Bill Palmer
Well Known Member
For those contemplating a GTN 650 or 750 purchase, here are Garmin?s database update prices as of March 29:
NavData (Americas or International): $180 single; $530 subscription*
Obstacle (US/Europe): $50 single; $195 subscription**
Terrain (Worldwide): $150 single
SafeTaxi (US): $50 single; $195 subscription**
FliteCharts (750 only) (US): $95 single; $395 subscription*
Basemap (Worldwide): $100 single
* 28-day cycle; 13 updates per year
** 56-day cycle; 7 updates per year
For interest, I asked Garmin Support about GTN 650 NavData ID and Retention. Here are the answers I received:
ID: ?GTN database updates purchased through fly.garmin.com are tied to the system ID of that particular GTN. Databases purchased for one GTN cannot be used in another GTN.?
Retention: ?The GTN 650 will continue to use the Jeppesen NavData that is loaded on the SD card - regardless of its cycle. However, regulations prohibit its use for IFR flight if the data is out-of-date. The GTN 650 will continue to use the NavData - regardless of the age of the database.? ( . . . Apparently, there is no time scale or time limit programmed into the 650?s software that would somehow disable the unit?s use of an out-of-date, but ID-valid, NavData card. I would assume that it?s the same situation for the 750.)
A Personal Observation: It seems to me that Garmin, and Garmin dealers, would sell a lot more GTN?s and associated NavData subscriptions if they would offer a 56-day cycle, half-price NavData subscription option for experimental installs only. The FAA updates terminal procedures, enroute charts, and airport/facility data on a 56-day cycle. See http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/faq/index.cfm?print=go#q2f.
Thoughts/Ideas?
Bill Palmer
NavData (Americas or International): $180 single; $530 subscription*
Obstacle (US/Europe): $50 single; $195 subscription**
Terrain (Worldwide): $150 single
SafeTaxi (US): $50 single; $195 subscription**
FliteCharts (750 only) (US): $95 single; $395 subscription*
Basemap (Worldwide): $100 single
* 28-day cycle; 13 updates per year
** 56-day cycle; 7 updates per year
For interest, I asked Garmin Support about GTN 650 NavData ID and Retention. Here are the answers I received:
ID: ?GTN database updates purchased through fly.garmin.com are tied to the system ID of that particular GTN. Databases purchased for one GTN cannot be used in another GTN.?
Retention: ?The GTN 650 will continue to use the Jeppesen NavData that is loaded on the SD card - regardless of its cycle. However, regulations prohibit its use for IFR flight if the data is out-of-date. The GTN 650 will continue to use the NavData - regardless of the age of the database.? ( . . . Apparently, there is no time scale or time limit programmed into the 650?s software that would somehow disable the unit?s use of an out-of-date, but ID-valid, NavData card. I would assume that it?s the same situation for the 750.)
A Personal Observation: It seems to me that Garmin, and Garmin dealers, would sell a lot more GTN?s and associated NavData subscriptions if they would offer a 56-day cycle, half-price NavData subscription option for experimental installs only. The FAA updates terminal procedures, enroute charts, and airport/facility data on a 56-day cycle. See http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/faq/index.cfm?print=go#q2f.
Thoughts/Ideas?
Bill Palmer