I have a CNX80/GNS480 in my C182 and it is absolutely the best GPS I have ever used. Please do not judge the GNS480 by the simulator that is posted on the Garmin Website. The simulator is slow and quirky and does not simulate the GNS480. If you are a pilot that has an instrument rating you will love the GNS480. The interface was most definitely designed by IFR pilots for IFR pilots. Instead of a display that is primarily focused on navigating relative to terrain features, the GNS480 provides the pilot a display of the airways, procedures, and approaches. If you are not instrument rated and navigate by looking for rivers, streams, and other landmarks on the ground then you might like the GNS340 or GNS530 displays. Personally, I find that on a VFR day I spend most of my time looking out the window at actual roads, lakes, and streams and have not found the terrain data depicted on the GNS430/530 beneficial. I don't know why IFR pilots put up with other GPS displays that don't include airways. To add an airway to your flight plan on the GNS480 you simply select the airway and the final intersection. On other GPS units that do not include airways, entering a flight plan that follows an airway requires the entry of all the intersections that define the airway. I have found that the GNS480 is easier to use not only because of the complete data base including airways but also because of the way it guides the pilot through each approach phase. I still have not quite figured out how to enter a flight plan into a GNS530 but I enter one into my GNS480 exactly the same way I write the flight plan when I file or receive a clearance from ATC. Unlike any other GPS, the GNS480 allows you to customize the text fields on the different screen pages. I have each page set up for a different flight situation. Other GPS receivers do not allow customization of the display and this may be why some pilots claim they are simpler to operate. I would rather have the display my way than be stuck with what the manufacture set up for me. Please try the CNX80/GNS480 and I am sure you will get hooked just like I am.

The Garmin CNX-80 in action at Charlottesville