---------------------------------------------------------- RV8-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 08/04/04: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:24 AM - WTB rv-8 kit. (Doug Brinlee) 2. 02:51 PM - EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids (N8RV@gte.net) 3. 06:51 PM - Re: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids (David Schaefer) 4. 06:56 PM - Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS (jrstone) 5. 07:47 PM - Re: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS (Stein Bruch) 6. 07:53 PM - Re: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids (Stein Bruch) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:24:22 AM PST US From: "Doug Brinlee" Subject: RV8-List: WTB rv-8 kit. --> RV8-List message posted by: "Doug Brinlee" Please call or email... ph 405-206-6768 email abfbrinlee@att.net Kit for rv 8 wanted... will be in colorado springs area on vacation over weekend... so anything in the surrounding states would be of intrest.. Doug ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 02:51:42 PM PST US From: N8RV@gte.net "RV-8 List (Yahoo)" Subject: RV8-List: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids --> RV8-List message posted by: N8RV@gte.net Curious to hear opinions comparing the Dynon EFIS and the Grand Rapids Technologies EFIS. Has anyone done a side-by-side comparison with our particular planes in mind? Each seems like a nice unit. With any luck, I'll be making a decision in the next few months and would like to hear some opinions from those of you who have a knack with such gizmos. Thanks. -- Don N8RV ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:51:41 PM PST US From: "David Schaefer" Subject: RE: RV8-List: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids --> RV8-List message posted by: "David Schaefer" I have three of the Grand Rapids units and evaluated the Dynon. I chose Grand Rapids for the flexibility and future enhancements as well as the size of the box. Can't think of better folks to work with. Regards, David RV6-A Finishing -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of N8RV@gte.net Subject: RV8-List: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids --> RV8-List message posted by: N8RV@gte.net Curious to hear opinions comparing the Dynon EFIS and the Grand Rapids Technologies EFIS. Has anyone done a side-by-side comparison with our particular planes in mind? Each seems like a nice unit. With any luck, I'll be making a decision in the next few months and would like to hear some opinions from those of you who have a knack with such gizmos. Thanks. -- Don N8RV ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 06:56:32 PM PST US From: "jrstone" Subject: RV8-List: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS --> RV8-List message posted by: "jrstone" Hi all, Just got back from Oshkosh where I got a close look at the latest BMA EFIS one. I was very impressed with it and was comparing it to the GRI EFIS called the Horizon 1. I have followed BMA since they started up 4 years ago and was not overly impressed with them enough to spend big dollars on their product. I heard lots of promises and optimism, and unfortunately some gripes from unhappy customers. They (BMA) seem to have it together now, and they offer a much better product. I would like to hear of any dealings with these folks, good or bad, so that I might make a more informed decision. Some say getting the EFIS one up and running is a real bear, but BMA sez if you follow their guidelines, you won't have any problems. Thanks, Jim > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:47:07 PM PST US From: "Stein Bruch" Subject: RE: RV8-List: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS --> RV8-List message posted by: "Stein Bruch" Well, I don't have their unit flying in my plane, but here's an interesting recent fact (not rumor). We all know BMA had some significant growing problems and QC/QA issues with their early units. They then hired Malcom Thomson to run things and straighten them out. By all accounts things got better....now.... Malcom Thomson has resigned from BMA, and as of last week sold his own BMA system (HUGE double screen system with all bells & whistles) on EBAY. I see the selling price was a little over $12K. From what I know, this unit was to be installed in his Thunder Mustang, but I've since found out that he purchased on of the $24K Chelton systems to install (found this out from the president of Chelton last week, who has all sorts of things to say about BMA). You'll also notice that the owner of the company has installed a Jet Engine on his Cozy whilst running BMA, saw it at OSH and it was pretty neat (but a different focus than EFIS systems...)! At OSH I spent a good deal of time looking at their units, and had the opportunity to speak with several BMA customers who stopped by my booth. Instead of repeating things 3rd person, I'll just say the impression I got was not one of overwhelming satisfaction, whereas the response I got from the GRT customers was fairly very good. In the end, I think their units look pretty good, and I guess the company is getting better at support, etc.... Overall, based on my experiences last week, I think I'd lean towards the GRT stuff right now, but you still need to realize they have their own issues at the moment. Let's put it this way. Both of those companies pushed their EFIS products out to market before they were/are ready and are working the bugs out on customers. GRT is a top notch company with a great history in the Engine Monitor business, but have a little ways to go with their EIFS. When it's wrung out, it'll be top notch. I think Dynon was much better off waiting to ship units until they were ready. Anyway, BMA/GRT units are not in the same market as Dynon anyway, so I hope people don't go trying to compare them as apples to apples. Also, during my conversations with the guys at Chelton, I walked away actually impressed! There's no way I'll spend $24K on a system, but during the show they were packaging them with a Trutrak autopilot, and with that combination they are top of the pyramid in quality! Cheers, Stein Bruch RV6's, Minneapolis Do Not Archive -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of jrstone Subject: RV8-List: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS --> RV8-List message posted by: "jrstone" Hi all, Just got back from Oshkosh where I got a close look at the latest BMA EFIS one. I was very impressed with it and was comparing it to the GRI EFIS called the Horizon 1. I have followed BMA since they started up 4 years ago and was not overly impressed with them enough to spend big dollars on their product. I heard lots of promises and optimism, and unfortunately some gripes from unhappy customers. They (BMA) seem to have it together now, and they offer a much better product. I would like to hear of any dealings with these folks, good or bad, so that I might make a more informed decision. Some say getting the EFIS one up and running is a real bear, but BMA sez if you follow their guidelines, you won't have any problems. Thanks, Jim > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 07:53:04 PM PST US From: "Stein Bruch" Subject: RE: RV8-List: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids --> RV8-List message posted by: "Stein Bruch" This is one of those Apples & Oranges comparisions at the moment. GRT has a LOT more functionality at the moment, so you really can't do a "side by side". Now, guess what Dynon has in their "skunk works". A new "Big Screen" EFIS that will really kick butt. Also, they are working on their own autopilot, and the new Engine monitor is better than anything else I saw at OSH. I don't think anyone will compete for the price. That being said, they are still a different product for different markets. The Dynon stuff is all nearly 1/3 the cost of the GRT stuff, so you need to find out if the GRT stuff is worth triple the price at the moment. I do believe that once GRT gets all the kinks worked out of the system, they will have one really nice unit. Also, those guys are a really great company with a good history in the engine monitor market. Just an FYI, but the guys at Chelton are now offering their systems with the GRT EIS data box driving the Chelton engine monitor for the experimental market......but at a price of $24K (too rich for my blood), but I found out they've been selling like hotcakes, and even to some of the new RV-10 crowd! Just my 3 cents! Stein Bruch RV6's, Minneapolis do not archive - this stuff will all be outdated in 6 months -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of N8RV@gte.net Subject: RV8-List: EFIS: Dynon vs Grand Rapids --> RV8-List message posted by: N8RV@gte.net Curious to hear opinions comparing the Dynon EFIS and the Grand Rapids Technologies EFIS. Has anyone done a side-by-side comparison with our particular planes in mind? Each seems like a nice unit. With any luck, I'll be making a decision in the next few months and would like to hear some opinions from those of you who have a knack with such gizmos. Thanks. -- Don N8RV