Victor's Vectors: FliteLevel warranty extends your peace of mind

In the July edition of The Aviation Consumer, there is a good article about extended warranties.  The author gives a convincing argument for what normally he considers “a hard sell.” One of the programs featured in the article is Garmin’s FliteLevel warranty program for the G1000.  After reading the article you should also check out Garmin’s online FliteLevel brochure and press release.  For more information and to enroll, contact your local Garmin aviation dealer or OEM service center.  

Go Garmin!

Popular Mechanics just concluded its first-ever consumer brand survey to determine what consumer brands their readers preferred. Twenty-nine different product categories were included, with a minimum of five brand choices in each category.  Over 7,000 readers voted, and thanks to you, we were chosen the favorite GPS brand. Thank You!

As most Garmin customers know, we serve a plethora of markets and we do our best to give each of these markets the specialized attention it deserves. We strive to develop revolutionary products with features that are specific to that market. One of the many ways we do this is by having employees design, create, build and market products for industries they're passionate about. Forerunners are developed by runners, Zumos by motorcycle riders, chartplotters by boaters, avionics by pilots -- I could keep going, but I'm sure you get the idea. This Popular Mechanics award helps reiterate that we're on the right path, but don't worry, we won't rest on our laurels. We're determined to continue building products that make life a little easier and more enjoyable for our customers.

Victor's Vectors: SVT now available for Cessnas in the field

“Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?” “If there are, we all be dead.”  This line from the 1987 movie The Princess Bride comes to mind just about every time I see a picture of an earlier version G1000 compared to a G1000 with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT).  Why?  Because what was hidden from view is now seen in bright crisp contrast.  The reason for my nostalgia is that towards the end of June, Cessna released a Service Bulletin announcing the availability for SVT upgrades on 172’s, 182’s, and 206’s in the field.  This much anticipated upgrade can now be completed by a Cessna Service Center near you.  The G1000 and SVT transform the cockpit. SVT accurately displays synthetic terrain, flight hazards, flight path marker and highway-in-the-sky on the PFD so that you'll have excellent airborne situational awareness even when flying in conditions of reduced visibility or darkness.

Ask Garmin: Updating your nüvi, zūmo or GPSMAP software

Some customers have asked us to follow-up about last week's mandatory software update decree, and they've specifically asked if all the new software has been released. The answer is a resounding YES! We have free software updates available for the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zūmo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640. Offering free software is something we regularly do and we've always recommend you update your GPS when new free software is available. However, last week was atypical because the software update was mandatory. If you own one of the GPS devices listed above and haven't experienced any problems acquiring a GPS signal, you still need to do the free software update. It's free and easy to do. All you need to do is visit our WebUpdater site, download the free WebUpdater application, follow the screen prompts, and it will do everything else for you.  

Victor's Vectors: flyGarmin.com takes center stage

For those of you who are dedicated blog readers, when I mention flyGarmin you know exactly what I’m talking about and have probably been using this website for updates since last November.  But for those of you who either haven’t heard or have resisted the change, flyGarmin has now taken center stage.  Now when clicking on the aviation databases link on the aviation part of Garmin.com instead of being directed to the old update website you are now directed to flyGarmin.com.  For those of you visiting this site for the first time, then it’s time to rejoice.  flyGarmin.com is much more user friendly and helps you manage your aviation database updates and subscriptions.  As a reminder, here are a few links to some Blog’s written about flyGarmin that will help you in setting up your account, navigating the website, purchasing your updates, and downloading to your GPS.  The old website had its time in the spotlight but it has graciously stepped aside to let flyGarmin shine.

Learn your Garmin with the Garmin Learning Center

Have you ever wanted to see a Garmin product in action before you buy it? Or, maybe you're interested in tips and tricks about a device you already own? How about expanding your overall GPS knowledge?  If any of these scenarios sound familiar, the online Garmin Learning Center is for you. The Learning Center is the newest addition to Garmin.com, and is quickly becoming a popular place to visit because it's a one-stop resource for learning about Garmin products and all things GPS. Once you visit this site, you can watch short video snippets to learn more about your GPS. So far, the site features videos for the Forerunner 405, Edge 705, Approach G5 and Marine network. More videos will be coming soon, so you'll want to check back often.

Victor's Vectors: Migrating to Duluth

Today is the first day of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Migration Fly-In, and Garmin representatives are already in Duluth so they can meet current and future Perspective owners and provide helpful tips and tricks about the Perspective avionics suite. The Cirrus Perspective is an all-glass Garmin cockpit that is tailored for Cirrus aircraft. With this cutting edge avoinics panel, all information — from aircraft attitude and air data to engine instrumentation, real-time weather data link, traffic and terrain — is integrated and digitally depicted on the 12-inch PFD and MFD. Thanks to these large displays, pilots can see the big picture, which ultimately helps simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase flight safety.  The Perspective also includes a unique “LEVEL (LVL) MODE” button, a new safety feature that may be used in times of high workload when the pilot needs a few extra moments to flip through charts or read back a clearance. When engaged, it brings the aircraft to straight and level flight. The Perspective is chock-full of features and we've barely scratched the surface in this blog post. If you're in Duluth this weekend, stop by and say hi and learn more about other Perspective features like SVT, GFC 700 autopilot, dual AHRS, SafeTaxi, FliteCharts and more.

