Announcing No-Cost US VFR Database Offering for G3X Touch

[Brantel]

No kidding. Data for the GTN650xi and my G3xs is about $700 a year for IFR plates and data.

I really didn't think this through before going with an all Garmin panel - I love the functionality and I have several hundred hours behind G1000s, but this annuity back to Garmin to pay them to repackage data that they get for free from the government (which I'm already paying for - see my 1040 form) is frustrating.

Some reasonable fee to take the government data and reformat it to their system is okay with me, but $700 a year isn't in the reasonable range.

Any certified IFR navigator is going to cost you to keep the databases updated. This goes for ALL of them not just Garmin. It is the price you have to pay to play in the IFR system. There is no escaping it....

The cost to keep the G3X systems up to date with all the chart goodies is just noise in the scheme of all things aviation. I won't let $149.95 a year dictate what brand of system I want to be trusting my life to in IMC.

 

[gfb]

I've happily run the $299 GTN650xi navdata database in our setup for years. It's all we need with a G3X system as all the charts are on the big screen.

EDIT: I just checked the competition, and their navdata is the same price, $299.

 

[ecicci]

For pilots interested in having an IFR panel, please be aware that the Garmin-provided Approach Plates are said to provide geo-referenced aircraft position for those plates. However, I have found that geo-referenced position IS NOT shown on all ILS approaches. I have questioned Garmin on this but have never received a logical answer of why this is the case. It is blamed on the fact that some feeder or other local fixes on the plate are not drawn to scale; but other approaches (e.g., RNAV, VOR, NDB etc.) at the same airfield showing the same not-to-scale fixes do, in fact, show geo-referenced position. My Foreflight subscription (using the same government charts) do provide geo-referenced aircraft position on ALL approaches regardless of not-to-scale fixes on the plate, even the ones that Garmin does not show. I am in a quandry as to what databases to install next now that I am about ready for renewal. Jeppesen claims that their approach plates show geo-referenced position for ALL approaches including ILS approaches. Does anyone have any experience with Jeppesen Approach Plates regarding this issue?

 

[gfb]

icicci, which specific plates are you having an issue with? In 900+ hours using the g3x system with Garmin data, I've never seen what you describe.

 

[ecicci]

In my local area (Atlanta), there are two that I see all the time: KFFC and KOPN. Other folks here with the same equipment (G3X and GTN 650) have the identical problem. Another (KCCO) seems to work fine.

 

[Pilot135pd]

...This matches up very similarity to other competitive offerings and is a result from common customer feedback we have received from our great customers in the EAB market.

In other words just continue to complain that Dynon gives you something free and eventually Garmin will have to also.

 

[Pilot135pd]

And yet - FltPlanGo has been giving away the mapping data for Canada for free since its inception. Garmin now owns FltPLanGo. So there's clearly a business case that supports free mapping for one segment of their market, even though they are paying to get that data in the first place.

I use FltPlanGo here in the States and have been secretly praying Garmin doesn't kill FltPlanGo features ever since I heard they had bought it.

 

[hoyden]

I have dual G3X in the RV-9 I am building. On Saturday May 24 I signed up for the basic $0.00 VFR charts and installed Garmin Aviation Database Loader. The loader shows my G3X Touch and a list of expired databases marked No Active Subscription. When I check my order status it is marked PROCESSING. Where or when will I get the basic VFR charts?

 

[Walt]

I have dual G3X in the RV-9 I am building. On Saturday May 24 I signed up for the basic $0.00 VFR charts and installed Garmin Aviation Database Loader. The loader shows my G3X Touch and a list of expired databases marked No Active Subscription. When I check my order status it is marked PROCESSING. Where or when will I get the basic VFR charts?

Why not just call the Garmin folks, the database guys are always super helpful and will bend over backwards to get you fixed up.

 

[hoyden]

Why not just call the Garmin folks, the database guys are always super helpful and will bend over backwards to get you fixed up.

Thanks. I will. Nice to know in advance they could be helpful. Nowadays calling a big company is one of the last things I think about. The web site was less than helpful.

 

[jliltd]

So I am trying to find the area on FlyGarmin.com where the G3X Touch US VFR Basic Database Bundle is listed. I would seem to be well hidden. Any ideas?

 

[Longez]

So I am trying to find the area on FlyGarmin.com where the G3X Touch US VFR Basic Database Bundle is listed. I would seem to be well hidden. Any ideas?

After selecting "Devices" and the aircraft that has the G3X Touch system installed and registered, select "Buy Databases" and in Step 3, select "Bundles" (not "Annual Subscriptions" for individual databases).

