So you’ve decided you want a Stratux ADS-B receiver. Smart choice—it’s open-source, repairable, and delivers traffic and weather at a fraction of the cost of commercial units. But now you face the classic maker’s dilemma: build it yourself, or buy it ready-made?
Let’s break down the honest pros and cons of each approach, so you can make the right choice for your situation, skills, and budget.
DIY Stratux: The Self-Build Route
Building your own Stratux from scratch is absolutely doable, even if you’ve never assembled electronics before. You’ll need a Raspberry Pi, SDR dongles, GPS module, antennas, case, and a few hours of your time.
Total Cost: $210-230
Here’s the breakdown:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB): $35-55 depending on availability
- Dual SDR receivers (R820T2 chipset): $40-50
- GPS module (VK-172 or similar): $15-25
- Antennas (978 MHz + 1090 MHz): $20-30
- MicroSD card (32GB): $10-15
- Case (3D printed or purchased): $10-20
- Cooling fan: $5-10
- Cables and misc: $10-15
Realistic total: $210-230 if you source parts carefully. You might save a few bucks with bulk buys or sales, but don’t count on building one for under $200—that era ended when Pi prices increased.
Time Investment: 2-4 Hours
- Gathering parts: 30-60 minutes (or days, if stuff is backordered)
- Flashing SD card: 15 minutes
- Hardware assembly: 30-60 minutes
- Configuration and testing: 30-60 minutes
- Troubleshooting (if needed): 0-2 hours
Your first build will take longer. Your second will be quicker. But plan for an afternoon project, not a 20-minute quickie.
Skills Required:
- Comfort with basic electronics (plugging things in, not soldering)
- Ability to follow written instructions
- Basic computer literacy (flashing an SD card, connecting to WiFi)
- Patience for troubleshooting when things don’t work immediately
You do NOT need to be an engineer. But you do need to be okay with Googling error messages and trying again when something doesn’t work the first time.
Pros of DIY:
- Lowest cost: Save $150-220 compared to pre-built
- Learning experience: You’ll understand exactly how it works
- Customization: Choose your own case, add extra features, experiment
- Satisfaction: There’s real joy in “I built this”
- Easier repairs: You already know how to take it apart and fix it
Cons of DIY:
- Time investment: Your time has value—is saving $200 worth 3-4 hours?
- Parts sourcing: Pi availability can be spotty; you might wait weeks
- No warranty: If something breaks, you’re on your own
- No support: Troubleshooting is up to you (though forums and Discord can help)
- Risk of mistakes: Wrong SDR, incompatible GPS, bad SD card—learning curve is real
Pre-Built Stratux: Ready to Fly
A pre-built Stratux from Crew Dog Electronics arrives fully assembled, tested, and ready to connect to your iPad. Power it on, join the WiFi network, and you’re receiving traffic and weather.
Total Cost: $379-449
Pricing varies based on configuration:
- Dual-band (978 + 1090 MHz) with GPS: $379-399
- With AHRS module: add $20-30
- With upgraded case or battery: add $30-50
Yes, that’s roughly double the cost of DIY. But you’re paying for more than just parts.
Time Investment: 10 Minutes
- Unbox and power on: 2 minutes
- Connect to WiFi: 1 minute
- Configure EFB app: 5 minutes
- Test in flight: first flight
No assembly. No troubleshooting (usually). Just fly.
What You Get for the Extra Cost:
- Professional assembly: Quality control, tested before shipping
- Curated components: Known-good parts, not random Amazon listings
- Proper case and mounting: Designed for cockpit use, not a hobby box
- Pre-configured software: Latest firmware, optimized settings
- Warranty and support: Someone to email if it doesn’t work
- Ready to fly: No waiting for parts, no troubleshooting sessions
Pros of Pre-Built:
- Zero hassle: It just works, out of the box
- Saves time: Worth it if your flying time is limited
- Warranty: Peace of mind for the first year
- Support: Expert help when you need it
- Professional build quality: Clean assembly, proper cable management
- Ideal for gifts: Buy for a pilot friend without requiring them to be DIYers
Cons of Pre-Built:
- Higher cost: $379-449 vs $210-230 DIY
- Less customization: You get what they build (though most configs are available)
- Less learning: You won’t understand the internals as deeply
- Shipping time: Wait a few days for delivery (vs immediate if parts are on hand)
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | DIY Build | Pre-Built |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $210-230 | $379-449 |
| Time to first flight | 2-4 hours (+ parts wait) | 10 minutes (+ shipping) |
| Skills needed | Basic electronics, patience | None |
| Warranty | None (DIY = self-support) | Typically 1 year |
| Learning experience | High | Low |
| Customization | Complete freedom | Standard configs |
| Repairability | High (you built it) | High (still modular) |
Decision Framework: Which One is Right for You?
Choose DIY If:
- You enjoy learning how things work
- You have 3-4 hours to spare on a weekend
- Budget is your top priority (saving $150-220 matters)
- You want complete customization freedom
- You’re comfortable troubleshooting tech issues
- You already have some Raspberry Pi experience
- You’re building multiple units (for a flying club, for example)
Choose Pre-Built If:
- Your flying time is limited and precious
- You value professional assembly and testing
- You want warranty and support
- You’d rather fly than tinker
- You’re buying this as a gift for another pilot
- You have zero interest in electronics assembly
- You want to fly THIS WEEKEND and don’t have time to source parts
The Hybrid Approach: Buy Now, Upgrade Later
Here’s a third option many pilots overlook: buy a pre-built unit now, fly with it immediately, and tinker/upgrade later when you have time.
Stratux’s modular design means you can:
- Upgrade the case or add a fan later
- Swap in a new Raspberry Pi if a newer model comes out
- Add AHRS down the road if you want to experiment
- Replace the SD card with a faster/larger one
- Upgrade antennas for better range
You’re not locked in. Start with convenience, evolve toward customization as your comfort level grows.
The Framework Laptop Philosophy
Whether you build or buy, you’re choosing repairability and user ownership. Unlike sealed commercial ADS-B units, your Stratux can be maintained, upgraded, and repaired indefinitely. That’s the core value proposition.
DIY emphasizes the “build it yourself” angle. Pre-built emphasizes the “support and convenience” angle. But both give you a device you truly own, free from vendor lock-in and planned obsolescence.
The Bottom Line
There’s no wrong choice here. Both paths lead to the same destination: a capable, affordable ADS-B receiver that you can maintain and repair for years.
If you’re handy and have time, build it. You’ll save money and learn a ton.
If you just want to fly with ADS-B NOW, buy pre-built. It’s worth the extra $150-220 to skip the assembly phase.
Either way, you’re getting off the treadmill of expensive, non-repairable commercial units. You’re choosing open-source, user-serviceable aviation electronics. And that’s a win no matter how you get there.
Check out pre-built Stratux options at Crew Dog Electronics, or start sourcing parts for your DIY build. The sky is waiting.
Build it or buy it—just get it in the air.