GNS 430 Pricing Help

cool92092

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, anyone have any experience with actual costs of upgrading to a gns 430 (with or without waas). Purchase, Installation, odds and ends? I'm thinking of replacing my dinosaur avionics and instead of getting newer navs, I'd like to spring for the 430. Just have to see if it's feasible.
 
It is somewhere in the 12-15k area.

I'm sure you can find used ones cheaper, though you will still be paying a bit to get it installed. I think they are going for about 3 grand. The Jepp/Terrain updates run about $500/year.

EDIT: WAAS will probably at least double the used price.
 
It's actually not that bad, probably around $9k for a WAAS'd install. I'm working on one right now in a 269c which is a totally new install. When I get home to a computer I'll post some pictures and additional details.
 
Terrain is 150/year and obstacle is 49.95 every 56 days or 195/year, not sure about the cost of Jepp NavData on the 430
 
You might check out a used 320XL, I fly with one all the time and I can tell you that it is a great unit for the price and will do almost everything a 430 can but it just doesn't look as fancy. Now of course it doesn't have WAAS and a few other functions but it is also about 1/2 the price.
 
Why not? Hell, I think sometimes the needles on the waas are steadier/ more accurate than the ILS. I set up more LPV /LNAV than ILS these days.
On top of that, it *IS* the way of the future.
Might as well start now.
 
There are endless variables that come into play. The typical GNS430 purchase/install runs anywhere from 8-13k. The WAAS is a bit more for obvious reasons. The bigger the mess behind the panel = a higher price tag.

Some of the variables include previous wiring installs and panel augments. I have heard horror stories and seen first hand how bad some panels can be.
 
Ok, here are a few pictures:

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This is hands down the most complicated thing I've ever done to an aircraft and so far I'm about 25 hours into it. The first day was spent sobbing like a school girl as I starred at the jumble of wires. The hard part is over now and when all is said and done this install will cost the owner about $10.5k which includes the 430W and all the indicators required.

EDIT: Make no mistake, this is an effing nightmare.
 
You might check out a used 320XL, I fly with one all the time and I can tell you that it is a great unit for the price and will do almost everything a 430 can but it just doesn't look as fancy. Now of course it doesn't have WAAS and a few other functions but it is also about 1/2 the price.


What is a 320XL? Is it IFR? Never heard of it before. If it can be used to shoot instrument approaches, I'd consider it. And yes, the goal would be to use if for getting home in the soup. We only have one ILS @ the field (KFRG) and when Kennedy uses the two twoo's, it's impossible to get...even IFR. The GPS approaches are a must. WAAS would be nice if affordable. Thanks for all the replies.
 
Totally off topic! You know the DUMBEST thing I have found on the 530? The 3000 steps in resolution to dim the back lighting! The auto mode is always too bright, so on long dark nights, I like to kick it down. You go into the manual mode, and they have all those steps. How about, oh I don't know - 15 or 20?
Everything else in the unit kicks butt, and is well thought out, but why such fine tuning for the backlight? 1000's!
 
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