Aspen E5 arrived! Unboxing photos and info

Lynn Dixon

Lynn Dixon

Pre-takeoff checklist
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May 12, 2018
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Chattanooga, TN.
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CubedRoot
My Aspen E5 has FINALLY arrived! I spoke to my shop, and hopefully we'll get in the shop by the end of February to do the install. I am REALLY looking forward to the TruTrak integration as soon as TruTrak gets their firmware released.

Here's some photos I snapped of the unit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9EL7nniQdotZzwRj9

I have also confirmed that the RSM that ships is the version WITHOUT the GPS antenna, BUT, my shop has confirmed that the RSM cable is the same for all versions of the RSM. So. when the time comes to upgrade to the ProMax, its a simple change of the RSM (which has a pigtail on it), and no need to re-pull the cabling from the panel.

I'll ty to keep this top thread updated with relevant information.

Click here for the Aspen E5 Pilot Guide

Click here for the Aspen E5 Installation Manual
 
Mmmm.....porn.

Not as exciting for some as a new iGadget box opening, but appreciated. I'm much more interested in your pirep after flying behind it for a while. And maybe any lessons learned from the install.
 
Nice. This and the TruTrak will hopefully be a solid combo.
 
Thanks for the info and links..I've got an Avidyne 440 and TruTrak sitting on shelf at Avionics shop awaiting arrival of Aspen E5. You're the first post I've seen with someone actually getting one. Good luck with the unit!
 
I took a quick and crude video of the unboxing:


I'm no videographer...so please feel free to poke fun of my video skills :)
 
Lynn Dixon said:
I took a quick and crude video of the unboxing:


I'm no videographer...so please feel free to poke fun of my video skills :)
Click to expand...

Video may be fine, but the subject matter: unboxing?? If you want to make interesting video, then record the highlights of the installation.


Tom
 
Lynn Dixon said:
I took a quick and crude video of the unboxing:


I'm no videographer...so please feel free to poke fun of my video skills :)
Click to expand...

Well done. U said u were VFR for now....the aspen (along with your autopilot) will motivate u to get your IR. Trust me lol.
 
I've never been impressed with Garmin's packaging of expensive radios and it looks like Aspen is about the same, maybe slightly better.
 
Installation hasn't happened yet. I am booked to get the airplane in the shop hopefully next week sometime, if weather permits. I still don't think TruTrak will have their autopilot firmware released by that time unfortunately, so it'll probably have to go back in the shop to have the TruTrak Vizion control head removed and sent off for the firmware upgrade.
 
Lynn Dixon said:
Installation hasn't happened yet. I am booked to get the airplane in the shop hopefully next week sometime, if weather permits. I still don't think TruTrak will have their autopilot firmware released by that time unfortunately, so it'll probably have to go back in the shop to have the TruTrak Vizion control head removed and sent off for the firmware upgrade.
Click to expand...

I know how you feel...I haven't had anything installed yet and I'll have to have the Trutrak/Aspen update as well as a new software update for the IFD440 at some point in the future. I had spoken to TT back in October and they have an Aspen installed in their RV that they were working with. Given that they touted this at SuNFun last April was hoping it would have been a done deal by now.
 
Flybuddy said:
I know how you feel...I haven't had anything installed yet and I'll have to have the Trutrak/Aspen update as well as a new software update for the IFD440 at some point in the future. I had spoken to TT back in October and they have an Aspen installed in their RV that they were working with. Given that they touted this at SuNFun last April was hoping it would have been a done deal by now.
Click to expand...

I talked to TruTrak last week. They were waiting on the E5 to get finalized, so they could finish up their firmware to support it. They had the firmware completed, and all the supporting documentation sent in to the FAA for approvals BEFORE the stupid shutdown occurred. When I talked to them last week, they were still waiting to hear back from the FAA on approvals for the update. In addition, the guy was telling me that had STACKS and STACKS of units ready to ship for the 182 and PA28's that were also waiting on the FAA approval paperwork.

