How to Choose the Right Aviation GPS and Radio
Answering a few simple questions will help you find the perfect fit for your Garmin avionics package.
Whether you’re planning your avionics stack in your very first experimental aircraft or upgrading your workhorse twin, it’s essential to have the right GPS navigation and communication tools on board. But before you buy, it’s important to determine exactly which avionics make the most sense for your specific airplane and use case.
First, ask yourself a few key questions about how you plan to use your airplane. What are your airframe hours, engine hours and existing equipment you want to retain? This information is relevant when considering your needs.
What do I need — or want — with this upgrade?
Garmin has multiple solutions and product combinations available to suit your needs. Maybe you need a GPS (GPS 175) or radio only (GTR™ 205), or maybe you’d like to consider both (GNC® 355). Perhaps you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology to amp up your flying — or your safety (GTN Xi). There is certainly no shortage of options to tailor a solution to meet your exact needs. Factors, including the type of airplane, engine hours, existing avionics and planned upgrades for the whole airframe, will help you and your avionics installer determine which solutions may be the most beneficial and within your appropriate budget.
What’s my flight mission?
Are you a weekend warrior looking for simple tools to help get that $100 hamburger with friends, or are you an IFR pilot who uses your plane round-the-clock for both business and pleasure? Those two realities — and the many shades of gray in between — would likely call for different solutions.
So, consider what capabilities you’ll need from your technology. If you’re only flying out for the occasional pancake breakfast, GPS navigators, such as the GPS 175, GNC® 355 or GNX™ 375, offer moving maps with handy tools, including frequency lookup, optional traffic and weather. Paired with a GTR slimline radio, you’ve got a simple, easy-to-use setup.
If you require more serious functionality and complex flight plans, it may be preferable to have all the bells and whistles in one unit. Look no further than the GTN™ 750Xi. You’ll get VNAV capability, GPS and ground-based approaches, Smart Glide™ technology1, charts, myriad remote interface possibilities and more. The world is your oyster with a GTN Xi — our flagship GPS/NAV/COMM/MFD.
Where should I have my avionics installed?
Do you want to use a dealer for a complete, professional installation experience, or do you typically work with an installer outside of the Garmin dealer network? If you want a fresh avionics installation through a Garmin dealer, any of the GPS and radio solutions are available for a customer’s choosing. If you’re hoping to have your A&P or other preferred installer do the work, any of our GPS navigator series — GPS 175, GNC® 355, GNX™ 375 — or slimline radios — the GTR™ 205 and GNC® 215 — would suit your needs.
Once you’ve answered the questions above, finding the right Garmin solution to meet your navigation and communications needs is a breeze. From the one-stop shop of a GTN Xi or building the custom avionics stack of your dreams with the GPS navigator series and slimline radios, there is a Garmin solution for every pilot, every mission and every budget.
1Smart Glide compatibility requires a Garmin flight display; see Garmin.com/SGproducts for more deta
