Hello,
Yes, Brian and Paul are correct. The U.S. VFR Navigation database included in the U.S. Lite and U.S. Mini database bundles does not include instrument approaches. You must have the Jeppesen navigation database installed to load approaches on the G3X Touch displays. You can, of course, load approaches on your GNS/GTN external IFR navigator and they will show up automatically on the G3X Touch flight plan and maps/charts.
We have a big notice about this which is shown on FlyGarmin every time you download the U.S. VFR Navigation database, but we appreciate that most of us don't read all the notices.
The U.S. VFR Navigation database is a limited database with content provided by AeroNav Products, a division of the FAA. Please note: The content is less comprehensive and varies from Garmin's other navigation databases. For example, this database does NOT contain approach data.
Almost no one has commented about this (which is surprising given the significance), but if you read our announcement on the
new aera 660 portable GPS, there is something interesting related to navigation databases.
The aera 660 is the first Garmin product to use the new
Garmin Navigation Database. Unlike the U.S. VFR Navigation database, the Garmin Navigation Database
does include approaches, and is offered at the same low cost.
aera 660 US Database Bundle $149.95/yr ($12.50/mo)
Includes the following 7 databases covering Alaska and the Continental U.S., updated as often as you like:
- Garmin Navigation Data (airports, runways, frequencies, approaches)
- Obstacles (e.g. towers - used to provide obstacle visual and aural alerting including obstacle depiction in synthetic vision)
- Terrain (used to render synthetic vision and provide terrain alerting)
- FliteCharts (Geo-referenced IFR approach plates, airport diagrams, arrival and departure procedures)
- SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into moving map that are displayed and zoomed automatically when you need them for taxi and landing)
- Airport Directory (FBOs, runways, hours of operation, rental cars, fuel prices, etc)
- IFR/VFR Charts (VFR sectionals and IFR Hi/Lo charts)
As mentioned in that posting, the Garmin Navigation Database is also included in the North American database bundle for the aera 660, so it also includes navigation data coverage for Canada.
One can only speculate as to how this might affect G3X Touch (and other Garmin products) in the future.
Thanks,
Steve