Make the most of your Garmin with one-click

Have you ever noticed that it’s often the behind-the-scenes technologies that get little fanfare yet quietly catapult consumer electronics forward in terms of ease-of-use?

We think you’ll find the myGarmin Agent is that type of advancement. You’ll never see it on the front page of a newspaper, but we think you’re really going to like it because it makes interfacing with your Garmin products much easier. The myGarmin Agent works with all of Garmin’s newer devices and tells you when a Garmin device is plugged in to your computer, allowing one-click access to the new myDashboard at my.garmin.com.

With the myGarmin Agent installed on your computer, you will see a message in the lower right corner of your screen whenever you connect a Garmin device. Clicking the message box takes you to the myDashboard page the starting point for one-click software updates, map updates, and much more! You can also access the myDashboard page at any time by double-clicking the myGarmin Agent icon in your system tray.

The myGarmin Agent is unobtrusive so it can sit on your computer and you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. It’s the new starting place for all of your Garmin needs and gives you one-click access to almost everything you need for your Garmin, so download it today.

Great Gifts for Flying Fathers

If you are anything like me, you were looking at the calendar and thinking about how many activities you could cram into the weekend only to be surprised to see that it’s Father’s Day.  Why is it that father’s are the hardest people to shop for?  If your dad is a pilot then there is no need for that spotted tie this year.  Garmin has several aviation portable GPS products to fit your budget and any flying father would be happy to unwrap one.  If a new Garmin portable is out of your price range this year, you could also give him a single or annual subscription update for the portable or panel-mount system he already owns.

If you don’t have time to get to you local aviation dealer, don’t worry.  You can do your comparison shopping on Garmin’s website and purchase it from any of our online dealers.

Victor's Vectors: Chasing storms with a 696

With the recent storms rumbling through the Midwest making national attention for the tornados and hail, I’m really getting a good idea of the advanced weather and safety capabilities of the GPSMAP 696.  The large display and XM weather give an enhanced view of severe weather with not only NEXRAD but also lightning, storm tracking, and SIGMETs.  Even when I’m here sitting in the safety of the office it is awesome to see the intensity of nature’s fury.  This also makes me appreciate the enhanced NRST features of the 696 with its split screen moving map and nearest airport list.  Just in case the view of the weather out the windshield necessitates an in-flight change in the flight plan.

 

Victor's Vectors: When to update your aviation databases

Another database cycle has started and several questions have come up regarding when the new cycles are available for download.  The answer is that most of the databases Garmin provides are available seven days prior to the effective date of the new cycle.  The one exception is FliteCharts, an electronic version of the National Aeronautical Chart Office (NACO) U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication that lets you quickly find and view all NACO Departure Procedures (DP), Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs), approach charts and airport diagrams. We receive the NACO data directly from NACO and since we receive it a little later than the other database data, FliteCharts is available two days prior to the new cycle’s effective date.  If you have any questions about what date a specific database is available, there is a chart for each database on the “Database” tab of your flyGarmin.com account.  Just click on the link “View aviation database cycles." 

Another thing to keep in mind is that the FliteCharts and NavData both come out every 28 days while the Obstacle and SafeTaxi are available every 56 days.  The AOPA database is updated four times a year on the 15th day of the quarter and the Terrain database is updated about once a year.  With all of these databases, dates and release periods its good to have flyGarmin.com as your fingertips to help you manage it all.

Victor's Vectors: One step closer to Aviation's NextGen

The House of Representatives recently passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009.  This is a large step in the right direction for the funding of the FAA and the Next Generation Air Traffic Control System (NextGen).  Garmin has been following this closely along with the rest of the aviation community, and we've been on the leading edge of NextGen since the beginning of Capstone project in Alaska.  If you’re not familiar with the Capstone project it is centered on the service called ADS-B, which is short for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast. ADS-B is an enabling technology for “free flight” — a FAA vision aimed at improving the safe flow of commercial and non-commercial aircraft within the U.S. air-traffic environment. ADS-B provides real time traffic and weather directly to the cockpit of any aircraft equipped with a receiver like Garmin’s GDL 90, aviation's first certified datalink transceiver. The GDL 90 interfaces with the GMX 200, and when the two systems are working together pilots can "see" aircraft traffic with much more precision than with existing ground-based radar system.

It's a car. It's a plane. It's both.

We regularly receive testimonials from customers on how they use their Garmin products. All testimonials are interesting and fun for us to read, but every now and again one will appear that almost seems fictional because of how incredible it is. That's the case with this testimonial that we received from Terrafugia -- a new company that has made a flying car called the Transition. If you're wondering how this pertains to Garmin, it's because they're using our aviation products to help guide the plane while it's in the air and the car while it's on the ground. Their Garmin units of choice are the SL30 VHF nav/com, GTX 327 transponder, and GPSMAP 496. The GPSMAP 496 is the ultimate crossover product for them -- just like the Transition -- because it provides all the aviation-specific info for flying and comes preloaded with City Navigator street maps for navigating on the ground. If you're wondering how a vehicle can be both a car and plane, check out these videos. This is one you almost need to see to believe.

