Shopping for an ADS-B In receiver? You’re not alone. With so many options on the market—from open-source DIY units to polished commercial products—it’s hard to know which receiver is the best fit for your flying style and budget.
In this honest comparison, we’ll break down three of the most popular portable ADS-B receivers: Stratux, ForeFlight Sentry, and SkyEcho. We’ll cover the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world tradeoffs of each, so you can make an informed decision.
Spoiler: There’s no single “best” receiver. The right choice depends on your priorities.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Stratux | ForeFlight Sentry | SkyEcho 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $379-$449 | ~$500-$600 | ~£550 (~$675 USD) |
| ADS-B In | Dual-band (1090+978) | Dual-band (1090+978) | Single-band (1090 only) |
| ADS-B Out | No | No | Yes (978 UAT or 1090ES) |
| GPS | WAAS GPS included | WAAS GPS included | GPS included |
| AHRS | Yes | Yes | No |
| CO Monitor | No | Yes | No |
| User-Serviceable | Fully repairable | Sealed (no repair) | Sealed (no repair) |
| App Support | ForeFlight, FltPlan Go, iFly, Avare, etc. | Optimized for ForeFlight | SkyDemon, ForeFlight, others |
| Open Source | Yes | No | No |
Stratux: The Framework Laptop of Aviation
The Stratux is an open-source ADS-B receiver built on a Raspberry Pi platform. It’s been around since 2015, refined by a community of pilots and engineers, and trusted by thousands of users worldwide.
What Makes Stratux Different
Here’s the key: Stratux is fully user-serviceable. Every component—GPS module, SDR receivers, battery, SD card, antennas—can be replaced individually. Think of it as the Framework Laptop of aviation electronics.
Real-world example:
- Your GPS module dies? Order a $20 replacement from Crew Dog Electronics and swap it yourself in 5 minutes.
- SD card corrupts? Reflash a new one with the latest firmware—free download from GitHub.
- Battery won’t hold a charge? Replace it. Don’t throw away the whole unit.
Compare this to sealed commercial units: when something breaks, you’re buying a new receiver or paying for factory service. With Stratux, you’re never grounded by a failed component.
Strengths
- Dual-band reception: Receives both 1090ES and 978 UAT, giving you complete traffic and FIS-B weather coverage
- Affordable: $379-$449 depending on configuration—less than most sealed units
- Repairable: Every part is replaceable. You control the lifespan.
- Open-source: Active community, frequent updates, no vendor lock-in
- App agnostic: Works with ForeFlight, FltPlan Go, iFly GPS, Avare, and more
- WAAS GPS and AHRS included
Tradeoffs
- Size: Larger than Sentry (think thick paperback book vs. smartphone)
- DIY feel: It’s not as polished as a commercial product—you’ll see circuit boards and screws
- No CO monitor: If you want carbon monoxide detection, you’ll need a separate unit
Best for: Pilots who value repairability, open-source philosophy, and budget-conscious flying. If you like knowing you can fix your gear yourself, Stratux is your receiver.
ForeFlight Sentry: Polished and Integrated
The ForeFlight Sentry is a sleek, sealed unit designed specifically for ForeFlight users. It’s the Apple product of ADS-B receivers—polished, integrated, and optimized for a specific ecosystem.
Strengths
- Compact: Smaller and lighter than Stratux—fits in a shirt pocket
- Tight ForeFlight integration: Seamless pairing, battery status in-app, firmware updates via ForeFlight
- CO monitor: Built-in carbon monoxide sensor with audible alarm (Sentry Plus and Mini models)
- Dual-band reception: 1090ES + 978 UAT for full coverage
- Polished user experience: It just works—plug and play
Tradeoffs
- Price: $500-$600, depending on model
- Sealed unit: When something breaks, you can’t fix it. It’s a warranty claim or a new purchase.
- ForeFlight-centric: While it works with other apps, it’s optimized for ForeFlight. If you switch apps, you lose some integration benefits.
- Vendor lock-in: You’re dependent on ForeFlight’s support and update cycle
Best for: Pilots who are committed to ForeFlight, value a polished user experience, and want a compact unit with CO monitoring. If you’re willing to pay for convenience and don’t mind replacing the unit if it fails, Sentry is excellent.
SkyEcho 2: ADS-B Out Capable
The uAvionix SkyEcho 2 is unique in this comparison because it offers ADS-B Out as well as ADS-B In. It’s popular in Europe and the UK, where pilots often need both functions in a portable unit.
Strengths
- ADS-B Out: Transmits your position—makes you visible to ATC and other aircraft
- Compact: Small, lightweight, easy to mount
- Popular in Europe: Well-supported by SkyDemon and other European EFB apps
- Approved for use: Certified for use in many European airspaces
Tradeoffs
- Single-band ADS-B In: Only receives 1090ES—no 978 UAT. In the U.S., this means you’ll miss GA traffic on 978 and won’t get FIS-B weather.
- Price: ~£550 (~$675 USD)—the most expensive option here
- Sealed unit: Like Sentry, it’s not user-serviceable
- Regional focus: Designed primarily for European airspace; less common in the U.S.
Best for: European pilots who need ADS-B Out in a portable package, or U.S. pilots flying internationally who want both In and Out. If you’re flying exclusively in the U.S. and only need ADS-B In, Stratux or Sentry are better choices.
The Repairability Advantage: Why It Matters
Let’s talk about something most reviews gloss over: what happens when your receiver breaks?
Electronics fail. Batteries degrade. SD cards corrupt. GPS modules lose lock. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
With a sealed unit (Sentry, SkyEcho):
- Component failure = warranty claim or replacement purchase
- Out of warranty? You’re buying a new unit.
- Total cost of ownership climbs over time
With Stratux:
- Component failure = order the part, swap it yourself, back in the air
- Cost: $10-$30 for most parts
- No downtime waiting for factory service
- You control the lifespan—replace parts as they age
Over a 5-10 year ownership period, this difference compounds. Stratux’s repairability makes it a buy-it-for-life tool, not a disposable gadget.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Stratux if:
- You value repairability and long-term ownership
- You want dual-band coverage (1090 + 978)
- You’re budget-conscious but won’t compromise on features
- You like open-source software and active communities
- You use multiple EFB apps or might switch in the future
Choose Sentry if:
- You’re a ForeFlight loyalist and want tight integration
- You want the smallest, most polished unit
- CO monitoring is important to you
- You prefer plug-and-play simplicity
- You’re okay with replacing the unit if it fails out of warranty
Choose SkyEcho if:
- You’re flying in Europe and need ADS-B Out
- You fly internationally and want both In and Out in one unit
- You use SkyDemon or other European-focused apps
Final Thoughts: Credibility Over Sales
We sell Stratux units, so yes, we’re biased. But we’re also pilots, and we’d rather give you honest advice than make a sale you’ll regret.
If Sentry is the right fit for your mission, buy it. If you need ADS-B Out and fly in Europe, get SkyEcho. But if you want a receiver you can fix yourself, that works with any app, and that won’t end up in a landfill because of a $20 failed component—Stratux is hard to beat.
Whatever you choose, fly with ADS-B In. Traffic and weather awareness is one of the best safety investments you can make.
Questions about Stratux? Check out our replacement parts page to see just how repairable it is, or reach out—we’re happy to help.