Do you keep your handheld GPS current?

[John Baker]

I have a Garmin Aera 510. I am VFR, so that is about all I think I need.

I have been somewhat lax about keeping it updated, since that can cost over a hundred dollars for each of the four update options. I've never bothered hooking up the weather feature of it, not much need for the flying that I do.

So my questions are, if I bring all the features current, will I be charged for the times I didn't keep it up to date?

Is there any real need to have a handheld GPS up to date? Legal need?

-John

 

[wsuffa]

No, and no.

Its probably been 3 or 4 years since I updated. And about that long since I used it.

With the iPad programs, it's deep, deep backup

 

[steingar]

I update mine about once a year. I can usually get it done at Oshkosh for $40.

 

[John221us]

My last data update on the 496 was two years ago. I do have weather and I keep ForeFlight up to date.

 

[cavmedic]

You can do a bundle update on your Garmin for a mere 300 bucks or so for a YEAR , or a one time feature for about 50 bucks ...

My 560 purchased used, I only updated the nav , and the obstructions ( pesky cell towers and windmills popping up all over the place) to current and only doing that as a one time.

I could not see updating the terrain as I don't think many mountains were constructed in my area that I don't know about. With the exception of a few landfills , but once again , not worried about that.

I did not bother with the safe taxi since I have that with the IPAD or have printouts of the diagrams or an up to date AFD.

But the whole process was a PITA. The garmin software still shows that I have an update to the system , but after the 5th time trying to update that , I gave up.

 

[Bob Noel]

What handheld GPS?

 

[oldShar]

I bought my GPS Pilot III in ?'04? ?'05?
Has never been updated
Has never caused any problems
======
Howsomesever -- I was out driving this morning with a Garmin Nuvi, with the latest update about 2 weeks ago, on a road that supposedly doesn't exist. Unit went nuts cause it thought I was driving on the open Mesa (about 4 miles east of KAEG) {shud mention: road is an arterial, and has been around for over a year, so no excuse for Garmin}
(I do TRACK up on both Pilot, Nuvi, and 430)
(Easier to get confused on NORTH up)

 

[cavmedic]

(Easier to get confused on NORTH up)

All you have to do is turn and face the direction of the pointer , then flail your arms in the direction you think you have to go while saying " this is my right and this is my left" :wink2:

 

[EppyGA]

I keep the database on my 396 updated, and update the obstacle database maybe twice a year.

 

[cirrusmx]

its about time for garmin to lower the data subscriptions. IPAD is a winner in cost and effectiveness For vfr navigation where a garmin portable is no better than the ipad with the gps.

 

[comanchepilot]

iPad Yes.

496 No.

530 Yes.

 

[kontiki]

I have an Aera 510, I try to update terrain once a year. I use an external antenna with it, when I use it.

Foreflight just draws a Magenta line, even when you enter an altitude lower than terrain (and never let you know anything).

Update: Maybe I should have said the obstacle data base (it's not in front of me). I don't expect terrain like hills to move, radio towers are another thing. I think the basic geography update is very expensive. Obstacles and Nav data are reasonable.

 

[slacktide]

I bought my GPS Pilot III in ?'04? ?'05?
Has never been updated
Has never caused any problems

Lots of airports have changed identifiers since then... lots of frequency changes... several Class B airspaces have been totally redesigned.

 

[Josh_C]

I update mine about once a year. I can usually get it done at Oshkosh for $40.

Ahhh, Next year I will try this excuse to justify a trip to OSH when She-who-holds-the-purse-strings says no dice.

 

[PuertoRicoFlyer]

I only update my G496 Nav and Obstacle databases once a year. Terrain database every 3yrs.

Now, I keep Foreflight and my G430W updated.

 

[Ghery]

I bought my GPS Pilot III in ?'04? ?'05?
Has never been updated
Has never caused any problems
======
Howsomesever -- I was out driving this morning with a Garmin Nuvi, with the latest update about 2 weeks ago, on a road that supposedly doesn't exist. Unit went nuts cause it thought I was driving on the open Mesa (about 4 miles east of KAEG) {shud mention: road is an arterial, and has been around for over a year, so no excuse for Garmin}
(I do TRACK up on both Pilot, Nuvi, and 430)
(Easier to get confused on NORTH up)

Had that happen last year in the Austin area. My portable GPS thought I was driving in the middle of a field. The 3 year old database didn't have that toll road.