The G1000 project - "The next step"

[CFIDave]

Dave's note is very helpful indeed. I would not find it particularly useful to be at NXi phase II ... unless the software issue raises its head again.

One of the things missing in Diamond's response is any statement about certifiying and maintaining 2 different sets of NXi software releases going forward, since Phase II software is incompatible with Phase I hardware.

Are any more software releases for NXi Phase I hardware planned? (if so, for which aircraft, and for how long?) Phase I aircraft are still missing FlightStream 510 wireless SDcard support, for example.

Or...

Are owners with Phase I hardware required to upgrade to NXi Phase II hardware in order to obtain any new software functionality now or in the future?

I can't imagine Diamond would want to pay the cost of maintaining 2 sets of NXi software releases for each type aircraft (DA40/DA42/DA62).

The answers to these questions are critical to owners considering an upgrade from Legacy G1000 to NXi Phase I vs. Phase II, or for pre-existing NXi Phase I owners (like me) considering an upgrade to NXi Phase II.

[Colin]

Are owners with Phase I hardware required to upgrade to NXi Phase II hardware in order to obtain any new software functionality now or in the future?

I'm going to answer for DAI, although you pretty much have the answer in your post.

There's no way they are going to keep a separate software line going for a "dead end" plane. See also: DA42 without WAAS and then DA42 with KAP140. There's no cost-benefit to do so. They *have* to keep updating the software for a Phase II plane because they are selling new ones. If there is a Phase III hardware set owners are going to have to upgrade to *that* to get updates.

[TwinStarScott]

What a mess and a PR nightmare.

[Boatguy]

- Who are the "key members" they're referring to that apparently represent us all? Did I miss an election or something? (Sorry, Boatguy, Scott, et al ... I appreciate what you've done, but let's talk!)

OK. Talk. What's on your mind?

[dselder1962]

- What is the difference between NXi Phase 1 and 2?

You may have missed my post buried in another thread that explains NXi Phase I vs. Phase II:

viewtopic.php?p=75089#p75089

This should help with understanding Diamond's response letter to owners.

Dave
Thank you so much for pointing me to this. I had missed it. Very useful indeed, thanks. And a rough idea on costs for this?
Regards
David

[TwinStarScott]

If I'm reading page 3 of CEO Scott McFadzean's recent letter correctly, it appears to be $35,000 (US) for this upgrade. Third row up from the bottom (DA42NG - NXi Phase I to Phase II).

https://drive.google.com/open?id=17Xh8j ... TTCVmHHxvm

[ememic99]

Although Scott is probably right, in reality it’s the cost of two GIA64W boxes minus what you can get for removed GIA63W boxes plus labor for swapping the boxes and upgrading the software, i.e. should be significantly below $20k. I would hate if I bought $700k or $1mil aircraft in 2017/2018/2019 and it came with GIA63W.

[TwinStarScott]

Here is my further understanding of the situation since signing up for a pair of WAAS boxes:

1) when Phase I aircraft upgrade to Phase II, Diamond retains the discontinued 63W boxes. Which DAI will then turnaround and sell to non-WAAS aircraft owners at previous production level pricing.

2) the spare inventory of 63W’s is quite limited, with currently a 5 to 6 week wait time before any 63W’s become available (anticipated sometime in November 2019).

3) the non-WAAS to WAAS upgrade program is entirely dependent upon enough Phase I aircraft upgrading to Phase II.

4) downtime is estimated at a minimum of two days (63 to 63W’s). Factory only.

[CFIDave]

I'm all for Diamond retaining the pair of GIA63Ws removed from my NXi Phase I DA62 if I choose to upgrade to NXi Phase II. I know that those GIA63Ws will find a "good home" in older Legacy G1000s that have no other way to be upgraded to WAAS.

And $35K is a reasonable price for a NXi Phase II hardware upgrade: this includes a pair of GIA64Ws, GEA 71B, the new audio panel, and about a day's labor with no rewiring required.

But if I'm giving up my pair of GIA63Ws to Diamond (worth as much as $20K on the used market that I can't collect), the effective price of the NXi Phase I upgrade to NXi Phase II is $35K + $20K = $55K, and that's ridiculous for an aircraft only 2 years old.

For that kind of money I can simply have the upgrade performed by a Garmin dealer, and sell the GIA63Ws on my own.

[ememic99]

That’s why I strongly believe this upgrade should cost less than $20k: 35 (let’s suppose it’s realistic although I believe DAI should ask less) minus 15 (minimum you can get for old boxes) equals 20.