The market for portable ADS-B receivers has matured significantly since the 2020 mandate. What was once a Wild West of overpriced, underperforming gadgets is now a competitive landscape with solid options at every price point. If you’re shopping for an ADS-B In receiver in 2026, you have real choices.
This guide compares the top portable ADS-B receivers available for under $500, focusing on what pilots actually care about: performance, repairability, value, and real-world usability.
The Contenders
We’re comparing five popular units, all under $500:
- Stratux (DIY or pre-built)
- ForeFlight Sentry Mini
- Garmin GDL 50
- uAvionix Ping
- Appareo Stratus 3
(We’re excluding panel-mount and ADS-B Out units—this is strictly about portable ADS-B In receivers.)
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Price | Bands | AHRS | Battery | Repairable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratux | $210-449 | Dual (978+1090) | Optional | External | ✅ Yes |
| Sentry Mini | $299 | Dual | Yes | Internal (6hr) | ❌ No |
| Garmin GDL 50 | $449 | Dual | Yes | Internal (6hr) | ❌ No |
| uAvionix Ping | $199 | Single (978 or 1090) | No | Internal (8hr) | ❌ No |
| Stratus 3 | $599 | Dual | Yes | Internal (8hr) | ❌ No |
Note: Stratus 3 is included for reference but exceeds the $500 budget.
Stratux: The Repairable Choice
Price: $210-230 (DIY) or $379-449 (pre-built)
Bands: Dual (978 + 1090 MHz)
AHRS: Optional (quality varies)
Battery: External USB power or battery pack
What Makes Stratux Different:
Stratux is the only open-source, user-repairable option on this list. Think of it as the Framework Laptop of ADS-B receivers. Every component is modular and replaceable:
- SDR dongle fails? Swap it for $25
- SD card corrupts? Replace it for $10
- Want better antennas? Upgrade them
- Raspberry Pi dies? Replace it and keep the rest
Commercial units are sealed black boxes. When the internal battery dies (and it will, in 3-5 years), you’re looking at expensive service or full replacement. Stratux has no such planned obsolescence.
Performance:
- Traffic reception: Excellent on dual-band. Comparable to Sentry and GDL 50.
- Weather: Full FIS-B, same as everyone else (it’s broadcast, not device-dependent).
- GPS: Solid, though not quite as fast to acquire as Garmin’s proprietary GPS.
- AHRS: Available but unreliable. Don’t buy Stratux for AHRS—buy it for traffic and weather.
Best For:
- Pilots who value repairability and longevity
- Budget-conscious flyers (DIY route saves $200+)
- Tinkerers who like understanding their tools
- Multi-device households (Android + iOS compatibility)
Shop pre-built Stratux units at Crew Dog Electronics
ForeFlight Sentry Mini: The iOS Sweet Spot
Price: $299
Bands: Dual (978 + 1090 MHz)
AHRS: Yes, certified-quality
Battery: Internal, ~6 hours
Strengths:
- Excellent AHRS—reliable, smooth, usable for synthetic vision
- Seamless ForeFlight integration (it’s made by ForeFlight)
- Compact and well-built
- CO detector (nice safety feature)
- Internal battery means no wires in the cockpit
Weaknesses:
- iOS-only (won’t work with Android EFBs)
- Not repairable—when the battery dies, you’re done
- Pricier than Stratux for similar traffic/weather performance
Best For:
- Dedicated ForeFlight users on iOS
- Pilots who want reliable AHRS without DIY hassles
- Those who value a polished, integrated experience
Bottom line: If you’re all-in on ForeFlight and don’t care about repairability, Sentry Mini is excellent. But you’re paying for ecosystem lock-in.
