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IFD440 Announced Today

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AviJake View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: IFD440 Announced Today
    Posted: 05 Jul 2012 at 7:01am
The IFD440 Touchscreen FMS-GPS-Nav-Com was announced today at M-10 in Duluth.  It is a smaller version of the IFD540 and is designed to be plug and play for any existing GNS-430 or 430W.

It uses the same hybrid touch design as the IFD540 in that, with very few exceptions, everything that can be done on the touchscreen can also be done using physical bezel controls (knobs/buttons) and vice versa.  It also employs multi-touch technology allowing for functions like "pinch-zoom" familar on many mobile devices and tablets.

The list price of the unit is $14,995 and it will be available after the delivery of the IFD540.  There is a very attractive deposit program in place now for early adopters who want to take advantage of the opportunity.

An updated set of FAQs will be posted later this morning with more information on the unit.
Steve Jacobson
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Victor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Victor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2012 at 6:19am
What is the attractive deposit program in place now?  I have not seen anything as yet.

Regards,

Victor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2012 at 9:49am
Hi Victor,

The list price for the IFD440 is $14,995.  The initial offering price is $8,500 regardless if you have a GNS430/430W already in place.  By making that initial deposit of $8,500 now, there will be no further cost for the unit.

If you do have a 430 or 430W, you get to keep that system and do whatever you'd like to with it.

If you have a 430W then even the antennas can remain intact and untouched.

If you have a 430 and want to take advantage of the GPS WAAS capability of the IFD440, then you would need to upgrade to a compatible antenna either now, or at the time of installation.  The FAQs on AvidyneLive list a bunch of compatible antennas. 

If you do not currently have a 430 or 430W installed, then there is also a modest cost for in installation kit that comprises of a tray, among other things.

All of that should be spelled out in the deposit agreement that the Avidyne Sales folks can send your way.

The current offer of $8,500 expires on 20 July 2012.  We have had a slightly different, but overall very similar program in place for the IFD540 and we have had 4 price increases since its initial offering.

Any of the Avidyne Sales folks can send the actual form and walk you through the details of the deposit.  It is also 100% refundable and they can walk you through those details too.

As I said, any of the Avidyne Sales folks can help but the principal person working directly with anyone interested is Jonathan Pelletier and he can be reached at: 

jpelletier@avidyne.com
781 402 7520
Steve Jacobson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RogerHarr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2012 at 10:38am
Why should one buy the Avidyne IFD440 and not the Garmin GTN650?

Best regards, Roger HARR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2012 at 12:08pm
Hi Roger,

Both units are good but we believe the IFD440 is better, much better.   Some reasons mean more to some people than others - it does depend somewhat on what is important to each person.

Installation Costs - If installation costs matter to you, then the IFD440 is clearly superior to the GTN650, especially if you already have a GNS-430 or GNS-430W installed.   The IFD440 can use the existing installed 430/430W tray and all wiring and antennas.   There is literally zero rework required - it's approximately a 30 second job to unscrew the existing 430/430W, slide it out, slide in the new IFD440 and tighten down the cam nut.  At that point, the physical installation is complete.  Period.    In contrast, the GTN650 requires a new tray and is meaningfully deeper than the 430 was.   The shops we've talked to describe that the details of that installation in terms of several to many hours, often measured in AMU units.  Post-installation onfiguration and checkout of both units is probably a wash.  So, just the installation alone can be several thousand dollars different between the two units - the exact difference is better defined by qualified avionics shops.

Ease of Use - If ease of use is important to you, then we strongly believe the IFD440 is superior to the GTN650.  Of course, "ease of use" is almost always a very subjective topic however, the IFD440 is effectively, a smaller R9 unit and R9 has repeatedly won award afer award for its ease of use which stems in part from features like GeoFill, FMS Vectors, procedure preview, nearby frequencies list, hold entry on any waypoint, to name a few.

