Garmin Database Concierge Updates

[Marauder]

I'm curious if any of you are having issues with Garmin Pilot's Database Concierge capability. Let me paint the scenario. It's March 18th, my Garmin Pilot has downloaded the next version of the database updates (ex. Nav Data 2203). I go out to the airplane on March 22th to go fly. I connect Garmin Pilot Wifi and then the Bluetooth when instructed to open GP. I see no updates presented to update my 650. Since the loaded database is still current, I go fly. When I get back, I refuel, start up and reconnect GP. It is then I see a request to download the new database scheduled to be active on the 24th. 

I learned that if the plane is in the hangar and the 650's internal clock cannot be updated through the GPS signal, it won't activate the next database. I'm just curious why it updates the way it does. As you can imagine, if I went to fly on the 24th instead of the 22nd, I would have an expired database and the current database wouldn't load. Anyone seen this? And if so, how did you handle it?

[donkaye]

My avionics would not update with database concierge this time.  I'm going to download to the cards and go back out to the  plane and update with the cards.  Database Concierge just isn't worth the trouble.  It's too flaky.

[David Lloyd]

Last two times my Garmin Pilot would not update the 275s and 375.  Froze up saying 100%. Wound up both times using the SD card in the 375 and it updated the 275s.  Going to fly tomorrow, have another update.  Wonder if it will work.  

[eman1200]

one of my dbases will not update on the 650.  I emailed garmin, they asked if my plane was in a hangar, which it is.  they say the unit needs to get a good gps signal in order to do the update because it gets the date from there.  so today I'll head to the hangar, pull the plane out and try again.  but I'm pretty confident I've updated databases in the hangar before.

[eman1200]

one of my dbases will not update on the 650.  I emailed garmin, they asked if my plane was in a hangar, which it is.  they say the unit needs to get a good gps signal in order to do the update because it gets the date from there.  so today I'll head to the hangar, pull the plane out and try again.  but I'm pretty confident I've updated databases in the hangar before.

We’ll I’ll be…..pulled the plane out and BAM, database updated. I’m fairly confident I’ve updated them in the hangar before. hhmmmffff.

[Marauder]

one of my dbases will not update on the 650.  I emailed garmin, they asked if my plane was in a hangar, which it is.  they say the unit needs to get a good gps signal in order to do the update because it gets the date from there.  so today I'll head to the hangar, pull the plane out and try again.  but I'm pretty confident I've updated databases in the hangar before.

I’ve learned that what Garmin is saying is correct. I was able to verify that if the internal clock of the GPS is “dated” it won’t update to the new database - even if the next database is in the GPS.

Also, I learned if the GPS internal clock is “dated” it won’t download the next database if the internal clock is too far from the next update cycle.

I think what might have happened when you were able to update in the hangar is that your GPS clock might be close enough to the update cycle date that it downloaded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Marauder]

My avionics would not update with database concierge this time.  I'm going to download to the cards and go back out to the  plane and update with the cards.  Database Concierge just isn't worth the trouble.  It's too flaky.

I’m glad I’m not the only one. It is frustrating since it is a really nice feature when it works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[David Lloyd]

On 3/26/2022 at 7:47 AM, David Lloyd said:

Last two times my Garmin Pilot would not update the 275s and 375.  Froze up saying 100%. Wound up both times using the SD card in the 375 and it updated the 275s.  Going to fly tomorrow, have another update.  Wonder if it will work.  

Nope.  Before flying today, tried to update via Garmin Pilot.  Same as before, downloaded and froze at 100% during the update.  Worked perfect for 9 months and suddenly dies.  Go figure.

Just downloaded all to an SD card to update prior to flying up to MRN for annual inspection this week.  Grrr!

[FJC]

On 3/26/2022 at 4:47 AM, David Lloyd said:

Last two times my Garmin Pilot would not update the 275s and 375.  Froze up saying 100%. Wound up both times using the SD card in the 375 and it updated the 275s.  Going to fly tomorrow, have another update.  Wonder if it will work.  

Ditto. I had to do them individually on my gi275’s. I too was stuck at 100%. 

[Ragsf15e]

On 3/26/2022 at 10:04 AM, Marauder said:

I’m glad I’m not the only one. It is frustrating since it is a really nice feature when it works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This even happens on the g1000 Meridian I fly… but not with concierge.  It can hold the next db in standby and then update to it when the date changes.  Unfortunately, when you start the airplane, it doesn’t have a date yet (gps isn’t fully up yet), so the first time you start after the date, no auto switch to the new db (this only pops up during start).  You may be able to force a manual switch over but I’ve had medium success.  Now the second time you start, it knows and it switches.  So there i am taxiing a turboprop with the battery and both generators off to remove all electrical power trying to achieve my “second start” before my first flight after db change.  For something so “automated”, it causes s lot of trouble!

[Marauder]

This even happens on the g1000 Meridian I fly… but not with concierge.  It can hold the next db in standby and then update to it when the date changes.  Unfortunately, when you start the airplane, it doesn’t have a date yet (gps isn’t fully up yet), so the first time you start after the date, no auto switch to the new db (this only pops up during start).  You may be able to force a manual switch over but I’ve had medium success.  Now the second time you start, it knows and it switches.  So there i am taxiing a turboprop with the battery and both generators off to remove all electrical power trying to achieve my “second start” before my first flight after db change.  For something so “automated”, it causes s lot of trouble!

