Portable ADS-B receivers provide free weather and display some, but not all traffic. Here are solutions I’ve tested, and/or that Aviation News Talk podcast listeners rated highly in our listener survey.
Sentry Portable ADS-B Receiver $499
Features
Dual-band ADS-B receiver
Integrated CO Monitor & Alarm
Built-in WAAS GPS
Backup attitude (AHRS), Barometer
12 hours of battery life
Weather Replay & Cockpit Sharing
Benefits
Receives Free ADS-B traffic and weather when within line-of-sight of an FAA ground station.
CO Monitor sounds alarm if carbon monoxide is detected in the cockpit.
Compatibility
Works on iOS iPhone or iPad running ForeFlight.
Connect and share routes with up to five devices on Sentry’s WiFi network.
Buy the Sentry Portable ADS-B Receiver $499
Garmin GDL 52 Portable SiriusXM/ADS-B Receiver $1,149
Features
Dual-band ADS-B receiver
SirusXM weather & Radio
Built-in GPS
Built-in AHRS
Five hour battery
Benefits
Receives Free ADS-B weather when within line-of-sight of an FAA ground station and subscription-based SirusXM weather.
Receives hundreds of SirusXM radio channels
Compatibility
Works on iOS or Android running Garmin Pilot App and on Garmin aera 660, 795, and 796 portable GPSs and Garmin G3X touchscreen.
Includes
Three month subscription to SiriusXM Pilot Preferred aviation weather package and the SiriusXM All Access audio programming package.
BUY the Garmin GDL 52 Portable SiriusXM/ADS-B Receiver $1,149
Stratux ADS-B Dual Band Receiver & Weather – #1 Amazon Best Seller
Features
Dual-band ADS-B Receiver for traffic and weather
Built-in WAAS GPS
Built-in AHRS
Battery pack lasts 4+ hours
Benefits
Low cost ADS-B traffic and weather
Small package size; just suction cup it to a window
Compatibility
Works on many iOS or Android apps
Supports ForeFlight, FlyQ EFB, Navigator, AvNav, WingX, Avare EFB, FltPlan Go, DroidEFB, AerovieReports, Avplan EFB, iFly GPS, DroidEFB, OzRunways EFB
Includes
Assembled in case with suction cup mounting
Latest Stratux software (v1.4r3) already loaded on MicroSD card.
BUY the Stratux ADS-B Dual Band Receiver & Weather $239.99
uAvionix Scout – Affordable Traffic and Weather in a Small size $199
Features
Dual-band ADS-B Receiver for traffic and weather
Benefits
Low cost
Small package size
Suction cup it to a window
Compatibility
Works on iOS iPhone or iPad running ForeFlight
Notes
Requires external power source: Use 5-volt USB battery pack, or USB adapter to aircraft’s cigarette lighter.
No built-in GPS in Scout, so you’ll need an external GPS, or an iPhone, or an iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular (Wi-Fi only iPad doesn’t have a GPS).
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