AV8OR

[Bravo Two Zero]

Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Bravo Two Zero" > wrote

> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?

What?

[Rocky Stevens]

On Aug 9, 2:32 am, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?

A long thread about it here: http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=45178

[john smith]

In article >,
"Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:

> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?

I saw it at OSH.
Form factor is nice, the screen is bright.
It is very "iPhone-like" in appearance and operation.
It is a "add-on" device.
You start with the basic GPS/MP3/MP4 device for $650.
Want weather? For $600+ you can purchase the additional hardware.
I think you will be able to develop additional programs to download and
run on it.
Will there be a "King Store" to buy additional software or will someone
"jail-break" the AV8OR so you can load your own?

[Kyle Boatright]

"Rocky Stevens" > wrote in message
...
> On Aug 9, 2:32 am, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
>> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?
>
> A long thread about it here: http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=45178

I post under RVDriver in that forum. I got my RV80R at Oshkosh Monday a
week ago. In summary, the unit works well as a stand alone GPS, and after
some back and forth with Bendix/King and WxWorx, my XM weather is working
now.

The plusses of the unit:
- The price is right for a GPS with XM capability.
- You have a lot of ability to customize the display.
- The interface is intuitive.
- It picks up satellites very quickly.

The minuses:
- It comes with a CD not a manual. The CD ain't so handy when trying to
figure something out either in the airplane or in the car. Basically, you
have to have a PC with you anytime you want to refer to the "manual".
- The screen brightness is marginal. In full sunlight under my airplane's
bubble canopy, it is a struggle. Comparing the spec's of the AV8OR and the
Garmin 396, the screen brightness is very similar, for what that's worth.
- The arrangement of the cords is poor. It should have been designed with
all of the cords plugging into one side, preferably with 90 degree
connectors to keep the footprint down. Instead, the three cords that plug
into the AV8OR (GPS, Power, and XM) each plug into a different side, making
the overall footprint much larger than necessary and making wire bundling an
issue. I switched my unit to the bluetooth option to eliminate one of the
cords.
- The supplied battery has a very short life. Maybe 1.5 hours. You'll
need a 12v outlet in the airplane to get much use from this unit.

[Bravo Two Zero]

Thanks, my company is going to offer a discount on it from 8/15 for
employees and I just wanted to hear from people who have seen it first hand,
before I make a decision


"Kyle Boatright" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Rocky Stevens" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Aug 9, 2:32 am, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
>>> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?
>>
>> A long thread about it here:
>> http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=45178
>
> I post under RVDriver in that forum. I got my RV80R at Oshkosh Monday a
> week ago. In summary, the unit works well as a stand alone GPS, and after
> some back and forth with Bendix/King and WxWorx, my XM weather is working
> now.
>
> The plusses of the unit:
> - The price is right for a GPS with XM capability.
> - You have a lot of ability to customize the display.
> - The interface is intuitive.
> - It picks up satellites very quickly.
>
> The minuses:
> - It comes with a CD not a manual. The CD ain't so handy when trying to
> figure something out either in the airplane or in the car. Basically, you
> have to have a PC with you anytime you want to refer to the "manual".
> - The screen brightness is marginal. In full sunlight under my
> airplane's bubble canopy, it is a struggle. Comparing the spec's of the
> AV8OR and the Garmin 396, the screen brightness is very similar, for what
> that's worth.
> - The arrangement of the cords is poor. It should have been designed with
> all of the cords plugging into one side, preferably with 90 degree
> connectors to keep the footprint down. Instead, the three cords that plug
> into the AV8OR (GPS, Power, and XM) each plug into a different side,
> making the overall footprint much larger than necessary and making wire
> bundling an issue. I switched my unit to the bluetooth option to
> eliminate one of the cords.
> - The supplied battery has a very short life. Maybe 1.5 hours. You'll
> need a 12v outlet in the airplane to get much use from this unit.

[Blueskies]

"Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message ...
> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?
>

I sure liked what I saw at OSH. I have a Lowrance 2000c already so I had to defer the purchase, but I would have bought
one there and then...

[Gig 601Xl Builder]

One thing I've not been able to tell from any of the reviews or the
AV8OR web site. Can units that get their XM WX via WxWorx provide the XM
Radio channels like the Garmin 396/496?

[More_Flaps]

On Aug 10, 3:10*am, "Kyle Boatright" > wrote:
> "Rocky Stevens" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > On Aug 9, 2:32 am, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
> >> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?
>
> > A long thread about it here:http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=45178
>
> I post under RVDriver in that forum. *I got my RV80R at Oshkosh Monday a
> week ago. *In summary, the unit works well as a stand alone GPS, and after
> some back and forth with Bendix/King and WxWorx, my XM weather is working
> now.
>
> The plusses of the unit:
> - The price is right for a GPS with XM capability.
> - You have a lot of ability to customize the display.
> - The interface is intuitive.
> - It picks up satellites very quickly.
>
> The minuses:
> - *It comes with a CD not a manual. *The CD ain't so handy when trying to
> figure something out either in the airplane or in the car. *Basically, you
> have to have a PC with you anytime you want to refer to the "manual".


