Garmin Pilot 'geo-referenced' approach plates question

[midlifeflyer]

I use both constantly i really only notice a minor difference, most notable, maybe new smart charts. If I may ask, what major features do you see missing?

also, Not sure how i feel about smart charts, looks really nice but with everything already being georeferenced i just never bother to use it

@TCABM mentioned #1 - loading an approach or other procedure by name from the flight plan page. You can add locating and loading preferred or common IFR routing. Basically, the iOS flight planner does most everything the latest Garmin panel mounts do; the Android just about nothing other than accept your waypoint input.

That's exclusively an IFR issue but for VFR, it really doesn't matter what you use. There are also periodic bugs that you simply don't find in the iOS version. It's not quite as bad as the WingX Android cripplewear attempt years ago, but hardly a full-fledged EFB compared to the iOS version or most other EFBs. It works for me as a weather checker and, ultimately, a backup since I only require a backup to have the charts.

I don't include SmartCharts in the mix, although I think they are an incredible advance in procedure charting. I'd actually be shocked to see them in the Android version.

 

[NACA 0012]

I used Avare (later changing to AvareX) with my phone (Android) and a couple of different Samsung tablets for about 8 years or so and was happy with this for the VFR flying I was doing. I started using Garmin Pilot with the same devices when I realized that the base GP subscription was included with the data subscription for my GNS430W. I put an FS210 into the plane last year so I could sync between flight plans on GP and the 430 and this also allows me to get ADSB traffic and weather to my on my devices (using bluetooth). I liked this combination and so upgraded to Garmin Pilot Premium this past Spring while getting serious about my IFR training. Watching YouTube videos and attending sessions at Oshkosh this summer, I got the impression that I was missing out on something in my GP experience as many of the features seemed to only be available on the iOS version. So, just two months ago (and only one month before my IFR check-ride), I purchased an iPad Mini (my first ever iOS device purchase!).

It's pretty clear that Garmin Pilot is a completely different app on iOS and Android and I really only use GP on the iPad now. Not only are there more features on the iOS version, but the user interfaces are not really the same. Having said that, Garmin Pilot Web is also pretty different (but still useful). BTW, I really like using Garmin Pilot on the iPad for flight planning, while flying (IFR and VFR), and I especially appreciate the situational awareness when flying approaches. I can split the screen and put the map view (with desired approach showing on the map) on the left side of the screen while the elevation view (with glide-slope and/or step-downs) is showing on the right side... all with my little airplane icon in place on both sides.

 

[MackMooney]

@TCABM mentioned #1 - loading an approach or other procedure by name from the flight plan page. You can add locating and loading preferred or common IFR routing. Basically, the iOS flight planner does most everything the latest Garmin panel mounts do; the Android just about nothing other than accept your waypoint input.

That's exclusively an IFR issue but for VFR, it really doesn't matter what you use. There are also periodic bugs that you simply don't find in the iOS version. It's not quite as bad as the WingX Android cripplewear attempt years ago, but hardly a full-fledged EFB compared to the iOS version or most other EFBs. It works for me as a weather checker and, ultimately, a backup since I only require a backup to have the charts.

I don't include SmartCharts in the mix, although I think they are an incredible advance in procedure charting. I'd actually be shocked to see them in the Android version.

yeah, not loading the approach procedure doesn't even rise to annoying for me, it's just different. As the android version does arrivals, i suspect the feature is on it's way. personally, i load the procedures thru my navigators which then the waypoints transfer back to the tablets but again i'm only using the georeferenced charts at that point. I could be doing it wrong. as for smart charts, shrug, they just came out, give them a sec.

beyond that, i find the apps are pretty much on par. some things like downloads actually work better in the android version.

though on smart charts, i find the arrival and departure procedures clearer to understand but i don't really see how it improves approaches all that much

 

[midlifeflyer]

I could be doing it wrong. as for smart charts, shrug, they just came out, give them a sec.

There is no "wrong." Heck, if all our EFBs ever gave us was digital charts, and stopped there, we'd probably be thrilled. I don't know if you were in the game back then, but before the earliest EFBs, I recall all the excitement when someone figured out they could upload pdf approach charts onto a Kindle.

