Rainier Lamers
Well Known Member
This thread is in response to a question on another thread.
How do EFIS systems from various vendors differ ? Why do some not directly compete ?
OK, this is dangerous for me to answer since I am a vendor. This makes my answer immediately suspect. For this reason I will not mention any vendor names or products, not even ours and only talk in general terms (you can put 2+2 together anyway).
I stated that some systems do not directly compete with each other. This is quite true once you start looking at detail. This does not mean one system is better than another system - they are just different. So what differences am I talking about ?
The obvious difference lies in the functions the EFIS offers and how this is presented. This makes an immediate distinction. For example, some EFIS systems are flexible to the extreme while others offer a relatively fixed set of functions in a fixed way.
The flexible system is great if you like to tinker, understand more than the average about what you want from an EFIS and have great fun "doing your own thing". Such a system is a bonus for oddball and unusual applications but can also be nice if you like this kind of thing.
However - this is not everybody's cup of tea. Many systems are pretty much "cut a hole, fit and forget". There is little to setup or change to make the system work - it's like buying a street navigator GPS - it does what it it supposed to do and that is that.
So which is better ? No - that cannot be answered. It depends on what you want or need. Don't buy a super system that is very complex and above your means or knowledge to handle. If you can't copy files on a PC or have trouble using a computer mouse - you are much better off buying a system that is pretty much fixed.
If you want to compare, look to see what basic functions the system offers and which of those you need and which of those you could not care less about.
Some systems offer very few functions and cannot really be called an EFIS - they are really a replacement for a six-pack. If that is all you need - then that is exactly what you should get.
Some systems are very complete but can overwhelm you with options and obscure functions. In many cases you may not need some of these functions.
Then there is the ergonomic aspect - a simple system with few functions needs little interaction in flight or otherwise so a couple of buttons are just fine. If a system has only limited user interfaces but a huge amount of sophisticated functions - that presents a problem, you end up having to navigate endless menu levels. For this you need lots of controls and buttons or else it becomes a pain and is near unusable in flight.
If you are in the market for an EFIS, it is not a difficult choice to make. Yes, of course cost comes into it.
Make yourself a list of functions that you need (from PFD to navigation to engine monitoring to additional "nice to haves" like video overlays etc).
If you do not need something, do not add it to the list.
Once you have this list - start your research. Get info from the vendors, ask other pilots that use a particular product (and ignore that fact that most EFIS owners will defend their choice regardless). Ask specific questions that concern you. Look at installation - are you going to do it or somebody else ?
What are the hidden costs - is the first price you see right or are there all sorts of little options that you have to get - once you add everything up, is that still in your budget ?
Does your choice have a future ? Can it be upgraded as technology changes ? Are software updates free and how easy are they to get and install ? Can the hardware be upgraded - after all, technology changes fast.
If your choice was for a simple system, upgrades don't matter much - but if you want cutting edge, things change fast.
Does the vendor have a reputation (good or bad) when it comes to solving problems ? The more sophisticated your choice, the higher the chance that something might not work as expected out of the box and needs a fix or replacement. What happens 5 or 10 years down the line should something break ? Few vendors will be able to stock spares and typical availability of many electronic components is very limited (if a chip maker can't sell enough of a particular item - they stop making them, no excuse).
My opinion on this item: Don't worry ! Two reasons: 1) EFIS systems will be very cheap by then so you can replace. 2) EFIS systems then will make your current sophisticated EFIS look like an old toaster - and you will WANT a new one.
Last comment on the above - replacement is easy as long as systems remain size compatible and electrically compatible with other subsystems you may have - even "plug and play" as far as possible.
Lastly:
Ask on Van's and other lists - there is a wealth of experience out there.
We have half a dozen vendors that cover a sizable range of products - I'd say that you have a good chance to find exactly the EFIS you need with a little research and you will be happy with your choice.
Buy what you need. Don't buy what you want. Don't get blinded by sales talk. EFIS systems are inherently simple - PFD, Navigation, Engine. Sort that out and then look at "icing on the cake" - additional functionality you need (not want !).
I apologize since my post contains a lot of questions rather than a direct answer. This is simply because there is no simple, direct answer - yet the solution to the question of "which EFIS" is quite easy, once you answer these questions (and perhaps a few I have not mentioned).
Doing it this way also shows why many systems do not compete directly with each other as your choice will quickly narrow to one system - exactly what you need. In this case there is no competition.
There is only competition if you narrow it down to two or more systems at a similar price and everything else is equal or very nearly so. Currently, you are unlikely to find this happening and if you do - you have not done your home work.
