I knew going in there would be some teething problems (I was told I got one of the first 200 units installed). The company did delay delivery after their initial product announcement. I optimisticaly expected that time was used to refine the product prior to release and were given assurances by the company that was the case. Up to this point the company had been willing to address the issues identified in the field with a "we'll make it right" attitude. With this latest issue I get the impression they now are taking a different approach, one which will erode customer loyalty (at least mine). In my opinion the failures I've experienced, including this latest one, are directly related to design and construction, not end use, which indicates the item is still in development and for which the company should be responsible for correcting, not the end user. It shouldn't take 5 units in 4 years to arrive at a long term solution.
Actually, I would say that at 5 years in the field, the unit is probably still in development for "getting it right." You're talking about a new unit by a new company, whereas Henning's Garmin cost more, but Garmin's been doing this stuff for a lot longer with many more units and therefore much more time in service.
Part of the reason why I'm comfortable adopting at this point in time is that, after ~5 years, I'd expect them to probably have most of the initial issues out. Your hobbs time with your units indicates that is probably true. And clearly not all units and installations have issues, given the experience of my friends.
I can't blame Aspen for their current attitude. I agree that it will erode customer loyalty, especially with the early adopters like you who have suffered through a lot with it. However, they have to keep their doors open.
I wouldn't guarantee more recently acquired units are exempt from this latest problem (the indicated airspeed at rest).
It would be interesting to see what happens with that. Mine indicates 0 at 0.
Sure the replacement costs are not enormous, but I spend at least an additional 3 hrs flight time and $250 in fuel costs, plus a day downtime for a shop visit to get each problem resolved (and in my situation a replacement unit takes two trips to the shop). That adds up over time and for a retail customer it is quite burdensome.
Absolutely. For me to go back to the avionics shop that installed mine is 4 hours round trip, so figure $1200 for fuel and maintenance costs, unless I can tie it in with a trip in that direction.
The acquisition cost for the Aspen was lower relative to other offerings of similar capability, but they weren't exactly giving the units away either.
While that is true, we evaluated the various options when we chose the options. To get the AI and HSI overhauled would end up costing probably about the same as it would cost to purchase the Aspen. In aviation money, it's pretty darn cheap.
In fairness, most of the problems identified with my Aspen unit have been discoverd on the ground. I did have an earlier unit black out in flight, but with at least 2 levels of redundacy on my panel for airspeed, altitude, and heading the impact was minimal (one of reasons I had less concern about being an early adopter). I don't know if I could say that for a less well equipped airplane.
I always believe redundancy is important (hence my preference in aircraft). The 310 has enough redundancy that I'm not worried about the Aspen going out. I'll still be able to complete my trip just fine.
As far as hiding problems affecting re-sale value, I think that is dishonest and would rather accept the consequences of full disclosure. I can only discuss my own belief. Others may have adifferent opinion. I would not knowingly sell something that was misrepresented. A wink and a nod does not get problems fixed nor does it protect one from the consequences of failure.
Agreed fully.
Good luck with your installation, Ted. I'd like to see in person one day. It is a useful device in flight. I sincerely hope you do not have a similiar experience. I do know I'm not alone in mine. Maybe my expectations were set too high.
I'm sure you'll see it in person at some point, Steve. I don't intend on that plane going away anytime soon.
These sorts of things are difficult to deal with. We want new technology, but the costs of it include us being beta testers. Having seen the OEM side, it is quite literally impossible to replicate the millions of hours of testing by the end users that have allowed products to improve in our industry over the course of decades. Although I personally like steam gauges for a lot of reasons, the reality is that glass is the way of the future. As we are still in its early years relatively speaking, we can expect more growing pains. I can't speak for Aspen, but I know that in my OEM experience, every effort is made to make a quality product. But there is only so much you can do.