Victor's Vectors: Tabbing Through flyGarmin.com

I’ve received some good feedback for posting information about database updates.  So, this week’s blog is an explanation of the tabs at the top of your flyGarmin.com account.  The first tab is “Home.”  This is the first page you see when signing in and provides plenty of useful information and links for reference.  The second tab is “Databases.”  This page shows all the databases or subscriptions you have purchased and is a quick, easy way to download a database subscription. There is also a link to a page that shows all the database cycles and the dates the databases will become available.  The next tab is “Portables.” This page shows you all the portable GPS units on your account, and gives you the ability to check the portable to see what databases are installed and what databases are available for your specific product. This is also the page you would add a new portable device to your account.  The last tab is “Aircraft.” The aircraft page lists all of your aircraft and panel mounted devices.  Like the Portables tab, you can easily view the databases that are installed in your airplane.  You can also add a new aircraft or panel mounted device from the Aircraft page.  Hopefully, this brief overview will help you get the most out of your free flyGarmin account.

What to get Dads and Grads

Dads and Grads season is here, and hardworking dads and graduates deserve something cool for their big day. Forget about the pen and pencil set, it's time to think high-tech. If you're not sure if you should get your dad or grad a GPS for their car, golf cart, dog, wrist, boat, plane, motorcycle or bike, you're in luck. Editors all over the world are compiling and publishing lists of their favorite devices so you can pick the perfect gift. So far, PC Mag has named the nüvi as a top pick for graduates that are bound to get lost as they travel between home and college. According to PC Mag, one of the great things about the nüvi is that even entry-level models "offers a lot of bang for the buck and are excellent choices for the budget conscious."  The Approach G5 has also been make making many Father's Day gift guide lists because it will help dad improve his golf game and give him the ultimate competitive edge. Check our site for more great gift ideas.

Victor's Vectors: Keeping your databases current

I asked Garmin’s aviation product support specialists what some of the most common calls are about, and they said it’s from customers needing assistance with their aviation databases.  That is very understandable considering that most of our newer GPS units have up to six separate databases.  Understanding your aviation databases and updating database information can be confusing, especially when you are initially setting up your flyGarmin.com account.  We posted a blog in February called flyGarmin 101 that included a video that walked through the initial processes.  Since this video has been popular, I decided to mention it again now that flying season is upon us.  I also plan to have a couple more posts about databases and database updates that I hope will help clear up some of the confusion. But for now, watch the video and then visit flyGarmin.com to set up your free account.

There's a jet in the parking lot

It's not every day that you drive into work and see a jet in your parking space, but that's exactly what happened today. The Cirrus team visited Garmin today and they brought a mock-up of their new jet, the Vision SF50. It was raining cats and dogs when the mock-up rolled off the truck, but that didn't stop people from taking lots of pictures before walking in the building. I guess a few raindrops never hurt anyone and it's not often that you see an airplane in front of your office! 

In addition to bringing the SF50 to Garmin's headquarters, Cirrus's executive team was on hand to talk about the new aircraft. Garmin was announced as the avionics supplier for the Vision earlier this year, and the current flying test aircraft, V1, uses the Perspective by Garmin™ avionics system, which is the same avionics that is currently available on Cirrus's SR‐series of piston aircraft. Cirrus Aircraft and Garmin have been partners in every Cirrus Aircraft model delivered to date. Garmin GNS 430's were standard equipment on the first SR20's produced and remained standard on all SR20 and SR22 models until the introduction of Cirrus Perspective by Garmin in mid‐2008.

A special thanks to Cirrus for making this an extremely memorable Friday!

Victor's Vectors: How to Update Aviation Databases

It’s that time of the month again and we have been swamped with calls from customers needing assistance updating the databases for their GPS units.  FlyGarmin.com has been getting a large amount of praise, but some customers have had some issues setting up their new account.  One common issue is the installation of the Garmin Communicator Plugin on your computer, which is required for automatic downloads from flyGarmin and is one of the advanced features that makes flyGarmin so user friendly.  One problem I’ve been hearing on a regular basis is that the plugin is not being detected properly on the test page.  This can often be caused because of the settings of the browser that you are using.  When on the test page, look out for an information bar at the top of the page that requires your input to run an Active X control that the plugin utilizes.  After clicking on the “Run ActiveX Control”, the test page will refresh and you should see it verify that the plugin is installed and up to date.  Also on the test page, it’s important to have your GPS or data card connected to the computer to verify that the test page is communicating with it as well.  With the Communicator Plugin installed and communicating properly, flyGarmin becomes a useful tool that is easy to use during that time of the month. Click here for a  step-by-step video on updating your databases.

Helicopters Get WAAS Avionics

Yeah! We achieved another aviation first today. We're the first to receive the FAA's AML-STC to install GPS/WAAS avionics on helicopters. Those who aren't pilots may not realize the significance of this statement, but those that fly helicopters are rejoicing because they'll now be able to operate in and out of areas that would otherwise be unavailable because of marginal weather. This AML-STC (approved model list supplemental type certificate) is for the GNS 400W/500W series and it covers approximately 50 of the most popular helicopters like the Bell 206, Enstrom 280FX, Agusta A109, Eurocopter EC135, MD Helicopters 600-N-Notar, Robinson R22 and R44, and many more. In addition, it includes certification for custom steep LPV approaches for up to six degrees, which means law enforcement and medical teams will be able to land their helicopters in areas with urban rooftops, such as hospitals.

