IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM

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Avidyne 540 Tray

Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=404
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 1:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Avidyne 540 Tray

Posted By: Joe Jet
Subject: Avidyne 540 Tray
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2014 at 7:35pm

I've run into a bit of a snag. The Avidyne 540 is sold as a slide in replacement for the Garmin 530. After purchasing a 530W and having it installed while waiting for 540 certification and production, I am told there are no trays available for the 530.

Replies:

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2014 at 8:45pm

Thank you Garmin. We hear this is the latest attempt by Garmin to stymie sales.

Technically, the 540 is still a slide in replacement for the 530 but we understand this current twist is creating problems for folks like you.

While it doesn't sound like it will help Joe Jet, we're exploring options that may resolve this issue. We'll see.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: 94S
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 3:29pm

I have seen 530 trays for sale on eBay. I'd considered buying one and having it installed in my panel just ahead of receiving my 540, but have decided just to wait and do the whole thing at once. You might want to look on eBay to find one to re-sell along with you 530 when the time comes.
David

Posted By: pburger
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 4:45pm

My friend has an online business selling connector kits and mounting trays. Here is a link to the 530 tray:

http://www.lane-pilot.com/servlet/Detail?no=67" rel="nofollow - http://www.lane-pilot.com/servlet/Detail?no=67

It shows them in stock.

Posted By: rolfe_tessem
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 8:16pm

pburger, Thanks for that link-- just ordered one...

Posted By: Joe Jet
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2014 at 12:57am

Thanks!

Ordered a tray and backplate.

Posted By: etekberg
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2014 at 9:11am

So Garmin has stopped selling 530 trays? Wow! what a bunch of crap

Posted By: wintec
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2014 at 10:44am

I also bought a used 530 in anticipation of my 540 and had it installed who knew you couldn't get a tray why isn't the avidyne tray compatible with a 530

any way i found this website that makes an after market tray

http://www.wingsavionics.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=2452&keyword=530&searchby=author&offset=0&fs=1" rel="nofollow - http://www.wingsavionics.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=2452&keyword=530&searchby=author&offset=0&fs=1

hope that works when I go to sell the 530

anybody else having the same issue

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2014 at 11:24am

The Avidyne tray is absolutely compatible with the 530. The issue here is that the Garmin STC calls out a 530 and Garmin tray.

Garmin has apparently told all customers and dealers that they will not sell just a 530 tray now in an apparent effort to stymie 540 sales for plug and play folks.

Some dealers are not bothered by this Garmin position and are perfectly comfortable signing off the combined 530, 540 tray combo. Some will not.

Avidyne is investigating ways to give all installers a comfortable path to perform that exercise.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: wintec
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2014 at 4:45pm

that will make things so much easier thanks for the quick response

Posted By: FORANE
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2014 at 6:00am

For those with IFD-440 orders who are reading this thread, it looks like the 430 tray (no back plate) is available for cheap:
http://www.banyanpilotshop.net/10expand.asp?ProductCode=garmin-gns-430-tray

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Lancair 235/320
RV-9A

Posted By: teeth6
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2014 at 8:33am

There was a discussion of this on our user group and it was said that Garmin stopped selling the tray 18 months ago when the 530 went out of production and that is is normal for a manufacturer to stop selling install kits when the product ceases production. Not true???

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2014 at 9:05am

Hard to really know for sure. There are all kinds of companies (including Avidyne) who continue to support past products with accessories well after production ends and some companies (also including Avidyne) who don't for some products.

Could be a plausible cover story or could be unrelated practice. In any case, the Garmin sales reps are apparently relishing telling folks that the 540 is not plug and play since it needs a tray and you can't get one.

I will post when we complete our effort to find an easy path to defeat the "you need a Garmin tray for a Garmin box" challenge.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: chflyer
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2014 at 9:22am

Actually, it is the Garmin 530 that isn't plug & play, since you can pull the 530 and plug in a 540. ;-)

You don't need a Garmin tray for the 540 (if you plug and play), because you already have one. If you don't have a tray for the 540 (for whatever reason), then plug & play isn't an issue. Just get a 540 tray.

The only issue is for someone wanting to install a used 530, if it doesn't come with a tray. So Garmin are only shooting themselves in the foot by trying to dry up the market for used 530 (probably thinking people will be forced to go to their 760 while the 540 is now an option).