Garmin GDL 50: The Premium Portable
Price: $449
Bands: Dual (978 + 1090 MHz)
AHRS: Yes, Garmin-quality
Battery: Internal, ~6 hours
Strengths:
- Top-tier AHRS—Garmin’s sensor fusion is industry-leading
- Works with Garmin Pilot, ForeFlight, and others
- Rugged, well-built hardware
- Fast GPS acquisition
- Excellent range on both bands
Weaknesses:
- $449 is steep for a portable receiver
- Not repairable (typical sealed Garmin design)
- Garmin Pilot subscription adds to total cost
Best For:
- Garmin ecosystem users (panel + EFB integration)
- Pilots who demand the best AHRS performance
- Those with budget for premium gear
Bottom line: GDL 50 is objectively excellent, but you’re paying Garmin’s premium for features that Stratux delivers 90% as well for half the cost.
uAvionix Ping: The Budget Single-Band Option
Price: $199
Bands: Single (978 UAT or 1090 ES, choose one)
AHRS: No
Battery: Internal, ~8 hours
Strengths:
- Cheapest commercial option
- Tiny and lightweight
- Long battery life
- Works with most EFB apps
Weaknesses:
- Single-band only—you choose 978 OR 1090, not both
- No AHRS
- Reception range is good but not great
- Not repairable
Best For:
- VFR pilots who fly mostly in the US and only need 978 UAT
- Ultra-budget buyers ($199 is compelling)
- Pilots who already have GPS and don’t need AHRS
Bottom line: Ping is fine if you’re okay with single-band. But for $10-50 more, DIY Stratux gives you dual-band. For $100 more, pre-built Stratux gives you dual-band with support.
Appareo Stratus 3: Over Budget But Worth Mentioning
Price: $599 (exceeds our $500 limit, but included for completeness)
Bands: Dual (978 + 1090 MHz)
AHRS: Yes, very good
Battery: Internal, ~8 hours
Stratus 3 is a solid unit with excellent build quality and performance. But at $599, it’s hard to justify unless you’re deeply committed to the ForeFlight + Stratus ecosystem and money is no object.
For $599, you could:
- Buy a pre-built Stratux ($399) + spare parts + backup battery pack ($200 total)
- Buy a Sentry Mini ($299) + a backup Stratux ($379) for redundancy
Stratus 3 is good, but the value proposition is weak in 2026.
The Repairability Factor
Let’s talk about something most buyer’s guides ignore: what happens in 3-5 years when the internal lithium battery degrades?
- Sentry, GDL 50, Ping, Stratus: Battery is sealed inside. Replacement requires factory service (if available) or buying a new unit.
- Stratux: No internal battery. Use any USB power source or external battery pack. When the battery pack wears out, replace it for $20-40. The Stratux itself lasts indefinitely.
This is the Framework Laptop philosophy: design for longevity, not planned obsolescence. Commercial units have a 5-7 year lifespan before they become e-waste. Stratux can be maintained and repaired forever.
Feature Comparison: What Actually Matters
Traffic Reception (Dual-Band):
Winner: Tie between Stratux, Sentry Mini, GDL 50, and Stratus 3. All perform well. Ping loses for being single-band.
Weather (FIS-B):
Winner: Tie. FIS-B is broadcast on 978 MHz; any dual-band receiver gets the same data.
AHRS Quality:
Winner: GDL 50 > Sentry Mini > Stratus 3 > Stratux (distant fourth). If AHRS is critical, don’t buy Stratux.
Value (Performance per Dollar):
Winner: Stratux. $210 DIY or $379 pre-built for dual-band traffic and weather is unbeatable.
Repairability & Longevity:
Winner: Stratux. No contest. It’s the only user-serviceable option.
Ease of Use:
Winner: Sentry Mini and GDL 50 (plug-and-play, no assembly). Stratux requires more initial setup.
Our Recommendation by Use Case
Best Overall Value: Stratux (pre-built from Crew Dog) — $379-449 for dual-band, repairable, platform-agnostic performance.
Best for ForeFlight Users: Sentry Mini — seamless integration, good AHRS, reasonable price.
Best for Garmin Ecosystem: GDL 50 — if you’re already invested in Garmin and want premium AHRS.
Best Ultra-Budget: DIY Stratux — $210-230 if you’re willing to build it yourself.
Best for Tinkerers: Stratux — only option you can upgrade, customize, and repair indefinitely.
The Bottom Line
In 2026, the ADS-B receiver market is mature and competitive. You have real choices. If you want a sealed, polished appliance with good AHRS, Sentry Mini or GDL 50 are excellent. If you value repairability, openness, and long-term value, Stratux is the clear winner.
The Framework Laptop of ADS-B receivers isn’t for everyone. But for pilots who care about owning their gear, not renting it from a manufacturer’s ecosystem, Stratux from Crew Dog Electronics is the best choice under $500.
Choose the tool that matches your values—and fly safe.