Victor's Vectors: flyGarmin.com makes database updates easy

FlyGarmin.com keeps getting better!  Recently, we added a couple of new features to flyGarmin.com that customers have been asking for.  One of the new features is a Beta version of batch updates.  That means that customers with multiple database subscriptions can now download all databases with one shot, instead of download each database separately.  Being able to download multiple databases at the same time saves time and is much more convenient.  If you haven’t already, visit www.fly.garmin.com and discover an easy way to update your Garmin aviation databases.

Sun 'n Fun: $5,000 Rebate on G600!

Are you thinking about upgrading your panel from out-dated steam gauges to all-glass? Now is the time because we announced the deal of a lifetime at Sun 'n Fun. If you purchase a G600 between now and June 30, you'll receive a $5,000 rebate. Plus, if you plan to add more Garmin equipment to your cockpit, you have an opportunity to participate in an ongoing Garmin program where you can save an additional $4,000, for a total savings of $9,000!  We've never offered a deal this big, so don't hesitate and let it pass you by.

Sun 'n Fun: Aviation weather, flight file and AOPA Directory on your phone

Got weather? If not and if you're a pilot, you know it's a must have. Trying to make go/no-go decisions is impossible without a reliable weather source, and Pilot My-Cast by Garmin is the reliable weather source you need to make those decisions from your cell phone. Pilot My-Cast by Garmin is an aviation weather application that works on just about any phone -- BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, etc -- and it shows up-to-date aviation weather radar, METARs, TAFs, winds aloft, PIREPs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and so much more. Here at Sun 'n Fun we've announced that weather information is now available for Canada, as well as the U.S. You can trust that the info from Pilot My-Cast is the most up-to-date because the data comes directly from the National Weather Service for the U.S., Environment Canada for Canada, and the FAA.

The latest addition to Pilot My-Cast is the AOPA Airport Directory, the most comprehensive source of airport information. It includes information for over 5,300 public-use airports and more than 7,000 FBOs, such as pilot services, ground transportation, lodging, restaurants, and local attractions. 

In addition to checking the weather, you can file a flight plan directly from your phone by entering the data into a form on your phone and sending it to DUATs -- it's almost like texting them your flight plan and it can save you a tremendous amount of time.

Pilot My-Cast by Garmin is only $9.95/month. Click here to learn how to try it on your phone, or come visit the Pilot My-Cast area at Sun 'n Fun (Hangar D, in the Garmin booth) and we'll give you a hands-on demonstration.

 

Sun 'n Fun: Learning your Garmin

We mentioned it briefly yesterday, but one of our announcements for Sun 'n Fun is a new eLearning Program where you can receive computer-based training for the most popular Garmin aviation products. Our first eLearning Program is for the GPSMAP 696/695 and it's available now on CD. We also expect to add training for other products to our eLearning library, so that you'll soon be able to access training for the GPSMAP 296/396/496, G1000, GNS 430W/530W, G600 and more.

One of the best parts of the eLearning Program is that it's self-paced so you can learn about your Garmin whenever is convenient for you. Plus, you can learn about the entire product in one sitting, or you can do training by a specific topic. The training has multiple steps to help you learn about your GPS and practice your new skills. First, you'll watch a simulated multi-media demonstration of a task, such as creating a flight plan. Then, a scenario-based guided simulation system will help you practice the task by following step-by-step, on-screen prompts. Lastly, you can practice what you learned without prompts from the computer.  The eLearning Program is a great way to make the most of your Garmin GPS.

Another great opportunity for those at Sun 'n Fun is to participate in one of the free seminars at the Garmin booth (Hangar D). Our Sun 'n Fun seminars cover a variety of topics -- from the 695/696 to G600 to G1000 -- so stop by and learn some new tips and tricks for your Garmin.

Sun 'n Fun: Come visit us!

Today's the first day for fun in the sun, a.k.a. the Sun 'n Fun trade show in Lakeland, Florida. This is trade show has been equated to opening day for the aviation industry, so there's lots of excitement in the air. The Garmin booth is huge this year, which is good because we have lots of products to demonstrate. Those attending the show should stop by our booth (Hangar D) to get a one-on-one demonstration of the G600, G1000, GNS 430W/530W, GPSMAP 696, Pilot My-Cast by Garmin, and more. Here's a quick recap of Garmin's announcements for the show and a more in-depth look will be coming soon. I also hope you enjoy these behind the scenes pictures of the Garmin booth -- they were taken before the show opened so you're definitely getting a sneak peek.

    * Garmin is offering a limited time, $5,000 “Spring Special” retrofit rebate on the G600 all-glass avionics system. This $5,000 rebate may also be combined with the Garmin incentive program where customers can earn up to an additional $4,000 in rebates off of a G600 package when they purchase selected Garmin aviation panel products.  The “$5,000 Spring Special – G600 Retrofit Rebate” is a limited time rebate for customer purchases starting April 21, 2009, and extends until June 30, 2009.
    * AOPA’s Airport Directory and Canadian weather data are now available on your cell phone with Pilot My-Cast by Garmin. This content is in addition to the U.S. weather and flight filing data already available on Pilot My-Cast. Pilot My-Cast is compatible with many popular phone models, such as BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices, and is available from all major wireless carriers in the U.S. including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and Alltel.
    * Garmin has unveiled a new eLearning computer-based training program that walks customers through their Garmin products step-by-step. The eLearning Program is available on CD. The 696/695 will be the first training CD available, and customers can purchase it from Garmin dealers at Sun ‘n Fun.