You will see the US VFR Basic Database Bundle listed.



Steve

 

[Trooper11040]

How long does it take to process

 

[Dad's RV-10]

I have dual G3X in the RV-9 I am building. On Saturday May 24 I signed up for the basic $0.00 VFR charts and installed Garmin Aviation Database Loader. The loader shows my G3X Touch and a list of expired databases marked No Active Subscription. When I check my order status it is marked PROCESSING. Where or when will I get the basic VFR charts?

How long does it take to process

I had to call Garmin to get past the "processing" message. It was a software issue on their end.

 

[Pdp7427]

I had to call Garmin to get past the "processing" message. It was a software issue on their end.

Same here. Required phone support.

 

[subpar_bucker]

Found this thread trying to help a friend install the US VFR Basic Database Bundle. He received the confirmation email from Garmin, but when we login to the Garmin Aviation Database Manager we can't find this bundle to install. For his G3X Touch we see:

"13 databases haven't been installed. Press "Update/Reinstall All" to install databases. Use "Buy Databases" to purchase additional databases or renew/extend your subscription."

But he does have old versions of some Garmin databases installed in his airplane. Does anyone know how its possible that things are installed, but the Garmin Aviation Database Manager isn't aware of them? It seems like this is blocking access to getting the free update. Or is it still the case we need to call Garmin?

I'm wondering if simply buying a 1 month update for the US VFR Plus Database Bundle - G3X Touch might be a workaround here and enable access to the free updates going forward?

 

[SPX]

Found this thread trying to help a friend install the US VFR Basic Database Bundle. He received the confirmation email from Garmin, but when we login to the Garmin Aviation Database Manager we can't find this bundle to install. For his G3X Touch we see:

"13 databases haven't been installed. Press "Update/Reinstall All" to install databases. Use "Buy Databases" to purchase additional databases or renew/extend your subscription."

But he does have old versions of some Garmin databases installed in his airplane. Does anyone know how its possible that things are installed, but the Garmin Aviation Database Manager isn't aware of them? It seems like this is blocking access to getting the free update. Or is it still the case we need to call Garmin?

I'm wondering if simply buying a 1 month update for the US VFR Plus Database Bundle - G3X Touch might be a workaround here and enable access to the free updates going forward?

Just choose to update/reinstall all.

 

[subpar_bucker]

Just choose to update/reinstall all.

Unfortunately, that's grayed out for me. Please see the attached. It's almost like the Garmin database tool thinks nothing has ever been installed on my friend's setup - but there is an existing set of databases installed.

 

[Dad's RV-10]

Unfortunately, that's grayed out for me. Please see the attached. It's almost like the Garmin database tool thinks nothing has ever been installed on my friend's setup - but there is an existing set of databases installed.

If you're sure you have everything configured properly on your end, you'll need to call Garmin. I've had to call them on multiple occasions for database issues.

Most recently, one of my System ID numbers spontaneously changed. I called Garmin, gave them the new System ID they entered it on their end. The next time I tried to download updates, I had to call yet again to have them make another tweak.

They can usually get it squared away pretty quickly over the phone.

(866) 739–5687

 

[Longez]

Found this thread trying to help a friend install the US VFR Basic Database Bundle. He received the confirmation email from Garmin, but when we login to the Garmin Aviation Database Manager we can't find this bundle to install.

Is there a reason you are not following the guidance in post #62? Just buy the VFR database bundle for $0 and install it.

For a new system, the Database Manager doesn't know anything about what is or isn't installed.

Steve

 

[Ben Ellis]

My understanding is that after you “buy” the free database on Garmin’s website, you have to call Garmin to change some setting on their end that allows it to show up in the download manager. That’s what I had to do a month ago and I’ve read other people having the same experience.

 

[Longez]

My understanding is that after you “buy” the free database on Garmin’s website, you have to call Garmin to change some setting on their end that allows it to show up in the download manager. That’s what I had to do a month ago and I’ve read other people having the same experience.

Ben,

That was not my experience. I just "bought" it (for a G3X Touch system already registered with a System ID in my account) and installed it.

I did not have to call Garmin.

Steve

 

[N804RV]

After just recently (again) attempting to demystify and bring up-to-date yet another flying friend's avionics suite, I am sorely tempted to write and produce a pilot's guide to digital data in the cockpit. I have yet to see a book or tutorial that really does a good job of this for the typical new home-builder or homebuilt buyer moving from 60 year old trainers to fast-glass.