I started this thread and thank all of the guys who have provided input.
It seems to me that Garmin are in no rush whatsoever to get the GNS430
product ready to ship with WAAS enabled.
From the hearsay that is banded around, all that is forthcoming is a
possible indication that something may happen in 2005.
Garmin could have easily, by now, have issued a firm commitment to the
GNS430 and shipping them with enabled WAAS.
But I think that it is fact that no formal assurances have been issued at
all.

The GNS480 is available, and without assurances about the GNS430 Garmin are
indicating that the 430 will soon be shown on the discontinued list.
What Garmin are doing is typically good marketing, say nothing, keep smiling
and slowly let the product die !

I feel that any difficultly with using the GNS480 interface probably is just
a matter of familiarity.
Those users who learnt to operate GPS units via the GPS90/92, GPS195/6 hand
helds will have found the GNS430 to be a natural progression.
Therefore being easy for them to gain full control.

I can play tunes on pretty much all of the Garmin aviation hand held units.
Last week I sat down with the GNS480 simulator and admit that I had to go
back and read some parts of the manual.
But having done so, felt at home reasonably quickly. Also the use of
softkeys is an improvement over the GNS430.
I am sure that the lack of competition from Bendix [or others] is pretty
much leaving Garmin always in the Left Seat.
I can't wait till Oshkosh to see what Garmin might announce, so I am taking
the bull by the horns and will fit the GNS480 in my Archer.


--
Roy
N5804F - PA28-181 Piper Archer II


"Andrew Gideon" wrote in message
online.com...
Dude wrote:

I have never used one, but the word on the street and in the press is
that
the interface is MUCH more different than that. Reviews of the units
have
not been flattering about the interface.

Really? Tom Benenson in Flying has spoken well about it, as did someone
in
one of the more recent IFRs. These are just the most recent; I've seen
other praise further in the past.

I don't recall reading of anyone complaining about the UI in the press.
Have you a reference; I'd like to see the specifics of the complaint(s).
Like you, I've not tried one.

[...]
In my search for a used 430, I have heard too much talk that a new panel
mount is just around the corner though.

From Garmin or someone else? I've been wondering by Bendix hasn't an
entry
in that market (unless I've missed it).

- Andrew