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GPS upgrade Decision time...

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Morgan3820

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Looking at the website for a major avionics installer/seller. They are offering to swap out my GNS430 non WAAS with an Avidyne IFD440 for $7300 plus the old unit. I expect this option to expire sometime soon as the -430 keeps dropping in value. Now would probably be the cheapest time to get into an IFD440. The other option is to upgrade the -430 to WAAS for $4400. Plus I would add the flightstream 210 for $995 plus install costs, as the ability to transfer flight plans from Foreflight to the panel unit is real important to me. For all of garmin's issues, they do make a nice box. The third option is to pay off my car early. No car payment :) and live with what I have knowing that if the -430 bricks on me, Garmin can fix it and convert it to WAAS.
I know what I have with Garmin customer service but I have heard that Avidyne is a little different with their customer service and that the IFD units have more repair issues than the Garmin units. I am still not sure how much use I will get out of the WAAS units. I am IFR certified and do fly MVFR, but not to minimums. When I do IAP it has always been an ILS. But I know that this may change as I expect to have this plane for a long time as it meets my needs and I don't have Saratoga money, or likely ever will.

I hate these kind of decisions. I know that it sounds wussy, but someone tell me what to do. Orest, I know what your vote is already but I would still like to hear from you :)
 

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