Garmin 530W vs Garmin 430W

[HIghpockets]

Does the Garmin 530 W have capabilities beyond the Garman 430 W?

[cbarry]

The only differences I’m aware of is the station identification, radial and distance is show below the nav freq., there’s a dedicated vnav button and a partial compass rose on the map page.  However,  these are really not capabilities, just presentations. Someone with more knowledge, hopefully will chime in.

[Bolter]

Garmin has a simulator you can install on a windows computer.  You might want to configure as 530 and 430 and see what functions/menus are there. 

[philiplane]

The main difference is just the larger screen on the 530, and that it can interface with more equipment since it has more RS232 & 429 channels. Otherwise, the two units are 95% the same and operate the same way.

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, HIghpockets said:

Does the Garmin 530 W have capabilities beyond the Garman 430 W?

Are you contemplating purchasing one versus the other?  If so I would definitely get the GNS530W for a couple reasons. First the screen is much better and easier to read - both size and resolution. Also Garmin is near the end of being able to support a GNS 430.  I had mine overhauled recently and was told that they’re no longer able to get new screens.  If you do buy a GNS 430 W don’t pay much for it. 

[HIghpockets]

I am looking for a replacement for my KX 155. I was planning to get the GNC 355 but there is a 6 month wait. My avionics guy has a 530W on the shelf. I already have a 430W that would become my #2.

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, HIghpockets said:

I am looking for a replacement for my KX 155. I was planning to get the GNC 355 but there is a 6 month wait. My avionics guy has a 530W on the shelf. I already have a 430W that would become my #2.

I have a 530W/430W stack like you are considering and am perfectly happy with them. I see no reason to change them. They are perfectly integrated and cross-fill. I could spend $30,000 to get new models with larger touch screens but get no better functionality. 

[philiplane]

The main reason to wait for the GNC355 is product obsolescence, of the 530/430 line. They were discontinued ten years ago when the GTN series was released. At some point in the near future, Garmin will run out of parts to repair the 530/430, and then if you have a problem, the unit will be unrepairable. Word has it that new 430 screens are in short supply already. The dirty little secret of modern electronics is a shorter life span than older radios, because circuit boards and their components go obsolete on a planned basis. Even if Garmin wanted to continue with older units, at some point the parts they need are no longer made. We are deep into that cycle on the 530/430, which was introduced 24 years ago, in 1998. 

[Jerry 5TJ]

There are now used Garmin GTN750 and GTN650 boxes available as owners switch to the newer GTN750Xi and GTN650Xi.  
The GTN series are likely to be well supported for another decade.  The GNS units are at the end of product support.  

[rbp]

2 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

larger touch screens but get no better functionality. 

vnav/AP integration, chart display, bluetooth -- just to name a few bits of "better functionality" with the GTN boxes over the GNS

[1980Mooney]

4 hours ago, rbp said:

vnav/AP integration, chart display, bluetooth -- just to name a few bits of "better functionality" with the GTN boxes over the GNS

You have to be careful with these claims. 

Bluetooth is false, After spending about $20k with tax on a new GTN750xi you still don't have bluetooth.  You still need to pay Garmin another approx $2-4k to buy a FlightStream 510 chip, a GMA-35 Remote Audio Panel or  a GMA 350 Audio Panel to make it work with Bluetooth and your portable devices.  A GNS530W gets bluetooth from the addition of a FlightStream 210 box.  So the GTN provides no advantage.

GTN box full AP integration is true if you have a Garmin EFIS and Garmin Autopilot.  GTN box might integrate VNAV and GPSS/roll with some autopilot and EFIS but not all.  Not knowing your other components you may need a GPSS/roll adapter.  In that case no difference between GTN box and GNS box  - they will both follow GPS heading but not approaches.  Compatibility is mind boggling - talk to your shop. 

BeechTalk - BT - GTN 750 on-going saga - no GPS control

Chart display is true and nice - but don't forget that you will have to pay for that with an annual subscription.  You are already probably getting that on an iPad for a whole lot less than it will cost with a GTN box from Garmin.  Garmin charges $2k to unlock the Jepp Charts for instance on a GTN box.  They have a bundle price but it is still more than Foreflight charges.  Integration is nice - it depends on your mission - it may not add much.  Foreflight may provide everything you need with a GNS530W.  Foreflight was kicking Garmin's butt so bad that Garmin were forced to build in compatibility with Foreflight.  Garmin's preferred solution is to make you buy everything on the panel from Garmin in order to get all the benefits. - it is easy to spend $80k doing that.

Just my view.  

