A new generation of inexpensive portable devices (Sagetech, Appareo, Levil) integrates ADS-B receivers, GPS, and AHRS to provide EFIS displays, weather, and limited traffic on tablets.
While these devices offer impressive EFIS visuals, their reliability for critical flight functions is compromised by tablet/app instability and unreliable mounting methods.
Manufacturers and the article advise against using them as primary or critical backup instruments, suggesting their best use is for general reference, limited weather planning, or as a "backup to the backup."
Dedicated portable EFIS units, such as the Dynon D1, are highlighted as a more stable option for backup attitude reference due to their self-contained design, though they typically lack weather and traffic features.
Last spring, Garmin made a declaration of sorts. It introduced an aggressive new line of inexpensive avionics for experimental aircraft. This said, in effect, even 800-pound gorillas have to compete in a new market where avionics prices are dropping, due in part, to pressure from tablet computers and ever-more-capable apps.
Within two weeks of Garmin’s anno
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