I think what you are describing is what is happening with mine. I wonder if restart the GPS after it acquires the current time/date might work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ragsf15e]

3 minutes ago, Marauder said:

I think what you are describing is what is happening with mine. I wonder if restart the GPS after it acquires the current time/date might work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Possibly, but if so, maybe they should have a different design on that feature.

[Marauder]

Possibly, but if so, maybe they should have a different design on that feature.

I watch the GPS boot up process and the Garmin Pilot interaction pretty closely. Once GP connects to the WiFi, it instructs me to open GP. If I wait on the GPS database screen, I did have it download the next version a few times — but it never activated it until I restarted the plane. You’d think Garmin would recognize this issue and have a workaround. I’m suspecting that this happens when the concierge service download happens after the next cycle and it is confused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[jamesm]

How do you update the GI275 ? Is there some sort  connection from  GSB15 to GI275 or something to update firmware ?

[David Lloyd]

The database updates of the 275s can normally be done wireless from Garmin Pilot, or from a thumb drive inserted in either the ADI dongle or the GSB15 if equipped, or in my airplane a SD card in the GTX375.

Updating the firmware, I saw an avionics shop use the ADI dongle and a thumb drive. Don’t know what other options are available for that.

[Stanton R]

Your FS 510 may need a software upgrade which unfortunately has to be done by a Garmin dealer

[rbp]

An a tangental note, when I started up today in between hangars after having been towed out, the G3X had GPS position in a few seconds, while the GTN750 took a few minutes 

 

[David Lloyd]

2 hours ago, rbp said:

An a tangental note, when I started up today in between hangars after having been towed out, the G3X had GPS position in a few seconds, while the GTN750 took a few minutes 

 

IFR certified GPS navigators have to lock on to more satellites than any VFR units.  Then have to pass several more self tests before announcing good to go.

[David Lloyd]

Spoke to Garmin Support today about three items.

275s Won’t load new database updates from Garmin Pilot wireless, will lock and never finish the update. Brian said it was a known problem they are working on. Fix for now is use the thumb drive or update only one part of the update at a time such as navigation or base map or obstacle. Or in my case use a SD card, update the GNX375 and then sync to the 275s.

275 And iPad no longer auto connect.  Must be connected manually via iPad settings. Brian said have both the iPad and 275 forget each other, then reconnect. Should connect properly then.

The last was related only to Garmin Pilot listing expired updates.

Brian did say the airplane should be positioned for the GPS to be able to get a lock.

I did suggest if they knew about a problem, there should be some means to communicate that problem rather than have their customer squirm for months thinking it is something they are doing.  

[FJC]

On 3/26/2022 at 4:47 AM, David Lloyd said:

Last two times my Garmin Pilot would not update the 275s and 375.  Froze up saying 100%. Wound up both times using the SD card in the 375 and it updated the 275s.  Going to fly tomorrow, have another update.  Wonder if it will work.  

I have 275’s that get stuck on 100% with concierge. My 750 updates fine.  Workaround is to Install the db’s individually which is a pain. I have found no patterns from a couple of months updating in this manner.
 

As an aside I have to periodically re-input Wi-Fi password to 275 around every third time I coonect from iPad and the password has not been recently changed. Ugh. 
 

so consistent with David. 
 

Freddy

[David Lloyd]

A few weeks ago I called Garmin and was told the 275s getting stuck at 100% was a known problem and they are working on it. To work around, install one database at a time.  Don't know why it took three phone calls to find this out.  How much time have their customers lost trying to get their updates installed when Garmin knows but won't say there is a problem.

Yes, I have the same problem with my Wi-Fi password.  The Bluetooth no longer connects automatically, and sometimes disconnects during a flight.  Sometimes the Bluetooth disconnects in flight.  Sometimes the 275's must be restarted before it will connect.

Garmin also neglects to tell you some databases are to large to load via Wi-Fi and must be updated by SD card or USB.

It's great technology, not perfect.

[Rmag]

As a Garmin dealer I tended to always keep my avionics firmware up to date with the latest and greatest.  Occasionally I would start to get Concierge gremlins where it would not work right.  Sometimes shutting down Garmin Pilot (swiping up on the iPad, and swiping away the active program) would fix problems.

But usually what needed to happen was a Flightstream 510 firmware update, and then the gremlins would go away.

So if you ever get your GTN firmware upgraded, just ask your dealer to make sure your 510 is current as well

[amillet]

I’m liking my legacy King ADI and HSI even more   Hoping they keep working for a long time 

[prestonvanloon]

Last two times my Garmin Pilot would not update the 275s and 375.  Froze up saying 100%. Wound up both times using the SD card in the 375 and it updated the 275s.  Going to fly tomorrow, have another update.  Wonder if it will work.  

I called garmin with this exact issue. There is a known bug in the software and the workaround is to install only one update at a time.

I believe there is an update for the hardware but only a garmin retailer has access to those kind of updates.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[David Lloyd]

Either My 275s or 375 got the latest software update on 2/28, don’t remember which was not current.  Next update in March failed to work promoting my next call to Garmin when they acknowledged the problem. See my post earlier today.

Don’t know if they have released anything more recent, their site fore service alerts has been improved (made less user friendly) just a few weeks ago.