Do the Math

Guest Discussion
1

If you do the math, you will see that the “B” package (taking MSRP differences) adds the following:

GNS 420-GNC250XL Diff $4,245.00

STEC 30-STEC 20 Diff $2,500.00

NSD-360A $8,750.00

Total additions $15,495.00

Cirrus charges $17,500.00

Not too bad if you need HSI for $8,750.00 and Cirrus makes the MSRP margin plus $2,005.00 and saves the cost of DG and Turn Coordinator and LOC/GS indicator.

Here is the “C” package:

GNC250XL->GNS430 —$5,500.00

STEC 20 ->STEC55 —$7,000.00

NSD 1000 -> $9,700.00

Dual Alternator -> $2,400.00

Total $24,600.00
Cirrus charges $32,800.00

Cirrsu makes MSRP margin plus $8,200.00 and the cost of DG.

What what do you guys think?

If you upgrade to “B” or “C” looks like we are paying more than the retail difference. Assuming same installation cost and time, we are not getting too good a deal on “C” but an OK deal on “B”.

If you take “A” and try to add in later, you lose the base price of the installed components you are replacing, that’s even a worse deal.

So what’s the best deal?

BTW, Cirrus charges $3,650.00 to upgrade STEC 20 to STEC 30 in the “A” package where the retail difference is $2,500.00. The manufacturers leave a pretty good profit margin in their MSRP and most dealers charge/sell for less than the MSRP. CD is adding another 50% on top of the MSRP differences! How come?

Food for thought and hopefully some not so nasty feedback, Thanks

2

Do not underestimate the cost of installation, flight testing, and certification of avionics (particularly anything you want to use to fly approaches with). You might be able to break even doing it after-market (though I doubt it) but you will be at the mercy of whatever avionics shop you work with. The factory install is just going to be cleaner. And of course they add margins–this is good since maybe some day they will be profitable and so will be around long enough to make some spare parts and the like.

I’m in the process of having a 430 installed in a Baron; I’ll let you know what the installation costs looked like relative to the cost of the avionics.

This is all true of every other optional package–margins are always very good because people would rather have it done at the factory. (Take a look at cars, for example.)

If you do the math, you will see that the “B” package (taking MSRP differences) adds the following:

GNS 420-GNC250XL Diff $4,245.00

STEC 30-STEC 20 Diff $2,500.00

NSD-360A $8,750.00

Total additions $15,495.00

Cirrus charges $17,500.00

Not too bad if you need HSI for $8,750.00 and Cirrus makes the MSRP margin plus $2,005.00 and saves the cost of DG and Turn Coordinator and LOC/GS indicator.

Here is the “C” package:

GNC250XL->GNS430 —$5,500.00

STEC 20 ->STEC55 —$7,000.00

NSD 1000 → $9,700.00

Dual Alternator → $2,400.00

Total $24,600.00
Cirrus charges $32,800.00

Cirrsu makes MSRP margin plus $8,200.00 and the cost of DG.

What what do you guys think?

If you upgrade to “B” or “C” looks like we are paying more than the retail difference. Assuming same installation cost and time, we are not getting too good a deal on “C” but an OK deal on “B”.

If you take “A” and try to add in later, you lose the base price of the installed components you are replacing, that’s even a worse deal.

So what’s the best deal?

BTW, Cirrus charges $3,650.00 to upgrade STEC 20 to STEC 30 in the “A” package where the retail difference is $2,500.00. The manufacturers leave a pretty good profit margin in their MSRP and most dealers charge/sell for less than the MSRP. CD is adding another 50% on top of the MSRP differences! How come?

Food for thought and hopefully some not so nasty feedback, Thanks

3

I thought you guys would like to know the installation cost of a Garmin 430 in our 182RG.

We had it installed November last year. The unit cost was $7200. The installation costs and certification for IFR flight brought the total project costs to change over $10,000. It’s been a wonderful improvement since it replaced a Narco 385 nav/com and the Cessna 400 DME.

Do not underestimate the cost of installation, flight testing, and certification of avionics (particularly anything you want to use to fly approaches with). You might be able to break even doing it after-market (though I doubt it) but you will be at the mercy of whatever avionics shop you work with. The factory install is just going to be cleaner. And of course they add margins–this is good since maybe some day they will be profitable and so will be around long enough to make some spare parts and the like.

I’m in the process of having a 430 installed in a Baron; I’ll let you know what the installation costs looked like relative to the cost of the avionics.

This is all true of every other optional package–margins are always very good because people would rather have it done at the factory. (Take a look at cars, for example.)

If you do the math, you will see that the “B” package (taking MSRP differences) adds the following:

GNS 420-GNC250XL Diff $4,245.00

STEC 30-STEC 20 Diff $2,500.00

NSD-360A $8,750.00

Total additions $15,495.00

Cirrus charges $17,500.00

Not too bad if you need HSI for $8,750.00 and Cirrus makes the MSRP margin plus $2,005.00 and saves the cost of DG and Turn Coordinator and LOC/GS indicator.

Here is the “C” package:

GNC250XL->GNS430 —$5,500.00

STEC 20 ->STEC55 —$7,000.00

NSD 1000 → $9,700.00

Dual Alternator → $2,400.00

Total $24,600.00
Cirrus charges $32,800.00

Cirrsu makes MSRP margin plus $8,200.00 and the cost of DG.

What what do you guys think?

If you upgrade to “B” or “C” looks like we are paying more than the retail difference. Assuming same installation cost and time, we are not getting too good a deal on “C” but an OK deal on “B”.

If you take “A” and try to add in later, you lose the base price of the installed components you are replacing, that’s even a worse deal.

So what’s the best deal?

BTW, Cirrus charges $3,650.00 to upgrade STEC 20 to STEC 30 in the “A” package where the retail difference is $2,500.00. The manufacturers leave a pretty good profit margin in their MSRP and most dealers charge/sell for less than the MSRP. CD is adding another 50% on top of the MSRP differences! How come?

Food for thought and hopefully some not so nasty feedback, Thanks