 

[MackMooney]

There is no "wrong." Heck, if all our EFBs ever gave us was digital charts, and stopped there, we'd probably be thrilled. I don't know if you were in the game back then, but before the earliest EFBs, I recall all the excitement when someone figured out they could upload pdf approach charts onto a Kindle.

hehe i wish, I have a stack of approach booklets probably hip high at this point. hey that gives me an idea, maybe i could stick them onto a table and poly over them. hmm

 

[midlifeflyer]

I have a stack of approach booklets probably hip high at this point.

Wow. And my wife complains about all the junk I keep! I haven't had one of those for over 14 years,

 

[MackMooney]

Wow. And my wife complains about all the junk I keep! I haven't had one of those for over 14 years,

when i go to throw them out i can't get past all the money that's about to go in the trash.

 

[MonkeyClaw]

I started using Garmin Pilot with the same devices when I realized that the base GP subscription was included with the data subscription for my GNS430W.

Is this true for just the GNS430W? I have the data subscription for the G1000, but when I look for GP subscriptions, it tells me it's $100...

 

[Skyrys62]

Is this true for just the GNS430W? I have the data subscription for the G1000, but when I look for GP subscriptions, it tells me it's $100...

I was interested as well with a database subscription, but I think from other reading, that you only get the GP Premium upgrade with a PilotPak or OnePak. You still have to pay the $109 for the base subscription. So basically, you save $99 by having one of the Paks.
Someone can verify all that one way or the other as it's been a while since I looked.
Garmin Web also is tiered based on your subs.

Garmin Pilot Web | Included Features for Free and Paid Versions | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Also here is a link to one article that discusses a few of the main differences of FF/GP. It's a year-ish old so may not have the new features included.

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide : iPad Pilot News

You bought an iPad to use in the airplane and now it's time to make a decision on which app is best for your aviation chart and data needs. Here we'll take a look at 3 standout features from each app that serve as key differentiators.

ipadpilotnews.com

 

[NACA 0012]

Is this true for just the GNS430W? I have the data subscription for the G1000, but when I look for GP subscriptions, it tells me it's $100...

I was interested as well with a database subscription, but I think from other reading, that you only get the GP Premium upgrade with a PilotPak or OnePak. You still have to pay the $109 for the base subscription. So basically, you save $99 by having one of the Paks.
Someone can verify all that one way or the other as it's been a while since I looked.
Garmin Web also is tiered based on you subs.

Garmin Pilot Web | Included Features for Free and Paid Versions | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Also here is a link to one article that discusses a few of the main differences of FF/GP. It's a year-ish old so may not have the new features included.

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide : iPad Pilot News

You bought an iPad to use in the airplane and now it's time to make a decision on which app is best for your aviation chart and data needs. Here we'll take a look at 3 standout features from each app that serve as key differentiators.

ipadpilotnews.com

Thanks for answering this... you are correct. The Garmin Pilot Premium add-on is what I got free with my data-base subscription. on Garmin's page it states: "This subscription was granted as part of a database bundle purchase." and I currently have a subscription for "United States Standard + FliteCharts OnePak". I guess when I signed up for all of this, I was kinda "in the zone" and not paying close enough attention to what all of the $$$ were actually buying!

 

[midlifeflyer]

Also here is a link to one article that discusses a few of the main differences of FF/GP. It's a year-ish old so may not have the new features included.

If it's a year old, I doubt it mentions either SmartCharts or Dynamic Procedures.

 

[midlifeflyer]

FWIW, as a user of both apps, here are the two main differences I see (aside from GP being able to do wireless database updates and download collected data).

1. GP emulates the modern Garmin panel mounts in both form and flow. That can be an advantage for those who will do better with multiple interfaces that act and look alike.
2. For flight planning, Foreflight has what comes down to a simple text box. Changing things, adding and removing waypoints, adding or remove a procedure, doing what-ifs is very easy. And if you want to go back to the 4th or 5th iteration, just tap the history key and it's there. Because GP emulates a GTN style flight plan interface, that stuff is not quite as easy to do.

That's really about it. Most everything else comes down to doing the same things in a different way. The bottom line is which one you (not me or anyone else) "like" it better. That even applies to things like SmartCharts vs Dynamic Procedures vs traditional plates.