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Vince

Posted By: pburger
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2014 at 12:25pm

I checked with my buddy (at www.lanepilot.com). He said he thought he was down to his last 530 tray. I just checked his website and now it's not even showing up, so he must be out.

He buys from Garmin. I'll check back with him periodically to see if he was able to get any more racks from them.

Posted By: jblodgett
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 11:10pm

Are the connectors used by Garmin the same as those used on the 540? If they are then perhaps all you have to do is install the Avidyne tray using the already wired Garmin connectors. Then sell the 530 with the Garmin tray and the connector kit that came with the Avidyne tray. Would that work?

Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2014 at 7:43am

It may be a matter of the STC paperwork requiring a Garmin tray.

* Orest

Posted By: velox
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2014 at 1:13am

The wiring and connectors are 98% of the WASS install.
To remove a Garmin backing plate/tray and install a Avidyne backing plate/tray should be no more than an hour or two if everything goes OK.

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2014 at 8:18pm

We are making some progress on helping to provide a satisfactory installation basis for install shops to use to allow the combination Garmin 530 - Avidyne tray. That would allow all existing 530 equipped aircraft who are upgrading to the IFD540 to leave the 530 tray in place and then when trying to resell the 530, they can use the Avidyne tray with it to have a "complete set".

We're pushing through a mountain of regulator input to get this approved. We're through about 9 layers of the onion and not quite sure if we have 1 to go or a bunch to go.

Bottom line...... still working it.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: FORANE
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2014 at 11:20am

Steve, how about us experimental guys? Like others in this group, I have installed GNS-430's, GNS-430W's, GTN-650's, autopilots, EFIS's, Comms, Audio panels, etc... I would like to install my IFD-440 when it comes out. Will Avidyne ship directly to the buyer if requested?

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Lancair 235/320
RV-9A

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2014 at 11:40am

Short answer is that I don't personally know.

I recommend contacting Avidyne sales directly (actually, I'll have them reach out to you) and figure out if that's feasible. I just don't know right now since we've transitioned to the dealer network model.

Standby for a contact on Mon or Tues.....

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: Joe Jet
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 2:25am

Well.... I wasnt able to purchase the tray from either of the used avionics suppliers mentioned. One of them doesn't take credit cards on their online store and neither of them responded to my emails....ridiculous!

Doesn't matter though. Avidyne shipped me a tray, backplate and connectors to my home. I was really impressed with how quick they were able to accommodate me. I had my 530 sold and no tray to go with it. The Avidyne parts are beautiful! The cruddy cast in Taiwan Garmin parts pale in comparison. The backplate is billet and there are MADE IN USA and PMA FAA labels all over them. Its a shame you cant see any of these beautiful parts once installed, but its nice to know they are in there.

Posted By: twalterhome3
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 9:12pm

Any update on this?

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Tim

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2014 at 8:47am

It's going very slowly. Getting PMA approval to use the Avidyne tray in a 530 installation is possible and still in pursuit but it's going to move very slowly.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: GMSutton
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2015 at 7:19pm

Any update on this issue? I'm installing my IFD540 in 10 days and will be selling my 530W to a friend. But he can't find a mounting tray anywhere, including eBay. So this is going to be a serious issue for us.

Any suggestions on a workaround would be very helpful. Easiest route would be for him to buy a new IFD540 tray from Avidyne, but he needs the Garmin STC... For my part, I don't want to have to replace the tray in my airplane as that would defeat the purpose of the plug-and-play installation of my new IFD540 and raise the cost as well.

Thanks for your help!

Mike
< ="cosymantecnisbfw" co="cs" id="SILOBFWID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;">

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2015 at 7:45pm

It's done. Let me dig up the SIL we published a few weeks ago on this topic.

This PMA approval gives your installer all the legal approval paperwork cover they need to use an Avidyne tray with a Garmin box.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2015 at 7:49pm

Here's a link to the SIL describing the PMA approval: http://www.avidyne.com/publications/ifd540/606-00182-009.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.avidyne.com/publications/ifd540/606-00182-009.pdf

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: Gring
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2015 at 9:29pm

Can we assume you have the process started for PMA approval of the IFD440 tray for use with a G430/W?

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2015 at 6:01am

Sort of. It will be part of the STC.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com

Posted By: MysticCobra
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2015 at 9:07am

Nice try, Garmin.

Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2015 at 9:20am

Exactly.

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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com