Garmin Pilot is part of One Pack database purchases?! Reason to switch

[dkkim73]

I am re-visiting this question (ForeFlight renewal coming up, and  trialing a sample Garmin Pilot subscription with Premium upgrade via the bundle noted above). 

I'm trying to figure out what are the real differentiators since, as people have noted, they both do a lot of the same things. 
Current sense: 

Foreflight pros: 

• more developed performance profiles for plane (at higher subscription level)
• familiarity (a lot of us started there first)
• somewhat more intuitive W&B and filing (but might just be me)
• works with Sentry (that's what I bought; now I might get a Stratux instead though I'm happy with it)
• reported turbulence is a nice feature though don't use it as much as I thought
• navigation of weather imagery is a bit faster

GP pros: 

• less expensive, at least if you get a bundle
• multi-platform support and sync seem robust (and you can use it on Android!)
• radial menu is a nice interface feature
• Connext to other devices
• customer support seems very good (though I haven't really tried Foreflight's)

I'm approaching a decision date, and curious if anyone wanted to share key make/break points. Most of the capabilities are similar, so I'm curious what forced someone one way or the other. 
 

[toto]

1 hour ago, dkkim73 said:

I am re-visiting this question (ForeFlight renewal coming up, and  trialing a sample Garmin Pilot subscription with Premium upgrade via the bundle noted above). 

I'm trying to figure out what are the real differentiators since, as people have noted, they both do a lot of the same things. 
Current sense: 

Foreflight pros: 

• more developed performance profiles for plane (at higher subscription level)
• familiarity (a lot of us started there first)
• somewhat more intuitive W&B and filing (but might just be me)
• works with Sentry (that's what I bought; now I might get a Stratux instead though I'm happy with it)
• reported turbulence is a nice feature though don't use it as much as I thought
• navigation of weather imagery is a bit faster

GP pros: 

• less expensive, at least if you get a bundle
• multi-platform support and sync seem robust (and you can use it on Android!)
• radial menu is a nice interface feature
• Connext to other devices
• customer support seems very good (though I haven't really tried Foreflight's)

I'm approaching a decision date, and curious if anyone wanted to share key make/break points. Most of the capabilities are similar, so I'm curious what forced someone one way or the other. 
 

I’ve never used ForeFlight, so can’t comment on the benefits of that software.. I have a preference for Android tablets, and I started using GP because I thought it was better than other options on Android. After using GP for a while, I kept getting frustrated because Garmin would issue a press release touting new features for GP, but they were never available on Android (and they never mentioned that in the PR). I kept having to reach out to Garmin support to find out when the new feature would make it to Android, and the answer ranged from a few weeks to never. I ended up buying an iPad just to use the latest GP features. 

Anyway - the winning features for me are real-time flight data streaming from the Garmin panel devices. I get real time EIS, real time attitude (which can drive the attitude indicator in GP), and real time flight parameters. If my iPad is powered on when I’m in the plane, I have full flight logs that I can review later in FlySto, and I have a backup EIS display (plus attitude display) that I can use immediately if the panel LCDs crap out. 

As far as I know, none of the real-time flight data streaming features are available from ForeFlight. You can get flight data from a Stratus, but not from a Garmin panel. 

[PeteMc]

6 hours ago, Pinecone said:

IMO, they would get more people to us Pilot if they included both subscriptions in the One Pack.

If they had give me the Basic version with the DB subscription I probably would have gone to Pilot vs FF AND I would have paid for the upgrade.  

 

[McMooney]

I"m a gp user with a good deal of ff time,  I think they feel about the same.  originally I stuck with gp due to some equip only working with it  but now, it just feels right.   I tend to run on a mix of android/apple so there is that plus.   If you have an issue and contact support, there is a really good chance they will ping you right back, really surprised me the time or two i've reported something

Edited January 24 by McMooney

[donkaye, MCFI]

As a flight instructor, you get a 33% discount on Forefight.  Garmin Pilot's interface is just like the GTN series navigators, so very easy to use.  Brian Schiff and Mike Jesch gave online seminars that lasted about 1½ hours each that extended more than 16 weeks on the operation of Foreflight.  I'm sorry, but I just didn't have the patience or time to attend after about 2 sessions.  To me Foreflight has so many options as to be unworkable for me.  I do use the 3D portion to look at unfamiliar airports, though.

Maybe it's because I've used it since it first came out, but GP is my program of choice.  For an uncomplicated weather flight I can brief and file in a couple of minutes.   Not so in Foreflight for me.  Through the use of either the FS 210 or FS 510 flight plan changes made on the GTN auto transfer to GP without thought.  You can go the other direction, but I don't.  I prefer setting up a flight on the GTN and having it transfer to GP.

I'm probably the exception, but I prefer Jeppesen Approach Plates.  For that I have to buy an expensive subscription for the iPad.  However, with it I get Jepp Charts on the Aera 760.  

I probably pay more for aviation subscriptions than anyone, but as a flight instructor I need/want the ones I have.

1. Garmin Onepak for the G500 TXi, GTN 750 and GTN 650-includes Garmin Flight Charts and all database for the Aera 760.  2. Garmin Pilot Basic.  3. Jeppesen Charts for the iPad (4 Seats) and the Aera 760.  Two are used: GP and Foreflight.  Aera 760 is included for a price.  4. Foreflight Pro version (33% flight instructor discount).  5. Two full subscriptions to Sirius XM Weather including Audio (Very Expensive-Audio price negotiable, weather is not).  One is used for the GDL 69A in the airplane and the other is used for the GDL 52 that I use both in the airplane and in flight instructing.  Buying the Onepak and Jeppesen Charts at Airventure provides a 10% discount each.

