The best aviation handheld radios are those that provide clear and concise communication between pilots and air traffic control. Here is a guide to the 10 best aviation handheld radios of Electronics (2023 Guide).
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Aviation Handheld Radios
If you are in the market for an aviation handheld radio, there are a few things you should consider before making your purchase. First, what is your budget? Aviation handheld radios can range in price from around $100 to over $1000. Second, what features do you need? Some radios have more features than others, so you’ll want to make sure the radio you choose has the features you need. Third, what brand do you prefer? There are many different brands of aviation handheld radios on the market, so you’ll want to research each one to see which one is right for you. Finally, where will you be using your radio? If you plan on using it in an aircraft, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with aircraft avionics.
Once you’ve considered these factors, you’re ready to start shopping for an aviation handheld radio. Here are a few of the best radios on the market:
1. Icom A14 Airband Transceiver
The Icom A14 airband transceiver is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable yet feature-rich radio. It has 128 memory channels, 10 NOAA weather channels, and a backlit LCD display. It also includes VOX (voice activated transmission) capability, so you can hands-free operation. The Icom A14 is compatible with most aircraft avionics and comes with a two-year warranty.
2. Yaesu FT-60R Dual Band Handheld Transceiver
The Yaesu FT-60R dual band handheld transceiver is a great option for those who need a radio that will work in both aircraft and land vehicles. It has 200 memory channels, 10 NOAA weather channels, and a backlit LCD display. The Yaesu FT-60R also includes Roger beep, VOX capability, and a two-year warranty. It’s compatible with most aircraft avionics and comes with an adapter for use in land vehicles.
3. Garmin G5 Electronic Flight Instrument
The Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument is a great option for those who want a multifunctional device that can serve as both a handheld radio and an electronic flight instrument. It has 250 memory channels, 10 NOAA weather channels, and a backlit LCD display. The Garmin G5 also includes vertical speed indicator (VSI), ground speed indicator (GSI), heading indicator (HI), and slip indicator (SI) capabilities. It’s compatible with most aircraft avionics and comes with a two-year warranty.
Bose A20 Aviation Headset
The Bose A20 Aviation Headset is one of the most popular aviation headsets on the market, and for good reason. It’s comfortable, has great noise cancellation, and is built to last.
I’ve been using the Bose A20 for a few years now and it’s easily the best headset I’ve ever used. The noise cancellation is incredible, the comfort is unbeatable, and it just works. I’ve never had any issues with it.
If you’re in the market for a new aviation headset, the Bose A20 should be at the top of your list. It’s simply the best headset on the market.
David Clark Company H10-13.4 Aviation Headset
The David Clark Company has been around for a long time and is a trusted name in the aviation industry. The H10-13.4 Aviation Headset is one of their newest products and it has already received rave reviews from customers. This headset features Active Noise Reduction (ANR) technology that significantly reduces background noise, making it easier to hear cockpit communications and other sounds. It also has a comfortable, adjustable headband and earcups that make it easy to wear for extended periods of time. In addition, the H10-13.4 Aviation Headset comes with a 5-year warranty, so you can be confident in its quality and durability.
If you’re looking for an aviation headset that will provide clear sound quality and reduce background noise, then the David Clark Company H10-13.4 Aviation Headset is a great option. It’s comfortable to wear, has a durable design, and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Lightspeed Zulu.2 Aviation Headset
Lightspeed Zulu.2 Aviation Headset
The Lightspeed Zulu.2 is an aviation headset that offers great features and performance for the price. It is very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and the noise cancellation is excellent, making it a great choice for use in noisy environments. The sound quality is very good, with clear audio and no static or hissing. The mic is very sensitive and picks up your voice well, even when you are speaking softly. The only downside of this headset is that it is not wireless, but for the price, it is an excellent value.
Sennheiser HMEC 250-II Aviation Headset
Sennheiser HMEC 250-II Aviation Headset
The Sennheiser HMEC 250-II Aviation Headset is a high quality, professional aviation headset that offers superior comfort and sound quality. It features a noise-cancelling microphone that eliminates background noise, allowing you to focus on your communication. The ear cups are padded for comfort and the headband is adjustable for a perfect fit. The headset also includes a cord wrap and carrying case for easy storage and transport.
