Seattle Avionics

[Jackkclark]

Some have run an extension into the glove box.
I have the USB (extension) port mounted to the bottom of the instrument tray.
Easily accessible.

[bob1393]

Top Cat - in the -12 there are actually 2 USB ports on the back of the screen, plus the one under the panel for 3 total. We also put our WiFi adaptor into one of the ports on the back of each screen (we have dual screens) and the other in the back is empty. As you said, we use the one underneath for updates.

Bob

[Plummit]

I pretty much washed my hands with Seattle Avionics when they refused to update Voyager with ADSB in. I had bought in to the whole "lifetime" maps thing with SA using their Voyager system. Then they partnered with AOPA and came out with the Fly-Q system, leaving us Voyager users high and dry. Now I only use Voyager for flight-planning purposes.

I have friends that use the Ipad for a primary or secondary screen but I use a 796 as a back-up as it provides me with ADSB in via the GDL-39 3D. I'm just waiting for Garmin to come out with an ADSB solution for the 900X.

I carry paper backup with an IFR chart subscription (Terps and low enroute) and the LAX TAC. It's relatively cheap and no scrolling required. If my screens go dark I'm covered.

If I were building today I'd look long and hard at Advanced or Dynon. YMMV

-Marc

[climberrn]

Since my annual subscription to Seattle is about up, I spent some time with my dual Skyview system looking at what I really use. I never use the sectional or IFR views on the Dynon screens. The terrain view I use on the map screens is from Dynon. Use Foreflight on my iPad for planning, and autopilot waypoint entering. Have the current sectionals and airport diagrams on iPad to remain legal, and is VERY easy to keep updated. I wasted a couple hours a month in front of the computer with the pitiful Seattle Avionics program (have to put Windows on my Mac just for that).

The only thing I found useful from the Seattle avionics info was the airport diagrams, but can just use Foreflight instead.

For my purposes, the Seattle avionics was a waste of time and money. I fly strictly VFR, so your mileage may vary. After about 60 hours behind the Skyview system, I have to say, It is the first glass panel I flew behind, and was very easy to learn. Now if I could just figure out the autopilot Expert mode....

[TCONROY]

I purchased their Cyber Monday deal (which is a great price!) for my dual screen AF-5600 system. Like many others have said, their download speed is incredibly slow! I have a 100mbps connection at work and it took over 6 hours to download and install the data.... that is pretty terrible in this day and age.
The data itself is great and of good quality, the software works fine, they just need to improve their server infrastructure to improve download speed.

[Raymo]

SA likely has a slow upload speed (e.g. asynchronous DSL), which results in the poor performance. Plus, lots of people hitting the server at the same time.

If they are listening, this could easily be solved by paying (not much) for an increase in upload speeds or multiple hosting sites to spread the load.