Unit Cost - If purchase cost is important to you, then there is clearly no comparison right now.   The list prices are on par with each other but the IFD440 has an early deposit program available now that takes the price down by as much as $6,500.  And, it's 100% refundable if you change your mind or your aircraft situation changes before you take delivery of the IFD440.

Better Features - This one is a little trickier.  Aside from those features that have been announced and are availble for evaluation at trade shows (e.g. multi-touch, Avidyne digital databus, hybrid touch, Avidyne FMS), there are a number of very significant features that are included in the unit that we have NOT announced yet.   These will get announced as the product gets closer to the certification and shipping milestones.  I know this sounds a little like selling futures but as a person directly involved with the development, I know they will be very well received.


Some people note that schedule estimates for delivery have not been a strong suite of Avidyne in the past and that is a fair criticism.   However, this product line is so important to Avidyne corporate goals, that you can be 100% sure that getting to the certification and shipping dates remains top priority.

We clearly understand you have a choice and we believe with every fiber that your choice should be Avidyne.  We very much appreciate and thank everyone who makes that choice.


Steve Jacobson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2012 at 1:38pm
In the hopes of reducing (understandable) confusion in the customer community, R9.3 and SynVis is in the certification phase while R9.4 and the accompanying products (IFD540 and IFD440) is in the development phase.

These are two different teams and skill sets of folks involved with each with very little cross-over.

R9.3 remains our top certification priority (and is necessary for R9.4) while R9.4 remains our top development priority.

Also important to point out is that the IFD540 development and certification are prioritized over the IFD440.  We will not let any 440 development activity slow down the completion of the IFD540.

The wording differences may seem subtle but the reality is not.
Steve Jacobson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Victor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 2:31pm
Steve,

As you know, I have already ordered the IFD540 and am wondering is there any further discount for that loyalty resulting in a purchase of both units, as would be the case for others on the forum.  Also, I have a GNS480 installed, which is a superb unit.  The only reason I would swap it out is a concern that Garmin will one day pull complete support of the unit one day, rendering it an orphan.

Having said that - would much work be needed for a changeout and would the 480 antenna be suitable?

Am I correct in saying a 440 won't be on display at Oshkosh?

Thanks,

Victor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 3:38pm
Hi Victor,

Yes, there is a loyalty discount if you've already purchased one of the units.  The Avidyne Sales crew should have those details and I recommend contacting Jonathan Pelletier directly at 781 402 7520 or jpelletier@avidyne.com or his boss Jared Butson at jbutson@avidyne.com.

As for change out with the -480, if I recall, the connectors to the tray are different so at least some rewiring to create compatible connectors, and installation of a new tray would be required.   The deposit agreement that Jonathan can send has pricing for the tray kit as well.  When last I looked, the connector/backplate/tray kit was $500.   As for antennas, the answer is "it depends".  What antenna do you currently have?  You can either send me the antenna type/part or check the IFD440/540 FAQs on the AvidyneLive site for the list of antennas we know will work.

Yes, you are correct that no actual 440 will be on display at Oshkosh.  The 540 will be on display and aside from a smaller bezel and glass, it's the same unit.   Note that there are some bezel and glass differences between what we have at the trade shows and the actual units but it will give you a very good sense of the functionality and performance.

Steve
Steve Jacobson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Victor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jul 2012 at 10:57am
Steve,

I have been in email contact with Jonathan and was offered a further discount of $300.

I am sure the present antenna will suffice as this was required to be change a few years ago for 146 certification following a previous withdrawal re antenna legal issues.  I cannot recall the exact technical details.  Apart from that I will need another antenna as the IFD540 will use the present antenna.

On a totally separate issue, do you know if one of the plans for the PFD4000 development is to also have it operating in aircraft with a 14 volt electrical system?  Sorry to ask here, but I could not find another subject in the forum re the PFD4000.

Thanks for the info.

Victor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AviJake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jul 2012 at 8:21pm
Hi Victor,

Fingers crossed that your -480 antenna is on the compatible list.

As for the PFD4000, yes, when it is available, it will be capable of taking 14V input power.

Steve
Steve Jacobson
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