Advanced flight systems vs garmin

4RNB

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I’m looking at a used plane. I have garmin stuff in my current plane. How easy would a transition to advanced 5600 series equipment be?
How easy is it to update databases?
Is there a database update fee or might I really be free of all these garmin subscriptions?
What is different/similar/good/bad?
Thanks
 
Hopefully, someone with experience will answer your questions about database, etc. I’ve seen the Advanced system (seems very similar to Dynon) but it is one of the systems I have not flown with. I think your database question depends on whether your use is VFR or IFR - it appears they use Jepp for IFR data - you might miss paying for Garmin.

But your first question is easy. It depends :D I do a lot of avionics transition training with owners. You haven’t mentioned what you have flown before (“Garmin stuff” is a pretty broad category; could be a 430 with analog gauges or full glass Perspective). The ease or difficulty of transition is very personalized. Some people see similarities and can focus on what they see as a few differences. Others see huge differences and barely recognize the similarities.
 
Hopefully, someone with experience will answer your questions about database, etc. I’ve seen the Advanced system (seems very similar to Dynon) but it is one of the systems I have not flown with. I think your database question depends on whether your use is VFR or IFR - it appears they use Jepp for IFR data - you might miss paying for Garmin.

But your first question is easy. It depends :D I do a lot of avionics transition training with owners. You haven’t mentioned what you have flown before (“Garmin stuff” is a pretty broad category; could be a 430 with analog gauges or full glass Perspective). The ease or difficulty of transition is very personalized. Some people see similarities and can focus on what they see as a few differences. Others see huge differences and barely recognize the similarities.
My batd sim uses g1000 ish stuff
I am now g3x, 750xi, 500ap.
 
I have flown the AFS system a lot. It is an excellent system and extremely capable. Navdata and Obstacles are free and are easy to download and install. If you want approach plates, sectional charts and airport diagrams, you will pay $50-120/year. Your navigator will just need the IFR Navdata, which should cost $299/year through Jeppesen or Garmin, depending on what navigator you have.

The AFS user interface is very unlike the Dynon, but most of the hidden components are Dynon.
 
Interesting.

Also sounds like a similar navdata and basic chart subscription model as Dynon.
It’s because initially both systems were developed by separate companies. Then a few years ago Dynon acquired AFS but kept producing both systems (sorta like Garmin did with the Apollo radios).

For the OP, it’s kinda a Ford Chevy debate. All 3 (Garmin, Dyson, and AFS) are good systems. There are symbology and operating logic differences between them all but nothing insurmountable and certainly switching from one to the other isn’t like going from steam to glass. That said some time needs to be spent hangar flying the systems before launching beyond the pattern, especially IFR.
 
I have flown the AFS system a lot. It is an excellent system and extremely capable. Navdata and Obstacles are free and are easy to download and install. If you want approach plates, sectional charts and airport diagrams, you will pay $50-120/year. Your navigator will just need the IFR Navdata, which should cost $299/year through Jeppesen or Garmin, depending on what navigator you have.

The AFS user interface is very unlike the Dynon, but most of the hidden components are Dynon.
Sounds much cheaper than my current packages with garmin on my g3x and 750!
 
While older, here’s a decent video on the AFS.


As someone who’s gone back and forth between D, G, and Aspens, driven by 430s, 530s, and GTNs, I’m less hesitant to hop in and go when it comes to VFR ops.

From a flying in IFR perspective, I limit myself to the system I know best and find easiest to use, which is 2x G5s with a GTN650. Admittedly, the navigator drives a lot of my perspective, but there can be some nasty gotchas on the PFD if there’s
not recency for me.
 
The AFS user interface is very unlike the Dynon, but most of the hidden components are Dynon.
Wondering if Dynon will slowly try to eliminate the differences between the AFS user interface and eventually close the AFS line to have only Dynon. Just seems more efficient/profitable in the long run.
Or are they still producing new AFS systems?
 
Wondering if Dynon will slowly try to eliminate the differences between the AFS user interface and eventually close the AFS line to have only Dynon. Just seems more efficient/profitable in the long run.
Or are they still producing new AFS systems?
Still new for experimentals
 
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