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Budget ADS-B: uAvionix, Garmin Lead

If youre still holding out for a cheaper mandate-compliant ADS-B upgrade, the calendar is closing in on you. Were hearing that the better avionics shops have sizable installation backlogs-some greater than six months-for even basic upgrades. Some are charging a premium for priority scheduling. We predicted this very scenario years ago, and suspect shop labor rates will increase, moving forward.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

If you’re still holding out for a cheaper mandate-compliant ADS-B upgrade, the calendar is closing in on you. We’re hearing that the better avionics shops have sizable installation backlogs—some greater than six months—for even basic upgrades. Some are charging a premium for priority scheduling. We predicted this very scenario years ago, and suspect shop labor rates will increase, moving forward.

So since some buyers might actually pay more for installation because they waited too long, and with less than 23 months until the FAA’s ADS-B mandate takes effect, we decided to scan the dense market for the absolute lowest-cost solutions. We picked Garmin’s now certified GDL82 and the uAvionix skyBeacon, both priced sub-$2000, plus 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.