Setting up Garmin database and Chart subscriptions and XM weather choices

[Ed de C.]

Good afternoon folks - My import project to get a nice Ovation 3 from Canada into the US is nearing its end.  I'll do a write up on my experience with that once done in a few weeks.  In prep for my flight training coming up with Mike Elliott's team I need to set up a Garmin database subscription (and XM weather subscription) and wonder what some of you have found to be a practical strategy.  I did not quickly find an existing thread on this.  Here are the particulars of my G1000 setup and missions:

• 2008 M20R G1000 w/WAAS
• SVT, Avidyne Traffic (TAS/9900 BX)
• GDL-69A XM Satellite data link
• GTX-33ES ADS-B out transponder
• WX-500 Stormscope
• Foreflight (Performance Plus) on Ipad-Mini 6 with FAA charts (yoke mount planned), and Sentry
• Mission:  US flights only, no occasion or need to fly to Canada or Mexico - many flights will be IFR.
• I prefer the Jeppesen charts to the FAA versions.  

I need a Garmin database subscription for the G1000.  Options:

• Garmin OnePak - Standard
  •  Uses Garmin NavData
  • Advertised as a bundle for all your Garmin devices (I only have the G1000)
  • OnePak is less expensive than PilotPak for same coverage.  ($819 v. $999 both have Garmin FlightCharts)
• Garmin PilotPak - Standard or Lite
  • Standard includes Jeppesen NavData, with or without Garmin Flite Charts (Do we care about the NavData source?)
  • Lite includes Garmin Flite Charts, excludes Jeppesen NavData (maybe this means VFR only?)
  • Best I can tell the only difference between OnePak and PilotPak is the NavData source (Jepp or Garmin)
• Is there a "Ed, just buy XX and move on..."? 

I have FAA charts with Foreflight now.  If I want to get Jepp charts, should I:

1. Upgrade Foreflight to Jepp charts and skip any charts on the G1000 via a Garmin subscription
   1. In other words, are people finding charts on the MFD useful?  I'm renting a DA-40 with G1000 and I set up the MFD with the map and sometimes the flightplan.  
2. Upgrade Foreflight to Jepp charts and spend the extra $150/yr for Garmin flight charts on the G1000
3. Leave Foreflight with FAA charts and buy Garmin's PilotPak that includes JeppView charts (don't see pricing online)

It's probably pilot preference, but I don't have time to figure out my preference (other than Jepp) before I have to get the initial setup going.  Would like the database subscription management to be reasonably easy.

For the XM weather subscription, it seems there are 3 versions:

• Pilot Express ($30/mo):  Radar and lightning
• Pilot Preferred ($60/mo):  Radar, Lightning, Cloud and Echo Tops
• Pilot Pro ($100/mo):  same as Preferred, plus extended forecast

Anybody find they started with the Express and wished they had Preferred (Pro looks like overkill for me)?  I've got the Foreflight top level (performance plus) so maybe that has complementary features (when paired with Sentry), making the Pilot Express a smart choice.  I realize I can upgrade the XM plan later on.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Ed

 

[Pinecone]

The question is if you want Jepp approach plates or Garmin (Gov) plates.

OnePak is if you have more than one Garmin in your aircraft.  Otherwise the single unit package will be cheaper.  Can be more than one panel mount or a panel mount plus up to one portable.

For my setup (currently 650Xi and AERA 760) the OnePak is $1.05 more than buying the two individual database subscriptions.  When I add the 750 and G3X the OnePak will easily make sense.

The OnePak also includes the Premium upgrade if you have Garmin Pilot.  You still have to pay for the GP basic package.  I have GP mainly for the Database Concierge database updates.

I use ForeFlight on my iPad Mini.  I get it free for being a CAP pilot.  We get the Military Pack, which is Performance Plus with some extra things.

