GI-275 First time Database Update

[WaynePierce]

If this is in here already, my apologies but I couldn't find it...

I got my plane out of the Avionics shop last week, flew it home then to Florida and back without the databases. I downloaded the first time "free" database bundle and would like to install them from the USB. How long will this take? Should I load them all at once or should I load the "Terrain" separate? Will this be finished before my battery dies with the trickle charger connected?

 

Thanks for your guidance. I'm absolutely in love with the 2 GI-275s already. They tie in great with the Avidyne IFD-550.

[PeteMc]

You should be able to load them all at once and it should only take a few minutes.

I update my GI275 by putting the SD Card in my GNC355, but it should work the same as you plugging in the USB drive.  My process is to put the card with the new DB in and power up the radios and both the GI and GNC will show a new DB.  HOWEVER, sometimes I need to go into the GI's System menu to start it.  I think if I did nothing that in a few seconds it would show up, but if I don't see the update question I just go into the menu.  And similar to how I put the new DB in my GNC and it updates the GI275, you should be able to just plug the USB drive into one of the units and it should update both....  ASSUMING you created the USB drive as a "Sync" update and not a "Standard" update for a singe device.  If both devices are on your Account, you should have the Sync option. 

Once the update is finished on all my devices I shut down the radios and Master and shutdown the GI275.  Then after a normal start the GI275 often tells me it found more updates.  Part of this is just the GI moving the new DB from storage into active memory and I believe part of this is that it found more info from the SD Card in the GNC.  But again, just a push of the button to accept all and it only takes a few seconds.

NOTE....   Don't do this with the plane in the Hangar.  I've seen people here and other placed report the update failed if the device did not see the satellites (I think to confirm the time stamp).  Not sure if it's all Garmin devices or only some, but something I'd test when you have some extra time.

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by PeteMc

[WaynePierce]

Thanks, Pete.

I updated my GI-275s this morning with (I think) no issues. It took a total of 10 minutes to load all 5 databases, Terrain was 9:40 of that. Syncing the second 275 and downloading from the first one was astonishingly fast, less than 5 minutes in total to load everything. I said I think no issues because I still don't show that Terrain is correct but I believe it's because it couldn't lock on enough GPS satellites. From my position at the front of the hangar the Garmin GNS 430W was locked on 4 but that was it. I'm not sure how many the Avidyne IFD550 was locked on to. I plan on flying on Friday so we will see what shows up. The battery tender showed fully charged battery at the end of the update but I did pull a few CBs that come on when the Master is on, the 275s are wired in to the Master Buss.

Exceedingly easy. Next month when I have to purchase the databases I'll get a OnePak that will include both the 275s and the 430W. I haven't touched the cards in the 430W since I bought the plane four years ago. I hope they still are Writable...

[PeteMc]

Do you have a second set for the 430?  Granted SD Cards are a lot cheaper, but I have two sets that I just swap out.  This way I never have to actually remove the card and forget it at home.   (Of course, that  would NEVER happen!! )

[WaynePierce]

I do not have any extra cards. Is it possible to use a normal SDI card and just put it in the "carrier" (the thing that you grab to pull it out of the 430? ) I have the latest and greatest Garmin USB reader/writer but I don't know anything about these. This is the first one I've had and since I got the Avidyne 550 I've left the databases as they were. I'm working on my IR but to date the old database was just fine for backup or VFR purposes. I pulled them out while I was updating the 275s and labeled them Left and Right but I really didn't look at them.

17 minutes ago, PeteMc said:

Do you have a second set for the 430?  Granted SD Cards are a lot cheaper, but I have two sets that I just swap out.  This way I never have to actually remove the card and forget it at home.   (Of course, that  would NEVER happen!! )

 

[PeteMc]

1 hour ago, WaynePierce said:

Is it possible to use a normal SDI card and just put it in the "carrier"

I really don't know.  Never had a 5/430.