You could print relevant bits of it...

Cheers

[Kyle Boatright]

"More_Flaps" > wrote in message
...
On Aug 10, 3:10 am, "Kyle Boatright" > wrote:
> "Rocky Stevens" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > On Aug 9, 2:32 am, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
> >> Any comments yet on the AV8OR ?
>
> > A long thread about it
> > here:http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=45178
>
> I post under RVDriver in that forum. I got my RV80R at Oshkosh Monday a
> week ago. In summary, the unit works well as a stand alone GPS, and after
> some back and forth with Bendix/King and WxWorx, my XM weather is working
> now.
>
> The plusses of the unit:
> - The price is right for a GPS with XM capability.
> - You have a lot of ability to customize the display.
> - The interface is intuitive.
> - It picks up satellites very quickly.
>
> The minuses:
> - It comes with a CD not a manual. The CD ain't so handy when trying to
> figure something out either in the airplane or in the car. Basically, you
> have to have a PC with you anytime you want to refer to the "manual".


<<You could print relevant bits of it...

<<Cheers

It's 300 pages long and inevitably, whatever sections you print out won't be
the ones you need.

KB

[Dave[_5_]]

On Aug 11, 9:41*am, Gig 601Xl Builder >
wrote:
> One thing I've not been able to tell from any of the reviews or the
> AV8OR web site. Can units that get their XM WX via WxWorx provide the XM
> * Radio channels like the Garmin 396/496?

The answer to that question is, unfortunately, NO (it's in the FAQs
somewhere).

Dave

[Kyle Boatright]

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
On Aug 11, 9:41 am, Gig 601Xl Builder >
wrote:
>> One thing I've not been able to tell from any of the reviews or the
>> AV8OR web site. Can units that get their XM WX via WxWorx provide the XM
>> Radio channels like the Garmin 396/496?
>
>The answer to that question is, unfortunately, NO (it's in the FAQs
>somewhere).

>Dave

There are hints all over the place that Bendix/King has numerous upgrades
planned for this platform. One of the obvious ones would be an E6B (as was
pointed out to me on another forum) function. Another would be XM radio.
For the experimental folks (like me), it would be nice if the unit provided
data to run a wing leveler. In the experimental world, there are several
$2k wing levelers that do an outstanding job of following a GPS course. All
they need is a signal...

KB

[Gig 601Xl Builder]

Kyle Boatright wrote:
>
> "Dave" > wrote in message
> ...
> On Aug 11, 9:41 am, Gig 601Xl Builder >
> wrote:
>>> One thing I've not been able to tell from any of the reviews or the
>>> AV8OR web site. Can units that get their XM WX via WxWorx provide the XM
>>> Radio channels like the Garmin 396/496?
>>
>> The answer to that question is, unfortunately, NO (it's in the FAQs
>> somewhere).
>
>> Dave
>
> There are hints all over the place that Bendix/King has numerous
> upgrades planned for this platform. One of the obvious ones would be an
> E6B (as was pointed out to me on another forum) function. Another would
> be XM radio. For the experimental folks (like me), it would be nice if
> the unit provided data to run a wing leveler. In the experimental
> world, there are several $2k wing levelers that do an outstanding job of
> following a GPS course. All they need is a signal...
>
> KB

The lack of ability to drive something like the Trio wing leveler and
lack of XM weather explains why the AV8OR is so much cheaper than the
3/496. Sure there may be updates in the future but once they are in how
much will they cost? Probably about the same as the Garmin units.

It's not like Bendix/King is known for low cost avionics.

[Kyle Boatright]

"Gig 601Xl Builder" > wrote in message
m...
> Kyle Boatright wrote:
>>
>> "Dave" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> On Aug 11, 9:41 am, Gig 601Xl Builder >
>> wrote:
>>>> One thing I've not been able to tell from any of the reviews or the
>>>> AV8OR web site. Can units that get their XM WX via WxWorx provide the
>>>> XM
>>>> Radio channels like the Garmin 396/496?
>>>
>>> The answer to that question is, unfortunately, NO (it's in the FAQs
>>> somewhere).
>>
>>> Dave
>>
>> There are hints all over the place that Bendix/King has numerous upgrades
>> planned for this platform. One of the obvious ones would be an E6B (as
>> was pointed out to me on another forum) function. Another would be XM
>> radio. For the experimental folks (like me), it would be nice if the unit
>> provided data to run a wing leveler. In the experimental world, there
>> are several $2k wing levelers that do an outstanding job of following a
>> GPS course. All they need is a signal...
>>
>> KB
>
> The lack of ability to drive something like the Trio wing leveler and lack
> of XM weather explains why the AV8OR is so much cheaper than the 3/496.

