Garmin updates - anyone besides me having trouble?

[hubcap]

Is anyone other than me having trouble with the Garmin updates not downloading properly ??

I have never had a problem until this months updates.

[Schllc]

I had a conflict with my flite charts this month, I reloaded all databases and installed without a problem. 

[Marc_B]

It appears there was a new update to the Garmin Database Manager.  It often seems like there is quirks every time it updates.  But when that happens the two things I try first are restarting the computer and clearing downloads and download a fresh copy (see screen shot).  That seems to work 9/10.  I have had an issue with FliteCharts that I had to delete that folder from my SD card and reload.  However, when I go down that path I usually call Garmin Aviation Support as there's been time that they have me copy files to the re-save back to the card.  Same thing with re-formating.

[dkkim73]

Noticed that pending cycles do not turn color to show available, although clicking on the prior cycle implies the next cycle is available. Eg nav data

I get thought most of the updates overlap a bit to allow for preloading. Hopefully will get to the plane in the next day or so to try. 

@Marc_B does clearing the downloads prompt auto downloading or do you have to force it by attempting to write a card? And do you reinstall the whole program? 

Thx

D

[Marc_B]

@dkkim73 if you clear the downloads, they will re-download when you are trying to update your cards, not automatically.  I don't find the calendar view as helpful except to see when my current subscription runs out.  And I typically just update one card at a time (not database sync).  I find less quirks that way.

[PeteMc]

2 hours ago, Marc_B said:

re-download when you are trying to update your cards, not automatically.

They may not download immediately, but they will download automatically.  Not sure what the schedule is for phoning home to the server and downloading as needed.  But if you use the Clear Download and then check back in a few days the current DBs are there.  There is a mode where you can not have AV DB Manager running in the background.  If you have done this, then of course they cannot download automatically, only when you launch he program - probably when you're about to update your SD Cards.

 

[GeeBee]

I am in constant amazement how Garmin struggles so much to do such a simple thing as deliver chart updates.

[Marc_B]

12 hours ago, PeteMc said:

But if you use the Clear Download and then check back in a few days the current DBs are there

Interesting.  I guess I never waited that long and just updated the cards right after which resulted in databases "downloading" followed by "installing". 

[PeteMc]

4 hours ago, GeeBee said:

I am in constant amazement how Garmin struggles so much to do such a simple thing as deliver chart updates.

That is SOOOO True!!!  Also their total lack of understanding of their own market.  Take the GTX/GNC/GPS 2" boxes.   "No one is going to use one of those boxes with the GTNs.  They'll only get a GTN750 and a GTN650, so we don't need to make our whole line talk to each other."  How'd that work out??? 

As I understand it, Engineering asked the question and was shot down. Maybe Marketing just wanted to try and push people to buy only GTN.

[hubcap]

4 hours ago, PeteMc said:

That is SOOOO True!!!  Also their total lack of understanding of their own market.  Take the GTX/GNC/GPS 2" boxes.   "No one is going to use one of those boxes with the GTNs.  They'll only get a GTN750 and a GTN650, so we don't need to make our whole line talk to each other."  How'd that work out??? 

As I understand it, Engineering asked the question and was shot down. Maybe Marketing just wanted to try and push people to buy only GTN.

Actually, I have a GNX 375 and I am very happy that it is automatically cross-filled from my GTN650xi. If my 650 fails, the 375 already has the flight plan in it and takes over navigation in reversionary mode.

[hubcap]

It took a call to Garmin to sort out the issue…..Long story short….do not use the Garmin website to download the databases. The preferred way is to open up the Garmin Database Manager directly from your computer. When you use the website it leaves some trash files behind that eventually can cause problems.

[PeteMc]

1 hour ago, hubcap said:

Actually, I have a GNX 375 and I am very happy that it is automatically cross-filled from my GTN650xi.

You're welcome....   I've been bugging them about that since I got my GNC355.  It was through pushing them on this I ended up with a Garmin guy that told me some of the background and how from the beginning you could have (should have in my opinion) been able to do the CrossFill, DB Sync, etc.  The 2" boxes were out for 3 years before they finally modified the Software to allow those obvious features.  

And don't get me wrong, it's not just a Garmin issue.  A lot of big companies just get in their own way.  Now if *I* were running a big conglomerate, I'd want a small division that did nothing but coordinate what all the real creator divisions were doing...  That would last about a month until the Board or the Stockholders shot themselves in the foot thinking it cost too much and was a waste. 

 

Edited April 17, 2024 by PeteMc

[Pinecone]

Too many MBA and not enough engineers and user types.   To see how bad it can get, look at Boeing.

Same thing in software development, no one ever talks to the users to see what they are doing and how they are doing it, to develop a system that does what they need.

[PeteMc]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Same thing in software development, no one ever talks to the users

Back in the early days of iPad Apps we would higher Coders to create individual Apps for large Corp. meetings.  The Project Mgrs and many of the Coders would just not get why we would go back and say no, we need it to this and if I push this I should not just see this, but this other stuff too.  But there were always a few (usually late at night when very few people were around) who would come over and say they were tying this, would this be helpful or what else should this do?  

I get they are usually disconnected from the User for various reasons and typically only do what they are told to do.  But I really wish more would ask questions or push when they know that if they used a program that did X and it should do X/Y they'd be pissed too! 

[jlunseth]

Me too. Different problem. About four or five months ago there was an update to the Aviation Database Manager. When I did the update and then loaded my cards (I have a GTN750 and a GNS430AW) the 430 would not boot up when the cards were installed. I got a text message saying some kind of pre-check was being performed and then just the Garmin screen. It had been awhile since I had flown the aircraft so I thought maybe I had put the cards in the wrong slot. I switched them. When I did that, the 430 would boot up and be usable but no data at all. At least I could change frequencies on the radio. Talked to Garmin, they sent a new nav data card (thank you by the way). When I tried that the unit still would not boot up. Went to my local avionics shop. They said maybe it’s not the nav card, maybe it’s the terrain card. Tried booting it with the nav card in and the terrain card out. That worked, except no terrain data. There have been two updates of the Aviation Database Manager recently, the first of which said it addressed a degraded card issue. Updated the terrain card yet again, no joy. The second said it repaired an issue of communication between the Manager and the GNS card reader. I have reloaded the database with the recent update and will try it in a day or two. Learned along the way that a repair utility was created to fix corrupted terrain cards, but that terminated in about Feb. Apparently there were a bunch of terrain cards corrupted and with more than one version of the Manager. I am guessing the utility made its way into the Database Manager. That did me no good. I hold my breath each time I update the Manager, every update seems to create a new and different problem.