[Ragsf15e]

9 hours ago, Ed de C. said:

Good afternoon folks - My import project to get a nice Ovation 3 from Canada into the US is nearing its end.  I'll do a write up on my experience with that once done in a few weeks.  In prep for my flight training coming up with Mike Elliott's team I need to set up a Garmin database subscription (and XM weather subscription) and wonder what some of you have found to be a practical strategy.  I did not quickly find an existing thread on this.  Here are the particulars of my G1000 setup and missions:

• 2008 M20R G1000 w/WAAS
• SVT, Avidyne Traffic (TAS/9900 BX)
• GDL-69A XM Satellite data link
• GTX-33ES ADS-B out transponder
• WX-500 Stormscope
• Foreflight (Performance Plus) on Ipad-Mini 6 with FAA charts (yoke mount planned), and Sentry
• Mission:  US flights only, no occasion or need to fly to Canada or Mexico - many flights will be IFR.
• I prefer the Jeppesen charts to the FAA versions.  

I need a Garmin database subscription for the G1000.  Options:

• Garmin OnePak - Standard
  •  Uses Garmin NavData
  • Advertised as a bundle for all your Garmin devices (I only have the G1000)
  • OnePak is less expensive than PilotPak for same coverage.  ($819 v. $999 both have Garmin FlightCharts)
• Garmin PilotPak - Standard or Lite
  • Standard includes Jeppesen NavData, with or without Garmin Flite Charts (Do we care about the NavData source?)
  • Lite includes Garmin Flite Charts, excludes Jeppesen NavData (maybe this means VFR only?)
  • Best I can tell the only difference between OnePak and PilotPak is the NavData source (Jepp or Garmin)
• Is there a "Ed, just buy XX and move on..."? 

I have FAA charts with Foreflight now.  If I want to get Jepp charts, should I:

1. Upgrade Foreflight to Jepp charts and skip any charts on the G1000 via a Garmin subscription
   1. In other words, are people finding charts on the MFD useful?  I'm renting a DA-40 with G1000 and I set up the MFD with the map and sometimes the flightplan.  
2. Upgrade Foreflight to Jepp charts and spend the extra $150/yr for Garmin flight charts on the G1000
3. Leave Foreflight with FAA charts and buy Garmin's PilotPak that includes JeppView charts (don't see pricing online)

It's probably pilot preference, but I don't have time to figure out my preference (other than Jepp) before I have to get the initial setup going.  Would like the database subscription management to be reasonably easy.

For the XM weather subscription, it seems there are 3 versions:

• Pilot Express ($30/mo):  Radar and lightning
• Pilot Preferred ($60/mo):  Radar, Lightning, Cloud and Echo Tops
• Pilot Pro ($100/mo):  same as Preferred, plus extended forecast

Anybody find they started with the Express and wished they had Preferred (Pro looks like overkill for me)?  I've got the Foreflight top level (performance plus) so maybe that has complementary features (when paired with Sentry), making the Pilot Express a smart choice.  I realize I can upgrade the XM plan later on.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Ed

 

I fly a G1000 PA-46 for work and I only buy the one year subscription of Navdata.  The Navdata is the only thing you legally need in the gps.  You don’t need terrain, obstacles, safetaxi, etc.  Personally I like that stuff better on my ipad, so I get the upgraded FF with your position on charts for approach and taxi.  You can also get your Jepp there if you want.  If the terrain and/or obstacles in the airplane are very old, possibly they are worth updating, however they don’t change much.

So personally, I do the cheapest garmin Navdata option and do all the charts on ipad.  I don’t really find the charts helpful on the mfd although safe taxi can be if you like that better than on the ipad.  I think nav data is like ~$500 for all north america.

[donkaye]

In my opinion, if you can afford to buy an Ovation you can afford to buy all the databases to keep everything current.  I prefer Jepp Plates so buy the 4 seat for the iPad and for another $60 get Jepp Plates for the Aera 760 that I have on my yoke and use as primary for approaches.  As an active flight instructor I have both Forelight and Garmin Pilot, so that takes up 2 seats.  I also have a 3rd seat of Jepp FD that I really like the best because it's so easy to bring up a plate for any airport is a couple of seconds, but Boeing, who owns Jeppesen, saw fit to stupidly in my opinion discontinue it at the end of this year.  For all my Garmin avionics I buy the OnePak with the Government Approach Charts that I find useful and that automatically pop up as I run an approach.

[ArtVandelay]

If you travel cross country (not just $100 hamburger runs) and fly IFR, then I think you need to keep all your databases updated. If just local VFR trips, then sure, save a few bucks.

[Brandt]

Be aware that if the prior owner used Garmin charts, you may have to have an avionics shop unlock the G1000 to enable the use of Jepp charts.  Not difficult, but irritating.