Hello CATPart,
Garmin announced some really great new options and price reductions on database bundles last year.
The U.S. Mini bundle price is only $99 per year for all you can eat of AeroNav navigation data, obstacles, and terrain which is sufficient for most VFR pilots.
The U.S. Lite bundle is $249 per year and adds SafeTaxi (airport diagrams integrated into the moving map), AOPA or AC-U-Kwik Airport Directory, and FliteCharts for all your airport diagrams, IFR approach plates, etc.
G3X customers can also shop a la carte on FlyGarmin.com and purchase single updates for those databases you feel you don't need to update very often.
For example, if you are getting ready for that big cross country trip to Oshkosh and decide you might want an AOPA Airport Directory on top of your $99 annual bundle, $49.95 gets you a complete U.S. update.
Hope this answers your question. There is more detail on FlyGarmin if you need it.
Thanks,
Steve