I've had my 296 since September 2005. I keep up on the Software updates...they're free. I have not updated the nav database or obstacles/terrain since I purchased it. I fly out of class B (SLC) and know where most of the boundries and altitudes of class B exist. I don't rely on the GPS for that. Out in the boonies....

Question: How often do you guys update, and pay for, these services for your Garmin handhelds. Any tricks I should be aware of?? My buddy was telling me that they revamped all of the class B airspace in Phoenix, AZ and he was having to do and pay for the updates. I know Class B airspace isnt where most of the flying here gets done but I'm curious what the group thinks is prudent.

My day job working on Corporate jets has us doing database updates at least every 14 days if not more. I prolly should be doing some on my handheld more often than 5 years!

In 2005, someone gave me an old Magellan aviation GPS that was 10 years out of date. I tried using it a few times, and for the most part I liked it, but the company had exited the aviation gps business and there were no updates available.

The biggest problem that I found was that the identifiers of the airports keep changing! For example, I would punch in SZT to go to Sandpoint, ID, and it didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I finally got fed up with the out of date database and bought a new one. That was five years ago, and I'm starting to really notice that more and more identifiers are changing, and also it has airport frequencies and they have changed as well. I don't care about the obstacle database, because I can see obstacles. Last week, I looked at my chart to get the identifier for Nampa, punched in MAN, and it didn't recognize it. Laboriously, I entered Nampa, ID, and it then told me the identifier in its database was S67.

Sigh... it would seem that I might be due for an update as well!

As for the 15 year old Magellan GPS Map 7000, it's for sale to the highest bidder! Do I hear a starting bid of one dollar?

When I had my 296 I would update 1-2X a year. Now I'm using a AERA 560 1 year updates came with it and I keep it up about every 6-8 weeks. When I run out in December I'll probably go back to 1-2X.

There are two flavors of updates for the Garmin portables, software updates and database updates.

The software updates are generally free, and I'd recommend checking the Garmin site every six months or so for new software updates.

For database updates, operating as you suggest (purely VFR) I update once a year. Generally at OSH I pull the machine, hike over to one of the vendors, and have an update done for ~ $30. You can do them online as well if you have a cable.

MTV

mtv wrote:There are two flavors of updates for the Garmin portables, software updates and database updates.

The software updates are generally free, and I'd recommend checking the Garmin site every six months or so for new software updates.

For database updates, operating as you suggest (purely VFR) I update once a year. Generally at OSH I pull the machine, hike over to one of the vendors, and have an update done for ~ $30. You can do them online as well if you have a cable.

MTV

Mike are you getting just the flying data base (identiferes, airspace, nav aids, frequencies and such) or are you also updating the Terrain updated data too (I know the topo does not change too much) but the obsticles do (which can be helpful to know). I do that twice a year and if you are getting it all for $30 bucks will you take mine with you next time because that is the deal of the year!

OC

I just updated the Nav Database on my 296 today. I did it at the local avionics shop because they have an account with Garmin and I'm too grumpy to submit to another username and password and be rejected 3 times before it takes. The avionics guys tell me that despite Garmin's dominance in the avionics world their website continues to be troublesome and user un-friendly.

$49.95 for one-time update straight from the website. Me thinks I'll do it yearly at annual from now on unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise.

FYI, Garmin quit supporting the 295 last month...supposedly no updates of any kind for that baby. My 296 will be next as it is now a discontinued product.

Here's a question about my 396 in automotive mode. How can I keep my screen at 5 mile zoom?? As I come up to turns, or the courser get's off coarse, the screen zooms into less than a mile or sometimes it will zoom all the way out to 20 miles. I just want it to stay at 5 miles!! Any idea's?? Thanks!

PSS a current chart has the most up to date identifier on it? I have a 196 that I fly with as my sole means of Nav in my experimental and I've only updated the database twice since I've owned it at $50 each time. I did all the software updates about a year ago and it wiped my entire thing. I lost every waypoint I had in there which included a bunch of spots in the boonies I'll probably never be able to find again. Live and learn I guess. Be careful when doing software updates...it never prompted me once that I might lose data.

In Anchorage, Northern Lights will do database updates for a reasonable charge and software updates for free. They will also update the memory cards from a panel-mount garmin if you bring those in. Nice not to have MRI still showing up as RWY 6/24.

