the databases.  

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Garmin makes money on the databases for little cost so I wouldn’t worry about that. The only problem might be availability of the data cards.

[Mark89114]

My friend who is a lot less averse to spending money than me is upgrading now because they are offering $4000 per 430w on trade in.  Do we think that number will change much in 5 years?  Best theories only.  My guess is they will still be worth $4000 for the risk taker.

[KSMooniac]

  On 3/21/2023 at 12:33 PM, Mark89114 said:

My friend who is a lot less averse to spending money than me is upgrading now because they are offering $4000 per 430w on trade in.  Do we think that number will change much in 5 years?  Best theories only.  My guess is they will still be worth $4000 for the risk taker.

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They're still selling private party/used dealer for $6000 for a 430W right now, so I expect you'll be able to sell one for $4000 far in to the future...especially to someone AOG that doesn't want to upgrade.

Still, doesn't hurt to have an upgrade plan, schedule, and budget that suits your needs, along with a contingency in case your GNS throws craps AND cannot be repaired.  (I'm still happily flying with a 530W/430W and am not sure what I want to do when I do a refresh...)