I do not have room for a secondary display in the panel. I fly a long EZ. I want to drive the GRT autopilot with either the GTN650 or the 430W.
in addition, I was hoping the 430 would display weather on screen from my iLevil SW ADS-B AHRS unit. The more time that goes by the more I wish I had gone with a single brand name system like Garmin. This compatibility is getting confusing and expensive for the new technology and ADS-B interface with everything.
So let me ask this question: Is the 430w a good dependable unit that can drive a 2 axis autopilot and provide some traffic and weather with a newer Garmin 345 transponder.
What GRT do you have? I have an HX and an HS, but I use the HS exclusively as a backup mfd and primary engine display. I have an Garmin 420W. I prefer to split the HX screen (PFD/MAP), and show wx and traffic there, rather than on the 420W. The 420 display is just not that large, one-third of the HX is bigger. Plus, you look at the MFD a lot more often than at the 420W. If you want to display on the Garmin, then your ADSB-in pretty much has to be Garmin (a few recent exceptions). OTOH the GRT HX can "read" lots of units. I use a Skyradar that I got factory refurbished for $500. Not only is it dual band, it feeds both the HX and, via wi-fi, my iPad with WingX. So I can casually look at wx way ahead on the iPad if I want, while keeping the HX split Map looking closer in, or whatever you want. ADSB-out? Sounds like you have a cramped panel. GRT sells a modified Trig TT-22 transponder that can be controlled by the HX, with the transponder box remote mounted. It can read "ADSB+" from a 430W, so that combo gives you ADSB-out. Autopilots: Both Trio and TrueTrak can be directly connected to the 430W for gps guidance, including gps approaches. But instead, wire the 430W to the GRT, then the GRT to the autopilot; now you have gps, VOR, ILS with GS approaches that the autopilot can perform. Wire a switch to directly connect the 430 to the autopilot in case of efts failure. For about $1K less, you can buy a GRT autopilot that will do all the above (except, no stand-alone operation).
PS added: I too have tried the GTN touch screens, and always seem to touch the wrong thing. Maybe with more practice, I'd be better, but for now I'm happy with knobs.
PS #2: I like the 430W but, as others have said, it is or will be discontinued in the near future. Support will go on for some time, but eventually it will be orphaned. Personally I think it will out live me, but we'll see...
