Side by side what are the pros cons between the Kodiak and short body Caravan?

Especially the Caravan with an engine upgrade if possible on the short body 208.

I have seen a couple of YouTube videos that compare the two but don’t remember the details.
Quest the original manufacturer was set up to clean sheet design a plane for mission work that out performed the caravan in every way possible. (My words). In other words the caravan is available today but it starts fires in Africa because of exhaust pipe, it hits rocks because prop diameter to big tires to short, always hitting trees wings too long, etc etc

Clean sheet was easier than fixing legacy issues (my words)

The first Kodiaks manufactured were very close to a caravan IMO. After series 2 I think they started to distinguish themselves. The new 900 is amazing, but might not be a bad idea to wait for series 2 on it. I said earlier I think a few of the speed mods on the 900 get integrated into the next 100 series upgrade just to streamline manufacturing.

Caravan is a great plane.

I only have a few flights in a Kodak. Overall I think it is a nicely appointed plane when it comes to creature comforts. I did not get used to its trim system adjustments when moving flaps, compared to the Caravan I had to think just a little more for the engine start if I recall.

Overall I am more comfortable in the Caravan, but that probably has to do more with time in type.

Short Caravan with the big engine on Wipline 8750s...IMHO you can't do much better!

<<I only have a few flights in a Kodak. Overall I think it is a nicely appointed plane when it comes to creature comforts. I did not get used to its trim system adjustments when moving flaps, compared to the Caravan I had to think just a little more for the engine start if I recall>>

Steve great observation and memory.
That is definitely an issue especially when the autopilot is engaged. It’s like the flap transitions too fast for the trim to keep up, and you would think in AP it would be synced. We also noticed a similar yaw dampener bug while disengaging in autopilot, turn it off and it dumps all dampening force immediately, we have only experienced it in climb and I don’t remember why we felt the need to disengage YD (probably a “what would happen if I push this button now” thing), never had the issue flying level or in descent. But we are learning and noticing less impact with each flight. Our fix has been to disengage AP before turning off yaw dampener, and not to engage AP until we are closer to trim. It seems to me that it should be a software fix in Garmin as opposed to plane design, because you can manually not have it happen and it’s only associated with AP.

I fly 208B Grand Caravan with a pod as a personal airplane. My friend has a short body with out a pod and the PT6-114a 675 hp. He has at least 10 knots on me at cruise, plus better performance in every realm of flight. I have a raced a Kodiak (not the new 900) and they are 10-15 knots faster than me.

I like the previous comparison to a Bonanza. The Caravan has piston performance with turbine systems and reliability (and a bunch more space and comfort). I view the Kodiak the same way.

Kodiak vs. Caravan? Pick you ecosystem: Daher or Textron. Both are proven designs that are simple and super reliable. Neither are efficient.

Chartered a Kodiak down in Costa Rica this weekend. 8 people and bags, no problem. Plus I got to sit up front!

Had a newer caravan on way out. It’s definitely bigger but the Kodiak just seemed more solid. Kodiak was louder by about 5db up front.

Cool planes with great avionics!

One negative comment on the Caravan. The passenger door (aft right door with steps) has the worst possible cable design. I have been dealing with the door for almost 24 years, and I still can't get it to close properly half the time. I have spoken with professional pilots flying new Caravans and they have the same complaint. The cables just seem to get in the way. The other three doors on the Caravan are pure greatness.

Not sure if any you of you saw the RAF article in Flying Magazine by Julie Boatman. I did most of the Kodiak flying for that project. It is an amazing aircraft with superior capabilities in the backcountry. Assuming you are willing to slow down deep in the canyon you can go most anywhere even loaded up.

I routinely fly my 185 all over the backcountry and I'd take the Kodiak to virtually any of those places as well. I did much of the 5 bladed composite testing for the K-100. It is a great product.

Kodiak is big, brawny, and very very capable !

JC

The slow flight characteristics of the Kodiak is phenomenal for so a large bodied airframe.
Like I said before, the ability to slow it down quickly with prop Is something I had never experienced before. Like throwing out a drag shoot

Does anyone have any real world experience with the 900 going into strips? Wondering how limiting the tyres/spats are and if the extra size/weight is mitigated by the power.

Has the 900 realistically become a sealed strip or manicured grass machine or can it handle typical mountain strips like a 100?