View Full Version : EC130 and Sagem
McGowan
10th Aug 2010, 19:58
Does anybody currently fly an EC130 with the Sagem screens in it.
Boss has bought one and having the Sagem stuff fitted and am wondering how it will look and perform. Does it have any doubling up of info with the FLI screen. I am flying an AS350D with the Sagem stuff in it and am looking forward to the 130 as well.
chucksweet
11th Aug 2010, 04:35
I am sure it works fine, but i looked at it at the most recent Heli-expo and I decided it was too dated (and expensive) for my EC130.
I am anxiously awaiting to put the Garmin G500H in mine. The STC for the EV130 should be available anyday.
Either way, I am sure you will be happy with it.
Chuck
puntosaurus
11th Aug 2010, 17:17
Chucksweet. One of our owners is in the process of fitting out an EC130 and wanted the Garmin G500H, but couldn't face the pain of blazing a trail with EASA and the CAA so settled for the Sagem icds-8. Do you know who is doing the work with Garmin to get it certified ? Maybe we can piggyback on that work.
chucksweet
11th Aug 2010, 22:15
One of our owners is in the process of fitting out an EC130 and wanted the Garmin G500H, but couldn't face the pain of blazing a trail with EASA and the CAA so settled for the Sagem icds-8. Do you know who is doing the work with Garmin to get it certified ?
Whew, great question. Air Methods has an STC ready to go for the EC 130 and it is very cool. It completely changes the panel, and is simply amazing, but frankly changes more stuff than I am willing to change…and of course, costs big dollars.
I can't confirm who (because I don't know) , but I have been told one of the big tour operators in Hawaii was also working to get a different STC done and supposedly, it will be announced very soon. Supposedly, it will be much less expensive and maybe more flexible.
I suppose I should call Hawaii and poke around. There can't be too many EC 130 operators there.
puntosaurus
11th Aug 2010, 23:55
Would greatly appreciate that.
McGowan
12th Aug 2010, 21:14
Silly question, but what makes the Garmin better than the Sagem???????
chucksweet
12th Aug 2010, 23:18
I didn't say Garmin was better, I just said I was anxiously awaiting for one. -:)
Go check out Garmin's website...it does a lot of stuff.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=72797
I have seen it a couple of times and it looks amazing and has tons of features. The Garmin is slightly less money installed and does so many things the Sagem system does not do.
At HAI I went back and forth between Sagem and Garmin and their was no comparison in my book.
Sagem and Garmin and their was no comparison in my book.
Also worth considering the prospects for ongoing support and enhancements. The Garmin G500H is a close relative of the G500/G600, G1000, etc, which are widely deployed in many acft. This bodes well for ongoing feature development and technical support. The Sagem seems to be much less accepted in the marketplace and could wind up an orphan in short order as Garmin eats their lunch. I have a G500H in a new B407 and it is quite nice. I actually prefer the Chelton Flight Logic system overall, but this was twice the price and is at or near the end of its technology lifecycle, with unhappy implications for future enhancements and support.
chucksweet
13th Aug 2010, 20:21
I was trying to be polite in case there was something I missed in the Sagem system...but I agree with you regarding the G500H. I can't wait to get it in my ship.
Like you I wanted to stay with the Chelton/Cobham. I have come to really like it in my Enstrom, however talking to them it appears it was going to be VERY expensive and maybe never even be available for the EC130.
Chuck