GARMIN GNS430, GNS530, CNX80 SHOOTOUT

 

Here's exactly what was done to each unit.

Be advised some of the above items can not be accomplished on all three units such as installing an airway in a flight plan and radial off of a waypoint. We discussed GPSS steering and how each unit would operate when used with the S-Tec GPSS.  We also had the MX20 connected to the CNX80, the MX20 will work with any of the mentioned GPS's.  

Here's how the Shootout groups broke down:

Here Are the Results:

What They Didn't Like:

The question was asked. "If room wasn't an issue but you could NOT have the MX20; which unit would you pick"?  All 29 picked the GNS530.

Summary:

Most flew a great distance to see all  four of these units side by side and go through the same steps with each to determine which best suited their needs.  Twenty six of the 29 were quite sure prior to the Shootout that the CNX80 was the box they pined for but after the evaluation, decided against it.  The clear winner was the MX20 and GNS530.  What seemed to turn the students off with regards to the CNX80 was the number of steps required to get to the same point that you would with the Garmin, no weather or traffic can be displayed on the CNX80 screen and the difficulties we encountered using the flight plan mode.  Most felt the CNX80 doesn't think like the average GA pilot thinks.  The above data is in no way scientific or reflects the views of the general aviation community, only the view of the 29 pilots who attended the shootout. 

 

 

 

 

 

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