Garmin GTN-650 Software Updates?

[TXFlyGuy]

Question for you Garmin 650 owners...as this is IFR certified, can you do the update on your own? Or does an avionics tech have to do the update, and make a log entry?

And is there a difference if this is installed in a C-310, or an RV-8?

Not talking about NAV-DATA updates, but software updates.

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy

Question for you Garmin 650 owners...as this is IFR certified, can you do the update on your own? Or does an avionics tech have to do the update, and make a log entry?

And is there a difference if this is installed in a C-310, or an RV-8?

Not talking about NAV-DATA updates, but software updates.

If you are EAB, you can download them from Garmin and install them yourself. I don?t believe there is a difference in the code. You can make the log book entry. You only need an A&P for your condition inspection if you weren?t the builder.

[noelf]

I own several aircraft, one being a Cessna 150 with a full Garmin stack, including a GTN 650. I had to go to my local Garmin dealer just to see what the current release level of s/w was for all the devices. Then I had to pay the dealer to install the s/w on each unit. I was told that Garmin allows the shop to charge 1 hour shop rate labor for each device that needs a s/w update. Two G5's alone = 2 hours even it only takes a few moments each. Plus the GTN, the GNC, and the GTX.

Keep Flying EXPERIMENTALS.

[TXFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by noelf

I own several aircraft, one being a Cessna 150 with a full Garmin stack, including a GTN 650. I had to go to my local Garmin dealer just to see what the current release level of s/w was for all the devices. Then I had to pay the dealer to install the s/w on each unit. I was told that Garmin allows the shop to charge 1 hour shop rate labor for each device that needs a s/w update. Two G5's alone = 2 hours even it only takes a few moments each. Plus the GTN, the GNC, and the GTX.

Keep Flying EXPERIMENTALS.

Can you spell Rip Off?
It takes only a few minutes to download the data on an SD card. Then it is Plug & Play. Literally, anyone could do the update.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by noelf

. I was told that Garmin allows the shop to charge 1 hour shop rate labor for each device that needs a s/w update.
.

I'm not a great fan of Garmin, however, the above statement is not true. Garmin does not "allow", require, etc., anything in this regard. And I believe they provide the update software to the dealers for free. Dealers are independent, and are free to charge as much or as little as they like. Shop around. If you've given the dealer a lot of business they may do it for free. My last software update, I got a "cash discount" (he took all the cash I had instead of running the credit card).

[TXFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

I'm not a great fan of Garmin, however, the above statement is not true. Garmin does not "allow", require, etc., anything in this regard. And I believe they provide the update software to the dealers for free. Dealers are independent, and are free to charge as much or as little as they like. Shop around. If you've given the dealer a lot of business they may do it for free. My last software update, I got a "cash discount" (he took all the cash I had instead of running the credit card).

My plane has an all Garmin stack, plus a GRT Mini EFIS as a backup. GRT does not charge for any updates to the software or NAV DATA, there is no annual subscription that you must buy.

Unlike Garmin, where my annual fee is about $700.

[Steve Melton]

I never understood this advertising campaign. Wouldn't it be better to be: "we try to save you a much money as we can".

[Walt]

Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy

My plane has an all Garmin stack, plus a GRT Mini EFIS as a backup. GRT does not charge for any updates to the software or NAV DATA, there is no annual subscription that you must buy.

Unlike Garmin, where my annual fee is about $700.

If you want to fly with an IFR certified navigator it doesn't matter whose it is, you will pay for that nav data.
The basic nav data required for a Garmin navigator is $299, not $700.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

I'm not a great fan of Garmin, however, the above statement is not true. Garmin does not "allow", require, etc., anything in this regard. And I believe they provide the update software to the dealers for free. Dealers are independent, and are free to charge as much or as little as they like. Shop around. If you've given the dealer a lot of business they may do it for free. My last software update, I got a "cash discount" (he took all the cash I had instead of running the credit card).

I do software updates for free, or will loan you my cards, to all my EAB customers and friends
The exception is if I have to do a bench update like on a transponder then I do charge for that extra time.

[TXFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by Walt

If you want to fly with an IFR certified navigator it doesn't matter whose it is, you will pay for that nav data.
The basic nav data required for a Garmin navigator is $299, not $700.

The complete package deal from Garmin, with the huge built in "savings", is:

G3X Touch = North America Data Base Bundle $199.95
GTN 650 = North America Data Base Bundle $499.00

The least expensive option for both units in a bundle is $548.99. But not nearly the coverage for the G3X.