The Collins Microline was once top-drawer avionics and is still worth keeping as a second fiddle. In the 28-volt version, Cessna’s digital ARC line are also worth retaining.

-by Larry Anglisano

In the world of avionics, the ever forward march of progress doesn’t always make things easy for buyers. As new technology arrives, it takes awhile to displace the old stuff. The high rollers buy every new product under the sun but the vast middle of the market is more conservative.

And that, more than anything else, explains why the traditional navcomm—a radio and VOR/LOC receiver—are still standard equipment in most airplanes. But in an age where color mapcomms are the expectation, is it just nuts to even consider retaining or—gasp!—buying a new navcomm? …