Avidyne IFD 440

[RFazio]

I’m am currently using a Garmin GSN 430 in my 6. I am IFR current and plan on staying that way. I fly RNAV approaches almost exclusively. I am considering changing out my Garmin 430 for an Avidyne IFD 440. It is an easy swap out, supposedly. I figured i’d ask here of those who have done it. Any surprises? What is the cost of updates and who do you get them from. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Dugaru]

I’m am currently using a Garmin GSN 430 in my 6. I am IFR current and plan on staying that way. I fly RNAV approaches almost exclusively. I am considering changing out my Garmin 430 for an Avidyne IFD 440. It is an easy swap out, supposedly. I figured i’d ask here of those who have done it. Any surprises? What is the cost of updates and who do you get them from. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I’ll be interested to learn about this since a 440 is likely in my future at some point (hopefully many years away…).

Garmin’s refusal to produce a slide-in replacement for the 430 has long mystified me.

 

[MacCool]

It was an easy swap-out from 430 to IFD 440. It took me about half an hour, and I am absolutely no avionics expert. I took photos of every configuration screen in the 430 before doing the switch. Avidyne provides you with a step-by-step comparison template on how to enter those configuration values to match the 430 that came out. Mine won’t do a standby radio channel (monitor two frequencies) because of my legacy Garmin audio panel, which I knew was going to be the case. Map updates are through Jeppeson, so expensive.

The IFD 440 really simplified entering destinations and approaches. It also functions as a flight management system which was likewise very useful. It interfaces perfectly with my legacy Garmin GPS antenna (WAAS) and manages the ARINC429 auto pilot interface exactly the way the Garmin did. My EFIS is a couple of AFS 5400s and there were no issues with the displays on that...both the PFD and Moving Map display the same as they did with the 403W.

One very valuable feature is the IFD 100 app. The viewing panel on the IFD 440 is small but with your Jeppesen account you can use that app separately to get the entire IFD440 screen to display all the data full-screen on your iPad. I bought an iPad Mini for that purpose alone simply to avoid having to switch wifi networks in flight. Another plus is the remote keypad which makes entering data much easier in a bumpy cockpit. I also like the seamless upload of flight plans from Foreflight.

In short, I found the swap to be as easy as predicted and completely functional. The IFD 440 is a vast improvement on the Garmin 430 and brings much greater functionality and many additional features. I dont know what they cost these days...I bought mine from Stein literally the day they announced a big price increase back during COVID when they couldn't get chips.

 

[Dugaru]

Thanks that is super useful info.

 

[BCP Boys]

Just to add on the installation - If you have the legacy 430 and do not have a WAAS antenna, you will need to replace your current antenna with a WAAS antenna which tend to be pricey as well. While you're at it, might as well ensure your antenna coax cable is RG-400, if not, probably should replace that too.

 

[TheNewGuy]

I haven’t swapped one personally, but I have an IFD 550 in my Beech. A friend told me the avionics shop only had to wire one additional thing to get it working, so he said it should be quick and relatively inexpensive.

I can’t say enough good things about the Avidyne units. They are extremely capable. In my experience they’re more capable than Garmin in a lot of ways, but they can be a bit tricky when you start mixing them with other avionics. I had no issues getting mine to work with G5s.

Avidyne also has an iPad trainer that I highly recommend using. It’s also worth watching a few videos on how to get ADS-B weather and traffic to display properly on the unit. You’ll need a receiver that supports the Capstone protocol, like a Stratus 3 or 4, or a Stratux.

Like others have mentioned, the IFD100 app is excellent. It gives you almost full functionality on your iPad as if you had a second IFD in the cockpit. The only limitation is that you can’t switch comm frequencies from the app, but you can still load them easily.

As I say all of this, I have a Garmin GPS 175 in the mail to make my -8 IFR. I’m looking forward to being able to punch through clouds, but I will miss my Avidyne dearly

 

[n816kc]

I just swapped my failing GNC 430 for an IDF 440 last week. Maybe the easiest upgrade I've ever made. I replaced my non-WAAS antenna with a new Garmin WAAS antenna. The avionics tech then took photos of my 430 setup pages, slid the 430 out and put the 440 in. 10 minutes later it was all set up and running with updated databases. Just awesome. MacCool and TheNewGuy are spot on, the 440 is a much nicer and more capable navigator.

 

[RFazio]

Thanks for the info guys. How about the updates? What is the annual cost, and how do you do it?

 

[TheNewGuy]

Thanks for the info guys. How about the updates? What is the annual cost, and how do you do it?

It’s cheaper than Garmin. My Jepp Nav Data plan for the 550 cost me $184/year. $51 for obstacles

Updates done through a FAT32 formatted flash drive.

 

[RFazio]

Thanks, I was wondering about that.

