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-   -   Avidyne IFD 440 (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=138914)

N9331v 06-15-2016 04:07 PM

I installed a IFD540 in my Mooney and as I move along I will be installing another in my RV7. I LOVE THE IFD540.

N402RH 06-15-2016 04:47 PM

Avidyne IFD
 
We have installed a lot of IFD440's and IFD540's

I have both a GTN650 and IFD540 in my RV-10 and have extensive experience with both units. I find that almost everyone that I take flying in the RV-10 show up wanting a GTN650 and after using both units in flight change to the IFD540.

1. The Jeppesen NAV database cost is exactly the same for both units. The IFD540 will display Approach plates and they cost more. I only update the NAV data since all 3 of my EFIS screens have the plates.

2. Both units will control an Autopilot and give you GPS LPV approach capability.

3. The IFD has dedicated buttons that are extremely handy in turbulence.

4. The IFD has a dedicated Frequency button that I use all the time.

5. The IFD has a really nice Bluetooth remote keyboard that has become my standard way of entering data.

6. The IFD has built in Bluetooth and WiFi

7. The IFD has a touch screen that supports multi-touch for pinch zooming.

I am currently flying the new Avidyne software with Synthetic Vision and it is pretty cool.

Rob Hickman
Advanced Flight Systems Inc.
N402RH RV-10

AviSimpson 06-16-2016 06:51 AM

Jepp Pricing
 
Jeppesens pricing for the Full US IFD Suite (NAV, Obstacles, Charts & Terrain) is $1,012. This covers all Avidyne products in the aircraft (for you dual IFD owners or IFD & EX series owners)

flightlogic 06-16-2016 10:14 AM

great units
 
Have been teaching an owner with new Avidyne... he pulled the Garmin 430 and 530. I like the software. And a free CD is available to create an avionics simulator on your PC. It does all the procedures. It took minimal time reading the POH and I feel comfortable being a right seat CFI-I with the new avionics.

Canadian_JOY 06-16-2016 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightlogic (Post 1088069)
Have been teaching an owner with new Avidyne... he pulled the Garmin 430 and 530. I like the software. And a free CD is available to create an avionics simulator on your PC. It does all the procedures. It took minimal time reading the POH and I feel comfortable being a right seat CFI-I with the new avionics.

THIS statement is the real reason to buy an Avidyne navigator!

I did nearly side-by-side comparisons between the IFD540 and GNS530. To say the Garmin user interface was difficult to master would have been an understatement. The Avidyne unit is light years ahead in terms of user interface.

While I could afford neither the 530 nor the 540, I did come away having learned a valuable lesson. My brain likes an FMS-style user interface. This knowledge is what has made me happy in my decision to buy the navigator I could afford, a GNS480, as its user interface emulates an FMS.

vic syracuse 06-16-2016 01:39 PM

App store
 
Avidyne has put the IFD app in the App store for free. Load it on your IPAD and you can play with it and really understand the difference.

Vic

NovaBandit 06-17-2016 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic syracuse (Post 1088142)
Avidyne has put the IFD app in the App store for free. Load it on your IPAD and you can play with it and really understand the difference.

Vic

Garmin has the GTN simulator on the app store for free as well.

That will really give you the best apples to apples comparison (after actually flying behind both that is!)

Brantel 06-17-2016 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Prevost (Post 1087541)
I'm having good experience with the IFD-540, which only sort-of answers your question. I chose it because it was a slide in replacement for my 530W, and because I found the user interface to be far superior.

While making the IFD a slide in replacement for the most popular IFR navigator series ever was a good move, comparing them to the GNS series is kinda like comparing a modern computer to one from 15 years ago. Yeah they are both computers but much has changed in between design cycles. Having used both the GNS and the GTN, my thoughts are that comparing the IFD to the GTN is more appropriate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight (Post 1087575)
snip...

Vic did a nice comparison article in the August issue of Kitplanes, which should be hitting the streets soon (if it isn't out there already).

Paul

I have not seen this article (just looked online and it is not posted yet) so I hope that the comparison includes the latest features for the GTN series like:

End user firmware updates
User defined holds
Ability to fly radius to fix type approaches
Ability to load another approach while flying a missed approach segment
Dynamic curved flight plan segments based on speed
Animated NEXRAD for those that have weather receivers
Real time fuel range rings
LPV+V support
Advanced airway navigation including preview capability
Remote control/integration capabilities with the G3X Touch

Some of these newer features added have really pumped up the GTN's capabilities!

ChiefPilot 06-17-2016 01:09 PM

Thanks for the pointer to the iPad app for the IFD. I grabbed it (not in a wierd way) and am looking at it combined with the pilot's guide.

The more I learn about the GTN650 the more I am leaning away from it and towards the IFD. Their demo app probably didn't have, for me, the effect they intended.

Brantel 06-17-2016 02:53 PM

No matter what brand or model your leaning toward, I would make the suggestion to not put too much weight on the simulators. Almost always they are behind and not as nice as the real thing.

Highly suggest getting your hands and eyes on both actual units for the best comparison.


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