Garmin 90 Database Updates Discontinued

Apparently Garmin has recently discontinued database updates for the
G90 GPS.
A friend contacted his friend at Garmin, and was told that the
database became too big for the G90, and they decided to drop support.

Several years ago, the G90 database was the Americas, and was broken
into a North America and South America product, to allow it to fit.
It seems that Garmin / Jeppesen could have done a similar pruning,
having a US/Canada, Central and South America product. I suppose they
expect that by simply dropping coverage all together, they will cause
loyal Garmin 90 users to upgrade to a newer Garmin unit.

The discontinuance of support for older, but quite servicable avionics
is a singificant aviation consumer issue. Several years ago, we found
that our IFR capable Loran would have the database discontinued. AOPA
and others have pushed for common database formats, which would allow
legacy products to continue to obtain updates of government data.

Most pilots I know have Garmin 90 units. They meet the aviation needs
of most users, and are quite cost effective. It's too bad that
database support has rendered all those units boat anchors, as their
database can not be updated anymore.

If you're a Garmin 90 owner, you can fill a Tech Support form on their
web site, www.garmin.com, enter your serial number and your software
version (shown at power-up). Tell them you want to know how to get an
update. Since this decision was a recent one, perhaps there's a way
to let them know that Garmin customers aren't ready to retire their
Garmin 90s.

Blue skies.

Just did my notification. How about it, gang. Ya gonna just sit there and let
this happen?

Jim
Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

Just did my notification. How about it, gang. Ya gonna just sit there
and let
this happen?

Wow. One of the reasons I was going to buy a Garmin hand-held at OSH 2003
was because I was ****ed at Lowrance for discontinuing support for my 4-year
old Airmap 300.

Guess maybe I'll have to reconsider, since it seems they're no better.
Shoot, at least Lowrance is continuing to update the database!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I also have Garmin 90 that I use regularly. I'll send in a
complaint as soon as I get my serial # off it.


Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
___
Make a commitment to learn something from every flight.
Share what you learn.

Is that for the GPS92 as well?
Wayne
"Val Christian" wrote in message
m...
Apparently Garmin has recently discontinued database updates for the
G90 GPS.
A friend contacted his friend at Garmin, and was told that the
database became too big for the G90, and they decided to drop support.

Several years ago, the G90 database was the Americas, and was broken
into a North America and South America product, to allow it to fit.
It seems that Garmin / Jeppesen could have done a similar pruning,
having a US/Canada, Central and South America product. I suppose they
expect that by simply dropping coverage all together, they will cause
loyal Garmin 90 users to upgrade to a newer Garmin unit.

The discontinuance of support for older, but quite servicable avionics
is a singificant aviation consumer issue. Several years ago, we found
that our IFR capable Loran would have the database discontinued. AOPA
and others have pushed for common database formats, which would allow
legacy products to continue to obtain updates of government data.

Most pilots I know have Garmin 90 units. They meet the aviation needs
of most users, and are quite cost effective. It's too bad that
database support has rendered all those units boat anchors, as their
database can not be updated anymore.

If you're a Garmin 90 owner, you can fill a Tech Support form on their
web site, www.garmin.com, enter your serial number and your software
version (shown at power-up). Tell them you want to know how to get an
update. Since this decision was a recent one, perhaps there's a way
to let them know that Garmin customers aren't ready to retire their
Garmin 90s.

Blue skies.

Wayne wrote:
Is that for the GPS92 as well?

No, it's a newer unit with more memory I believe. But you might
want to voice a complaint anyway; in a few years the 92 could
be next on the block if the trend continues.

Sydney

Will do. I don't own one but I know plenty of guys that do and I usually do
their updates for them.

Wayne
"Sydney Hoeltzli" wrote in message
...

Wayne wrote:
Is that for the GPS92 as well?

No, it's a newer unit with more memory I believe. But you might
want to voice a complaint anyway; in a few years the 92 could
be next on the block if the trend continues.

Sydney

For everybody with the GPS 90, I got this reply yesterday from Garmin.


"Thank you for contacting Garmin,

Within about the next week, hopefully we will have the June cycle
vailable online for you to download. Keep an eye on the website for this
update. It will be the 0306 cycle and will be the last one available for
the GPS 90 and 95xl.

PS-Please include all email correspondence already written when you
reply to this email so that it can be answered in a timely manner.
Erasing the text may mean a delay in response, or that the email does
not reach the person(s)with whom you are communicating. "

Best Regards,

Mike Sheehan
Product Support Specialist
1200 East 151st
Olathe, Ks 66062
Garmin International
(913)397-8200
(800)800-1020
(913)397-0836 Fax

www.garmin.com