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Aircraft Avionics

MapComm Shootout: GNS 480 Excels

The all-in-one GPS color mapcomm has become such an avionics standard that a used airplane without at least a Garmin GNS 430 hardly gets a second look. And for any owners planning an upgrade in this market, you'll likely be sending money to Garmin anyway, for it owns all three mapcomm megaboxes, the GNS 430/530 and the GNS 480, which it acquired when it bought UPSAT in 2003. So which is best for a given airplane? There's no easy answer, but in this article, we'll summarize the major features of each. Each product does so much that we cant detail all of the operations. For this review, we'll hit the high notes only.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

The all-in-one GPS color mapcomm has become such an avionics standard that a used airplane without at least a Garmin GNS 430 hardly gets a second look. And for any owners planning an upgrade in this market, you’ll likely be sending money to Garmin anyway, for it owns all three mapcomm megaboxes, the GNS 430/530 and

GNS 480

the GNS 480, which it acquired when it bought UPSAT in 2003.

So which is best for a given airplane? There’s no easy answer, but in this article, we’ll summarize the major features of each. Each product does so much that we cant detail all of the operations. For this review, we’ll hit the high notes only.

Garmin GNS480

When Garmin bought UPSAT, the CNX80-now the GNS 480-was a bit of candy thrown into the deal, since it had what the existing Garmin line lacked: WAAS-enabled GPS precision approaches. The GNS 480 has endured some controversy recently, with rumors of it becoming orphaned. Despite this, the GNS 480 remains in production even if overshadowed by the flagship GNS 530W and the lower-end GNS 430W.

We have mixed sentiments regarding the future of the GNS 480 because of its perceived popularity and the vibes we get from the factory. Its a great box, but not a great seller. Still, it has some useful tricks still unmatched by the GNS 430/530 and it retains strong appeal to a certain breed of IFR pilot.

The GNS 480 is the ideal size for replacing an old Bendix/King KX170B or Narco MK12D, although in a world of big-screen MFDs, weve heard complaints that the screen characters are a reach for aging eyes. In our view, on-screen nomenclature, although small, is crisp and bright. It does we’ll in sun-splashed cockpits and at wide viewing angles in larger cockpits.

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.