garmin 430

[kiloindiapapa]

Is there a place I can download garmin 430 nav data updates......lets say.....free....??

$500 a year is too much. Plane came with gps, i did not put it in.

[Tim]

if you're not using it for IFR you don't need a current database.

if you do use it for IFR or just want it for VFR i would look in the same place you get your charts and pubs for free...

[kiloindiapapa]

Not using it IFR.it won't take the free updates. Kind of a waste in plane. Nice unit and radio just overkill. I'd sell it if it was not going to cost me more for removal than just buying a 296.

[Doc]

What kind of plane? It'd be an ideal "stand alone" VHF/NAV unit in pretty much any small plane. 172 etc. I'd look for periodic updates. You don't need a full script for VFR, but an occasional "refresh" would be a good idea. A visit to a Garmin dealer would be a good investment in your time.

[comanchepilot]

Best bet is if you can find someone with a 430 or 530 that does update theirs. The cards once installed/programmed do not attach themselves to a particular unit, so buy a replacement card from Jeppesen, give it to the person that gets the updates and do it on a rotating basis.

The person doing the updates has the latest version, you have their recently expired cycle, and you give them the "spare" card which is the 3rd oldest cycle. Buying that extra card (cheap) will save the trouble of having to always coordinate updates so no one goes without a card, as once a card is overwritten, the previous database is wiped from it.

Should do you just perfect for VFR, and it will never be too far out of date.

[kiloindiapapa]

It is a 172. The 430 is a nice stand alone. But an Aera or 296 will still feed frequencies for air ports to a separate garmim radio and have all the same airport info. updating will be easier. Not that I don't like the 430.