thoughts on upgrading garmin 430w to avidyne 440

[stevem]

We are thinking of swapping out the garmin for an avidyne to have better integration of flight plans etc. We would be curious as to what operational experience people have had with the avidyne. particularly in entering and managing of flight plans and IFR work flow. Also, we would like feedback on use of the avidyne keyboard...useful or not, where to mount (we have a glassair with limited space) etc.


thank you

 

[airguy]

The actual process of switching was stupidly easy. I powered up the 430W, recorded the settings, shut it down. Pulled it out, replaced it with the IFD440 (same tray and connections - plug and play - zero wiring) and powered it up. Entered the old settings into the IFD440, and it just worked, right away. 20 minutes start to finish, no muss no fuss. Went and shot several approaches (VFR of course) to verify, and life was good.

the IFD 440 is more intuitive to work with, in my opinion than the 430W. I had to memorize certain key combinations on the 430W for shortcuts that are just obvious on the IFD, and they make flightplan modification very simple in the air with the ability to add airways or waypoints visually.

I have never used the keyboard - one more gadget to lose or kill the battery on, and it's not needed. I've got two airplanes with IFD440 and we're about to change a 3rd.

 

[stevem]

The actual process of switching was stupidly easy. I powered up the 430W, recorded the settings, shut it down. Pulled it out, replaced it with the IFD440 (same tray and connections - plug and play - zero wiring) and powered it up. Entered the old settings into the IFD440, and it just worked, right away. 20 minutes start to finish, no muss no fuss. Went and shot several approaches (VFR of course) to verify, and life was good.

the IFD 440 is more intuitive to work with, in my opinion than the 430W. I had to memorize certain key combinations on the 430W for shortcuts that are just obvious on the IFD, and they make flightplan modification very simple in the air with the ability to add airways or waypoints visually.

I have never used the keyboard - one more gadget to lose or kill the battery on, and it's not needed. I've got two airplanes with IFD440 and we're about to change a 3rd.

 

[stevem]

thank you for your reply. How was flight plan integration between avidyne and Dynon? could you easily cross fill between the avidyne and the dynon?

 

[airguy]

The Dynon won't crossfill back to the IFD, or at least I've never tried to, I'll say that. When you enter a flightplan in the IFD, it automatically appears in the flight plan screen of the Dynon and is selectable there for navigation.

 

[kurtfly]

Another thing about the avidyne is you can even jump up to the IFD540 almost as quickly. Just move the connectors to the larger tray. Of course you must have the panel space.
Also, with Avidyne version 10.3 coming out real soon it promise to integrate the ADS B information via WIFI. You will be able to connect your IFD WiFi to the Skyview WiFi and the IFD will use the weather and traffic.
if DYNON Skyview can generate the required command strings it could tune the radio, push a flight plan, or other functions like the IFD 100. Needs to emulate the IFD 100 app. You can use Foreflight to bridge now but it is cumbersom.
There is a lot of potential if the two companies talk to each other.