IFR is the mission.
Seeking opinions on GRT vs AFS EFIS.
Why these two? One of my requirements is a flight director and as far as I know these are the only 2 companies that have a flight director as part of their PFD EFIS.
I chose GRT because I had a few flights behind an earlier model with a friend, great customer service and they are just a few hours away if I need to see them. I have flown with another friend that had AFS- I really liked having geo-referenced sectionals on screen. I now have Ipad3 with Foreflight so not a big deal.
Just waiting for a more customer service oriented ADS-B manufacturer then it will be perfect with wx and traffic.
One thing I did not want is to have everything in one box/one brand, no matter how much neater it looks or ease of use. Keep this in mind, unless you like being stranded.
I chose GRT because I had access to many of their units and the expertise that went with it. I use the FD capability when hand flying ILS approaches but not much else. It works great.
Either are superb units and it will come down to personal choice.
You will be very happy with either unit. Both have great customer service. I know others will ask why you aren't also considering Garmin's G3' but I don't know if it has FD capabilities.
Note to OP: Are you considering an autopilot too?
You can add servos to the GRT for about $2K, but of course there's no extra redundancy. The GRT will drive a Trio Pro for about $3.5K, or a bit more for a TrueTrak. The AFS can drive its TT clone for about $3.5K.
(I have the Trio Pro with trim control, like it a lot).
More decisions!
The big reason I did not list Garmin is my understanding is they are single AHARS only so lack the redundancy of the GRT or AFS.
You can buy a lot of redundnancy for the single-AHRS with an autopilot capable of flying without the EFIS. In our G3X-equipped RV-3, we back it up with the GX Pilot A/P and a separate ADI/AS/ALT if both of the fancy things fail.
Paul,
Those back ups will help if the AHAR goes completely kaput, but you might not know it right away if the information is wrong. With dual AHAR, there is a cross check and you will know if they don't agree. Of course I didn't need to tell you that
cheers
Hello. About to have installed a gtn650. I'll upgrade my current trutrak to the t/t 385. I was going to have to install a garmin 106i Cdi for compatibility with 650. Question? In anyone's opinion as of now, which would be a better single screen ifr choice? After talking with Lucas at trutrak, I lean towards the afs. I want a single screen(space) as I will keep a few vital steam Gage's. I want my charts to be displayed on 1/2 screen while hsi/Cdi on the other 1/2 from the 650. Which model would accomplish this? I would take the $ needed for garmin Cdi and put forth to efis. Also unsure of any other expensive modules required? I would leave alone for now, my current eng instrument steam Gage's. Placing a pic here for better ideas. If I removed 4 Gage's I'd have room for about an 8x8 display. Any opinions? Thx dm.
Also curious about the G3XI think investing in any EFIS is money better spent than on Garmin 106 CDI. Denuding on which brad and model EFIS you get the savings from the 106 will go a fair amount of covering cost of the EFIS.
I am also a fan of AFS products. The only other module required would be an ARNIC interface module to connect the EFIS, 650, and AP. You also need to install an AHARS/ magnetometer, but that will be dictated by the brand of EFIS you select.