 

Fly Garmin-glass on the Piper Meridian

The G1000 is now available as avionics for the six-seat Piper Meridian airplane. Since certifications efforts have been going on for awhile in secret, not only will the G1000 be coming to future Piper Meridian, Piper already has airplanes certified and ready for delivery. The G1000 equipped Piper Meridian has all the bells-and-whistles you'd expect from an airplane of this caliber including a fully-integrated GFC 700 autopilot, Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), FliteCharts, SafeTaxi and more.Those attending Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, next week will have a chance to see a G1000 equipped Piper Meridian, and it's definitely something you'll want to see!

For the aviation history buffs, the G1000 was first announced in July 2003. Since that time, it has been selected by 11 different aircraft manufacturers as the avionics suite for more than 30 aircraft models.

Victor's Vectors: Flight planning from your PC

Have you ever wished you could create a flight plan on your PC and quickly load it into your Garmin GPS, without having to input points manually while sitting in your plane on the ramp?  There’s no need to keep wishing because you can now generate and transfer flight plans with the 3.20 software release for the GNS 400W and 500W series units and Garmin’s new Flight Plan Migration Kit.  The kit can currently be purchased from your local Garmin Aviation dealer and works with Jeppesen’s FliteStar and Seattle Avionics’ Voyager programs.  Also look for this kit to be added to the accessories list on Garmin’s website in the near future. 

As a side note, the kit’s card programmer is also able to update the terrain and obstacle databases on the TAWS/terrain card through www.fly.garmin.com.

If you do not have the 3.20 software, contact your local Garmin Aviation dealer and ask for the update.

Victor's Vectors: And the winner is...

I picked up my April edition of the AOPA Pilot magazine for the first time since I got it in the mail, and to my surprise I had completely forgotten about the AOPA "Get Your Glass" sweepstakes for the Piper Archer II.  My congratulation goes out to the winner and new owner of N208GG, Karoline Amodeo.  This year’s sweepstakes plane includes a pair of Garmin GNS 430W’s that will not only help Karoline get from point A to point B but, when she’s ready, will also help her navigate to the ground on any of the WAAS GPS approaches now available.  Congratulations Karoline!

 

Victor's Vectors: PIREPs for GPSMAP 396 and 496

When I was a little younger, April 1 was an interesting day. Around some of my friends it was a day to tread a little lighter, to pay attention to where your food came from, to open doors before walking through them, and to never believe what you were told... 

Luckily for you, I never participated much in this tradition.

Last week there were a couple of software updates that several people have missed out on. The GPSMAP 396 and GPSMAP 496software versions 4.70 and 3.80 respectively, were posted on the Garmin website. Normally software updates, though important, do not merit a blog post; however these updates add compatibility with a couple of new weather products. One of the weather products I’m personally excited to see is PIREPs which is included in the Aviator package from XM. Before this update the GPSMAP 696was the only Garmin portable able to receive and display PIREPs. The software updates are available to download now from Garmin’s website and better yet they are free. No fooling!

One more thing - Garmin’s engineers come out with new software versions for the portables on a regular basis and it is important to keep up to date to keep your portable operating at its peek performance.  Click on this link to download a program called the WebUpdater that will help you keep your portable running smoothly.

Garmin avionics on Cirrus Vision Jet

Garmin and Cirrus Aircraft announced today that the Vision SF50 personal jet will have Garmin avionics in the cockpit. The current Vision flying test aircraft, V1, will have the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics system installed in early April - the same as is currently available on the SR-series of piston aircraft by Cirrus - and continue its rigorous flight test schedule. Cirrus and Garmin have worked together in every Cirrus Aircraft model to date. The GNS 430's were standard equipment on the first SR20's produced and remained standard on all SR20 and SR22 models until the introduction of Cirrus Perspective by Garmin in mid-2008. Today, the Cirrus fleet includes Cirrus Perspective by Garmin, which features Garmin’s all-glass, fully-integrated flight deck for the Cirrus SR22 and TURBO models.

Victor's Vectors: Portable GPS mounting options

I remember a few years ago when I decided to get my tail wheel endorsement in a Piper Super Cub.  Climbing into the pilot seat was the first of many new learning experiences, and flying the Super Cub was a great experience that I remember well.  The reason for the nostalgia is because I was recently asked by a Cub owner for a recommendation on how to mount his new portable GPS that came with a yoke mount.  If you have ever sat in a Cub then you can see the dilemma.  Garmin portables come with several different mounting accessories but these accessories don’t work in all applications.  You'll want to consider all of your options before making an accessory purchase, but a few of the companies I recommend for optional mounting accessories are Air Gizmos, G Force, Garhawk and Ram Mount.

