Re: Jepp vs. FAA data quality (was: Re: Subscription to NASD

["D.F.S." <dfs@xmission.com>]

> 
> At 02:24 PM 2/10/00 -0800, Andy Ross <andy@mail.office.nextbus.com> wrote:
> >I think you just showed us the reason:  Jepp data is _perceived_ as more
> >accurate (because everybody uses it, of course).  Since the database
> >cost is a small fraction of the unit cost for a GPS receiver, and
> >especially since the maintenance cost of upgrades isn't the problem of
> >the manufacturer (the user has to pay for them), the manufacturers just
> >use Jepp data by default and write off the extra cost as "advertising".
> 
> Well, that isn't how it worked last time I looked (about 1.5 years ago --
> remember that I started this process with Jepp for my project).  The
> manufacturer has to specify the subset of data that they want from
> Jeppesen.  Jepp then cuts them a custom tape.  The manufacturer then has to
> burn their own datacards or floppies and then keep track of who has
> received them so that they can send their per-user payments back to Jepp.
> It is ugly and I would bet that the manufacturers would drop Jepp like a
> hot potato if they could.  In fact, Jepp was working on a deal whereby they
> would sell database updates directly to the end-user thus reducing the
> hassle for the manufacturers and increasing their (Jepp's) margins.  If
> they were doing that then I would agree with you but I haven't noticed that
> Jepp was doing direct sales of database info to the end users ... yet.  I
> suspect that the manufacturers decided that they still want a piece of the
> action since it generates recurring revenue for them.

Unless I'm not understanding your statements the world has changed a lot
since then.
All, the major mfgrs, of current aviation GPS direct you straight to
Jepp for the data, except King. (or whatever the full name of the company
is today)
King appears to license the data and take a cut themselves, the end prices
look about the same.

Go look at the Jepp NavData Site.
They list almost every current mfgr and model, and sell directly to the users.

Go look at the info on the Garmin and UPS (or whoever THEY are today) web
sites, They only include subscription information, and maybe a current
data card which will be outdated by the time your unit is installed and
certified.
You go to Jeppesen for the update service.

In a way, they may be betting the consumer views jeppesen as a better bet
long term for updates, than a hole in the wall here-today-gone-tomorrow,
electronics mfgr.

How do you know They (The Mfgr) won't drop support for the 155 when the 
XL comes out, how do you know they won't fold up or be bought out tomorrow.

If they do, and you are not able to keep the databases current, your $10,000
IFR certified GPS is now worthless, or worth about the $495, a non-certified
handheld cheapie costs.

Jepps sole reason for being is to sell the data, as long as people are out
there buying the updates, Jepp can still keep raking in the $600/Yr Each.

That is my perception, and was in fact somewhat of a selling point in
my search for a GPS rcvr.

Mind you, I'd have paid an extra thousand bucks for something that would
take this CD in question, and update itself.
That was not an option, and would probably be a difficult thing to pull
off anyway.

Marc


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