As the thread title suggests, Garmin came up with something that many people including myself have been eagerly waiting for, an autopilot that will our G5s will drive.
Announcement: New Revolutionary, Cost-Effective Retrofit Autopilots for GA Aircraft

From the article, it appears that Garmin is releasing two new autopilots for certified aircraft; The GFC600 & GFC500. It appears that the GFC600 will be compatible with the G500/600 series flight decks and other third party flight deck displays. while the GFC500 will be compatible with the G5 only.

What I don't understand is why can't a company so big and full of resources make a cheaper autopilot? TruTrak just sent their latest email and it comes full of features, will accept input from the G5 and everything else including portables, and it costs HALF of what the Garmin is expected to cost.

EastTexasPilot wrote:What I don't understand is why can't a company so big and full of resources make a cheaper autopilot? TruTrak just sent their latest email and it comes full of features, will accept input from the G5 and everything else including portables, and it costs HALF of what the Garmin is expected to cost.

Point #1:
I can't find anything on the TruTrak web site or in the announcement letter you posted in the other thread to indicate that TruTrack supports the G5 "GPS" out the door. Instead, they seem to imply that "you" (the purchaser) will need to do some testing to verify the installation and send that data to them for approval. They also claim that they will work with handheld GPS - probably true, but it is highly doubtful the FAA will approve THAT configuration for type-certified aircraft... I think there is a LOT of clarification that is needed from them before we conclude they have the market cornered.

Point #2:
At the moment, the TruTrak is only STC'ed for a single aircraft type (C-172 F-S models), with the C-177 and more 172 models expected to be added shortly. How long will it take them to get around to "your" aircraft type? Unknown, but it appears they will work first on the highest-demand aircraft, so many of us rag-wing / tailwheel pilots may be waiting for a while... I don't know for sure, but I strongly suspect that Garmin's "out the door" STC will have an AML that will be much more comprehensive -- likely similar to the one for the G5 itself (which included hundreds of types/models).

Point #3:
Garmin's price point for the GFC 500 is around $7K for the autopilot itself. The $10K price is for the autopilot PLUS the G5 HSI. Since the TruTrak costs $5K, and does NOT come with the G5 (or any other HSI), the price comparison should be between the $5K (TruTrak) and $7K (Garmin) prices. TruTrak is, indeed less expensive, but not by a factor of 2...

Is the Garmin worth the extra money? I can't answer that today, but if Garmin comes out the door with an extensive AML list, it may be available months (or even years) sooner for some of the less-popular aircraft types. And THAT might be worth some extra $$ for many of us.

Don't get me wrong - I applaud what TruTrak has done in getting their autopilot through the STC process. They have a really interesting product, and it represents an incredible achievement – worthy of consideration by anyone interested in a GA autopilot. But Garmin's product is also pretty interesting, and may appeal to a much wider audience simply because it will be available on more aircraft. In any case, $5K or $7K for an autopilot beats the heck out of the $20K prices that were the norm before today! (And I really LIKE having choices!)

EastTexasPilot wrote:What I don't understand is why can't a company so big and full of resources make a cheaper autopilot? TruTrak just sent their latest email and it comes full of features, will accept input from the G5 and everything else including portables, and it costs HALF of what the Garmin is expected to cost.

EXACTLY! I have a Trio autopilot in my RV-7a. It has altitude hold and all the bells and whistles. The certified version of mine (exactly the same, but it has an STC) is a quarter of the cost of a Garmin and will work with almost any GPS. I'm actually thinking about replacing the A/P in the V35B when the STC is done by Trio.

Jim

I completely agree with all of your points @JP256.

JP256 wrote:Is the Garmin worth the extra money? I can't answer that today, but if Garmin comes out the door with an extensive AML list, it may be available months (or even years) sooner for some of the less-popular aircraft types. And THAT might be worth some extra $$ for many of us.

Don't get me wrong - I applaud what TruTrak has done in getting their autopilot through the STC process. They have a really interesting product, and it represents an incredible achievement – worthy of consideration by anyone interested in a GA autopilot. But Garmin's product is also pretty interesting, and may appeal to a much wider audience simply because it will be available on more aircraft. In any case, $5K or $7K for an autopilot beats the heck out of the $20K prices that were the norm before today! (And I really LIKE having choices!)

I'm just really happy to see what Garmin has been working on for some time especially at the current pricing. This thing costs half as much as the S-Tec and can be run by my G5s. Another HUGE plus is that you don't need to get a GPSS converter like the S-Tec since the GFC gets its data from the GAD29 that the G5 uses to get its NAV data from the GTN.

The one thing that I am concerned about is that it looks like the GFC500 can only be run off of a G5. It looks like those who don't have a G5 or don't want a G5 are a little SOL in the affordable autopilot department.

jaudette wrote:

EastTexasPilot wrote:What I don't understand is why can't a company so big and full of resources make a cheaper autopilot? TruTrak just sent their latest email and it comes full of features, will accept input from the G5 and everything else including portables, and it costs HALF of what the Garmin is expected to cost.

EXACTLY! I have a Trio autopilot in my RV-7a. It has altitude hold and all the bells and whistles. The certified version of mine (exactly the same, but it has an STC) is a quarter of the cost of a Garmin and will work with almost any GPS. I'm actually thinking about replacing the A/P in the V35B when the STC is done by Trio.

Jim

Totally agree with you guys. The other piece of the puzzle is install costs. S-Tec, and I'm sure Garmin have to be installed at a certified install shop. Trio and Trutrak I as an AME can do. That makes it a fair bit cheaper again. I'm hoping the C206 ends up on their list as well.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

Even more good points are coming out. $5k for the TruTrak and I can install it myself (and I don't need an HSI so it stays $5k) versus the Garmin that has to use the G5 so $10k? Regarding how many airframes, until they each come out we really don't know how many they're going to cover and how fast they get more in, it's all assumptions for now. That's why all you guys should sign up on their interest sheet. Anyway businesses usually build on the potential to sell so if TruTrak is going for the airframe that's the most sold in the world, then it only makes sense and I'm all for that.

Once the 172 and 182 TSO's are done, do we think that one migh reasonably be able to get a field approval in a 180/185?

Take a look at the Trio Pro A/P it is already approved for the 180/185.

Tom

Take a look at the Trio Pro A/P it is already approved for the 180/185. The cost is $700 including the install kit and it can be installed by a A&P.

Tom