NaviGadget

AviDyne Entegra gets better review than Garmin G1000

Mar 24, 2006 gps navigation, reviews

Avidyne Corporation announced today that The Aviation Consumer magazine, in an independent, in-depth comparison with the Garmin G1000, chose the Avidyne Entegra integrated flight deck as its “top pick” because of its ease-of-use, intuitive and logically arranged displays and more mature software that integrates well with other avionics.

“A glass cockpit is all about real-time, everyday operability, not a miles-deep feature set that you may never use. In that regard, when it comes to flying from here to there under the guidance of glass, the Entegra is simply easier to use,” the review stated in the March 2006 issue. “But if you’re flying a piston single after a long day at your real job, that simplicity can make a world of difference in comfort and confidence.”

“Given the complexity of the G1000, we think it’s more likely to give a rusty pilot heartburn than the Entegra will,” the review stated.

The review said Avidyne’s “mature software yields excellent integration with other avionics, including traffic, XM weather and radar.” It also said the Entegra’s primary flight display (PFD) and multifunction display (MFD) “are more logically customizable with elements grouped in ways we found appealing.”

The review cited advantages of key Entegra features including:

* An altitude bug selectable to within 10 feet vs. 100 feet in the G1000 for accurate altitude capture on climbs, descents and on instrument approaches;
* Simpler and familiar operation of navcom radios;
* Logical grouping of winds aloft, temperature and wind vector data near the HSI for prompt wind corrections;
* Intuitive display of engine data near the PFD’s airspeed readout for precise power-pitch adjustments;
* An additional CDI display at the bottom of the attitude indicator for a tighter instrument scan on final approach, and;
* Graphical METARs, AIRMETs and other weather display on the main map page for quick assessment of current conditions.

“The Aviation Consumer’s vote for Entegra affirms our commitment to ease-of-use and intuitive operation. Entegra’s intuitive interface is key to operating an integrated flight deck safely and confidently,” said Mark Sandeen, Avidyne vice president of sales and marketing.

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