Jesse
Well Known Member
I just finished installing a FreeFlight 978-XVR unit with the display and wifi adapter. Overall, I much prefer the programming of this unit compared to the Navworx because it is all programs through the display unit. I had to have both the main unit and the wifi receiver replace due to DOA components, and even after being replaced, one of the two had a bad serial port, so I had to rewire to the other serial port after hours of troubleshooting. Assuming that we were the exception in having failed components, I'm impressed with the system and the install went fairly well. I'm not as happy about having 3 different components to mount, but I like the display. The display isn't required for the installation, but then you need to program everything with a console program. At a retail price of $3,600, it's definitely more expensive than the Navworx, although not outragious compared to the ADS-600B, especially since it includes all of the coax, connectors and antennas needed for he installation. It also had the d-sub connectors and pins, which is nice.
The jury is still out on the NavWorx -EXP unit as far as installation goes. The last one I installed I went through 3 software revisions in 2 days to get it going. If those issues are fixed, then it should be a quick and fairly easy install. I like that there is only one box to install, although the wifi isn't ideal to hide behind the rear baggage wall. The signal strength still seems to cover the plane well enough. He current price of $1,149 plus $25 for a UAT antenna and $50-150 for a GPS antenna, plus coax and connctors, it's still a bargain compared to the FF for experimentals.
I'm not a fan of TNC connectors because they are so expensive, but the FreeFlight comes with the crimp connectors and the Navworx went to SMA on their unit, which are a pain to crimp. I am using SMA to BNC adapters on the -EXP units from now on.
One item that sets the Freeflight ahead in my book is that they integrate with foreflight on the iPad, which is a big deal for me. I am holding out hope that the Navworx unit will do the same in the not-too-distant future.
The jury is still out on the NavWorx -EXP unit as far as installation goes. The last one I installed I went through 3 software revisions in 2 days to get it going. If those issues are fixed, then it should be a quick and fairly easy install. I like that there is only one box to install, although the wifi isn't ideal to hide behind the rear baggage wall. The signal strength still seems to cover the plane well enough. He current price of $1,149 plus $25 for a UAT antenna and $50-150 for a GPS antenna, plus coax and connctors, it's still a bargain compared to the FF for experimentals.
I'm not a fan of TNC connectors because they are so expensive, but the FreeFlight comes with the crimp connectors and the Navworx went to SMA on their unit, which are a pain to crimp. I am using SMA to BNC adapters on the -EXP units from now on.
One item that sets the Freeflight ahead in my book is that they integrate with foreflight on the iPad, which is a big deal for me. I am holding out hope that the Navworx unit will do the same in the not-too-distant future.