GRT Mini - Page 8

Mike S · #71 03-09-2014, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieB

We sell a full-size USB cable with a female end that has mounting ears on it, suitable for creating an easy-access USB port on your instrument panel face.

Yep, either side of the A/P.

Very handy for updates ------------- someday I will figure out how to download data from them too.

Gooniebird · #72 03-09-2014, 07:39 PM

I'm unfamiliar with autopilots...never have used one, being a strictly VFR daytime pilot. The autopilot description of the Mini X has an asterisk that states:

"Autopilot controls for Mini-X do not include vertical guidance for IFR approaches. This feature is included with Mini-AP when equipped with ARINC-429 wired to a suitable IFR GPS navigation unit."

I'm not sure what this means, does it mean ascending and descending is accomplished by utilizing an altitude bug only? Could a descent of X feet per minute be programmed?

Thanks

KatieB · #73 03-10-2014, 08:32 AM

Dave-- The HSI page can be disabled in the Setup Menu, so you could just have the PFD and the Moving Map as your viewable pages.

Don-- The Mini-X can follow the heading bug (Heading Mode) and GPS track (ENAV Mode). It can also hold your selected altitude. However, you will not be able to climb or descend on autopilot. Climbs and descents are hand-flown, and then when you arrive at your desired altitude, you would engage Altitude Hold mode.

The Mini-AP has all of those features, plus it can climb and descend using both rates and airspeeds, level off & capture the altitude set in the altitude select window, as well as track ILS and GPS/LPV glideslopes. ARINC-429 is an option on the Mini-AP to enable tracking of vertical navigation equipment that uses ARINC-429 communication, such as a Garmin 430/530/650.

For those who are familiar with GRT Sport and Horizon systems, the Mini-X has the autopilot capability of the stock Sport without Vertical Commands software, while the Mini-AP has the autopilot capability of the Horizon HX and HXr. (GRT servos are required and not included...)

Gooniebird · #74 03-10-2014, 09:58 AM

Katie, thanks very much for the clarification. Works for me! Since I don't have a device capable of AIRINC 429 communication, I won't worry about it. The Mini X is for me. thanks again

Canadian_JOY · #75 03-17-2014, 10:16 AM

Update today from Jon @ GRT - shipment of Mini-B & Mini-X now expected by the end of March. I suggested to Jon that, given the 2-month delay in deliveries, GRT should consider offering an incentive to customers who have patiently waited for their Mini to be delivered. I'm sure I'm not the only one sitting with a big square hole cut in their panel and thinking that if the delays go on much longer that hole will be converted to a 3 1/8" hole to accommodate a competitor's product.

N661DJ · #76 03-17-2014, 04:57 PM

I agree with Canadian Joy, Jon has slipped the delivery date long enough, either
GRT can deliver or they can't, no more promises, give us the straight skinny.
Ready to go to the competitors!

KatieB · #77 03-17-2014, 06:12 PM

The only people out there who want their Mini shipped sooner than you guys is US. The past few months have been really tough. We've made a lot of great progress, but obviously not fast enough. I've always been straight with you guys. Things happen. We give you our best estimate, and sometimes (usually, lately) we are wrong. I can't apologize any more. We've taken no money from anyone for a Mini yet, and we won't until they fly out the door with a 100% stamp of confidence. If you want to cancel and buy something else, I understand, but nothing else out there can do what this little guy can do. I think if you give up now, you will be sorry you didn't wait just a tiny bit longer. In hindsight I really wish when this all started, we'd have given ourselves an insane time margin and promised SUN 'N FUN as the release date. Then, if it was early, fine, and if not, you'd still be really happy right now. Let that be a lesson for us.

And Canadian Joy, your questions in this thread over the past few months have helped us to remember all the international pilots out there who need Jepp data on their Mini-X and AP- and we've made it so that you won't need to buy another subscription for the Mini. Buy it for 1 EFIS and you'll have it for your whole plane. I've really appreciated your input on this project, and I'd hate to lose you now!

lrgabriel · #78 03-17-2014, 07:06 PM

I disagree - I've worked with a lot of companies on launch products, and few have been as up front and friendly about their timeline as GRT.

Production setbacks are the price you pay to be on the bleeding edge. I'd rather have a delayed launch with good communication than an incomplete product on time.

That said, perhaps regular updates to an email list (or your website) would be appreciated...especially for the segment of your market that doesn't own an RV.

gtmule · #79 03-18-2014, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrgabriel

I disagree - I've worked with a lot of companies on launch products, and few have been as up front and friendly about their timeline as GRT.

Production setbacks are the price you pay to be on the bleeding edge. I'd rather have a delayed launch with good communication than an incomplete product on time.

That said, perhaps regular updates to an email list (or your website) would be appreciated...especially for the segment of your market that doesn't own an RV.

Agreed. I coulda paid more and gotten less out of a D10 or D6 or one of a number of other boxes. I haven't paid for the unit yet, so I consider myself on a waiting list, not having really ordered it.

All that said....any updates?

Canadian_JOY · #80 03-18-2014, 09:23 PM

I can appreciate both sides of the coin on this topic, especially having been involved in manufacturing bleeding edge avionics in a previous career. When you provide a date to Boeing or Airbus, you had better be ready to move heaven and earth to meet that date, or be willing to cough up concessions. Heaven help you if you don't meet your target weights - that's a sin worse than being late!

While I agree completely that the Mini will bring tremendous functionality to the aircraft, it's painful to sit with a gaping hole in your panel, unable to make any further progress until that hole is filled. I've still got some more patience in me...

Katie - w.r.t. mapping, being able to use a single Jepp subscription for both EFIS units is indeed a bonus, and the consistent efforts of GRT to deliver this kind of value is one of the things I like best about the company. Now if only I could convince GRT to offer the mapping feature in the Mini-X at a substantially reduced price as a reward for having been patient I might be a bunch less curmudgeonly to deal with... :-)