Author: oskrypuch
Subject: Why choose the IFD540?
Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 12:54pm
Both G and A provide a GPS/COM/NAV. But looking past the basics, there are some pretty compelling differences. The GTNs take a big step forward from the GNSs, but it is also pretty clear to me that the IFDs (when released) will be another good step forward from the GTNs.
The IFDs have a design that is born of an FMS construct, and that is something that I am very much in tune with. Much of the code is just moved over from their Release 9 panels.
There is a much improved vertical navigation capability. You can program in multiple altitude restrictions in the flight plan.
Together with this, it has the "Boeing Banana", an extremely powerful feature in the descent and climb, dynamically draws a 20 deg arc predictor of where you will cross the next altitude restriction based on your current VS.
The IFD440 has all of the features of the IFD540, except of course the screen size (and features directly limited by screen size). This is unlike the 650/750 pair, a number of 750 features are omitted on the 650.
All of the below features are available on the IFDs, but NOT available in the GTNs.
(*) Two of the above features are sort of available in the 750, it has auto-ID for NAV freq, and has a full screen keyboard, although it is ABCD rather than QWERTY.
Edited by oskrypuch - 17 hours 52 minutes ago at 1:08pm
Subject: Why choose the IFD540?
Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 12:54pm
Both G and A provide a GPS/COM/NAV. But looking past the basics, there are some pretty compelling differences. The GTNs take a big step forward from the GNSs, but it is also pretty clear to me that the IFDs (when released) will be another good step forward from the GTNs.
The IFDs have a design that is born of an FMS construct, and that is something that I am very much in tune with. Much of the code is just moved over from their Release 9 panels.
There is a much improved vertical navigation capability. You can program in multiple altitude restrictions in the flight plan.
Together with this, it has the "Boeing Banana", an extremely powerful feature in the descent and climb, dynamically draws a 20 deg arc predictor of where you will cross the next altitude restriction based on your current VS.
The IFD440 has all of the features of the IFD540, except of course the screen size (and features directly limited by screen size). This is unlike the 650/750 pair, a number of 750 features are omitted on the 650.
All of the below features are available on the IFDs, but NOT available in the GTNs.
- Size and pin compatible with a 430W (or 530W respectively) install, when upgrading you literally pull out the GNS and slide in the IFD.
- Capacitive touchscreen, but also including multi-touch features like pinch to zoom.
- Not locked to the touchscreen, knobs and buttons for most functions, more turbulence proof.
- Graphical Airway flightplan building
- Geofill - finds waypoints close to your location (or flightplan end) to fill in, as you input, usually only need a couple of characters specified
- On Screen Procedure Preview, before entry into a flightplan
- Custom Holds at any point, user configured, with automatic entry calculation
- Rubberband flight plan planning
- heading mode (in addition to LOC & GPS), to hold a heading to an intercept of an approach or airway
- Textual COM station identification (from the database)
- Textual VOR station identification (from Morse), with automated NAV tuning (*)
- Touchscreen full QWERTY keyboard, instead of the linear panning keyboard (*)
(*) Two of the above features are sort of available in the 750, it has auto-ID for NAV freq, and has a full screen keyboard, although it is ABCD rather than QWERTY.
The street price of the GTN750 and IFD540 will likely be very similar. Based on the list prices, the IFD440 will probably be more expensive than the GTN650, but remember that the IFD440 has most all of the features of the IFD540, just has a smaller screen. The GTN650 loses a lot of cool stuff (even auto-ID) compared to the GTN750.
The other really BIG thing, more recently announced, is a commitment to CAPSTONE format data interchange. That means you will have no trouble moving ADS-B weather data to your IFD (or ASPEN), from other units that support CAPSTONE, like the new low-cost ASPEN ADS-B boxes. Garmin is currently using a proprietary format. You can't get Garmin ADS-B weather to display on an ASPEN display, nor an IFD, at present.
Reportedly there are other features that are being kept quiet until the units are released, for competitive reasons.
The other really BIG thing, more recently announced, is a commitment to CAPSTONE format data interchange. That means you will have no trouble moving ADS-B weather data to your IFD (or ASPEN), from other units that support CAPSTONE, like the new low-cost ASPEN ADS-B boxes. Garmin is currently using a proprietary format. You can't get Garmin ADS-B weather to display on an ASPEN display, nor an IFD, at present.
Reportedly there are other features that are being kept quiet until the units are released, for competitive reasons.
* Orest
(sorry if I upstaged any Avidyne reps here, I've been studying the matter)
Edited by oskrypuch - 17 hours 52 minutes ago at 1:08pm