10.3.1.2 Terrain Update

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   One of the enhancements with the latest release is the upgrade of the Terrain map from 9arc/sec to 3arc/sec. What does this mean and is it important?  I just had my #1 IFD in for repair and I asked to have the hardware upgraded to support the new Terrain. I believe this is just a larger memory card in the unit, but there may be more to it than that. Attached is a picture of my two IFDs with the top one having the new 3arc/sec and the bottom one with the 9arc/sec. There is quite a bit of difference in the detail. Additionally when there is caution and warning colors (yellow and Red Cross hatching) as well as the FLTA exclusion area showing on the map, the 3arc/sec is much improved over the 9arc/sec. It’s not quite as good as prior releases, but it is much improved. I’ll have to take a picture next time I’m up. For now though, here is a comparison. 

Edited by Gring - 05 Aug 2023 at 3:49pm

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Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 10.3.1.2 Terrain Update Posted: 05 Aug 2023 at 3:40pm
	One of the enhancements with the latest release is the upgrade of the Terrain map from 9arc/sec to 3arc/sec. What does this mean and is it important? I just had my #1 IFD in for repair and I asked to have the hardware upgraded to support the new Terrain. I believe this is just a larger memory card in the unit, but there may be more to it than that. Attached is a picture of my two IFDs with the top one having the new 3arc/sec and the bottom one with the 9arc/sec. There is quite a bit of difference in the detail. Additionally when there is caution and warning colors (yellow and Red Cross hatching) as well as the FLTA exclusion area showing on the map, the 3arc/sec is much improved over the 9arc/sec. It’s not quite as good as prior releases, but it is much improved. I’ll have to take a picture next time I’m up. For now though, here is a comparison. Edited by Gring - 05 Aug 2023 at 3:49pm

chflyer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: LSZK Status: Offline Points: 1038	Post Options Post Reply Quote chflyer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 2:43am
	Did the unit need to go back to Avidyne? What was the price of the change? Sending anything to Avidyne for whatever reason costs $500 just for shipping. There is a $2500 fix charge for repair. The price question is whether this is charged as an option or is covered by the $2500 fix charge just to open the returned box. Edited by chflyer - 06 Aug 2023 at 2:51am
	Vince

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 8:34am
	As mentioned in the post, my IFD went back for repair and I specifically asked for the upgrade. I don't know the exact price since it was all wrapped up into one service fee. The box needs a larger memory card. It only cost me $39 to send the box 2 day Fed Ex using my company's Shippo account, so I don't know where the $500 shipping fee is coming from.

chflyer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: LSZK Status: Offline Points: 1038	Post Options Post Reply Quote chflyer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 9:08am
	I'm in Europe and we need to be real dyed-in-the-wool Avidyne fans to stay with them against the local G* competition. The $500 is the cost of return shipping from here.
	Vince

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 10:14pm
	I can see that, sorry I missed that point. I have loved the Avidyne products since my exposure to the R9 platform. They have such a simple interface. Below is a picture of the terrain comparison when the terrain alerting is active. You can see the cross hatching is much improved as is the FLTA airport exclusion area that got degraded during this release. Edited by Gring - 06 Aug 2023 at 10:16pm

oskrypuch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061	Post Options Post Reply Quote oskrypuch Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 10:18pm
	Not sure I see all that much difference. I'm wondering what the easiest way to get rid of just that visual red/yellow mesh, but removing as little as possible otherwise. It really makes the map unreadable, a shame. Then you have to remember to re-enable it too. Would be great to have a quick toggle. * Orest Edited by oskrypuch - 06 Aug 2023 at 10:21pm

HenryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2017 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 502	Post Options Post Reply Quote HenryM Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 10:46am
	Do I understand you right that the hardware upgrade to 3arc/sec was included in the standard Avidyne flat-fee repair charge ($2250 or so)? I need to send my IFD540 in because the tab inside the USB slot broke. It would be nice to get this upgrade installed while they are fixing it. The repair charge includes the time for a repair shop to remove and reinstall the unit., and also the shipping back and forth from Avidyne. I could probably pull the unit myself and ship it out, but any issues with the updated software and my plane would be up to me to resolve then. I haven't performed the latest software update yet. Avidyne says they install the latest firmware as part of servicing the unit.

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 10:54am
	Henry, I'd just ask them for the hardware mod to support the 3arc second terrain.

Robert114 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2018 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert114 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2023 at 5:37pm
	From my experience sending my 540 in for repair at the end of last year, Avidyne required the unit be returned to them from an authorized dealer. The closest dealer to me was a 1.5 hr drive. To fly it there, I would have had to pay 1hr labor since he would have to also calculate a new Wt & Balance for me to fly home. He was kind enough to let me remove the unit myself and deliver it to him. However, the shipping was 2 day FedEx with full insurance, about $240 each way. From my understanding, the memory upgrade to handle the 9s terrain data is not part of any repair fee but extra, very extra! I’m still running 10.2.6 to avoid the ugly cross hatch and to maintain the switch tank message. Although I fly with the fuel setting on both in my C-172, it reminds me to regularly scan my gauges.

rpostmo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2015 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 162	Post Options Post Reply Quote rpostmo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2023 at 10:44pm
	Switch tank message works fine in 10.3 rpostmo

oskrypuch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061	Post Options Post Reply Quote oskrypuch Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2023 at 12:53pm
	The yellow (and red) crosshatching can be suppressed by turning TA OFF. That will not affect the callouts or visuals for the (solid) yellow/red vector driven FLTA warnings. I find that the crosshatching makes the display virtually unusable for orientation or traffic, so now turn the TA off. Not ideal, but the lesser of two evils. I do not live in terrain challenged area. * Orest

MysticCobra Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Status: Offline Points: 666	Post Options Post Reply Quote MysticCobra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 11:33am
	Have just started flying with 10.3.1.2. Let me join my voice to the chorus: The terrain crosshatching on my original-resolution 540 is AWFUL!!! Ugh.