Garmin Pilot Pack

[amillet]

I just downloaded my first (complementary) database update from Garmin.  Next month I will purchase a Pilot Pack.  Under what circumstances would the US Light (no Navdata) be selected rather than Standard? It's about $400 cheaper but why is it even offered?

[Bob - S50]

Here is another way to save money.  We do not buy the pilot pack.  It contains everything.  We only buy the Navigation data for the US.  The published cost for our GTN650 is $465/year.  Here's our reasoning:

1.  Mountains and hills don't move so we aren't interested in terrain updates.

2.  If we are IFR, the procedures will keep us clear of obstacles.  If we are VFR, we see and avoid.  New obstacles do spring up, but not that quickly so we do not feel the need to update every cycle.  We might choose to do a one time update every few years.  $50 for US/Canada/Europe for a one time update.

3.  Safe taxi is not available at all airports, just the bigger ones.  At least I think that's true.  Most of the airports we fly to do not have a tower or a published airport diagram.  If we land at a large or tower controlled airport, I've found that signage is pretty good so I don't feel the need for a moving map airport diagram.  If I am not sure what the controller wants I'll ask or even get 'progressive' instructions.

4.  We can't do charts on our GTN650 but would rather not have them there anyway.  I prefer to have them on my tablet and phone.

Think about what you want, then buy what you need.

Best of luck,

Bob

[ArtVandelay]

I bought the PP this year because my backup data card DBs were from 2011, my primary from 2014, I wanted to get my cards current, I will switch back to just nav data unless I'm not planning any cross country, then I would buy nav data individually.

[Marauder]

I just renewed my Jepp subscription for my 650. The price for the whole pilot package is now at $808. The downside is the agreement with Garmin prohibits the upload of the non-Nav data more than once per subscription. So I end up loading the 28 day Nav and the 56 day SafeTaxi, Terrain & base map on a SD. Upload it to the 650. On the next cycle I use the second card to put the next Nav data on and answer "keep" to the installed question.

The advantage to the Garmin PilotPak is they will cover all the units in the plane under one subscription. This means the more Garmin toys you have, the cheaper it is.

Bob is right about the currency of the non-Nav stuff. Things change a little but mountains sure don't move.

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[wishboneash]

Chris, not sure if this will cover the Garmin 696 updates though. Are you talking about the panel mounted GPSs/MFDs only? I have a renewal coming up soon as well. I always use the #1 SD card for everything. Not being able to download twice on all features is a pain.

[co2bruce]

We do exactly what Bob S50 does.

[Marauder]

Siriam - the Garmin PilotPak is intended for panel mounted avionics including the non GPS. Check this site for the details: https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/pilotpak/

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[wishboneash]

That was my impression. With the Garmin Pilot and Pilotpak, it is close to 1AMU. Nice revenue stream!

[Oscar Avalle]

I just renewed my subscription for my GTN 750, 650, 795 and IPAD. IFR charts for Northeast US , navdata, safe taxi and obstacles US from Jepp for 1125.

[Marauder]

I just renewed my subscription for my GTN 750, 650, 795 and IPAD. IFR charts for Northeast US , navdata, safe taxi and obstacles US from Jepp for 1125.

Amazing isn't it? Every 5 years you could have bought a brand new NavCom for the cost of the subscriptions alone.

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[Oscar Avalle]

Now that you put it that way... it is amazing. Reminds me of printers and their prizing (only MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE).

[M20F-1968]

I just updated my Garmin G600, GTN 650, GTN 750 by purchasing the pilot pack.  I was at the PPP in Manchester at it seems that Garmin supposedly also will throw in the Garmin Pilot software without charge when purchasing the Pilot Pack.  Anyone have any specific information of this?

John Breda

[Marauder]

2 hours ago, M20F-1968 said:

I just updated my Garmin G600, GTN 650, GTN 750 by purchasing the pilot pack.  I was at the PPP in Manchester at it seems that Garmin supposedly also will throw in the Garmin Pilot software without charge when purchasing the Pilot Pack.  Anyone have any specific information of this?

John Breda

John -- you need to buy the VFR version of Garmin Pilot and the IFR portion is added as part of OnePak. You need to make sure your flyGarmin account is the same one you use for Garmin Pilot. 

[M20F-1968]

Is it better or worse than Foreflight?

[Marauder]

Is it better or worse than Foreflight?

I ran both ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot for a couple of years and then dropped ForeFlight. Garmin Pilot looks like my GTN and I find it easier to use.

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