Edited March 12, 2022 by 1980Mooney

[rbp]

7 minutes ago, 1980Mooney said:

GTN box full AP integration is true if you have a Garmin EFIS and Garmin Autopilot.  GTN box might integrate VNAV and GPSS/roll with some autopilot and EFIS but not all.  Not knowing your other components you may need a GPSS/roll adapter.  In that case no difference between GTN box and GNS box  - they will both follow GPS heading but not approaches.  Compatibility is mind boggling - talk to your shop. 

 

you will never get coupled VNAV with the 530W

[rbp]

11 minutes ago, 1980Mooney said:

Chart display is true and nice - but don't forget that you will have to pay for that with an annual subscription.  You are already probably getting that on an iPad for a whole lot less than it will cost with a GTN box from Garmin.  Garmin charges $2k to unlock the Jepp Charts for instance on a GTN box.  They have a bundle price but it is still more than Foreflight charges.  Integration is nice - it depends on your mission - it may not add much.  Foreflight may provide everything you need with a GNS530W.  Foreflight was kicking Garmin's butt so bad that Garmin were forced to build in compatibility with Foreflight.  Garmin's preferred solution is to make you buy everything on the panel from Garmin in order to get all the benefits. - it is easy to spend $80k doing that.

 

you will never get charts on your 530W

[rbp]

10 minutes ago, 1980Mooney said:

Bluetooth is false, After spending about $20k with tax on a new GTN750xi you still don't have bluetooth.  You still need to pay Garmin another approx $2-4k to buy a FlightStream 510 chip, a GMA-35 Remote Audio Panel or  a GMA 350 Audio Panel to make it work with Bluetooth and your portable devices.  A GNS530W gets bluetooth from the addition of a FlightStream 210 box.  So the GTN provides no advantage.

 

correct -- I forgot about the FS210

[rbp]

here's a complete list from Garmin:

https://sarasotaavionics.com/gtn-series-comparison

 

[carusoam]

530W…

WAAS able…

Big screen…

Replaceable with an Avidyne at a later date….

 

old tech…

falling off the support wagon…

 

Costs as much to buy charts for as new tech…

Costs as much to install as new tech…

 

Way more talented than the KX155 it will replace…

 

If you are good with installing 10yr old tech… go for it!

 

PP thoughts only, not an avionics guru…

Best regards,

-a-

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, rbp said:

here's a complete list from Garmin:

https://sarasotaavionics.com/gtn-series-comparison

 

The first is touch screen vs knobs - so if you want touchscreen then you have to change.  But if knobs are fine then it is a useless feature.

The next 2 are marketing hype "modern styles"

The next 2 are about size and pixels

The next 3 let you know that you have to buy a remote audio panel to make room

The next 11 are features found on an iPad with Foreflight......yawn.

They don't even mention the features you highlighted.

2 hours ago, rbp said:

you will never get charts on your 530W

Many dont want charts on a screen in the middle...they want them in front of them - Foreflight on an iPad mini on a Ram mount on the yoke is superior

[1980Mooney]

2 hours ago, rbp said:

you will never get coupled VNAV with the 530W

You can only get coupled VNAV from a GTN box if you have a DIGITAL AP.  Most likely @HIghpockets has an analog AP.  That means he will need to buy a GPSS/roll adapter to make his autopilot work vertically with either the GTN or the GNS.  In that case he can do coupled approaches with vertical navigation on the GNS530W.  The only other way for him to get coupled VNAV is BUY A NEW DIGITAL AUTOPILOT...$$$$$ (AND GARMIN PREFERRABLY WANTS HIM TO BUY ONE FROM GARMIN)

2 hours ago, carusoam said:

530W…

WAAS able…

Big screen…

Replaceable with an Avidyne at a later date….

 

old tech…

falling off the support wagon…

 

Costs as much to buy charts for as new tech…

Costs as much to install as new tech…

-a-

There is no doubt that the newest from Garmin and Avidyne have the most bells and whistles, the fastest processors and the be best resolution and largest "installed" panels as well as the longest support.  But in order to get all those things you need to spend a lot more on everything else.  It depends on your mission but not everyone can or wants to spend multiples of $20k on a plane for small incremental benefits.  The plane will go no faster, no higher, no farther.  You get "built in panel" visual improvement - basically what you already have on your ipad with Foreflight just in the instrument panel instead of in front of you or in your hand.  There were more than 100,000 Garmin GNS built according to Flying Mag - more than any other Nav/Com...someone will support them.

There is a reason that so many GNS530W are still in use.

Just my view.

