GDL-88 and Garmin's GTS800 series

[triple8s]

The weather on ADS B IS NOT VERY GOOD, boxy and Garmin says they can not change it, that's how they get it from FAA.

Traffics is okay, I would wait until the weather production has improved.

I bought an iPad, dual gps/adsb, kept my trusty 496 and left the XM subscription going until I got good with the new system and boy am I glad I kept the 496. If I had known how lousy the adsb is I would have bought a 696 !

[KSMooniac]

I'm afraid the feds didn't build enough bandwidth into that system to deliver weather as good as XM, unfortunately. Typical fed short-sightedness. I doubt it can be improved...

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[ArtVandelay]

I'm afraid the feds didn't build enough bandwidth into that system to deliver weather as good as XM, unfortunately. Typical fed short-sightedness. I doubt it can be improved...

 

Feds still published weather forecasts with insane abbreviations...note to FAA, we don't use teletype machines or 300 baud modems anymore, you can spell out text forecast.

[FlyDave]

The weather on ADS B IS NOT VERY GOOD, boxy and Garmin says they can not change it, that's how they get it from FAA.

Traffics is okay, I would wait until the weather production has improved.

I bought an iPad, dual gps/adsb, kept my trusty 496 and left the XM subscription going until I got good with the new system and boy am I glad I kept the 496. If I had known how lousy the adsb is I would have bought a 696 !

 

The previous owner of my plane didn't cancel his XM subscription for a few months after I bought the plane so I had both XM and ADS-B weather during that time.

I found the weather on both very comparable - maybe not as pretty on ADS-B as XM but it certainly told me where the returns were and their intensity with the same basic picture.

One day on my way from Los Angeles to the San Francisco area I could not get radar coverage on XM but I could on ADS-B. At the same time I could not get winds aloft on ADS-B but I could on XM. Neither system is perfect.

[Bennett]

I use both XM and the GDL 88 coupled to my GTN 750 and GTN 650. I set them up so that my panel mounted Aera 796 shows XM, and the GTN 750 shows traffic and weather (long range). The GTN 650 is set at the 6 mile range for traffic, and one touch brings you to the 2 mile range. Lots of available data, and ways to display that data as overlays. I really prefer the way XM presents weather and especially winds aloft

[BoiseMooney]

Reviving this thread because I'm interested in adding both traffic and weather.  M20J currently has a 430W and a GTX-320a transponder.  My general plan has been to use a GDL-39 3D with Garmin Pilot app for in weather and traffic.  For out, I'm debating between a GDL-88 with the existing transponder versus just upgrading the transponder to a GTX-330ES.  It looks like the GTX-330ES route will be maybe $1k less expensive installed than the GDL-88.  I've also recently started considering the KT-74 as an even less expensive alternative for the out solution.  All three will give me out, thus giving me full traffic when in range of ground stations via the GDL-39 3D.  The question is, am I right in my pros/cons list:

 

GDL-88 - will provide me with the most data on the 430W, and any future panel upgrades (GTN for sure, G500 for sure, what about Aspen Pro PFD?)  So this option is most expensive, but will give me the most in-panel data both on my 430W as well as future upgrades.

 

GTX-330ES - will provide me with just traffic on the 430W and any future panel upgrades, and I'll always need the GDL-39 and tablet for weather + traffic combined.

 

KT-74 - currently will provide no panel traffic or weather of any sort and I'll be strictly reliant on the GDL-39  and tablet for all ADS-B IN features.

 

Did I get anything wrong there?  I was originally thinking the GDL-88 would be the most "future proof," but now I'm thinking that if I go with an Aspen, I'd end up needing their ADS-B solution anyhow, so maybe there's no benefit.  Unless someone's actually managed to use a GDL-88 with an Aspen.  Now I'm thinking a KT-74 might be the smart route to go and then, someday, if I decide to go with an Aspen I can just also add their ADS-B transceiver, put in my old transponder and sell the KT-74.  I like the idea of traffic/weather on the 430W, but I'm not sure it's worth the cost if I have the tablet with all the data already.

 

Hmmm....

[Marauder]

My advice is to wait. I've been on the trail of a perfect ADS-B solution for 2 years. It is still evolving. The GDL-88 has some limitations on the GNS products. Go to the Garmin GDL-88 website and look at the compatible devices. You will see the differences. BTW- unless the update has been released, the ADS-B stuff doesn't display on the G500.

Worst case, you stick in a 330ES and get TIS-B on your portable regardless which portable you use and TIS-A on the 430.

There is no compatibility between the Aspen ADS-B solution and the Garmin certified stuff, nor is there any compatibility with the GDL-88 and the Aspen stuff.

[Tmack1]

the kt74 will give you traffic in but only when you are in atc area and it requires a wass feed and the ads-b reciever witch they fail to mention in their description. once i totaled everything they said i need assuming you already had a wass feed and didn't have to buy that too the gdl88 is the best bang for the buck but the kt74 is a nice replacement for a kt76a so is the trig tt31 still trying to make up my mind

[Tmack1]

by the way may mean nothing my avionics guy said he would hold off another year or so he thinks something it going to change ether in price or something he didn't elaborate