I think Garmin knows that they don't have to do anything. The need for new nav/coms in Europe will ensure that used panel mounted gps equipment hold its value. And to make sure they're not missing out, they also offer the GNC255A in addition, smoothly prices at ca 50% of a new GTN 650.
I like Avidyne stuff but we all know Garmin have won.
I wouldn't give up hope on Avidyne. Garmin are just too arrogant and it will bite them. For example they have the excellent GFC700 autopilot but don't bother offering it as a retro fit. Avidyne spent a long time working on its DFC90 which is very comparable and now have a good list of STCs. I'm getting one in June under an EASA STC.
And unless our legislator makes me kick out my perfectly good KX-155A for something 8.33kHz capable before the end of this year, I am looking at the IFD440. Way more capable than the GNS/GTN, a real FMS.
There is an Avidyne support forum and they are very responsive and open.
For example they have the excellent GFC700 autopilot but don't bother offering it as a retro fit. Avidyne spent a long time working on its DFC90 which is very comparable and now have a good list of STCs. I'm getting one in June under an EASA STC.
The stupid thing is that Honeywell had the KFC225 which in terms of accurate aircraft control is as good as anything anybody has ever made for GA. And it has ARINC429 roll steering, so you have everything which your GPS can do.
Honeywell screwed up the servos, but they could fix them in the time it takes to change about 5 component values in their parts list (so, maybe 5 months, at Honeywell?).
Honeywell also seemingly left a few bugs in the software (what I believe is the ultimate driver behind the servo burnouts) but they could fix that too.
Then they would have been 10 years ahead of everybody else!
Instead what we have is Garmin who are running a nice restrictive practice, we have "jam tomorrow" Avidyne, we have Aspen whose stuff runs so hot you could make coffee on it, and we have Aspen "partnering" with Honeywell to fix the KSN770 and other stuff (I guess Aspen brought a soldering with them to Olathe, to show the 2 still remaining Honeywell engineers how to do electronics).
Achima, you will love the DFC90. The IFD currently looks better than the 650 and I was originally going for it. However Garmin are introducing some very nice stuff in the next software round. Advanced FMS functionality I am told. The 650 also exists....
And to be clear I think Avidyne make good products and are super helpful. I just think Garmin seem to have won the battle for new aircraft fit outs.
