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Aircraft Avionics

Which IFR Navigator? Garmin GNC 355 Wins

It was around 1996 or thereabouts when Garmin started cranking out the GNC 300XL. This was a TSO C129(A1) IFR approach GPS navigator and as a bonus, it had a utilitarian moving map (of course, any panel map back then was utilitarian) and a built-in VHF comm radio. It had no VHF nav-strictly GPS. The GNC series was a clever idea and almost the perfect solution for backing up a traditional navcomm, or for more basic panels, it worked as the primary rig because of the built-in comm. The cheaper GNC 250XL had a VFR GPS and a simpler install. The GNC series sold like rush-hour coffee at Starbucks.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

When Garmin introduced the GPS 175 (and ADS-B transponder-equipped GNX 375) budget IFR navigator earlier this year, we wondered why it didn’t have a comm radio. Then a couple months later, Garmin tossed the $6995 GNC 355 in the mix with, you guessed it, a built-in comm.

That leaves no fewer than a half-dozen choices for new GPS navigators, counting ones from Avidyne and not counting some worthy used-market choices. In this article, which is part of our Avionics Bootcamp series, we’ll attempt to sort out the buying decision so you’re better prepared to round up some quotes for installation.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.