As the market saturates with panel-mouned ADS-B gear, we’re seeing portable ADS-B receivers hit the used market at bargain prices. This includes the popular current-gen Appareo Stratus 2S. Just prior to AirVenture 2015, the Stratus development team—Appareo handling hardware, ForeFlight for software and Sporty’s for sales and support—released two new models of its portable ADS-B receiver: the 1S targeted at VFR pilots and the 2S designed for IFR operations. The new models included additional features and addressed a history of hardware issues. Having had extensive hardware problems with the earlier model, I was curious about the reliability of the new units.
With a 2S aboard, I made a 2300-NM trip, including a flight into AirVenture 2015 with editor Larry Anglisano keeping a critical eye on its performance. Now, after more than a year of using the 2S in an ADS-B Out-equipped airplane, I’ve been impressed, overall, with the features, functionality and reliability of the 2S. It hasn’t been perfect, but the few shortcomings are easily outnumbered by its virtues.