Rainier
How do EFIS systems from various vendors differ ? Why do some not directly compete ?
OK, this is dangerous for me to answer since I am a vendor. This makes my answer immediately suspect. For this reason I will not mention any vendor names or products, not even ours and only talk in general terms (you can put 2+2 together anyway).
I stated that some systems do not directly compete with each other. This is quite true once you start looking at detail. This does not mean one system is better than another system - they are just different. So what differences am I talking about ?
The obvious difference lies in the functions the EFIS offers and how this is presented. This makes an immediate distinction. For example, some EFIS systems are flexible to the extreme while others offer a relatively fixed set of functions in a fixed way.
The flexible system is great if you like to tinker, understand more than the average about what you want from an EFIS and have great fun "doing your own thing". Such a system is a bonus for oddball and unusual applications but can also be nice if you like this kind of thing.
However - this is not everybody's cup of tea. Many systems are pretty much "cut a hole, fit and forget". There is little to setup or change to make the system work - it's like buying a street navigator GPS - it does what it it supposed to do and that is that.
So which is better ? No - that cannot be answered. It depends on what you want or need. Don't buy a super system that is very complex and above your means or knowledge to handle. If you can't copy files on a PC or have trouble using a computer mouse - you are much better off buying a system that is pretty much fixed.
If you want to compare, look to see what basic functions the system offers and which of those you need and which of those you could not care less about.
Some systems offer very few functions and cannot really be called an EFIS - they are really a replacement for a six-pack. If that is all you need - then that is exactly what you should get.
Some systems are very complete but can overwhelm you with options and obscure functions. In many cases you may not need some of these functions.
Then there is the ergonomic aspect - a simple system with few functions needs little interaction in flight or otherwise so a couple of buttons are just fine. If a system has only limited user interfaces but a huge amount of sophisticated functions - that presents a problem, you end up having to navigate endless menu levels. For this you need lots of controls and buttons or else it becomes a pain and is near unusable in flight.
If you are in the market for an EFIS, it is not a difficult choice to make. Yes, of course cost comes into it.
Make yourself a list of functions that you need (from PFD to navigation to engine monitoring to additional "nice to haves" like video overlays etc).
If you do not need something, do not add it to the list.
Once you have this list - start your research. Get info from the vendors, ask other pilots that use a particular product (and ignore that fact that most EFIS owners will defend their choice regardless). Ask specific questions that concern you. Look at installation - are you going to do it or somebody else ?
What are the hidden costs - is the first price you see right or are there all sorts of little options that you have to get - once you add everything up, is that still in your budget ?
Does your choice have a future ? Can it be upgraded as technology changes ? Are software updates free and how easy are they to get and install ? Can the hardware be upgraded - after all, technology changes fast.
If your choice was for a simple system, upgrades don't matter much - but if you want cutting edge, things change fast.
Does the vendor have a reputation (good or bad) when it comes to solving problems ? The more sophisticated your choice, the higher the chance that something might not work as expected out of the box and needs a fix or replacement. What happens 5 or 10 years down the line should something break ? Few vendors will be able to stock spares and typical availability of many electronic components is very limited (if a chip maker can't sell enough of a particular item - they stop making them, no excuse).
My opinion on this item: Don't worry ! Two reasons: 1) EFIS systems will be very cheap by then so you can replace. 2) EFIS systems then will make your current sophisticated EFIS look like an old toaster - and you will WANT a new one.
Last comment on the above - replacement is easy as long as systems remain size compatible and electrically compatible with other subsystems you may have - even "plug and play" as far as possible.
Lastly:
Ask on Van's and other lists - there is a wealth of experience out there.
We have half a dozen vendors that cover a sizable range of products - I'd say that you have a good chance to find exactly the EFIS you need with a little research and you will be happy with your choice.
Buy what you need. Don't buy what you want. Don't get blinded by sales talk. EFIS systems are inherently simple - PFD, Navigation, Engine. Sort that out and then look at "icing on the cake" - additional functionality you need (not want !).
I apologize since my post contains a lot of questions rather than a direct answer. This is simply because there is no simple, direct answer - yet the solution to the question of "which EFIS" is quite easy, once you answer these questions (and perhaps a few I have not mentioned).
Doing it this way also shows why many systems do not compete directly with each other as your choice will quickly narrow to one system - exactly what you need. In this case there is no competition.
There is only competition if you narrow it down to two or more systems at a similar price and everything else is equal or very nearly so. Currently, you are unlikely to find this happening and if you do - you have not done your home work.
Rainier