By the way, they also stored a backup of my user data, for exactly the reason mentioned in the previous post.

(Dot_AK can chime in if any of the above has changed)

I only updated my 495 when I went on long trips, usually about once a year, and then I got both the Nav and the Obstacle dbs. I now use an aera 560 and have updated it everytime its expired (free, so far). We're putting a 430 in the 182 now, and I'll probably go back to once a year until I get my Instrument ticket.

Don

58Skylane wrote:Here's a question about my 396 in automotive mode. How can I keep my screen at 5 mile zoom?? As I come up to turns, or the courser get's off coarse, the screen zooms into less than a mile or sometimes it will zoom all the way out to 20 miles. I just want it to stay at 5 miles!! Any idea's?? Thanks!

Pat
I think in the setup you can turn the auto zoom off.
Russ

If you intend to let the database expire for a while, keep a set of sectionals concurrent with the database. It's easier to find your destination or waypoints. You can get the current frequencies off the AOPA website or better yet, see the current sectional on Skyvector...all for free...
http://skyvector.com/

Go to flygarmin.com it will inform you how much and check your 296, The palns are one time update to yearly option for NAV data. the terrain and obstacles can be updated as well but the changes are minor.
The airport Identifier is important if you fly long distances to different airports. I still always have an updated Sectional(S) & Terminal(S).

Glidergeek wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Here's a question about my 396 in automotive mode. How can I keep my screen at 5 mile zoom?? As I come up to turns, or the courser get's off coarse, the screen zooms into less than a mile or sometimes it will zoom all the way out to 20 miles. I just want it to stay at 5 miles!! Any idea's?? Thanks!

Pat
I think in the setup you can turn the auto zoom off.
Russ

Well Russ, I guess I might be half retarded Can't figure it out

TJ Carr wrote:If you intend to let the database expire for a while, keep a set of sectionals concurrent with the database.

Prolly a very good idea.
According to this, they won't force the issue on a ramp check. But they could violate you for old chart/no chart/outdated database in any other kind of hassle.
An insurance company would prolly likewise not pay.
Just a thought.

http://naco.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=naco/faq#q2f

What is the FAA policy for carrying current charts?

The term "charts" is not found in the FAA's Part 91 regulations (other than for large and turbine-powered multiengine airplanes in 91.503[a]). The specific FAA regulation, FAR 91.103 "Preflight Actions," states that each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. What is not specifically addressed in the regulation is a requirement for charts. You should always carry a current chart for safety's sake. An expired chart will not show new frequencies or newly constructed obstructions, some of which could be tall enough to be a hazard along your route of flight.

The only FAA/FAR requirements that pertain to charts are:
Title 14 CFR section 91.503[a] (Large and Turbojet powered aircraft)
Title 14 CFR section 135.83 (Air Carriers-Little Airplane)
Title 14 CFR section 121.549 (Air Carrier-Big Airplanes)
The FAA has rendered interpretations that have stated the foregoing. The subject of current charts was thoroughly covered in an article in the FAA's July/August 1997 issue of FAA Aviation News. That article was cleared through the FAA's Chief Counsel's office. In that article the FAA stated the following:
1."You can carry old charts in your aircraft." "It is not FAA policy to violate anyone for having outdated charts in the aircraft."

2."Not all pilots are required to carry a chart." "91.503..requires the pilot in command of large and multiengine airplanes to have charts." "Other operating sections of the FAR such as Part 121 and Part 135 operations have similar requirements."

3...."since some pilots thought they could be violated for having outdated or no charts on board during a flight, we need to clarify an important issue. As we have said, it is NOT FAA policy to initiate enforcement action against a pilot for having an old chart on board or no chart on board." That's because there is no regulation on the issue.

4...."the issue of current chart data bases in handheld GPS receivers is a non-issue because the units are neither approved by the FAA or required for flight, nor do panel-mounted VFR-only GPS receivers have to have a current data base because, like handheld GPS receivers, the pilot is responsible for pilotage under VFR.

5."If a pilot is involved in an enforcement investigation and there is evidence that the use of an out-of-date chart, no chart, or an out-of-date database contributed to the condition that brought on the enforcement investigation, then that information could be used in any enforcement action that might be taken."