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

[Brian Lloyd <brian@lloyd.com>]

At 04:50 PM 2/10/00 -0700, you wrote:
>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.

Ahh, OK.  Jepp was talking about doing that.  I wasn't aware it had
happened.  I just ordered a new database update for several of my GPSs (all
Apollo units) and they shipped me direct.

I notice that you didn't mention the NOS charts so I guess you don't know
if they have changed their procedures and started using the FAA data
directly to produce the charts.

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

Ahh, OK.

>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data card which will be outdated by the time your unit is installed and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.

Odd, as I just ordered an update for my Apollo (UPS) units and they didn't
say a word about talking directly to Jepp.  I will go look.

>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.

Maybe.  Eliminating the middleman usually improves the bottom line for
everyone.

>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.

Good point.n

>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.

I agree.  It made sense to me a year ago and it still makes sense to me.

>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.

As I indicated, the quality of the FAA data is questionable, at least in my
mind as a result of previous research.  If it is flight-critical data, I am
going to stick with Jepp if for no other reason than Jepp has a powerful
motivator to give good and correct data -- liability.  You can't sue the
federal government so they have no real motivator to really and truely
produce accurate data.

OTOH, the FAA data is probably useful for VFR ops and would be convenient
if I could get it into my Palm IIIx which is on my belt when I have my
clothes on. ;^)


Brian Lloyd                                    Lucent Technologies
brian@lloyd.com                                3461 Robin Lane, Suite 1
http://www.livingston.com                      Cameron Park, CA  95682
+1.530.676.6513 - voice                        +1.530.676.3442 - fax

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