There is one factor in favor of the Avidyne that the Garmin doesn't have. The ability to install it in a current airframe. Garmin, currently, will not do that.



So, if you already have an airplance, you can't have your Garmin.



Gary

As far as buttons and knobs are concerned, you need to factor in the missing buttons and knobs from your comm and nav radios, GPSs and transponders. The Avidyne has all of those, but seperated in the radio stack, and the Garmin has none of those to deal with because they are integrated into the displays. You haven't lost or gained anything in a system with a G-1000 versus an Avidyne with dual GNS-430s, GTX-330 transponder, and the GMA-340 audio panel.



Gary

Having compared and contrasted the G1000 and Avidyne and then based on that analysis, purchased a NAVIII C182, I've got to go with the G1000. Of course there is the alignment in air issue. I have seen pictures of an Avidyne being reset in in mid-air, however, I've gotta go with the POH.



This is the biggest deal though...in hard IFR, you never have to take your eyes off the PFD. All radio, navigation, and flight information is in the same place. With the Avidyne, you'd have to look down to adjust approaches and COM freqs. As you know, the less head movement in solid IFR, the better.



When my co-owner and I fly back from the factory in Kansas (about a 4HR flight) we flew a GPS approach to minimums and the work load was non-existant. Of course it helped to have 2 rated pilots, but the workload was minimized because of all the navigation, map, radio, and flight information overlayed on the PFD. Never had to look down at anything.



I hear the new Avidyne is supposed to be pretty special and that Lancair is going to incorporate the new sytem in their plane. Might be the tradeup... ;)