GNS 480 (CNX 80) End of Service Life

The 480 capable of displaying ADS-B in options?
 
IMG_2669.JPG
WannFly said:
there is a traffic page in 480, so yeah I am sure it can display. I don't have ADSB connected to 480 though
Click to expand...

Yeah I've got TIS on mine but I haven't heard if it's compatible with a GDL-88 or a GTX-345 for ADS-B in. They all say 400/500 series but I haven't heard anything definitive on the 480.
 
Velocity173 said:
View attachment 57822

Yeah I've got TIS on mine but I haven't heard if it's compatible with a GDL-88 or a GTX-345 for ADS-B in. They all say 400/500 series but I haven't heard anything definitive on the 480.
Click to expand...
they typically don't write about 480 at all, even if when it is compatible (example G5 HSI). I have a GDL 90 that's connected to GMX 200. I believe I can be connected to 480 too, but not sure.
on a diff note, I have heard a lot of people complaining about how complex 480 is, I don't find it complex. though I am VFR and actually don't know all the IFR stuff that may be complicated.
 
I've heard the 480 is a big of a pain with traffic as it's hard to silence in busy airspace.

I love mine. It makes IFR flying, especially around the New York area with bendy airways and frequent reroutes very simple. I hear the 650/750 has some of that built into it too, now.
 
I’ll take a 480 over a 430/530 any day.

I’m assuming the 650/750 is an improvement.
 
dans2992 said:
I’ll take a 480 over a 430/530 any day.

I’m assuming the 650/750 is an improvement.
Click to expand...
As will I. And yes, the GTN’s do claim the 480 as the predecessor. The button and use logic is very similar.
 
Ryan F. said:
BIG improvement. There's no comparison, really.
Click to expand...

Judging from the insane prices that the used GNS series has been selling for over that several years, I'll swap to the new one when my GTN is no longer "the new radio."
 
bnt83 said:
Judging from the insane prices that the used GNS series has been selling for over that several years, I'll swap to the new one when my GTN is no longer "the new radio."
Click to expand...

That's why I bought a (very slightly) used 650; it was only a couple grand more than a 430W.

The prices have been kept artificially high on the GNS series for awhile but they're finally starting to drop. For the record, I taught the GNS series for years, and have flown (and taught in) dozens of airplanes with 430s and 530s installed. They're fine units, and I really don't care enough about which one is better to get into an argument over it.

I'm not telling anyone what to do but if the prices have held their peak and are just now starting to slide, now would be the perfect time, financially, to upgrade to the GTN from a GNS series... get the maximum trade-in value, and get the advantage of relatively low prices for the GTN.

Among the many advantages of the GTN series is the confusing (to some) "Garminology" is mostly gone. No more wondering when to press Enter vs. "in" on the dual-knob, no more endless acknowledgment messages, etc. And it's just a hell of a capable little device especially in the Garmin eco-verse of avionics. It talks to lots of other Garmin gadgets. And in terms of its UI, well, I have yet to find a better one. That would include the leading-edge avionics suites I fly in business jets. It's that good, that well thought out. Garmin really nailed it.

For the (currently) small price delta between a used GNS and a new or slightly used GTN, it's a no-brainer... go with the GTN.
 
The 480 isn’t very complicated. I haven’t quite mastered it yet, but I certainly enjoy using it, along with the G5.
 
Well, that was quick. 6/30/19 all parts and service support ends.

Garmin service advisory 1874.

Considered putting one in last year. Dodged that bullet. Too bad, nice box.
 
Chip Sylverne said:
Well, that was quick. 6/30/19 all parts and service support ends.

Garmin service advisory 1874.

Considered putting one in last year. Dodged that bullet. Too bad, nice box.
Click to expand...
that seals my fate :oops:

I wonder if can get some $$ by yanking it out
 
WannFly said:
that seals my fate :oops:

I wonder if can get some $$ by yanking it out
Click to expand...

I bet they get real cheap real fast. If you have one installed, why not stay on the prowl for a serviceable spare to put on the shelf just in case. It'd be crazy to install one now.
 
Chip Sylverne said:
I bet they get real cheap real fast. If you have one installed, why not stay on the prowl for a serviceable spare to put on the shelf just in case. It'd be crazy to install one now.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they just lost most of their value with that announcement. That being the case, the opportunity to sell for value has come and gone.

Now the best strategy would be to hold onto it for as many years (or months) of usability as possible to maximize the original investment.
 
I bought a twin cessna with a 480 and a 430 W in it. I have had plenty of experience with a 430 W in my Mooney. It took some getting used to but once I learned the 480 it is a superior box. The history of the device from UPS avionics is interesting and will certainly fan the fire of Garmin haters now that they have discontinued service on it. Will service get outsourced somewhere after after next summer? Or are we out of luck? Final question, what would be everyone's choice of replacement if you had a 480 today and wanter to "upgrade?"
 
