From: StarAerospace@aol.com
Message-ID: <f7.163e43a5.2998d358@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 02:57:12 EST
Subject: Developments in EFIS
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
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Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com

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          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
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<< Blaming the customer, even if that is 
 the real reason, does not work because the bad publicity from a couple 
 of cases like that is going to kill the business.  It is your fault 
 after all, if your product is so complicated and finicky that an 
 "average" customer can not install it. >>

A refreshingly enlightened (and realistic) point of view from a product 
developer.  In this day and age of "customers as beta testers" it is with a 
large sigh of relief that I hear of someone else who shares my opinion of the 
duty incumbent of a manufacturer of a new product.  It is this sense of duty 
that has led us to not pursue many "good products", due to support or other 
reasons.

Rest assured, this attitude is NOT CHEAP.  You will pay a premium for it, and 
the best way of telling if they are successful is to look back a few years at 
the original claims and see if the company has lived up to them.  Just 
yesterday I was clearing out some old materials and came upon an AOPA program 
from the 1998 convention (not very long ago...).  Narco advertised a slew of 
new versions of the Mk12D for plug in retrofit, claiming that this would 
boost sales and provide the customer base for decades of support.  Last time 
I checked, the local shop couldn't even get parts for the few of these things 
that make it in.  Caveat Emptor.

I prefer to debate the relative merits of Garmin vs. King and occasionally 
UPSAT.  SFS has been around long enough now to be seriously considered, but 
the non-cert outfits are scary as heck.  Certification and TSO's are no 
guarantee, remember Terra (ble) and Magellan?  I hope SFS continues to 
succeed;  they have a great product, are forward thinking and obviously 
conscientious.

Eric Ahlstrom
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LML website:   http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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