Now a new problem. Shop won't do 10.2 update.

It seems there is not much concern/interest in the end of MLB 700 weather at year end. Either there aren't that many MLB 700s out there, or most users are happy to use ADS-B. I'd like to continue using panel mount XM weather but wish there were another option besides an outdated GDL 69.   I'm hoping Avidyne comes up with another option.

Edited by teeth6 - 09 Sep 2017 at 10:03pm

Mine bricked during the update but fortunately the shop had a loaner 540 for me and Avidyne did not charge to fix it (I was out some amount of shop time plus shipping).  I think Avidyne did hardware mod 16 while they had it — not sure what that entails.

Further to this, there is now a simple field procedure (single file on a USB key) to un-brick a unit that locks up during the update, whether caused by an error in procedure, or otherwise.

Edited by oskrypuch - 12 Jul 2017 at 12:03pm

Bad1996 wrote: I have heard 1 out of 5 brick. The $1,200 charge (may or may not be charged) is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. If you can't make the box without it bricking OR without charging a fee for your mistake (allowing it to brick) then maybe you need to be in another business. I love my 540 and highly promote it ..... Well I did before now. What do I do now...tell folks it's GREAT but I'm scared to have it updated with new software ? Here I sit with old software. A dealer did my buddies, it bricked and now I worry about mine, mostly a $1,200 charge. Garmin is laughing their ass's off right now.

Edited by LANCE - 12 Jul 2017 at 11:08am

I don't think there will be a new solution for the IFD series before Dec 31. You really have only two choices - 1) SKytrax ADSB or 2) a used GDL69 or 69/A with software between 4.0 and 4.99. If you have R9, Avidyne will need to complete software version 9.4 so you can connect a SKytrax 100.

Edited by Gring - 12 Jul 2017 at 6:56am

The weather access from the GDL69A works just fine on the IFD. I don't think I've heard otherwise from anyone.

Edited by oskrypuch - 10 Jul 2017 at 10:36am

oskrypuch wrote: What I was told was that the GDL69-A will play music just fine, and you can change the channels from the IFD screen, BUT the remote control does not currently work -- no matter what station you select it puts it to the demo station, or something like that. I expect it is just a software glitch, and will eventually be fixed. * Orest

We have the opposite problem. When everything is on, we cannot tune he GDL69A audio with the IFD, it doesn't seem to recognize that it exists. And if we tune it with the remote (an option with he newer units at we installed when we realized the IFD would not tune it), it changes back to the demo channel within seconds.

However, if we simply power down the IFD, we can tune the audio fine with the remote and it works normally, This is why we believe it is the IFD that is causing it to tune back to channel 1.

Smart avionics near lancaster will do it  717 9284360 very reliable and does it on the bench did mine in has done several with no issues talk to Ben tell him Evan sent you 

Hey Gring
What do you know as to when the MLB700 will become extinct. I spoke with my contacts at WSI and XM to convey how bad of an idea it is to turn this off but latest I heard was April but April is almost over. Thanks

Can you expand on your comment about the GDL69/A not playing music? It was my understanding that not only should it play music, the IFD will control the channel change and audio. I have an MLB700 that will become obsolete (thanks to my employer IBM) and my plan was to buy a used GDL69/A to replace it. I do not want have two boxes.

KLRDMD wrote: ddgates wrote: My backup is KAVQ if all else fails. The avionics shop at AVQ "can't get to it for a few weeks."

Talked with a authorised Avidyne avionics shop near me. They have done 5 or 6 10.2 upgrades, all successful except one. The one they followed the instructions carefully but still had a bricked unit. They called Avidyne who promptly exchanged the unit for no charge. From what they say some units have a problem with memory issue that will fail the upgrade. 

I've called my avionics shop twice.  They are a registered Avidyne dealer.  Both times they said they wanted to discuss the update with Avidyne and they would call me back.  They didn't call back either time.  I contacted Avidyne and my A&P.  It looks like my A&P will be doing the update.  

I just had my 540/440 updated to 10.2 at Chandler Avionics at KCHD (PHX area).  I called Tuesday and went in Thursday at 0900.  Out by 1300 with both units successfully updated from 10.1.1.0 to 10.2.  Very knowledgeable techs and easy to deal with.  I was their second update customer and they've had no problems so far with updates.

Install time per unit depends on your current software version.  The newest version prior to 10.2 was 10.1.1.0 and that is directly upgraded to 10.2.  Older versions may need to be upgraded to an intermediate version before 10.2 can be installed, so figure the possibility of additional time/cost per unit.  I brought a power supply along and they were able to do one in the plane and one on the bench, which shaved a little time off the whole process.  The shop was comfortable doing it with the power supply since the battery in my plane remains in the circuit in case the power supply fails.  There was not even a flicker when the power supply was unplugged and the voltage dropped to battery power only - a necessity for a successful upgrade.

As a side note before you upgrade, be sure to use your phone to take pictures of your setup pages if you've made a lot of custom settings since they will be lost after the upgrade.  Backing them up and trying to restore them from your stick after 10.2 is installed will brick the unit, according to what the techs at Chandler Avionics have read.  I can't confirm that since I wasn't willing to take a chance on a $1200 repair.  You will also have to reload the navdata (as previously mentioned in this topic), but the Chartdata was still the current data after my upgrade.  The obstacle data is still old and didn't need an update.

Success!

Where is everyone getting the SIL / installation guide / update procedure?

Edited by Randy - 28 Mar 2017 at 7:04pm

Hello, I had the update done on our Seneca N54UT, but the unit would not update.

I agree with all that was said above.

The $1200 "risk" is absolutely a disincentive for shops to service Avidyne equipment, which doesn't portend well for the future.

How mant brick episodes have there been? Is the $1200 written in stone or is that for out of warranty units?

Edited by ddgates - 26 Mar 2017 at 11:20am

The directions are real easy to follow and I had no problem shutting everything down and using ship's power to mak it go.

ddgates wrote: My backup is KAVQ if all else fails.

Ken:

Edited by ddgates - 25 Mar 2017 at 8:36pm

My avionics guy told me to plan on 3 to 4hrs for the 10.2 upgrade.

Back to the original topic.  

Bob, you must have a Cessna. The GPU power contactor powers up the bus as soon as you apply power to the connnector, which means the battery is out of the circuit. The POH says to turn on the master first so the battery is in the circuit. The standard Cessna config disables the avionics when the GPU contactor closes, but this is often replaced with a separate avionics master.

If you use a typical automotive battery charger (even if sold as a 24 V aircraft charger) without a battery, you might break something with the AC current coming off the transformer. (Ask me how I know. Oops). Get a battery in the circuit, using the aircraft battery or an external battery (I keep my last- removed battery for this purpose.)

I was tempted to use my battery tender, but there are appropriate warnings against that. The tender supplies maybe 2.5 amps, the total draw for the 2.5 hours our upgrade took was 6-7 amps. (Other things were drawing current besides the IFD, and most of the P&B breakers are not pullable.)