Victor's Vectors: Spring-clean before you fly

Spring is here!  The days are getting longer, the birds are chirping, plants are popping out of the ground, and the flying season is upon us.  As my Grandma also said, “There is a time and a season for all things.”  So, it’s time to dust off that GPS system you’ve been storing since the fall. Time to get those databases current through flyGarmin.  Time to check with your Garmin Dealer about software updates. Time to renew that subscription to XM or Pilot MyCast.  Time to check out our free simulators and brush up on those flying skills.  It’s time to fly those boundless skies, and remember that Garmin’s right there with you.

King Air 200/B200 Gets G1000 Glass

The G1000 avionics panel is now available on two more aircraft models! Today, we announced that the FAA granted certification for the G1000 in the King Air 200 and B200.  This is only the second time that the G1000 has been made available for retrofit; the first G1000 retrofit certification was for the King Air C90. Pilots that own a King Air 200 or B200 can now replace their old steam gauges with a large, three-panel, all-glass display. Anyone who has flown a plane with G1000 avionics knows that it's an amazing system that makes flying safer and more enjoyable. One of the features that reiterates safety of flight and differentiates the King Air 200/B200's certification from other G1000 programs is that it includes Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) support. RVSM support will let King Air pilots fly more optimum profiles, gain fuel savings and increase airspace capacity.The King Air 200/B200's avionics suite also features the GFC 700 autopilot, SVT synthetic vision (optional upgrade), SafeTaxi, FliteCharts, WAAS, GDL 69A datalink receiver for XM WX, and a whole lot more.  The G1000 upgrade is available immediately, so contact one of Garmin's approved G1000/King Air distributor to learn more about installation and pricing.

Victor's Vectors: Updating a 696 while it's in the plane

I wonder!  When you turn off the GPSMAP 696 at night and put it to bed in its carrying case after a hard days work, does it dream of being a Multi-Function Display?  Probably not, but the engineers that designed the 696 keep finding ways to make that dream closer to a reality.

Following that vision, you can now add the Aviation NavData, Obstacle and SafeTaxi databases to the 696 simultaneously with the FliteCharts database when using a 1 GB or 2 GB SD card.  (A SD card larger than 2 GB is not supported.)  We told you about the FliteCharts database update in an earlier blog post, but that was just the beginning. This means that you don’t need to take the 696 out of the aircraft to update any of these four databases!  The process is fairly easy but I have included some instructions below to help you through the right steps.

20-year stories: Preserving pieces of Garmin history

In celebration of Garmin’s 20-year anniversary in 2009, we’re reaching back to the past to bring you stories from our younger years. Today you’ll get a peek inside a garage-turned-Garmin museum. The caretaker and archivist is Frank, a long-time Garmin employee who “likes to collect history he can hold in his hands.” He started collecting antique radios in the mid-70s. Before he started his job in aviation engineering for Garmin in October 1995, Frank worked for another avionics manufacturer where he shared a lab with Garmin co-founders Gary Burrell, Min Kao and two of their business partners.

Frank’s passion for preservation sent him digging through dumpsters in his early days at Garmin.  “When we moved from Lenexa, there was a lot of stuff thrown away and my collecting instincts just took over. Over the years, people have given me stuff that they wanted to get rid of, so I had a lot of help,” Frank said.

Victor's Vectors: Turn Your PC Into a SVT Simulator

With the increasing number of aircraft in the air with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), I have had several customers ask about the upgrade availability for their G1000 equipped aircraft.  Diamond and Mooney are two of the manufacturers that offer the SVT upgrade today, and the Cirrus Perspective comes with SVT as standard.  Garmin is working with many other aircraft manufactures to complete SVT certification on their specific airframes and you'll hear more about these announcements soon. With this new technology hitting the market, I understand why some customers are excited about learning more about SVT.  One thing I recommend to customers who are interested in seeing SVT is to check out Garmin’s PC G1000 trainers. The Cirrus Perspective and Diamond DA40 version 9.01 trainers are available now, and are currently the only Garmin trainers with SVT.  More trainers with SVT will become available as the aircraft certifications are completed.  Having the trainer gives customers a good tool for learning the in’s and out’s of the G1000, and it gives a feel for SVT before leaving the ground. 

Note: Before purchasing the trainer I highly recommend looking at the PC requirements.  The minimum requirements are listed but I recommend a 256 MB independent video card for single screen operation and 512 MB video card for dual screen operation. 

Victor's Vectors: FlyGarmin 101

The flyGarmin website is a big improvement to the way Garmin has provided aviation database updates in the past, but we still get calls asking about how to update an aviation handheld's database.  One of our aviation dealers decided to create a YouTube video that I think is worthy of passing on. If you have any other questions that this video did not cover, comment to this post or contact Garmin’s Aviation Support line at 1-866-739-5687 which is open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm (CT).

GRMN's Fourth Quarter Results

Garmin reported its fourth quarter results today.  Click here for the report and join the conference call at 11:00 a.m ET here.

