What happened to Grand Rapids Avionics? Another Happy Customer!

n468ac · #1 08-22-2008, 06:56 AM

PLEASE READ --- UPDATE ---

To clean up a few miscommunications within this post:

1. It was our decision to pay Aerotronics in full at the time of the order. They were more than happy to refund our money for any of the hardware they didn’t yet have in their shop or order us any other hardware, if we wanted to change. WE HAVE NEVER QUESTIONED the honor or integrity of Aerotronics during this entire process. Their service and professionalism is second to none.
2. Lesson; Sometimes we only hear what we want to hear from a vendor.
3. Talk to all the parties involved within the same day … boy that clears the air faster than email or voice mails, both of can lead to more misunderstandings.
4. GRT was not paid any monies for any hardware either from us or Aerotronics.

Finally just a personal note … thanks to everyone involved, it’s worked out faster than I could have hoped for.

At sun and fun my dad ordered the Grand Rapids EFIS with Synthetic Vision.

Well they told us it would come at the end of April ... that came and when.

Then we heard it was coming before OSH ... that came and when.

Then at OSH we were told "shipping right after OSH".

Well here we are 8-20-08 and still no EFIS.

Makes me wonder what kind of company is Grand Rapids? Are they having issues?

My original post was removed by Bob Collins, this is the replacement as he couldn't restore the original.

Guessing on questions or replyies to this post:

1. We did aleady pay for the product.
2. We have talked to them many times alot with our vendor and just keep getting promises on shipment dates.
3. Unlike Dynon (we have one of the first D10's, they didn't sell us the unit until they were ready to ship) they (GRT) keep telling us dates and the time keeps marching away.
4. YES we are sour!

RV10inOz · #2 08-22-2008, 07:33 AM

Ask them to send you your money back!

Buy a Dynon when it comes out!

Why all the fuss for Synthetic Vision. Are you building a fighter jet?

DB

n468ac · #3 08-22-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV10inOz

Ask them to send you your money back!

Buy a Dynon when it comes out!

Why all the fuss for Synthetic Vision. Are you building a fighter jet?

DB

We are upgrading our panel to IFR and we want devise panel, with many manufactures to insure no single point of failure.

RV7Guy · #4 08-22-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n468ac

We are upgrading our panel to IFR and we want devise panel, with many manufactures to insure no single point of failure.

Hi Al,

I'm not sure I understand the logic in wanting "many" brands. This is definitely not consistent with the conventions of Cockpit Resource Management. Especially, for an IFR machine.

The "single point of failure," is a way over thought idea. After all, reading the the forums for years I've never heard of complete panel failure. It may have happened but, I doubt it.

Good luck, but might want to revisit this idea.

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #5 08-22-2008, 08:29 AM

Christopher, thanks for reposting this.

In another thread, people asked for a "heads up" when a moderator removes a thread. I did that in Chris' case and to check to see if he or his shop had contacted GRT (they had). I looked kinda stupid once I got the confirmation and was prepared to reopen the thread because another moderator apparently deleted the thread permanently. I'd made clear in the notes that there was a good chance the thread would be reopened.

We don't have a moderators forum here as far as I know, so I'll just add this as a "moderator wish list" in the spirit of that other thread. If a moderator is doing his moderating thing, please check with him/her before deleting a thread permanently that he has removed an indicated might be reopened, or at least send a heads up message that you're taking over moderating that particular thread.

I have no idea who permanently deleted the thread but I apologize for the confusion.

RV7Guy · #6 08-22-2008, 08:32 AM

This seems to be the trend with many companies in the Experimental World. I went through this with Dynon while waiting for the first of the larger screen units. After several of the "3 months," then "next month," talks I finally pulled the trigger and put in the 10A.

The only one I've seen accurate on delivery times on new stuff is Advanced Flight Systems. Then again, Rob's one of us.

Radomir · #7 08-22-2008, 08:52 AM

Darwin, they have (and have had) delays too.. just like everyone else..

Anyways, Christopher.. who took your money? GRT or some vendor?

You did know that the unit wasn't shipping? the date was 6/30 all along.. hate to say it but 2 month delay isn't the worst we've seen no matter what company we're talking about..

Either way.. it'd be really cool to at least post all/full info.. I understand the frustration though..

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #8 08-22-2008, 09:02 AM

ONe of the things that Stein Bruch has ALWAYS imparted -- Never believe shipping promises from an avionics company.

By the way, the article I linked to contains this:

He recommends those IFR pilots looking for redundancy avoid using the same company's products across the panel. "Most of the time the EFIS systems are tied together," he says, " and when systems crash, it's usually not a hardware problem; it's a software problem" and if the same company is used for the backup, the problem is likely to take down the redundant element too

David-aviator · #9 08-22-2008, 09:44 AM

Obviously the product is not ready for shipment. Cancel the order and move on. Be grateful they have not shipped something that does not work and you become the beta tester in the clouds.

Beyond all that, is it a good idea going with experimental equipment for IFR? There's plenty of proven certified glass.

For what it is worth, I just had an EIS system changed from Subaru to Lycoming and it took all of 4 days. If the product is ready and works, it ships quick.

Ironflight · #10 08-22-2008, 10:04 AM

Hi Christopher,

I had responded to your first post before Bob deleted it, but you may not have seen the post - I was curious who at GRT you talked to? I understand that GRT never takes money until they are ready to ship, so I am wondering if you ordered directly through them (and their policy has changed), or through a vendor? If through a vendor, who was it? That would make this thread a lot more valuable to others. I find it a little harsh that so many people have responded with "Take your money back and go with Dynon" when it is possible that the difficult party here isn't GRT, but a middleman. That is hardly civil!

Or, it could be GRT, and we need more to the story. I understand your frustration - I ordered one of the first ICOM A210's through Pacific Coast Avionics when it was introduced at OSH. My credit card was charged before I got home, but the nit didn't ship for MONTHS after it was promised to be "in ten days". Kept getting a string-along story. It finally came, but at that point, I was finished with "cash up front" on new technology.

To be fair to all, please give us more details!

Paul