22 products

Clear all

Aviation GPS and portable ADS-B receivers for the modern cockpit

Whether you fly with a glass panel or a tablet on your kneeboard, a portable receiver brings GPS position, weather, and traffic into the flight you are actually making. The devices here split into three jobs: standalone GPS receivers that give your iPad or tablet a dependable position source, portable ADS-B In receivers that add free FAA weather and traffic to your electronic flight bag, and certified ADS-B Out hardware that keeps your aircraft legal in regulated airspace. Most pilots start with a portable ADS-B In receiver because it pairs with the EFB app they already use and works the same in a rental, a club plane, or their own aircraft. Click any product for current pricing.

Compare portable receivers at a glance

Device Type Adds to your EFB Best for
Dual SkyPro XGPS160 Standalone GPS receiver Accurate position to multiple devices Pilots who only need a reliable GPS source for a tablet
Garmin GLO 2 Standalone GPS and GLONASS receiver Fast, accurate Bluetooth position Garmin Pilot and multi-device GPS positioning
Appareo Stratus 4 Portable ADS-B In receiver Dual-band weather, traffic, AHRS ForeFlight users who want a replaceable battery
Garmin GDL 50 Portable ADS-B In receiver Dual-band weather, traffic, AHRS Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight users
Garmin GDL 52 Portable ADS-B In and SiriusXM receiver FAA and SiriusXM weather, traffic, AHRS Pilots who want satellite weather coast to coast
uAvionix skyBeacon Certified ADS-B Out (wingtip) Compliance, not EFB data Owners equipping a certified aircraft for ADS-B Out
uAvionix tailBeacon Certified ADS-B Out (tail position light) Compliance, not EFB data Owners adding ADS-B Out via the rear position light
uAvionix AV-30-C Certified 3-inch multi-function display Panel attitude and data, not EFB data Owners modernizing a certified instrument panel

Types of receivers in this collection

Standalone GPS receivers

A standalone GPS receiver gives your iPad, tablet, or laptop a dedicated, high-quality position source over Bluetooth. The Dual SkyPro XGPS160 and Garmin GLO 2 are popular choices because aviation-grade GPS is more accurate and reliable than the GPS built into many cellular tablets, and a single receiver can drive multiple devices at once. They do not provide weather or traffic, only position.

Portable ADS-B In receivers

Portable ADS-B In receivers are the core of this collection. The Appareo Stratus 4, Garmin GDL 50, and Garmin GDL 52 receive free FAA FIS-B weather and nearby traffic and stream it to your EFB, and most include a built-in AHRS for backup attitude. The GDL 52 also receives SiriusXM satellite weather on a separate subscription. Learn more in our portable ADS-B receiver guide for ForeFlight.

Certified ADS-B Out and panel hardware

To fly in airspace that requires ADS-B Out, your aircraft must transmit its position with certified equipment. The uAvionix skyBeacon, tailBeacon, tailBeaconX, and skySensor integrate a WAAS GPS and an LED light or transponder for a streamlined install, and the AV-30-C modernizes the panel itself.

ADS-B In vs ADS-B Out

These two terms describe opposite directions of data. ADS-B Out is what your aircraft transmits: a certified signal broadcasting your position so air traffic control and other aircraft can see you, and it is what the FAA mandates in regulated airspace. ADS-B In is what you receive: free FAA weather and traffic delivered to a receiver and your EFB. A portable receiver such as the Stratus 4 or a Garmin GDL provides ADS-B In only. It does not make your aircraft ADS-B Out compliant, which still requires certified hardware like the uAvionix beacons above. For more detail, read our portable GPS and ADS-B buyer's guide.

Brands we carry

This collection features Garmin, Appareo, Dual Electronics, and uAvionix. Garmin builds the GLO 2 position source and the GDL 50 and GDL 52 portable ADS-B receivers that integrate tightly with Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight. Appareo makes the Stratus 4, a longtime favorite among ForeFlight pilots. Dual Electronics offers the value-oriented SkyPro GPS source, and uAvionix specializes in streamlined certified ADS-B Out and panel solutions.

How to choose the right receiver

Start with the job you need done. If your only goal is a dependable position source for a tablet, a standalone GPS receiver like the Dual SkyPro XGPS160 or Garmin GLO 2 is the most affordable answer. If you want free FAA weather and traffic in your EFB, choose a portable ADS-B In receiver and match it to your app: the Stratus 4 is a proven pick for ForeFlight, while the GDL 50 serves both Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight. Step up to the GDL 52 if you fly where FAA ground-based weather coverage is sparse and want SiriusXM satellite weather. Weigh battery strategy too: a replaceable battery extends usable life across long days. If your mission is regulatory compliance rather than EFB data, you need certified ADS-B Out hardware, not a portable receiver. Compare options side by side in our Stratus 4 vs Garmin GDL 50 comparison.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

  • Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and nothing else, so our team knows receivers, EFB apps, and how they connect.
  • Curated nav lineup: we stock proven GPS and ADS-B receivers from Garmin, Appareo, Dual, and uAvionix rather than a confusing wall of options.
  • Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of pilots rely on Pilot Mall for cockpit navigation and situational-awareness equipment.
  • Free U.S. shipping over $100: every portable receiver in this collection qualifies.
  • Expert guidance: talk to people who fly before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ADS-B In and ADS-B Out?

ADS-B Out is the certified signal your aircraft transmits so air traffic control and other aircraft can see your position, and it is what the FAA requires in regulated airspace. ADS-B In is the free weather and traffic data your receiver and EFB display. Portable receivers provide ADS-B In only.

Does a portable GPS or ADS-B receiver make me ADS-B compliant?

No. A portable receiver provides ADS-B In, which is the weather and traffic you receive. Regulatory compliance requires ADS-B Out, the certified equipment that transmits your aircraft position. Meeting the mandate needs installed, certified hardware such as a uAvionix skyBeacon or tailBeacon, not a portable receiver.

Is ADS-B weather and traffic subscription-free?

Yes. The FAA broadcasts FIS-B weather and traffic over the ADS-B network at no cost, so any portable ADS-B In receiver displays it free with no subscription. SiriusXM satellite weather is different: it offers broader coverage and faster updates but requires a paid SiriusXM Aviation subscription.

Which EFB apps work with portable ADS-B receivers?

Most portable receivers output the standard GDL-90 data format, so they work with major electronic flight bag apps including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go, FlyQ, and iFly. Garmin GDL receivers pair with Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight, while the Appareo Stratus 4 is a longtime favorite among ForeFlight users.

Do I need an internal GPS receiver if my iPad already has GPS?

Often yes. Wi-Fi-only iPads have no built-in GPS at all, and the GPS in cellular models can be less accurate and reliable in flight. An aviation GPS receiver delivers a stronger, more consistent position source and can feed several devices at once, which is why many pilots add one.

What is the difference between the Garmin GDL 50 and GDL 52?

Both are portable ADS-B In receivers with traffic, FAA weather, and a built-in AHRS for backup attitude. The key difference is satellite weather: the GDL 52 adds a SiriusXM receiver for broader, faster weather on a paid subscription, while the GDL 50 relies on free FAA FIS-B weather only. See our Stratus 4 vs GDL 50 guide for context.