Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.
The choice of ADS-B receivers comes down to the money a pilot wants to spend, whether the unit will be integrated with avionics in the instrument panel—or Foreflight or another app—and what additional bells and whistles (such as weather, music) the pilot seeks. As an aircraft owner, you can spend just enough to keep the aircraft ‘legal’ in the eyes of the FAA or you can spend more to have a higher level of functionality, meaning the ADS-B will do more than let ATC—and the other aircraft—know where you are and help you locate other aircraft in the sky with you.
The all-new Sentry Plus is loaded with safety features: subscription-free weather, dual band ADS-B traffic, backup attitude, and a carbon monoxide detector.
Quicklook: Top ADS-B Receiver Options
- Best Low Cost : uAvionix pingUSB ADS-B Traffic Receiver
- Best for Exterior Light Hardwiring: SkyBeacon ADS-B Out Transmitter by uAvionix
- Best No Weather Subscription Required: Stratus 3
- Best Overall: Garmin GDL 52 SiriusXM/ADS-B Receiver
- Best for Limited Space in the Aircraft: Foreflight Sentry Mini ADS-B
5 Solid ADS-B Receiver Options
Depending on what functionality you are seeking from the ADS-B it can cost thousands of dollars or hundreds. How much you spend will determine the features the unit provides.
uAvionix ping USB ADS-B Traffic Receiver
For the pilot on a budget, the uAvionix pingUSB/uProg USA ADS-B Traffic Receiver is a good choice.
The uAvionix pingUSB is the smallest, lightest and least expensive dual-band ADS-B traffic receiver on the market. Pilots are able to see real-time ADS-B traffic on their electronic flight bag (EFB) on their mobile device.
The pingUSB receives ADS-B traffic on both 978 MHz and 1090 MHz, and provides real-time position reports to ForeFlight Mobile, SkyDemon, EasyVFR, AirMate, and Oz Runways.
EFB Compatibility: The uAvionix pingUSB receives ADS-B traffic on both 978 MHz and 1090 MHz, and provides real-time position reports to ForeFlight Mobile, SkyDemon, EasyVFR, AirMate, and Oz Runways.
Dimensions: 34x19x8mm
Battery Life: n/a
Frequencies: 1090 MHz and 978 MHz
Connection Type: pingUSB functions as a programmer to configure the ping ADS-B transponders and transceivers with your UAS information.
The configuration is achieved as easily as connecting a smartphone or tablet to the pingUSB and entering your aircraft information.
Additional Features: N/A
Benefits:
- Simple to use
- The least expensive unit on the market to date
Disadvantages:
- Does not support weather or FIS-B data.
- No battery option listed
Pricing:
$175-$200
SkyBeacon ADS-B Out Transmitter by uAvionix
For the pilot who wants to combine the addition of the ADS-B with a lighting upgrade to their aircraft lighting system, there is the SkyBeacon ADS-B Out transmitter by uAvionix for certified aircraft.
The SkyBeacon ADS-B Out transmitter for certified aircraft satisfies the FAA’s requirement for ADS-B and aircraft lighting in one neat package as it combines with aircraft lighting.
This unit has a built-in WAAS GPS combined with a 978 MHz UAT transmitter tailbeacon; this allows you to bypass the challenge of wiring a new transponder or mounting an additional antenna on the aircraft, because the unit works with the aircraft’s existing mode C transponder.
EFB Compatibility: No information
Dimensions: 92x43x73mm
Battery Life: N/A
Frequencies: 1090 MHz and 978 MHz
Connection Type: Near zero-time install
Additional Features:
- Smartphone configurable over WiFi
- Part 91.227 compliant.
- Compatible with both iOS, Android
Benefits:
- Easy installation
- No additional antenna required
- Wingtip mounted
Disadvantages:
- Will require an A&P or avionics tech to install
- Expensive
Pricing:
$1,849-$1,999
Stratus 3
The Stratus 3 ADS-B, is the latest generation weather receiver from Appareo. The unit is best for pilots who want a robust weather application but don’t want to pay for a subscription service.
The Stratus 3 ADS-B provides subscription-free weather, ADS-B traffic, and acts as a backup attitude indicator and GPS. The unit is portable and can work in the Piper Cub all the way up to the light twin.
EFB Compatibility: ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, WingX, Fltplan Go
Dimensions: Measures 4″l x 2 1/4″w x 1 1/4″d.
Battery Life: 8 hours
Connection Type: Bluetooth
Frequencies: 978 MHz and 1090 MHz
Additional Features:
- Auto shutoff: Stratus 3 automatically turns off after your flight, saving battery life
- Smart Wi-Fi: use your iPad’s LTE connection with non-aviation apps while connected to Stratus 3
- WAAS GPS
Benefits:
- Improved WiFi security: hide network ID or add a password
- Open ADS-B: works with other electronic flight bag apps using GDL 90 protocol (Garmin Pilot, Fltplan Go, WingX, FlyQ)
- Receives new ADS-B products: view echo tops, lightning, icing forecast, turbulence forecast, Center Weather Advisories, and G-AIRMETs
- Supports synthetic vision traffic display: get a 3D view of nearby airplanes in ForeFlight
- Two-year warranty
- No need for subscription for the weather products app
Disadvantages:
- Can be accidentally left behind in the aircraft
- Price
Garmin GDL 52 SiriusXM/ADS-B Receiver
The Garmin GDL 52 SiriusXM/ADS-B receiver provides satellite weather, ADS-B traffic visibility, GPS position, even backup attitude information with the subscription-free weather and traffic features of an ADS-B in datalink.
