I've just had an experience with a UPS-Apollo GPS map-comm that's
worth passing on. Some time ago when I received the unit, I wired it
up sufficiently to bench test and everything worked fine, and on the
shelf she went. The other day, when doing the panel installation, it
was kaput (drawing normal current, but dead display and no audio).
UPS-AT is really builder friendly. Not only will they fix it of
course, but they _still_ (as per their warranty docs) will not start
the 26-month warranty until the installation date in my build log,
since you send in a copy with the warranty card. Free GPS database
update too. Further, there was no hint in our phone conversation they
suspected I may have messed something up.
In contrast, Bendix/King won't even permit resale of most of their
line directly to homebuilders, much less honor the warranty w/o shop
installation, and if Narco is any better, maybe just marginally so.
The attitude is they can't control the installation process, and the
pestering tech support calls eliminate profit. Of course to be fair,
Microsoft considers this acceptable! :-}
Given the high relative price of used avionics from a reputable
source, new boxes are attractive. But the above situation sure limits
choices beyond comm's; Garmin may be builder-friendly too, but
pricey. Also re the failure, it's a likely anomaly, as UPS-AT
avionics are highly rated by Aviation Consumer, a no-advertising
publication here.
Regards,
Fred F., A063
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