GNS 430W vs GNS 480

Robert M. Gary wrote:


The 480 is more capable (has holds, etc), but the 430 is *MUCH* easier
to use.

I disagree. If you are unsullied by having used the 430, it's much
easier to run the 480. The user interface is FAR superior on the
480. The only thing that the 430 has going for it is it carries
forth the legacy of the entire Garmin previous handheld/panel mount
behavior.

Ron Natalie wrote:
Ron Gordon wrote:
I'm going to add either the GNS 430W or GNS 480\

Another handy feature of the 480, is that it (as
well as the MX20 and the GMX200) use insdustry
standard memory cards for the database. There's
no need to lug around nor purchase the overpriced
Skybound reader. All you need is a Windoze
recognized CF (or for the 200, SD card) reader.
The 480 comes with a $30 Sandisk USB interface
but the cards program just fine in my PCCard
CF interface I use for my digital camera as well.

Ron Gordon wrote:

Do you have any recommendations? Which unit is the most capable? Whichever I
get, I'm going to work diligently to learn, including any quirks.

You can take advantage of lots of user experience with the 480 by
joining the gns480-users yahoo group and paging through the message archive:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gns480-users/

Dave

Ron Natalie wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

JD wrote:

.

But, only Garmin knows for sure, but they spent a lot of money to
acquire Apollo and the techonology/engineers that the 480 was built on.

It wouldn't make much buisness sense to now kill that product after the
millions(?) they spent to acquire it.

It was done to kill the competition.


Actually, I think it was to get a WAAS product two years before
the 430 was ready and to pick up all the work that UPSAT had done
with ADS-B and to pick up the SL-30/40 non-gps com units that they
didn't have an answer for.

They've already rolled forward the MX-20 into the GMX200 for those
who aren't going to replace the enitre panel for the 600/900x/1000
line.

That too. ;-)

Sam Spade wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:



I've done instructing in the G1000 (430 basically) and found that the
most difficult (at least VFR) thing for pilots to learn is how to
change pages and manipulate the cursor to enter data. However, the 480
is certainly a more capable unit but more difficult in that regard.

I can't image a 480 being more capable than a G-1000 with WAAS.

Well, our G1000 C-182 doesn't have WAAS yet, but I don't expect that
holds will be added during that upgrade. The G1000 works like the 430.
When it comes to holds you go into suspend and you have to drive it
around the hold. The only difference between the G1000 and 430 with
regard to holds/procedure turns is that the G1000 automatically
resequences when inbound vs. the 430 that you have to press the
OBS/SUSPEND button to start sequencing again.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

Robert M. Gary wrote:




I've done instructing in the G1000 (430 basically) and found that the
most difficult (at least VFR) thing for pilots to learn is how to
change pages and manipulate the cursor to enter data. However, the 480
is certainly a more capable unit but more difficult in that regard.


I can't image a 480 being more capable than a G-1000 with WAAS.


Well, our G1000 C-182 doesn't have WAAS yet, but I don't expect that
holds will be added during that upgrade. The G1000 works like the 430.
When it comes to holds you go into suspend and you have to drive it
around the hold. The only difference between the G1000 and 430 with
regard to holds/procedure turns is that the G1000 automatically
resequences when inbound vs. the 430 that you have to press the
OBS/SUSPEND button to start sequencing again.

-Robert


I can only speak to a 530. In a hold in lieu of PT, it automatically
sequences after one circuit, no SUSPEND. When you go into a missed
approach hold it does go into SUSPEND and remains there "forever" until
you decide to leave the hold.

The positive course guidance in a 400/500W is dependent upon having a
roll steering autopilot. I doubt your 182 has a roll steering
autopilot. But, even then, once you have the W upgrade the magenta
flight track will be spot on for a charted hold or procedure turn and
will account for your groundspeed.

Sam Spade wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:
I can only speak to a 530. In a hold in lieu of PT, it automatically
sequences after one circuit, no SUSPEND. When you go into a missed
approach hold it does go into SUSPEND and remains there "forever" until
you decide to leave the hold.

Are we speaking of the same thing? In the 480 you tell it to hold, give
it the turn direction, leg length etc and it flys the hold. I've not
seen that in any other GPS product.

The positive course guidance in a 400/500W is dependent upon having a
roll steering autopilot. I doubt your 182 has a roll steering
autopilot.

Yes, the 182T does. Its not even 1 year old yet. It has a nice KAP140
autopilot. Totally hands off. Flys a full ILS down to minimums w/o
touching it. The only thing it doesn't do is fly the hold.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

Robert M. Gary wrote:
I can only speak to a 530. In a hold in lieu of PT, it automatically
sequences after one circuit, no SUSPEND. When you go into a missed
approach hold it does go into SUSPEND and remains there "forever" until
you decide to leave the hold.


Are we speaking of the same thing? In the 480 you tell it to hold, give
it the turn direction, leg length etc and it flys the hold. I've not
seen that in any other GPS product.

No, I think you are speaking of holds not in the database. Sounds like
the 480 does a nice job of that. I am speaking of charted approach
chart holds.


The positive course guidance in a 400/500W is dependent upon having a
roll steering autopilot. I doubt your 182 has a roll steering
autopilot.


Yes, the 182T does. Its not even 1 year old yet. It has a nice KAP140
autopilot. Totally hands off. Flys a full ILS down to minimums w/o
touching it. The only thing it doesn't do is fly the hold.


It will most likely fly the hold with a W mod.

Sam Spade wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:

Are we speaking of the same thing? In the 480 you tell it to hold, give
it the turn direction, leg length etc and it flys the hold. I've not
seen that in any other GPS product.

No, I think you are speaking of holds not in the database. Sounds like
the 480 does a nice job of that. I am speaking of charted approach
chart holds.

Did this change in the 430 with WAAS? From my teaching in the 430 and
G1000 when you cross the holding fix it just goes into suspend mode
(with a suggested entry procedure). The 480 actually figures the entry
procedure and flys it, you never touch the yoke. Does the 430 WAAS unit
fly the entry procedure?

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

Does the 430 WAAS unit fly the entry procedure?

If the sim for the GNS430W is to be believed, yes it will, assuming of
course it is coupled with an appropriate AP.

--
Peter