trade a GNS430 for the 480?

[Groundpounder]

Ugh.....

I was trying to get the boss to get a pair of 480's, but he wanted wx datalink, so we are getting a pair of 430's with xm weather. If we got the 480's, then a Garmin 396, we would have had everything and more, since he didn't want to spend money on an MFD. We flew back from the NE yesterday and got three different re routes, all with different airways. It was such a PITA having to keep plugging in all the waypoints. Oh well, thats what I get paid for. At least the 430's will be an improvement over the KLN 94 we have now.

 

[CutEmUp]

In addition to having airways in the database (important only to high-altitude pressurized folks) it also has the ability to serve as the remote control head for a remote transponder - saving panel space. Originally the GNX 80 could channel a remote transponder but not a Mode S remote transponder. I understand that has now changed. SO - forget the 330 and get the remote version.

This is good info since we are having an issue with panel space. I will look into it as another plus for the 480.

Also, a lot of the flying that I do IS on airways and LOTS of route changes. I've gotten very quick with the 430, but it still does take a lot of twisting, how exactly does the 480 speed this up?

I guess I'm not too up on the ADS-B situation. How long, realistically, before the system is up and running in the U.S.? I'd say mode-s traffic will probably suffice now, and at least a few years into the future.

 

[cptsesso]

"how exactly does the 480 speed this up"

The 480 has all of the airways in it's database. If you are given direct to "abc" then V399 to "def", you would enter "abc" then select V399 from abc to the next fix "def". It will then automatically insert all of the fixes which make up V399 between "abc" and "def". A lot less work for the person entering the flight plan.

 

[CalifDan]

I would be interested in any intel on the upgrade also. Garmin keeps things pretty quiet. The original plan was to have the WAAS upgrade available over a year ago. They finally determined that a software upgrade was not going to be enough. They provided a $1500 upgrade path through the end of November 2005 I think. Current pricing is $2000. These amounts did not have to be prepaid, but do need to be pre-arranged. The Garmin site is still reporting the upgrade availability to be later this year, but they have delayed before on this. The only change I know of for sure is the WAAS which will include a faster processor, hardware changes associated and software. I do not know about any other features that will be added.

Some I would like to see are the aforementioned holding ability, better route planning and putting some data together on an output port to free up an input port on the MX20.

 

[CalifDan]

guess I'm not too up on the ADS-B situation. How long, realistically, before the system is up and running in the U.S.? I'd say mode-s traffic will probably suffice now, and at least a few years into the future.

ADS-B nationwide will be more than a few more years. In the meantime, the mode-s will give you some protection around busier airspace but we decided that it was not sufficient, particularly if the FAA is actually shutting down mode-s coverage areas (which they did last year, two of them I think).

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm sure that the WAAS upgrade to the 430/530 will be just that, an upgrade that provides WAAS.
The upgrade is pretty cheap as Garmin stuff goes, the money to add airways just isn't there, even if the existing software could support it which is unlikely.