Avidyne IFD540 or Garmin GTN 650/750 Series?

[flyboy0681]

Trade in value can be worth a lot. In the end my old equipment fetched $5k.

[PLANEGUY]

Quote: N601RX

The 106 indicator is not always needed.

[PLANEGUY]

As far as I know there is no recall on the GTN 750. there is field loadable software updates. Lot of you guys use Maxwell over at longview?

[PTK]

Quote: Cris

Do I understand that Garmin has recalled all the GTN 750's for a possible bad board? More to the point the unit has to go back to the factory for inspection &/or modification if required.   

[Bennett]

Re:" Recall of GTN 750/650 units".  Looking at the Garmin website, there is a reference to a forthcoming Service Bulletin to bring all units up to Mod Level 1  (see:http://www8.garmin.com/aviation/notices/ASDN1203.pdf) .  I have no idea what MOD Level 1 is, and I haven't heard anything from Garmin or my avionics installer. Previously there was a Service Bulletin related to disabling compass synchros, and it was to be corrected via software/firmware updates. Perhaps this is what MOD level 1 is about - a software/firmware update.  I think that if there were a formal recall, my avionics installer would have contacted me, but I will check further.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: Bennett

Re:" Recall of GTN 750/650 units".  Looking at the Garmin website, there is a reference to a forthcoming Service Bulletin to bring all units up to Mod Level 1  (see:http://www8.garmin.com/aviation/notices/ASDN1203.pdf) .  I have no idea what MOD Level 1 is, and I haven't heard anything from Garmin or my avionics installer. Previously there was a Service Bulletin related to disabling compass syncros, and it was to be corrected via software/firmware updates. Perhaps this is what MOD level 1 is about - a software/firmware update.  I think that if there were a formal recall, my avionics installer would have contacted me, but I will check further.

[Cris]

Here you go right from the Garmin rep as posted on Beechtalk.

Hello Everyone,
this was an unfortunate problem that was found with some NAV boards that were built by our vendor. There is a serial number break for the defective boards, the problem is we know what the date codes are on the defective boards and when the boards arrived. However there was also another date code of board during this time frame as well so it's impossible to identify for sure which units have the defective board. So what we have to do is bring all the units that fall into this serial number range, take apart the unit, if it has the known bad date code we're replacing the NAV board and re-aligning. If does not have the bad date code the unit is returned to service, mod 1 is marked and the unit returned. Unfortunately we're limited on how many units we can do each day as they do have to go back through our production facility. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, however the problem with these boards is not consistent as it had to do with the way the board itself with the multilayer's was assembled. let me know if there is any questions.

Best Regards,

_________________
Trek A. Lawler
Supervisor, Garmin Aviation Field Service Engineering
Aviation Product Support 

[docket]

I have the whole enchilada from Garmin and like it.  With that said, and even though i have the gtn 750/650 they offer little in additional safety compared to the G500.  The G500 with synthetic vision is an awesome tool in a minimums approach.  There is nothing more comforting than to line up the hsi get it on the glideslope and then see the airport show up on the synthetic vision.  

As for Garmin v. Avidyne they both probably get you to the same place and I bet that the installed costs are in the ballpark with Garmin, undoubtedly, being higher.  My favorite part of being in the Garmin fold is that they seem to have industry saturation so as I have flown around the country I have always been able to find an avionics tech in the market that knows the units.  Also, I suppose that with more market saturation the probability of long time support goes up.

Finally, the economics of any aviation upgrade is usually terrible but everytime I fly I get to play with the units.  I had Avionics Unlimited in Conroe put mine in and they are absolutely the best avionics shop I have ever dealt with.  Every time I have picked up the plane from them there have been zero squawks -- that is pretty rare in avionics.  And, Avionics Unlimited always has a fair price.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: docket

With that said, and even though i have the gtn 750/650 they offer little in additional safety compared to the G500.

[PLANEGUY]

Quote: PLANEGUY

As far as I know there is no recall on the GTN 750. there is field loadable software updates. Lot of you guys use Maxwell over at longview?

[PLANEGUY]

I stand corrected

This is the S# list of units and what has to be done

TABLE 1 – Return to Garmin

Model

Garmin P/N

Serial Numbers

Warranty Status / hourly allowance

GTN 650 (Black)

011-02256-00

1Z8001498 through 1Z8001801

Warranty Reimbursable / (1.5 hours)

GTN 750 (Black)

011-02282-00

1ZA001270 through 1ZA001876,

1ZA000644, 1ZA000709, and 1ZA001230

 

Warranty Reimbursable / (1.5 hours)

GTN 750 (Gray)

011-02282-50

1ZA200303 through 1ZA200319

Warranty Reimbursable / (1.5 hours)

GTN 650 (Gray)

011-02256-50

None

NA

 

 

 

If the serial number is listed in Table 2 and has NOT been previously marked as Mod 1 – proceed to the
“Mod Level Marking” Section of this bulletin for further instructions.

 

If the serial number is listed in Table 2 below and IS marked as Mod 1, proceed to Step 3 of the “Mod
Level Marking” Section of this bulletin for further instructions

 

TABLE 2 – Mark Mod 1

Model

Garmin P/N

Serial Numbers

Warranty Status / hourly allowance

GTN 650 (Black)

011-02256-00

1Z8000300 through 1Z8001497

Warranty Reimbursable / (0.5 hours)

GTN 750 (Black)

011-02282-00

1ZA000300 through 1ZA001269, except
for 1ZA000644, 1ZA000709, and
1ZA001230

 

Warranty Reimbursable / (0.5 hours)

GTN 750 (Gray)

011-02282-50

1ZA200300 through 1ZA200302

Warranty Reimbursable / (0.5 hours)

GTN 650 (Gray)

011-02256-50

None

NA

 

 

[flyboy0681]

My serial number is 301, so I take it that it needs to be inspected?

[PLANEGUY]

I assume it is a 750 is it grey or black?

[flyboy0681]

Quote: PLANEGUY

I assume it is a 750 is it grey or black?

[PLANEGUY]

If it has mod one marked on the mod tag you are good. if not you should let your avionics guy ( or me if you are near Tyler) mark it for you. It will be a no charge item.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: PLANEGUY

If it has mod one marked on the mod tag you are good. if not you should let your avionics guy ( or me if you are near Tyler) mark it for you. It will be a no charge item.