lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << 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 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.