The Sennheiser HMEC 250-II Aviation Headset is an excellent choice for pilots and air traffic controllers who need a dependable, comfortable headset that will provide clear communication in noisy environments.
ASA CX-3 Flight Computer
The ASA CX-3 Flight Computer is an easy to use and reliable flight computer. It has all the features you need in a flight computer, and is very user friendly. The display is large and easy to read, and the buttons are clearly labeled. The computer comes with a detailed manual that is easy to follow. I would highly recommend this flight computer to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable option.
Garmin aera 660 Portable GPS
The Garmin aera 660 is one of the top portable GPS units on the market. It features a large, sunlight-readable display and a built-in WAAS receiver for enhanced accuracy. The unit also includes an SD card slot for storing extra data, such as maps and waypoints. The Garmin aera 660 is easy to use and provides accurate navigation information.
The unit’s large display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and easy to use. The unit comes with a comprehensive set of mapping data, including topographic maps, for the U.S. and Canada. The Garmin aera 660 also has the ability to load custom maps, such as those from National Geographic.
The unit’s built-in WAAS receiver provides enhanced accuracy for navigation. The WAAS system uses a network of ground-based reference stations to provide corrections to GPS satellite signals. This results in improved position accuracy, typically within 3 meters.
The Garmin aera 660 includes an SD card slot for storing extra data. This is handy for storing additional maps or waypoints. The unit also supports BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, which can be downloaded onto an SD card (sold separately). This allows you to view high-resolution satellite images on the unit’s display.
The Garmin aera 660 is a great choice for anyone looking for a portable GPS unit with a large, sunlight-readable display and enhanced accuracy.
iFly GPS
As an amateur pilot, I was looking for an iPad EFB that would provide basic VFR navigation capabilities without being overly complicated or expensive. iFly GPS does that admirably well, and at a reasonable price to boot. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, which is essential in-flight. The app also includes a number of features that are handy for flight planning, such as the ability to overlay METARs and TAFs on the map display. Overall, I’m very happy with iFly GPS and would recommend it to anyone looking for a basic VFR navigation solution.
The biggest issue I have with the app is that it doesn’t support split-screen multitasking on the iPad Pro (12.9-inch), which is a bit of a bummer. That said, the developers are aware of the issue and are working on a fix, so hopefully it’ll be resolved soon.
All things considered, iFly GPS is a great EFB for VFR navigation and comes at a very reasonable price. If you’re looking for something more robust or feature-packed, there are other options available, but for basic VFR navigation, iFly GPS does the job admirably well.
SkyguardTWX Southern Cross Single Engine Aircraft Weather Radar
The SkyguardTWX Southern Cross Single Engine Aircraft Weather Radar is a top quality product that has been designed to provide pilots with the very best in weather information. The radar uses the latest in Doppler technology to give users an incredibly accurate picture of what is happening with the weather. This allows pilots to make better decisions about flying in and out of areas of bad weather, and also helps them to avoid areas where the weather is likely to cause problems.
The radar is very easy to use, and comes with a comprehensive user manual that explains all of the features and how to get the most out of them. The display is large and clear, making it easy to see what is going on at a glance. The unit is also very rugged and can withstand a lot of abuse, which is ideal for use in an aircraft.
The SkyguardTWX Southern Cross Single Engine Aircraft Weather Radar is an essential piece of equipment for any pilot, and is well worth the investment. It will provide you with the information you need to make better decisions about your flying, and could potentially save your life.
Stratus ESG ADS-B In Receiver
The Stratus ESG ADS-B In Receiver is a great product that I highly recommend. I have been using it for over a year now and it has never failed me. The build quality is excellent and it works perfectly. The performance is amazing and it picks up even the weakest of signals. The software is very user friendly and easy to use. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with this product and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good ADS-B In Receiver.