EFB Compatibility: Garmin Compatible devices
Dimensions: About the size of an iPhone
Battery Life: 5 hours
Frequencies: 978 MHz and 1090 MHz
Connection Type: Bluetooth
Additional Features:
You can have it all with the GDL 52 from Garmin: SiriusXM satellite weather and audio, subscription-free ADS-B weather, dual-band ADS-B traffic, GPS position, with backup attitude information. The GDL 52 also works with the FltPlan Go app and ForeFlight.
Benefits:
- Flexible display options mean you can view weather and traffic information on the Garmin Pilot app on iOS or Android, or portable GPSs like the aera 660 and 795/796
- Altitude heading reference system (AHRS) is a backup attitude source
- View high resolution radar, lightning, satellite imagery, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, echo tops, and pilot reports
- Built-in WAAS GPS provides precise location
- Listen to SiriusXM Radio in flight, with more than 150 channels of music, sports, and entertainment
- View traffic with the included dual band ADS-B receiver
- Bluetooth connection to the Garmin Pilot app on iOS or Android
- Access subscription-free FIS-B weather when in the US
- Also works with ForeFlight Mobile and the FltPlan Go app on iOS or Android
Disadvantages:
One of the more expensive portable ADS-B models
- With so much information being presented, it is easy to get distracted
Pricing: $1,149
ForeFlight Sentry Mini ADS-B
The ForeFlight Sentry Mini ADS-B is an affordable option and super easy to use. Allowing you to fly with subscription-free weather. It weighs less than 2 ounces all while still delivering all the essential features for cross-country flying.
EFB Compatibility: ForeFlight
Dimensions: About the size of a deck of cards
Battery Life: N/A
Frequencies: 1090 MHz and 978 MHz
Connection Type: External cable
Additional Features: None
Benefits:
Sentry Mini can be plugged into a cigarette lighter charger or a portable battery pack for all-day performance.
- Complete FIS-B weather data in ForeFlight
- Provides radar and lightning
- Provides METARs
- Provides TFRs
- Dual-band traffic to help track nearby aircraft
- Built-in GPS for moving map navigation with terrain alerts
- Audio and visual traffic alerts
Disadvantages:
- Can be accidentally left in the aircraft
- A more expensive portable model
- Requires external power source
What Is an ADS-B Receiver?
ADS-B stands for automatic dependent surveillance broadcast, and an ADS-B receiver is surveillance technology that determines an aircraft position via satellite navigation or other sensors and periodically broadcasts it, enabling the aircraft to be tracked.
What Does an ADS-B Receiver Do?
An ADS-B receiver uses satellite navigation to determine aircraft position in three dimensions. A pilot using ADS-B will be able to locate other aircraft in the vicinity if they are equipped with ADS-B and see their location on their tablet.
Which Pilots Need ADS-B Receivers?
As of January 1, 2020, all aircraft operating over all 48 contiguous states, within airspace at or above FL100, excluding airspace from 2,500 ft agl are required to have ADS-B out. Basically, if the pilot flies in Class B or C airspace, ADS-B is required.
Requirements for Alaska and Hawaii are somewhat different; the Class E requirement is not in effect, though ADS-B is required at or above FL180 and at or below FL100, when operating within Class B or C airspace or when operating within 12 nm of the coastline.
Important ADS-B Receiver Considerations
When selecting an ADS-B receiver, the buyer should consider battery life, external power capability, and where the unit can be mounted. The pilot should avoid an installation that blocks the view out the windscreen or side window.
EFB Compatibility
Make sure the unit will interface with the avionics already hardwired into the aircraft in addition to your EFB of choice.
Frequencies
ADS-B receivers that transmit on multiple frequencies are better because they allow for better coverage.
GPS
GPS is a nice-to-have navigational tool in the cockpit. The ability to find the nearest airport or follow the magenta line in IFR conditions is key, GPS units that show terrain are a bonus.
Size
When selecting an ADS-B, consider cockpit placement. If the cockpit is cramped, you don’t want it dominated by the ADS-B. Don’t forget to consider connection cables when you are shopping. You don’t want an ADS-B mounted in the back seat while connected to a cable that barely reaches from the cockpit.
Additional Features
An ADS-B unit that has many features such as non-subscription weather or AHRS can cut down on the pilot workload because the information is at the pilot’s fingertips.
Price
Pilots are so frugal that copper wire was invented when two pilots found the same penny. That being said, for the pilot who just wants enough to be ADS-B legal and only flies on VFR days in the daytime, it makes sense that they would gravitate to the lower end of the price spectrum. For the pilot who spends a lot of time on cross-country flights or in IFR or night conditions, more versatility is a bonus.
Get an ADS B you can use
When selecting an ADS-B, find one that is most tailored to the type of flying you do. If you would like to expand your horizons, subscribe to FLYING Magazine and see what all is out there.
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