[flyboy0681]

11 hours ago, donkaye said:

Garmin Pilot's interface is just like the GTN series navigators, so very easy to use. 

 

I flew last week with a friend who recently subscribed to ForeFlight. Other than displaying the map, I could not figure anything out. We successfully connected it to FlightStream, but could not figure out how to configure traffic.

 

I guess it boils down to what you are used to.

[Fly Boomer]

25 minutes ago, flyboy0681 said:

I flew last week with a friend who recently subscribed to ForeFlight. Other than displaying the map, I could not figure anything out. We successfully connected it to FlightStream, but could not figure out how to configure traffic.

 

I guess it boils down to what you are used to.

Sounds like GP is pretty easy if you are accustomed to Big G avionics.  You don't learn FF if you open it up the first time while you are flying.

[dkkim73]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

Sounds like GP is pretty easy if you are accustomed to Big G avionics.  You don't learn FF if you open it up the first time while you are flying.

It might be worth noting that there are seemingly two different Garmin interface paradigms or "feels". 

The first is the old GNS430/530 and similar (the G1000, which is like the 430 after receiving the Captain America super-serum). 

The second is the touchscreen big candy button interface (which I've only briefly seen on the GTN650 but feels like it's quite similar as the Aera 760).

There might be just two generations, or I think two different development shops in Garmin's history. I think GP echoes more so the 2nd style. Not anything make-or-break, but you'll feel the similarity more if you have the newer Garmin avionics. 

They're all great. I will say FF is reasonably intuitive though... maybe GP is a bit more so de novo, but it's hard to say. 

[Jim Peace]

On 1/24/2025 at 2:33 PM, Fly Boomer said:

Sounds like GP is pretty easy if you are accustomed to Big G avionics.  You don't learn FF if you open it up the first time while you are flying.

I consider myself pretty tech savvy, at least with user interfaces with avionics.  I have FF with a full Garmin panel.  GTN, 510  etc...I have to have GP for the database stuff and every now and then I try to use GP and there is no way it's going to happen.  FF requires no reading and very little practice to figure out, intuitive to say the least.  GP I should probably take a class or I can spend a week buried in the app and let the rest of my life waste away...not worth it.  I cant even create a flight plan in GP and then to edit it makes me want to just through the iPad across the room...

Edited January 28 by Jim Peace

[donkaye, MCFI]

15 minutes ago, Jim Peace said:

I consider myself pretty tech savvy, at least with user interfaces with avionics.  I have FF with a full Garmin panel.  GTN, 510  etc...I have to have GP for the database stuff and every now and then I try to use GP and there is no way it's going to happen.  FF requires no reading and very little practice to figure out, intuitive to say the least.  GP I should probably take a class or I can spend a week buried in the app and let the rest of my life waste away...not worth it.  I cant even create a flight plan in GP and then to edit it makes me want to just through the iPad across the room...

Jim, GP couldn't be simpler, if in the settings menu you scroll down to "Appearance" and select "Home" menu.  A house will appear in the upper left hand corner of the display.  Tapping on the house will open a display the looks exactly like the home display on the GTN 750.  Tap the Flight Plan icon.  A choice is presented: Enter your flight plan including SIDs and airways in a straight line or, like the old GNS 480, enter an Origin , Destination, and enroute waypoints to complete your flight plan.  The end result is the same.  Then in the lower right hand corner tap "Create Trip". Fill out the "Form", Tap Brief, Then Tap "File" and you're done.  

If I were you, I'd spend a few minutes trying out the above.  While GP doesn't have all the bells and whistles of FF, I can enter a FP, Brief, and File on the fly in just a couple of minutes.  So can you.

[PeteMc]

On 1/24/2025 at 11:06 AM, flyboy0681 said:

I flew last week with a friend who recently subscribed to ForeFlight. Other than displaying the map, I could not figure anything out. We successfully connected it to FlightStream, but could not figure out how to configure traffic.

I'm assuming you're connected to a GTN since you mentioned FlightStream.  Your friend should not have to do anything to see Traffic *IF* Traffic is being sent to the GTN.  Where are they getting their ADS-B IN information from?  And does Traffic show up on the GTN's Traffic screen?

Side Note: Tell your friend the Traffic option in the Layers Menu does not matter when they are in flight.  That's only for Internet Traffic when then are sitting at home. 

 

[Fly Boomer]

22 hours ago, Jim Peace said:

I consider myself pretty tech savvy, at least with user interfaces with avionics.  I have FF with a full Garmin panel.  GTN, 510  etc...I have to have GP for the database stuff and every now and then I try to use GP and there is no way it's going to happen.  FF requires no reading and very little practice to figure out, intuitive to say the least.  GP I should probably take a class or I can spend a week buried in the app and let the rest of my life waste away...not worth it.  I cant even create a flight plan in GP and then to edit it makes me want to just through the iPad across the room...

Maybe I'm slow.  I have been using FF for years and, while I can do almost everything, there are some nuances that surprise me from time to time.  But I'm with you on GP -- there is no way I'm going to learn all the intricacies of another UI.