Bad-Elf Wombat

[MD11Pilot]

Anyone tried this unit? I have a Garmin 530W, 430 and an Aera 796. I just switched to Jeppesen for the 530W NavData (on the MAC) and have to get the 796 from Garmin (subscription still in effect) and Terrain from Garmin on the PC. I am a MAC person but have to use an old and cheap PC laptop for the Garmin stuff. From my reading about the Wombat I can wirelessly download everything to it and just insert the different cards into the unit and then into the Garmin units. Will be calling Bad-Elf tomorrow and hope to hear good news.
If anyone knows if I am wrong please advise.
Thanks

 

[MD11Pilot]

Just heard from Bad-Elf and Wombat does not support the Garmin Terrain and I must still use the PC Laptop to download that update. Why does this have to be so hard? I am NOT a computer person. It took me one hour to do the updates earlier this week via my PC Laptop. It takes about 30 seconds to do an update via the MAC.

 

[wrbix]

Started following the Wombat “rollout” seems like a couple of years ago and seems a nice idea but not at that price point.

 

[wrbix]

.....and supposedly was on Bad Elf’s notification list, but heard nothing when it was finally released.
Asked about a retroactive Sun n Fun discount and was told I could get a free carrying case. Wow. No thanks.

 

[MD11Pilot]

I am just tired of the shuffle of updates. I know that most of the world uses microsoft but not all do and I would guess that the number of MAC users is much higher than most think...most are carrying an IPad which I believe is not a PC product. (GG)
I was told by a friend to get my 530W updates from Jeppensen so I went there only to find out that I cannot update my terrain features through them and only through Garmin. I cannot update my 530W NavData through Garmin on my Mac and have to use my pc laptop which is a very slow and I simply do not use it except for these updates. Takes about ten minutes after turning it on and deleted all of the popup messages that "your anti-virus has expired" to know why I loath Microsoft.
I talked to Garmin and they said they will not support the "legacy" units by writing for a MAC and suggested upgrading to the GTN 750...I replied "I think that the Avidyne is the way I go, at least they will support their customers". He said "Whatever".

I have called and written to Jeppensen twice with no reply.

I would suggest that we get all of our GPS information, TIS, FIS etc. via satellite. Jeppesen and Garmin could just send updates via satellite to the active units....I know, it's a pipe dream.