Edited March 13, 2022 by 1980Mooney

[carusoam]

3 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

You can only get coupled VNAV from a GTN box if you have a DIGITAL AP.  Most likely @HIghpockets has an analog AP.  That means he will need to buy a GPSS/roll adapter to make his autopilot work vertically with either the GTN or the GNS.  In that case he can do coupled approaches with vertical navigation on the GNS530W.  The only other way for him to get coupled VNAV is BUY A NEW DIGITAL AUTOPILOT...$$$$$ (AND GARMIN PREFERRABLY WANTS HIM TO BUY ONE FROM GARMIN)

There is no doubt that the newest from Garmin and Avidyne have the most bells and whistles, the fastest processors and the be best resolution and largest "installed" panels as well as the longest support.  But in order to get all those things you need to spend a lot more on everything else.  It depends on your mission but not everyone can or wants to spend multiples of $20k on a plane for small incremental benefits.  The plane will go no faster, no higher, no farther.  You get "built in panel" visual improvement - basically what you already have on your ipad with Foreflight just in the instrument panel instead of in front of you or in your hand.  There were more than 100,000 Garmin GNS built according to Flying Mag - more than any other Nav/Com...someone will support them.

There is a reason that so many GNS530W are still in use.

Just my view.

I was thinking we were saying the same thing….

Now that I’m reviewing my post again….  

Its not as middle ground as I was intending…

 

a WAAS receiver is a great step up… either way…

A pre-flown G430W is probably the lowest cost method of getting there…

A G530W great if you get a good friend price…

Check to make sure you have space…

Go Pre-flown G530W!

Best regards,

-a-

 

 

 

[HIghpockets]

11 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

You can only get coupled VNAV from a GTN box if you have a DIGITAL AP.  Most likely @HIghpockets has an analog AP. 

Just my view.

Swing and a miss. Appreciate the comments but I have  two G5s and the GFC autopilot in my '88 J. I have the 430W. Based upon everyone's comments I will pull the trigger on the 530W. Thanks all.

[N231BN]

Swing and a miss. Appreciate the comments but I have  two G5s and the GFC autopilot in my '88 J. I have the 430W. Based upon everyone's comments I will pull the trigger on the 530W. Thanks all.

If you already have a GFC 500 I would start pinching pennies to get to a GTN xi. There's no reason to spend money on a 530 since you already have a 430. My 2c

[kortopates]

i flew on the GNS’s for a couple decades. Great boxes. But now nearly a decade on GTN which are a HUGE improvement.
I needed to couple a GMX-200 to the 430W’s to get the equivalent functionally i get in the GTN 750. That was a much better combination than the 530.
Although i had no problem twisting knobs very quickly, i do far less touching and knob twisting with the GTN airways and auto completion of fix names. the ease of use benefits go on and on.
That said there is only one approach type that GTN’s can do that GNS’s can not.

you don’t have to have a digital AP to enjoy the many benefits of VNAV. it’s very valuable without coupling.

FS was more expensive on the GNS’ but only adds ~$1K to the GTN’s and does much more with DB concierge than what the old 210 did.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rbp]

I have had the 530/430 combo (non-waas) in two different planes for 20 years, and I love, love, love them.

But when I decided to get a new panel, i downloaded the GTN750 simulator ( https://apps.apple.com/us/app/garmin-gtn-trainer/id479670018 ), and spent a few hours using it, and I was literally blown away. I was convinced that if i was going to upgrade my panel to WAAS, I would install the touch GTN750 instead of the GNS530W

Was it significantly more expensive? yes, but I know that this panel/equipment would last me another 20 years because of the ability to upgrade the software. 

could I use foreflight? yes, but I wanted an integrated solution.

its certainly not for everyone, but the fact that they are selling like hotcakes and backordered for 6+ months is certainly an indication 

and there are plenty of people who are still using their iPhone 6s and 8s, which were great devices, but many people have found the X and later models to be significantly faster and more productive. for me, the upgraded camera / lenses and the long-lasting batter  were worth the upgrade.

chacun à son goût
 

[Mooney217RN]

Years ago, I upgraded the panel in my E Model (former E Model).  The Garmin 530 had just come out a year or so earlier, if that.  I went for it.  GPS/NAV/COM all for around $10,000 at the time, couldn't be beat.  I would use it in HSI mode, never bothered with the moving map.  It also displayed traffic off my newly installed Garmin GTX 330 transponder.  I never had a problem with that box.  In fact, my G1000 is missing some features that were available in the 530.  In particular, the 530 would give you both radial and distance from a VOR in the lower left corner of the display.  The G1000 gives you distance from the station, but not a precise radial displayed with it.  The 530 also has a very nice arc on it, the G1000 has it but is much smaller and at the bottom of the screen.

A friend of mine is chief pilot for AmeriFlight.  Last I checked, they were still using the 530 in their Beech 1900's.  I love the 530, I think it's a fantastic unit.  

[stevesm20b]

I believe you can get vnav and gpss steering without a Garmin autopilot if you have a gtn and a gi275.