Garmin GNS-430 vs. CNX80

What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user. Is it really
too "heavy duty" for casual use? Is it worth the extra $2 to $3K?

Thanks,
Mike

IMO, you might as well have 2 of these things, so you might as well get dual
430's or a 430/420 combo.

Seriously, too many of us are slaves to these things now (we should not be,
but unless you fly a lot of IFR, you likely really need one). I suppose it
may be better to have a handheld back up, but that means practicing with it,
and keeping extra batteries, etc. Also, its easier keeping a second
database up to date if both are the same machine.

The 530 does have extra features, but the dual 430's are plenty nice for me,
and since I want two, it would mean having a 530 AND a 430/420.

I can't say much about the CNX80 as I only used one for about 10 minutes.
The graphics were nice though.






"Mike Adams" wrote in message
news:Z3HLc.43796$ve2.15214@okepread05...
What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user. Is it really
too "heavy duty" for casual use? Is it worth the extra $2 to $3K?

Thanks,
Mike

"Mike Adams" wrote in message
news:Z3HLc.43796$ve2.15214@okepread05...
What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user.

After investigating and trying the simulators provided by Garmin (to
download from the website), I came to this same conclusion. I decided to go
for the CNX80 as I plan "serious" IFR activity, and then discovered that
CNX80 is apparently not certified in France for IFR.
That's surprising, as CNX80 was certified before the 430/530 in US, but it
leaves me little choice.

--
YAG

PA34 F-GFTF wrote:

"Mike Adams" wrote in message
news:Z3HLc.43796$ve2.15214@okepread05...

What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user.


After investigating and trying the simulators provided by Garmin (to
download from the website), I came to this same conclusion. I decided to go
for the CNX80 as I plan "serious" IFR activity, and then discovered that
CNX80 is apparently not certified in France for IFR.

This will change... I'm sure.

That's surprising, as CNX80 was certified before the 430/530 in US, but it
leaves me little choice.

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 04:07:21 GMT, Mike Adams
wrote:

What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user. Is it really
too "heavy duty" for casual use? Is it worth the extra $2 to $3K?

Thanks,
Mike

I recently made the decision to go with the CNX80. I've not compared it
directly with the 430/530. But having the airways in the DB means you can
just input the FP the same way that ATC reads it to you. That is very
handy.

You are going to have a significant learning curve no matter what unit you
purchase. It's very different from VOR navigation; and programming the box
on the fly for changes in clearances is not always intuitive. But that's
true for all of the boxes. They each have their quirks.

The CNX80 is certified under TSO146 vs TSO129 for the 430. That means it
qualifies for sole source navigation.

Finally, I'm hoping that someday my local airport will have VNAV or LPV
approaches. Without a (estimated) $1500 upgrade on the 430, (which puts it
into the same price as the CNX80), I would not have been able to take
advantage of that.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

In article Z3HLc.43796$ve2.15214@okepread05,
Mike Adams wrote:

What's the latest thinking on the GNS-430 vs. the CNX80? I'm planning a
panel upgrade and have read all the magazine articles, including the
comparison in Aviation Consumer, but it would be interesting to hear from
some actual users on how they compare. It seems the general impression is
that the CNX80 is more capable (WAAS, airways in the database, etc.), but
may be a little harder to use for the VFR and light IFR user. Is it really
too "heavy duty" for casual use? Is it worth the extra $2 to $3K?

Thanks,
Mike

I've got about 50 hours with a CNX-80, and maybe 5-10 hours with a 430
(a couple of years ago).

I really love the CNX-80. The display is larger than the 430, the WAAS
capability means it's not just more reliable, but more future-proof
(there are some kinds of approach procedures which are only authorized
if you have WAAS). The airways in the database is a great improvement
over entering long strings of waypoints.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that the CNX-80 has a learning
curve. But, for an airplane that you own and fly all the time, it
should be a non-issue. Garmin has also recently come out with a
PC-based simulator, which makes home training easier than it was before.