"Marco Leon" mleon(at)optonline.net wrote:

I predict that we'll see airway capability in the 430/530 WAAS
upgrade. If Garmin does this, what you have left is a legacy box that
is essentially the same as the 430 and 530 but isn't as user-friendly,
doesn't have terrain, and does not have VFR map features. Sure the 480
has a transponder interface but I don't see it being easier than
punching the numbers in the GTX 327/330.

I think the box will be "officially" supported by Garmin and Jeppesen
but I wouldn't expect to see the terrain option or any other
significant software upgrades after the most recent CNX-80=GNS480
upgrade.


I just went through these deliberations to decide which box to get and finally went for the 480. The
installation is still underway, and I hope to get the plane back next week. I haven't played with the actual
boxes that much but after using the two PC simulators extensively, I find the 480 user interface more
straightforward. Those families of pages on the 430 accessed with the two knobs seem to be totally non-
intuitive to me. The 480 with its mode keys, line select keys and menus seem easier to use, but again,
the proof will be in using the actual box in the airplane while flying as opposed to sitting at the computer.

The other big consideration for me was trying to crystal-ball what the future of these two boxes is. The
480 seems to have a leg up in terms of features and capabilites, with its WAAS, VNAV, roll steering, and
airways, etc., but they can't just turn their back on the 430 with its huge installed base. Without any real
inside information, I finally concluded that the 480 is too nice a box to become an orphan, and with the
430 WAAS upgrade estimated at $1500, the cost difference between the two is not that great.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to getting the plane back and learning to fly with all the new
toys.

Mike