Garmin vs Dynon

[GalinHdz]

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Do you like blonds, brunette or red heads?

YES!!!

[DavidHarris]

I looked at both Dynon and Garmin carefully before Oshkosh 2018, then went to the show to look at them in person and make the decision.

Both have nearly identical (and outstanding) capabilities, and both cost almost exactly the same (roughly $40k for a terrific 2-screen panel, big IFR GPS, autopilot, and redundancy). Garmin's ads are more attractive and I'm confident they will be in business for decades to come, so I arrived with a slight bias for them.

At Oshkosh, Garmin barely gave me the time of day, and the only person who would talk to me was a software guy who couldn't answer my installation questions.

At the Dynon booth, Rob Hickman spent an hour with me doing a thorough demo and answering lots of my questions. In person, Dynon is just as attractive as Garmin. Rob also persuaded me that the Avidyne GPS was preferable to Garmin because of the hard keys that are easier to use in turbulence (I strongly agree now that I've been using it). The cost of the QuickPanel is barely higher than the cost of the raw equipment, so it was hard to resist. I also think vigorous competition between Dynon and Garmin has been fantastic for general aviation.

I went with Dynon and Avidyne and have been very happy. The support has been outstanding. The AFS QuickPanel is beautiful and far more capable than anything I've used on a certified aircraft. I flew my first practice approaches last week, and it was incredibly easy with marvelous situational awareness. I still have a huge smile on my face.

I've been impressed with the g3xpert postings on VAF. I'm sure I would have been happy if I went with Garmin instead.

David

[219PB]

Both systems are very good. I think of them as Ford and Chevy. What drove my decision is the long term ownership costs. Yes the panels are pricy. Both are, but the cost to keep the databases current was my driving factor. Dynon and Seattle Avionics has lifetime pricing their updates and Garmin does not. Yes I paid close to $800-1000 for all of the lifetime options but I am done. With the Garmin, I would get dinged several hundred per year. If you plan to keep the plane for 5 years or more, the savings really start to add up.

The other thing is, have you ever had to send in a Garmin product for repair? $$$$.

My two cents.

[bkervaski]

I like the seamless integration of the Garmin products and the easy updates.

For me, Garmin support has been top notch and very responsive. I always get somebody on the phone and if I email I get something back in 1 business day.

No doubt both are great, but after flying both systems, I prefer the Garmin, but would have been happy with the Dynon.

For the IFR stuff, the GTN+G3X combo is fantastic!

Mirroring others sentiments, it's a Ford vs Chevy debate. You really can't go wrong either way.

SteinAir was also a huge factor in my Garmin happiness. The support they provide is just second to none. Outstanding.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by vlittle

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pi...sunglasses.pdf

The FAA warns against using polarized sunglasses. Unfortunately, most sunglasses are polarized, even prescription ones.

When I bought new glasses this year they asked me if I wanted polarized lenses and I said no so my prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses don't have it.

Here in the states it seems that with all the competition they want to attract you to their store with the lowest prices and then they try to charge you more for every option, and they have polarization as an option.

[dynonsupport]

Originally Posted by Av8rRob

One difference I have found is that you cannot see the Dynon screens with polarized sunglasses and you can on Garmins.

Early HDX screens had the "polarizers" aligned in the direction that causes the screen to be darkened when viewed with polarized sunglasses, but we make a minor change to the displays so that now they are viewable with them (I don't know the cutover off the top of my head).

Also, practically any plastic screen protector, whether the glossy style, matte, etc, will change the light emitting pattern from the affected displays to make them visible.

We started going down the path of spec'ing and/or offering one ourselves, but didn't complete it due to lack of demand. It's still something we could possibly do if there is enough interest, though.

[n982sx]

Originally Posted by 219PB

The other thing is, have you ever had to send in a Garmin product for repair? $$$$.

Yes I have. Both certified and experimental - under warranty and out. Great, quick and reasonable cost.

G3xperts have been a great resource for experimental builders.

That being said, this is a Chevy vs Ford debate. A fellow Sonex builder I know and respect works for Dynon and I think highly of Dynon, AFS and their product lines.

I just liked Garmin's UI more in the end. Staying all Garmin with the navigator was a factor because - at the time - I could basically get a GTN 625 at almost half price if I bought a G3x system.

Other than the GTN625 promotion, price and service was not a factor.

[redbaron]

Be sure to contact Steinair before making a decision and have them make the wire harness, they are a great resource

[wirejock]

Originally Posted by DavidHarris

<snip>
At Oshkosh, Garmin barely gave me the time of day, and the only person who would talk to me was a software guy who couldn't answer my installation questions.

At the Dynon booth, Rob Hickman spent an hour with me doing a thorough demo and answering lots of my questions. In person, Dynon is just as attractive as Garmin. Rob also persuaded me that the Avidyne GPS was preferable to Garmin because of the hard keys that are easier to use in turbulence (I strongly agree now that I've been using it). The cost of the QuickPanel is barely higher than the cost of the raw equipment, so it was hard to resist. I also think vigorous competition between Dynon and Garmin has been fantastic for general aviation.
<snip>

David

More than one decision on my airplane has been made based on customer service. Dynon was one. Engine was the other. Combined, they add up to a substantial amount of sales.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by 219PB

Both systems are very good. I think of them as Ford and Chevy. What drove my decision is the long term ownership costs. Yes the panels are pricy. Both are, but the cost to keep the databases current was my driving factor. Dynon and Seattle Avionics has lifetime pricing their updates and Garmin does not. Yes I paid close to $800-1000 for all of the lifetime options but I am done. With the Garmin, I would get dinged several hundred per year. If you plan to keep the plane for 5 years or more, the savings really start to add up.

My two cents.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I see on the Seattle webpage for the same info (charts/plates/diagrams/etc.) the cost is $99 yr for Dynon and $149 for Garmin.

Not sure where you get "several hundred per year" unless you're referring to an IFR navigator package.