What Are Good ADS-B Receiver Options?

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.

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.

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: 

Disadvantages: 

Pricing: 

$175-$200

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: 

Benefits: 

Disadvantages:  

Pricing: 

$1,849-$1,999

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: 

Benefits:  

Disadvantages:  

Pricing: $749 

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: 

Disadvantages: 

 One of the more expensive portable ADS-B models

Pricing: $1,149

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.

Disadvantages: 

Pricing: $289

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Make sure the unit will interface with the avionics already hardwired into the aircraft in addition to your EFB of choice.

ADS-B receivers that transmit on multiple frequencies are better because they allow for better coverage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.