Victor's Vectors: Increasing base map detail

Over the last couple of months I have been hearing a lot of good stories from customers about their GPSMAP 696 or 695. The GPS is getting used in applications that I wouldn’t have initially dreamed of; everything from being used in Alaska and Canada for bush flying, throughout the Midwest for pipe line patrols, and in helicopters fighting California forest fires and providing EMS. In several of these calls one question normally pops up that I would like to answer for everyone. The question is, “how do I increase the detail of the base map?” It’s a good question for those customers that are using these units for, let’s say, a non standard operations. The answer is that you can increase the level of detail using a MapSource mapping product. The 696 and 695 are compatible with the topographical mapping products like US Topo, and Topo 24K. Both of these mapping products can be loaded to a SD card then loaded onto the GPS through the SD card slot on the side of the unit. The 696 and 695 can support up to 3500 map sets which give you a fairly large area of mapping. Topo mapping not only gives the lines of elevation, hiking trails, and more detail on rivers, lakes, and streams but it also gives street detail. Topo also comes in four coverage areas: US, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. So if you are flying just for fun or for a more unusual reason, Garmin has you covered.

Victor's Vectors: Sirius XM Update

We've received several calls from customers telling us that they've noticed some press rumors of Sirius XM filing for bankruptcy. These customers have asked what this could mean for their Garmin products with weather capability, like the GPSMAP 396, 496, and 696. At this time, Garmin is watching these rumors and any other related activities closely.  While we understand that there are concerns about the potential of Sirius XM discontinuing weather data services for the aviation community, we would like to reassure our customers that maintaining this service is a high priority.  As more information becomes available, we will be providing updates via our website to help keep our valued customers informed. As always, feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about your Garmin aviation products.

Victor's Vectors: GDU 370/375 for the LSA cockpit

In case you haven’t heard, Garmin recently announced a break through product for experimental and light sport aircraft retrofits.  The GDU 370 and GDU 375 are non-certified panel mounted GPS’s and multi-function displays based off of the GPSMAP 696.  The two Garmin Display Units (GDU) can bring amazing utility to an aircraft for a comparable low cost.  I wish I had the time and space to tell you all about the capabilities of these new products but it would end up being a novel.  To give you a taste, these units give you all the advanced features of the GPSMAP 696, plus additional components can be added to transform the Multi-Function Display into a dedicated Primary Flight Display, or a PFD/ MFD on a single screen!  When PFD capabilities are added, the system will be known as the G3X.  With two or more of these displays, the G3X will even have reversionary capability.  The GDU 370 and GDU 375 have the heritage of the G1000 and G600 mixed with the ease of a GPSMAP 696.  That is a winning combination. 

20-year stories: Garmin goes to the Gulf

In celebration of Garmin’s 20-year anniversary in 2009, we’re reaching back to the past to bring you stories from our younger years. Some stories are retold by the individuals who were here on the first day, working in rented office space among card tables and folding chairs. Space was limited, but the ideas weren’t. And here are their stories.

In 1991, when Garmin’s first prototype GPS navigators were just rolling off the production line, U.S. troops and planes were rolling out for Gulf War deployment. Major George Nemeyer, a navigator for the U.S. Air Force, determined there was one piece of equipment his plane had to have. Military issue wasn’t going to cut it. There were only a couple companies doing GPS at the time. And only one who answered the call.

Victor's Vectors: Updating FliteCharts on GPSMAP 696

The GPSMAP 696 just keeps getting better!  The latest software release, 2.70, for the 696 allows for FliteChart updates WITHOUT having to connect the 696 to a computer. Therefore, there are now two ways to update FliteCharts – through the USB or SD Card – and you can pick whichever is best for you.  You heard right….you can now update the 696 through the SD card slot just like a panel mount G-1000.  This new process will also help those customers that were having problems with FliteChart downloads through the USB. 

 If you decide to update FliteCharts through the SD card, there are a couple of things you will need to do before taking advantage of this new feature.  First, update your 696 to the free 2.70 software version.  Second, you'll need a 2 GB SD card.  These are very common and can be found at almost any retailer that sells electronics. Third, you need an SD card programmer.  Many newer computers have SD card programmers integrated into the computer. If your computer doesn’t have a built-in SD card programmer, you can get an external programmer and they are common too. After you have the software, SD card, and programmer, go to www.fly.garmin.com for the update.  Download the database as normal, but on the download page click on the option for the “Alternate Download Process”.  This will allow you to download a file to your computer that will update the SD card.  After the update is complete, simply put the SD card into the 696 while it is on and press the update option when prompted. 

If you are not familiar with the website or the update process, call our Aviation Technical Support at 1-866-739-5687.  

Victor's Vectors: Looking Ahead to ADS-B

With the recent presidential inauguration, I feel a lot of optimism in the air from our customers.  People are looking more to the future and thinking of the great things that are to come.  Well, Garmin is looking to the future too.  We foresee aircraft that are small and large with real time traffic, weather, and unprecedented access and ease of use for the National Airspace System.  This is no daydream.  These are the promises of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B).  Garmin recently announced the availability of an upgrade program for the GTX 330 and GTX 33 transponders that will add the Extended Squitter capabilities.  These new transponders will interface with current 400W / 500W series units, the 480, and G1000 systems and transmit your position, velocity, and heading information to FAA ground facilities and other ADS-B equipped aircraft.  This technology is a proposed mandate for aircraft by 2020, but why look to the future when you can act today?

Victor's Vectors: Garmin named #1 by Professional Pilot Mag

Long time blog readers are sure to remember Roger, the mastermind behind the Roger's Runway posts. Ever since Roger decided to take a blog break and focus on helicopter training, we began an extensive recruiting process to find a new aviation guru for our weekly aviation blog column. The search didn't take long since Victor knows just about everything there is to know about Garmin aviation products. In fact, if you've ever called Garmin's aviation product support there's a chance you may have spoken with our newest blogger without even realizing it. Without further ado, here's our buddy and yours, Victor.

