Garmin GPS

[swartkat]

Hi Guys,

how do the updates / loading of a Garmin GPS work?

I see on flyGarmin a lot of Databases, but nothing specific for SA.

Like there is no bundle specific for Africa...

also obstacle database doesn't say anything about SA

i only found "Navigation Data Atlantic" to purchase.

is there anything "free" or any other maps (i am used to Airnav Pro charts ).

thanks a happy flying
swartkat

[mulderpm]

Please elaborate. Which Garmin GPS? What maps, Aviation data base or Aviation Airspaces and terrain or Street or obstacles or power lines or please elaborate.?

[swartkat]

Hi,

its a garmin Aera 660.

I loaded now Navigation Data - Atlantic .

But for example there is no map suitable under:
IFR/VFR charts for SA. I see all the european countries, but it does not include SA.

There are roads missing like the N1/N4

No terrain

All the maps loaded.. but that is all i can load

I am not sure what I am doing wrong.. maybe i should have bought the GPS in SA and not overseas

Anybody has an idea ?

regards
Stefan

[swartkat]

or do i have to create some sort of "garmin South Africa Account" ?

i used https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/portables/ to select the maps.

[SoLo]

I think that you might have the USA basemap model
When you purchase a Garmin, you have 2 choices - USA or Atlantic basemap
If you have the USA one, other countries will have very limited information
It's not about where you bought it, but which basemap option you chose
As far as I know, It cannot be changed/updated

[mulderpm]

Yes, SoLo, that is precisely it. The USA base map is pre-loaded in the USA bought Garmin GPS's and cannot be changed. On later models, where ROM size was less restricted, the whole World Map was loaded as a base map. From your pictures it looks like you have one of the later models.

Unfortunately the Aviation GPS's can not accept/load Land Data. Only Aviation Data (and waypoints) can be loaded and updates must be purchased. Land Data is pre-loaded for the area it is sold in or, on later models, the whole World Map is loaded.

I must also add that the Land Data, base map pre-loaded on the units is terrible/inaccurate i.e. it is not a great loss to be without it. It is a free world map available with free MapSource, now Base Camp. I would not worry too much that it is absent or limited and would build waypoints to show important points of interest for you.

There is a MS Windows based program available, for R800, to build Aviation Data bases which can be uploaded to any Garmin Aviation GPS. AVIATION DATA only!

I use a GPS V (Car GPS), and all the maps, Land Data & Aviation Data, was built by me and uploaded to the GPS. It does not have Aviation functions in the menu's, but for VFR, it is more than adequate.

[mulderpm]

Unlike Car, on road, navigation, in Aviation GPS's, Land Data must be limited to what is absolutely relevant for Visual referencing navigation. Detail is regarded as clutter and must be excluded or filtered out by zoom levels and/or selectable levels of detail. In the Land Data map, for lines/polygones, I include, sea/lakes/dams, large rivers, main roads, railway lines, power lines & towns/cities. Then for Land Data points-of-interest, I include, emergency services & fuel stations & accommodation. Aviation Data map is everything to do with VFR Aviation, FAP/R/D, CTR, TMA, Airfield/runways/Radio etc...The physical runways are in the Land Data map.