Can I install more than one Garmin database?

[dcat127]

I have a Garmin 530w and have the United States by Garmin subscription for $299 annually. I am planning on making a trip through Canadian airspace and would like the Canadian database when I do that. Can I buy the one time Canada Navdata and install it on the datacard at the same time as my US navdata is installed? Or will writing the Canadian data wipe the US data?

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Don’t you have to purchase the Americas db and use that to overwrite your US db?
I think you can buy a single cycle (or 1-year option)
Don’t think you buy the Canada db and install; that would possibly wipe your US db.

FlyGarmin | Buy & Install Aviation Databases

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[FORANE]

Can't help with the Garmin subscription, but if you go to Jeppesen you can buy an annual subscription for North America (Canada included) for $130.

 

[M20K]

Call and talk to Garmin. You'll basically be adding Canada, so your updates will include both.

The reason to call them is to see if you can get a partial year subscription. I think they told me once you buy the annual subscription and then after your trip you call them back and cancel the Canadian subscription, they will then credit you back some portion of the unused year. But call to find out if that is still true and to make sure you order it correctly so you can later cancel it.

Same is true for ForeFlight if you use that.

 

[Jon Wilder]

To answer your question, the GNS series does not support dual databases (where you can have an active and a standby database), and even if they did, you would not be able to load two different area databases of the same cycle.

For the GNS series, the databases live on the database cards. Only one can be on it at a time.

Pretty sure the Garmin - Americas database pack covers Canada. But yes it will overwrite what's in the unit right now. You can buy a one time update for Garmin - Americas, then go back to Garmin - US on the next cycle.