Steven wrote:I know there is a debate over which is better, TAS600 vs ADSB traffic, but I'd like to ignore that for now.
Having flown a lot of different DA40s with/without WAAS, with/without ADS-B traffic, with/without Avidyne TAS 600 active traffic:
- ADS-B traffic from a GTX345R blows away the TAS 600 active traffic. Not only is traffic indication much more accurate with ADS-B , but you also see traffic movement direction with ADS-B. If you have both units installed, ADS-B targets will be shown more than 95% of the time, even with 2 years to go before most aircraft in the US will have to equip with ADS-B Out. TAS 600 active traffic will continue to be important only outside the US where aircraft only need be equipped with transponders (no ADS-B Out) and there are no ADS-B ground station repeaters.
- SXM satellite weather from a GDL69A is somewhat superior to ADS-B weather from the GTX345R. With SXM, NEXRAD precipitation displays are more detailed (less blocky), additional weather products are available, and SXM always works on the ground. Whether these differences are enough to make you want to pay a monthly fee for SXM is of course up to the owner; many pilots will decide free ADS-B weather is "good enough."
For new aircraft flying in the US that now come standard with the GTX345R, I often recommend owners save money and not install TAS or GDL69A any more.