So, I don't think the delay is the fault of any one company. I understand why TruTrak wanted to wait until the E5 was out the door so they could be 100% the firmware would work with the units, and they are caught in a predicament due to the shutdown that backlogged a bunch of stuff. Hopefully we'll see the update soon.
 
Lynn Dixon said:
I talked to TruTrak last week. They were waiting on the E5 to get finalized, so they could finish up their firmware to support it. They had the firmware completed, and all the supporting documentation sent in to the FAA for approvals BEFORE the stupid shutdown occurred. When I talked to them last week, they were still waiting to hear back from the FAA on approvals for the update. In addition, the guy was telling me that had STACKS and STACKS of units ready to ship for the 182 and PA28's that were also waiting on the FAA approval paperwork.

So, I don't think the delay is the fault of any one company. I understand why TruTrak wanted to wait until the E5 was out the door so they could be 100% the firmware would work with the units, and they are caught in a predicament due to the shutdown that backlogged a bunch of stuff. Hopefully we'll see the update soon.
Click to expand...

Thx much! good info
 
bnt83 said:
I've never been impressed with Garmin's packaging of expensive radios and it looks like Aspen is about the same, maybe slightly better.
Click to expand...

Garmin probably doesn't bother to do anything fancy, since the dealers are going to be the ones unboxing it in most cases.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Garmin probably doesn't bother to do anything fancy, since the dealers are going to be the ones unboxing it in most cases.
Click to expand...

True. This isn't like an iPhone or MacBook where the unboxing is part of the experience for a lot of people and you begin to use it immediately. Most of the time like you said the dealer is going to be the one opening it.
 
Flybuddy said:
Thanks for the info and links..I've got an Avidyne 440 and TruTrak sitting on shelf at Avionics shop awaiting arrival of Aspen E5. You're the first post I've seen with someone actually getting one. Good luck with the unit!
Click to expand...


This is my dream combo... The 440 will have to wait for more budget $$$ but the Aspen is in the plan….

Cap
 
Lynn Dixon said:
I talked to TruTrak last week. They were waiting on the E5 to get finalized, so they could finish up their firmware to support it. They had the firmware completed, and all the supporting documentation sent in to the FAA for approvals BEFORE the stupid shutdown occurred. When I talked to them last week, they were still waiting to hear back from the FAA on approvals for the update. In addition, the guy was telling me that had STACKS and STACKS of units ready to ship for the 182 and PA28's that were also waiting on the FAA approval paperwork.

So, I don't think the delay is the fault of any one company. I understand why TruTrak wanted to wait until the E5 was out the door so they could be 100% the firmware would work with the units, and they are caught in a predicament due to the shutdown that backlogged a bunch of stuff. Hopefully we'll see the update soon.
Click to expand...


In dealing with TruTrak, I have noticed that they are willing to (albeit reluctantly) put the brakes on if needed to be ABSOLUTELY SURE that all the planets are in order before they ship product.. They will probably acquire a "production" E5 to test to be sure... Things have a way of changing early in the life of a new product.. There is no test bed like getting a few hundred into the hands of the customers... :)

I hear from another that they have boxes lining the hallways ready to ship to the 182 and 6 guys. Must be frustrating … and expensive… :(

Cap
 
Dropped my airplane off to have the E5 installed. Hopefully they'll be done in a few weeks since I am getting a bunch of other panel work done at the same time.
 
Lynn Dixon said:
Dropped my airplane off to have the E5 installed. Hopefully they'll be done in a few weeks since I am getting a bunch of other panel work done at the same time.
Click to expand...

Just dropped my Archer off today also for E5 install as well as TT A/P and Avidyne IFD440. Good luck with yours
 
Flybuddy said:
Just dropped my Archer off today also for E5 install as well as TT A/P and Avidyne IFD440. Good luck with yours
Click to expand...

Heck yeah man! Lets hope that TruTrak gets the firmware update available before our planes are finished up. I can tell you that you're gonna love the setup. I have a TruTrak and an IFD540 in mine, and both are fantastic bits of equipment.

If you have an iPad, download Avidynes free IFD simulator. Its a great training tool. In addition, the IFD100 app is another great tool as it essentially gives you second display for your IFD.
 
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