Ouch, just read a guy's post about being AOG with a 480 that was retuned "not repairable" from Garmin. His airplane has a remote transponder and the 480 was the transponder control.

I suspect we will be seeing more of this kind of thing with more and more remote boxes being installed.
 
WannFly said:
that seals my fate :oops:

I wonder if can get some $$ by yanking it out
Click to expand...
Well having just saw yours on Monday :) I think it is a pretty awesome setup.

Can you not basically fly it until their are no database updates available or it has a problem needing service?

Since I don't understand database updates - it seems they are by Jeppesen. If this is the case, are they generic and so that you might easily have updates for another 10yrs or even more? Or are Jeppesen updates also tied to the avionics and they can discontinue them as well?

I know this might complicate your ADSB out decision. But then again maybe you just get the 345 anyway?
 
bnt83 said:
Ouch, just read a guy's post about being AOG with a 480 that was retuned "not repairable" from Garmin. His airplane has a remote transponder and the 480 was the transponder control.

I suspect we will be seeing more of this kind of thing with more and more remote boxes being installed.
Click to expand...
good to know... I was contemplating on 345R... now that's out of the window..completely
 
Sinistar said:
Well having just saw yours on Monday :) I think it is a pretty awesome setup.

Can you not basically fly it until their are no database updates available or it has a problem needing service?

Since I don't understand database updates - it seems they are by Jeppesen. If this is the case, are they generic and so that you might easily have updates for another 10yrs or even more? Or are Jeppesen updates also tied to the avionics and they can discontinue them as well?

I know this might complicate your ADSB out decision. But then again maybe you just get the 345 anyway?
Click to expand...

well yah, I can continue using it until it dies, I have gotten fairly used to the logic. the updates are available from Jepp and haven't heard anything about that retiring. I will have to get 345, not the remote one as it would create a dependency on the 480 box.
 
According to the 480 users group gurus, there is no reason to expect Jepp to stop providing databases for the unit anytime soon. Apparently they have continued to support other orphaned models for some time (years to maybe as long as a decade), though I can't name any specific cases.

But the ending of hardware support by Garmin definitely sucks. Mine is still going strong, but what happens when (not if) it fails? Will 3rd party repair shops fill the gap in service, or are we 480 folks just SOL at that point? Considering that the reason given for the EOL decision (as reported by someone who works for Garmin) was parts availability, I suspect we will be SOL.
 
[adjusts the tin foil hat]

Could also be a attempted nudge by Big G to get us happy 480 users to get to upgrading to currently available models.
 
azure said:
According to the 480 users group gurus, there is no reason to expect Jepp to stop providing databases for the unit anytime soon. Apparently they have continued to support other orphaned models for some time (years to maybe as long as a decade), though I can't name any specific cases.

But the ending of hardware support by Garmin definitely sucks. Mine is still going strong, but what happens when (not if) it fails? Will 3rd party repair shops fill the gap in service, or are we 480 folks just SOL at that point? Considering that the reason given for the EOL decision (as reported by someone who works for Garmin) was parts availability, I suspect we will be SOL.
Click to expand...

Unless you get struck by lightning, chances are pretty good it will be a button/switch failure or degradation of the display. The former you might find a suitable replacement, the latter you are sol.
 
teejayevans said:
Unless you get struck by lightning, chances are pretty good it will be a button/switch failure or degradation of the display. The former you might find a suitable replacement, the latter you are sol.
Click to expand...

Meh, considering G-mart wants at least 3 AMU to replace a GTN display (which makes Aspen's constant box swapping a freggin' charity by comparison), I'd say as long as you can get an entire 480 box for less than that, you're ahead by hoarding a box and swapping when the displays dies on your original unit. Aviation databases are still supported for things like a GX-60 and KLN 89B for Christ sake, so database support is not gonna be the limfac here.

I certainly wouldn't initial install a 480 box, but for legacy customers, keep on trucking.
 
hindsight2020 said:
Meh, considering G-mart wants at least 3 AMU to replace a GTN display (which makes Aspen's constant box swapping a freggin' charity by comparison), I'd say as long as you can get an entire 480 box for less than that, you're ahead by hoarding a box and swapping when the displays dies on your original unit. Aviation databases are still supported for things like a GX-60 and KLN 89B for Christ sake, so database support is not gonna be the limfac here.

I certainly wouldn't initial install a 480 box, but for legacy customers, keep on trucking.
Click to expand...

When did the flat repair policy stop covering GTNs? It was $1200, not that much more than the GNS4xx series. If someone paid $3k for a repair on a GTN they got screwed, probably by the dealership.
 
Last edited:
Anybody here want to sell their box? I bought an airplane last week and the display went Tango Uniform already. I need to fill the black hole before Señora sees it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top