The surveys have been tallied, the scores have been computed, the results are in, and Garmin came out on top for the fifth year in a row!  The results of the 2009 Professional Pilot Avionics Product Support Survey are in and Garmin topped the charts in every category, increasing our total score from 8.42 in 2008 to 8.51 for 2009.  I want to offer a huge THANK YOU to our customers who voted for us and a big congratulation to Garmin’s Aviation Support team.  Without Garmin’s loyal customer base we would not be where we are today.  We’re very proud of this award, but we aren’t going to rest on our laurels. We’ve already started looking at ways to serve you better in 2009, and we’re looking forward to another great year. 

GPSMAP 396/496 and XM WX Update

I’m sure it comes as no shock to blog readers, but our customer support group is always busy after Christmas because people call us with questions about the Garmin devices they received for the holidays. In addition to our normal calls, the first few days of the 2009 calendar year brought atypical calls from GPSMAP 396 and 496 customers who were temporarily unable to receive XM WX service. For those who were without XM WX service, we apologize for the inconvenience. Since we’re pilots too and we, like you, were traveling over the holidays, we understand that the lack of weather data happened at a very inopportune time. Garmin and XM have resolved the issue and everything is now back to normal. All GPSMAP 396 and 496 customers who were without weather should now have the XM WX service they’ve come to depend on. We’ve also taken as many measures as possible to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. As always, if you have any questions about your Garmin aviation product, please give us a call at 1-866-739-5687 and we’ll be happy to help.

Seeing is believing - the GPSMAP 696's safety features

The GPSMAP 696 has been the subject of recent Garmin blog posts for obvious reasons, but it is nice to see that the 696 is catching the eye of others in the aviation community.  Aviation Safety has recently created a video outlining some of the enhanced features of the 696, including the terrain page, panel page, and NRST feature to name a few.  Take a look and see the difference a 696 can make for you.

Ask Garmin: Getting to know your gift

Many of you followed the advice of our holiday commercials and chose to "Give-a Give-a Give-a-Garmin" to your loved ones this holiday season. And now a whole new generation of Garmin owners want to get acquainted with their nüvi or Astro or Forerunner or Edge or Oregon or GPSMap or Mobile software or ... well, we could go on for a while.

The easiest way to learn about your new Garmin is to turn it on, go outside so that it can find the satellites and then play around with it. But if you're stuck indoors (or at work) and you want to see your new GPS device in action, we have solutions on our Garmin Buzz page. There you can find the handiwork of our interactive team, who has created minisites and online demos to introduce you to the technology. The crown jewel of the Buzz page is the Land of Oregon minisite. This highly interactive - and addictive - minisite introduces you to the Oregon touchscreen handheld in ways no owner's manual or blog can. There are also specific product demos as well as informative minisites for our Marine Network, the G600 glass cockpit and Garmin Mobile solutions.

Free FLTA terrain update before Dec 31

‘Tis the season to procrastinate, but if you have been waiting for the last moment then it has arrived.  The Service Alert 0816-B warning about the forward looking terrain provided a free terrain file for updating WAAS systems in the field.  Though, as you can see on the Service Alert the time is running out for the free update.  Next week December 31, 2008, is the last day before the terrain update file returns to its regular price of $150.  This file can be downloaded from Garmin’s website at www.fly.garmin.com.  This update does require a card programmer to be able to download to the TAWS card.  If you do not have the card programmer you might check with your local dealer or you can call our technical support line (1-866-739-5687) to set up an exchange for the card.  Remember that this update is for the terrain 08T2 file which was available in June of 2008.  That means if you recently purchased the 400W/500W series unit or recently went through the WAAS upgrade then you already have this terrain file and do not need to worry about the Service Alert.  For those of you that have terrain files previous to the 08T2 terrain database, time is almost up.   

Up front in the Phenom 100

Garmin and the G1000 are taking another step forward into the cockpits of the future.  Embraer recently announced that the Phenom 100 has received type certification from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Authority and the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the front of this new airplane is Prodigy, which is Embraer’s name for the G1000 flight deck.  Embraer’s Prodigy avionics suite has large, beautiful 12” displays for the primary flight displays (PFD) and the multi-function display (MFD). With this system, pilots of the Phenom 100 are going to be treated to one of the most advanced flight decks in its class.  With Embraer expecting to begin deliveries soon, you're sure to catch a glimpse of the Phenom 100 and Prodigy flight deck at an airport near you.

Get a deal on a Garmin for the cockpit

Some people have been shopping for gifts all year.  They’ve had them wrapped six months in advance just waiting for the tree to go up.  If you’re like me, you are just now thinking about buying gifts.  You’re trying to get a list together for your friends and families, and wondering why you can’t be more like those other people!  This year your procrastination may have paid off! Garmin has announced a holiday promotion for people like me.  How does a $300 rebate for the 396, or a $200 rebate for the 296, or a $100 rebate for the 196 sound?  Sounds like money in the bank to me, and a good deal for getting the weather capabilities of the GPSMAP 396 in a cockpit near you.  Merry Christmas, from Garmin!