Next Gen honest comparison to BMA EFIS 1

[DjAg5dosk2]

Hi guys:

This is my second post and I have an honest question. I was going back and forth with Greg Richter regarding BMA EFIS 1 capabilities. He gave me the following "comparative response." Is his response accurate regarding the NEW generation product coming next year? I am not starting an us vs. them war, just really in need of honest feedback, a discussion. I can understand his "father's pride" in his baby, thus his somewhat strong tone. Please look through that and give me real info!


>What differences Greg? How is BMA better or more complete. If you
>can give a compelling response I will stay with BMA. I like my unit
>and am very distressed it is a boat anchor when it (motherboard) breaks.

Well let's see ... we have built in WAAS GPS, a 3D terrain system,
integrated autopilot (that you already have and can reuse) 4x faster
inertial performance, higher temp ratings (160F vs. 120F, ours works
in the heat and cold).  You can recover from an unusual attitude with
the BMA, you can't with the Dynon since it saturates (slow gyros, try
it an see!).  I could go on for a long time, really.

The unit you have is one of the first non-Military EFISes ever
made.  Our Gen4s are the result of almost 10 years of continuous
development.  It's like comparing a Betamax to a Blue Ray
player.  Throw in the Dynon as the Chinese VCR if you like, but
there's really no comparison.  The motherboard maker, Transmeta, is
no more which is not under my control.  Ask the Dynon D10 owners what
the upgrade path to the D10A was -- Buy a new one, full price.  We
are offering almost 50% trade in, which is pretty strong, I think.

Hope that helps!

-G

 

[dynonsupport]

Howard,

The upgrade path from a D10 to a D10A was originally either $150 or $350, depending on when you bought the D10. You can still upgrade one today for $350, even though it's been 4+ years since we have sold one. We can also still fix and repair the D10's, since every board is one we designed ourselves. We've never even charged anyone to repair a unit that wasn't an abuse situation.

All Dynon EFIS units will recover in the air, basically faster than any other EFIS on the market. And they'll follow you through any unusual attitude unless you're flying an Extra. There are lots of fully aerobatic planes out there with Dynon EFIS units on board. Go look at the flight line at SnF or OSH next year. Our attitude reference is also well known to be very stable, with no reports of tumbling or bad attitude indications just because you don't have enough GPS satellites.

BMA can't make many informed comments about the next gen system, since it's not out yet. They appear to not know that it will have a GPS, Synthetic Vision, or an integrated AP, even though we've advertised all those features.

So take what BMA says with a grain of salt. They don't appear to know our products very well.

Dynon has built our business on customer service and products that perform as advertised. I don't think there's much else we can say. Talk to our customers, talk to BMA's customers, talk to people with other EFIS units. You'll see that Dynon's business is built on customer support and happy customers.

 

[DjAg5dosk2]

I like what I am hearing from you guys. The customers on this forum have been 100% supportive of you tech guys too. This is unheard of on the BMA forum.

So after the dust settles (and it has) PLEASE GET YOUR NEW UNIT OUT!

VR
Howard Rhodes

 

[dynonsupport]

I should add that we admittedly don't have a factory upgrade/trade-in path between the D10 series and the D100 series. However, because our products have remained popular, customers get really great resale value for their D10 series product if they really want the larger screen. And THAT, we think, is a pretty good indicator of the quality of our products.

We will, however, have a partial-value trade-in program from the current generation to the next generation. Full details of that have yet to be determined.

 

[Ken_Kopp]

Howard -

How about this - I'm a professionaly trained military test pilot (TPS Class 120) and have tested numerous aircraft and modern avionics systems. I've worked with tech and senior management from companies such as Lockeed Martin, Raytheon, Sikorsky, Telefonics, etc... You can bet your *** I've run my Dynon systems through the ringer (D10A, EMS10, HS34, AP74 and AP servos) and feel I have a pretty good baseline for comparison. These products are first rate, reliable and configurable plus they come coupled with exceptional tech/sales support. My long range plan is to populate my BD-4 with all DYNON systems as they are developed. I envision a completely integrated cockpit with common architechture and unsurpassed support for the life of the product.

Ken

 

[DjAg5dosk2]

Good input Ken:

On the BMA side a guy from Pax River and another F1 builder has certainly put in some high powered shakedown too. Net result is this side (Dynon) coming up roses.

I had a back and forth in an emotion free context, pure data points if you will, with Greg of BMA. At the end of the day my choice for quality, value, reliability, configurability, and support is Dynon.

I have flown BMA E1 G2 in my F1 rocket for 4 years without A/P. My Dynon exposure is anecdotal but powerful. I appreciate the professional input from this forum!

 

[triple7driver]

I will say this about Dynon, I have been on both products support boards and I have seen BMA posts go for DAYS before they are answered or addressed, sometimes never at all. Dynon usually has a response within hours. That says a lot to me.

 

[DBRV10]

Ken

I have had very reliable performance from our original D10. Its great.

I am now building an RV10 and fitting it with a D100 and D180 (back up EFIS and ems in one) full dynon AP suite and along with 530W and other garmin goodies.

I have seen some folk scoff at using 2 x non TSO'd EFIS even though two different products in an IFR application. I think what is the chances of two EFIS failing (2 x power sources) ????? The only chance I see is after you plough it into a mountain first! :-?

So what are your thoughts after some serious testing.

Cheers

DB

 

[PhantomPholly]

Burt Rutan chose Dynon for Spaceship 1.

I've met Greg, and heard him speak at our local EAA chapter (690).  He's a good guy and makes a good product, often leading edge.  Like a lot of really good engineers, when it comes to customer service he's a really good engineer.  However, what I hear is that they have been greatly improving in that area and I am glad to hear it.

Dynon makes a solid product, but is typically not leading edge on the features.  This is not a bad thing - it is a business model used by many successful corporations - the strategy is often referred to as being a "fast follower."  Not that they don't innovate, they just stay on the LEADING edge and stay clear of the BLEEDING edge.  However - and this shows a commitment to excellence missing in many companies - their customer support is world-class.

The "New Guy on the Block" is Stratomaster.  They are priced a bit lower and have some gee-whiz features for those who wish to write their own code, but I strongly suspect that 90% or more of the intellectual capital of the company resides in Ranier's head.  This would concern me because if something were to happen to him I suspect that the company would no longer have the momentum to keep going in his absence.  However, I really like their new SL30 compatible Nav/Comm and will probably add one to my system at a later date.

So, if you didn't derive it from what I wrote - I felt Dynon was the "right" choice for me hands-down because I believe their business model is the correct one. Ultimately ALL paths will converge, but those with the best business model will survive while others become obsolete.