 

[MacCool]

Thanks for the info guys. How about the updates? What is the annual cost, and how do you do it?

Map updates are straightforward via USB flash drive access on the front panel. They're typically done with a Jeppesen account and downloaded through the Jeppesen Distribution Manager...you could hit their website to look at pricing. A Jeppesen account also gets you access to the IFD100 app.

Software OS updates are rare, but have been significant and kind of a production. Last one was about 3.5 years ago and the process was a bit of a CF, but the update to the update has been very stable and functional. Avidyne has good customer support, lots of training materials, and a good online forum community with good company participation.

 

[Dugaru]

Software OS updates are rare, but have been significant and kind of a production. Last one was about 3.5 years ago and the process was a bit of a CF

I’ve been impressed over the years with how much pain surrounds avionics software updates generally. The various companies seem to have a lot of difficulty there. It’s not like the computer/smartphone world is without problems in that area, obviously, but avionics updates seem to present a special kind of hell.

 

[MacCool]

I’ve been impressed over the years with how much pain surrounds avionics software updates generally. The various companies seem to have a lot of difficulty there. It’s not like the computer/smartphone world is without problems in that area, obviously, but avionics updates seem to present a special kind of hell.

The Avidyne 10.3.1.2 update was quite a production and came a year after the abortive disaster of AvIOS 10.3.0.2 (a trap I did not fall into). The Avidyne forums were filled with update frustration posts and tales of disaster and woe. When 10.3.1.2 came out and had been shown to be stable, I called Stein and tried to arrange flying down there and have him do the update. He encouraged me to go ahead and do it myself. So, I meticulously memorized their detailed instructions and watched a dozen YouTube videos. I am not unskilled with computer hardware and software, and I was ready. They warned that it could take 45 minutes to as long as a hour and that an update interruption would cause heartache and be expensive. My airplane was plugged into a 12 volt ground power supply (I thought). And off we went. Shortly after I committed to the process, I got a low voltage alarm...ground power was not on line. For the next 45 minutes I obsessively watched the race of the process update dialogues against the ominously dropping system voltage. In the end, I made it...thanks to the fact that I have two PC680 batteries in parallel giving me barely-enough amp-hours to get the job completed. I will say that the 10.3.1.2 software was a very significant update resulting in markedly improved functionality over an already very functional operating system. Nevertheless, a sobering process that at least stimulated me to review my 12v ground power system.

 

[Roy Thoma]

Swapping my GNS430W to IFD440 took less than 30 minutes.

I buy the minimum data required from Jeppesen for IFR and pay $175/year. I don't get charts since I have them geo referenced on my AFS5600 and I don't think charts are supported on the IFD440. "Service.Data Services.without Charts.Annual NavData.Avidyne.North America.Bundle"

Other notes that MAY be a consideration for upgrading from GNS430W to IFD440:

The IFD440 draws a little more power than the GNS430W, might need to change a fuse. I think I went from a 7A to an 8A fuse. Don't remember which fuse.

The IFD440 depends on cooling from the sides of the unit. The GNS430W cools from the back (and maybe the front). My avionics rack had solid sides that I needed to open to match the GNS430W tray.

The IFD440 supports monitoring a "standby comm" frequency, a feature the GNS430 does not have. The second comm output is on a second discrete channel, unlike the Garmin SL30, SL40, possibly others that output the "monitor" frequency comm on the same channel.So to monitoring of the "standby comm" frequency there needs to be a dedicated wire from the IFD440 to a audio panel input.

The IFD440 comm has a slightly different incoming signal processing time from the GNS430W and from the SL30. This makes listening to the same frequency on the IFD440 and an SL30 have a slight echo. I assume this would also be the case for an SL40 and probably other newer Garmin comm's.

Regards,

 

[Fenderbean]

How do they compare to in price? Still planning my RV10 avionics and im either going Dynon or AFD for the MFD but would def consider the avidyne for my GPS side if there are benefits for the IFR flying.

 

[Clayvt]

How do they compare to in price? Still planning my RV10 avionics and im either going Dynon or AFD for the MFD but would def consider the avidyne for my GPS side if there are benefits for the IFR flying.

You're building a 10 so I assume $ is not object, (i kid) but there are deals to be found if you're willing to look. I snagged a pretty nice 430 off here for $1500 for my 7 build (seller was upgrading). Helped a ton in my budget (which is tight).
When I can afford it though I will upgrade to a 440.

 

[Fenderbean]

You're building a 10 so I assume $ is not object, (i kid) but there are deals to be found if you're willing to look. I snagged a pretty nice 430 off here for $1500 for my 7 build (seller was upgrading). Helped a ton in my budget (which is tight).
When I can afford it though I will upgrade to a 440.

lol almost went rpm hi for sec, yeah I guess thats a good point.