I think it is a stretch to claim that GPS data output is a cost driver. The
ability to drive a wing leveler has been available for a long time in <$300
GPS units, such as the Lowrance Airmap 100 I've been using for nearly 8
years. This tells me that capability doesn't add any meaningful cost. That
being said, if the AV8OR doesn't have the onboard hardware to pass the data,
it is a moot point, and I have no idea if it does or not...

As far as XM goes, it is an availible upgrade for about $400. That puts the
total system cost at, what, $650 under the price of a 396?

> Sure there may be updates in the future but once they are in how much will
> they cost? Probably about the same as the Garmin units.

Software updates will allegedly be free. Database updates on the other
hand...

>
> It's not like Bendix/King is known for low cost avionics.

I'm not aware of any low cost avionics providers. ;-)

KB

[Gig 601Xl Builder]

Kyle Boatright wrote:

> As far as XM goes, it is an availible upgrade for about $400. That puts
> the total system cost at, what, $650 under the price of a 396?

That was the question I asked and was told that the XM that is available
on the AV8OR had from WxWorx doesn't have the XM entertainment programs
that the 3/496 have.


>>
>> It's not like Bendix/King is known for low cost avionics.
>
> I'm not aware of any low cost avionics providers. ;-)
>

My use of the term "low cost" was meant to be relative. King has been
know to be expensive in a market where the cheap stuff is expensive.

[cwby-flyer]

On Aug 12, 5:30*pm, "Kyle Boatright" > wrote:
> "Gig 601Xl Builder" > wrote in messagenews:kPCdnbkPoJoPEDzVnZ2dnUVZ_rzinZ2d@super news.com...
>
> As far as XM goes, it is an availible upgrade for about $400. That puts the
> total system cost at, what, $650 under the price of a 396?
>

Even though you can get XM weather, the unit does not display TFRs
like everyone else - big deal breaker IMHO. Also, the AV8OR doesn't
show all of the products like Garmin/AnywhereMap/etc.

Mike

[Bravo Two Zero]

I just placed my order for one @ $399.99 - it is 4 to 6 weeks delivery time
but for that price, I can wait.


"cwby-flyer" > wrote in message
...
On Aug 12, 5:30 pm, "Kyle Boatright" > wrote:
> "Gig 601Xl Builder" > wrote in
> messagenews:kPCdnbkPoJoPEDzVnZ2dnUVZ_rzinZ2d@super news.com...
>
> As far as XM goes, it is an availible upgrade for about $400. That puts
> the
> total system cost at, what, $650 under the price of a 396?
>

Even though you can get XM weather, the unit does not display TFRs
like everyone else - big deal breaker IMHO. Also, the AV8OR doesn't
show all of the products like Garmin/AnywhereMap/etc.

Mike

[Bravo Two Zero]

Forgot as well, $36 for the extended life battery

"Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
...
>I just placed my order for one @ $399.99 - it is 4 to 6 weeks delivery time
>but for that price, I can wait.
>
>
> "cwby-flyer" > wrote in message
> ...
> On Aug 12, 5:30 pm, "Kyle Boatright" > wrote:
>> "Gig 601Xl Builder" > wrote in
>> messagenews:kPCdnbkPoJoPEDzVnZ2dnUVZ_rzinZ2d@super news.com...
>>
>> As far as XM goes, it is an availible upgrade for about $400. That puts
>> the
>> total system cost at, what, $650 under the price of a 396?
>>
>
> Even though you can get XM weather, the unit does not display TFRs
> like everyone else - big deal breaker IMHO. Also, the AV8OR doesn't
> show all of the products like Garmin/AnywhereMap/etc.
>
> Mike
>

[Blueskies]

"Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message ...
> Forgot as well, $36 for the extended life battery
>
> "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I just placed my order for one @ $399.99 - it is 4 to 6 weeks delivery time
>>but for that price, I can wait.
>>


Where?

[Bravo Two Zero]

"Blueskies" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Forgot as well, $36 for the extended life battery
>>
>> "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I just placed my order for one @ $399.99 - it is 4 to 6 weeks delivery
>>>time but for that price, I can wait.
>>>
>
>
> Where?

Special price for Honeywell Employees, limit 3.

[[email protected]]

On Aug 17, 3:51*pm, "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote:
> "Blueskies" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Forgot as well, $36 for the extended life battery
>
> >> "Bravo Two Zero" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>I just placed my order for one @ $399.99 - it is 4 to 6 weeks delivery
> >>>time but for that price, I can wait.
>
> > Where?
>
> Special price for Honeywell Employees, limit 3.

This is an incredible advancement in handheld gps technology. Try to
get your hands on a demo... you won't want to let go. Here is an easy
link for more product details. http://www.av8or.com