Why avionics cost so much

[georgeb]

You know,

The more I read comments like pretty much all of the ones on this post, the more I lean towards accepting the offers on my Mooney and just biting the bullet and getting myself an RV or Velocity. My RV buddies get all the goodies at reasonable prices and every time I read through my EAA magazines I start feeling like this again.. I'm at a point where I need to decide whether or not to invest another 15-25k in Avionics for my Certified Mooney (which I love BTW) or just go the Experimental route. I think about it more and more each month. Hmmm....I wish someone could make me understand the FAA's logic (or lack thereof) where it comes to modernnizing our birds with new technology. I've sat back year after year and watched my RV buddies install some really nice stuff on their aircraft, goodies that are just as good if not better than what we have avalable to us, for a small percentage of what it would cost us for the same capabilities.....Just makes one wonder doesn't it.

For now I guess I'll just keep telling myself ...'I choose to be happy' and keep flying this magnificent machine of mine.....Oh, and BTW, I need another 12-15k for an autopilot......'I choose to be happy....I choose to be happy..."

George 9488V

[triple8s]

Do we really want these government bureaucrats in charge of our healthcare???????

[Texan]

Quote: triple8s

Do we really want these government bureaucrats in charge of our healthcare???????

[FlyDave]

Quote: triple8s

Do we really want these government bureaucrats in charge of our healthcare???????

[PTK]

Before you buy the OVERPRICED UNDERACHIEVERS from Garmin read this:

http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/garmin-gps

[Piloto]

Market size and competition are the dominant factors in the price equation. If you look at other specialized products like medical equipment and electronic test equipment you will see that their prices are high when compared to consumer products equivalent. The complexity of many of the new cell phones exceeds by far that of many avionics products. However the large market size and competition makes it possible to sell them at very low prices. One good example is the  Garmin Aera GPS vs the Garmin Nuvi GPS. Both cost the same to produce but the Aera market is no more than 100,000 possible buyers vs 100 millions for the Nuvi (1/1,000 ratio). Not to mention that it cost less to test a Nuvi on the road than an Aera in the air.   

José

 

[Piloto]

Market size and competition are the dominant factors in the price equation. If you look at other specialized products like medical equipment and electronic test equipment you will see that their prices are high when compared to consumer products equivalent. The complexity of many of the new cell phones exceeds by far that of many avionics products. However the large market size and competition makes it possible to sell them at very low prices. One good example is the  Garmin Aera GPS vs the Garmin Nuvi GPS. Both cost the same to produce but the Aera market is no more than 100,000 possible buyers vs 100 millions for the Nuvi (1/1,000 ratio). Not to mention that it cost less to test a Nuvi on the road than an Aera in the air.   

José

 

[drpep]

In regard to the Dynon skyview system It is indeed impressive and leaves me baffled why we can use a 496 with a panel dock but cannot use this much more advanced system. I currently have a 695 and I quite like it. I mount it on the yoke. Simply Put I see no reason why a 7" skyview could not be used as a back up to the traditional six pack  and installed in my panel above my Garmin gnc 250.

I am in BC Canada and I own  a 67 E well equipped. I do not see how I could devalue it by adding a Skyview?  There is a point where the plane I own cannot be upgraded with anything and increase its value. I personally know two other plane owners; one a skylane ifr certified and the other a grumman cheetah and both installed a Dynon 10A AS A BACKUP TO THE TSO'D standar six pack. Is this the wave of the future for vintage aircraft? Methings that FAA and Transport Canada strike needless fear into GA that cannot really make a difference as technology eclipses their majoring effort to monitor minor issues.

Oops , Have I gone overbaord on this one or am I just trying to convince myself. All feedback welcome1

Philip Perry

[skyking]

Why cant ii see the latest posts. ?

[Cruiser]

Quote: JimR

All of the factors that you guys point to are valid as to why the aviation units are so expensive, but the bottom line is that they demand what the market will bear, which I suspect is exactly what any of us would do if we were in that business.  We as consumers can only influence the price by refusing to pay it. 

Jim

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: Cruiser

 Two factors will help dramatically reduce the cost. Liability insurance and FAA regulations.