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One of the data files (NAV) has been updated by Garmin on my monthly subscription. Do I add it by installing the file on a new SD card or add it to the existing card (lower right on MFD) and just re-install it? This is the first time for me to do this so I am concerned i don't wipe out my data. Last one was done by the Avionic shop during my ADS-B upgrade.

NAV data loads from each of the top two. The bottom ones are for the other databases. Leave them be for the NAV update. Load the NAV data on a blank SD card, insert into one of the upper slots, turn on the batt and follow the prompts to accept and update the database. Power it down and repeat the process for the other side. Goes pretty quick. Not sure about the SD card size requirements but somewhere between 1G and 4G should work.

Do this on the MFD right?

Do it on both the PFD and MFD. Either order, it doesn't matter, but you have to update both.

Ultrapilot1 wrote:Do this on the MFD right?

PFD and MFD. The data is used on both sides (PFD inset) and for redundancy. The system will check and give an error if the versions don't match. The newest G1000 S/W version may copy the info to the other side for you (someone help me here) but I hear it is very slow. Loading goes quickly from the card so I would just load both sides.

Garmin telephone helpdesk was extremely helpful if you run into trouble.

Dan

P.S. You can use the same NAV card to update the PFD and MFD and remove it when you are done. When it comes time, the other databases load on the lower two cards. They are each identical (contain all of the other files) and must stay inserted in the G1000.

I use 2 sets (each with 3 SD cards... NAV, PFD, MFD)... one set is in the plane, and the other set gets the online updates at flygarmin.com. This is the process I use for updating the G1000 via the SD cards:

1. All power off
2. Remove lower cards and replace with updated Garmin PFD and MFD cards in their respective slots
3. Remove MFD top card
4. Put a single updated NAV card in the top PFD slot
5. Master "On"
6. You will get a prompt to update the database. Press the button below "Yes"
7. When finished, power off
8. Remove NAV card from top PFD slot and move to top MFD slot
9. Master "On"
10. Same prompt to update database, but on the MFD this time. Select "Yes"
11. Once complete, verify that the databases are up to date on the MFD splash screen
12. The cards stay where you have placed them (1 in the PFD lower, and 2 in the MFD)

The top MFD slot will record flight data on that NAV card that you can take home and analyze, plug into maps, have Savvy analyze if you see any hiccups, etc.

I take the cards that have been removed home and refresh them with the next database when available.

Thank you all for the instructions! Much appreciated.

Steve

OK so it looks like something didn't work quite right. I noticed when looking at the files on the old SD cards that there are a lot of files so when I install a new card all that is on it is the new Nav file (upper card) or Misc. Data Files (lower card). I tried copying everything over to a new card and that worked fine on the Nav (upper) but the lower needs more than the 2gb cards I am using. Can I use 4gb HC? I can't tell if the old cards are HC but anything over 2gb are HC so not sure what to buy. Also am I right in needing the other files that are on the old cards copied to the new cards and then download the new updates?

Steve,
Attached is a list of the files you need and on which of the SD cards (Nav, PFD, MFD) they go:
https://goo.gl/photos/r1Pq7shHKra5jxjZ8

If you're starting with blank SD cards you'll need to go to flygarmin.com and make sure you select all the noted files. As you then later update the cards, you're likely to not need to re-install the Basemap and Terrain files.

Hope this helps,
Wayne

OK Wayne. Thank you! Can I use the 4gb SDHC cards? The 2gb isn't large enough to hold all the data on the lower cards. I remember reading somewhere that 4gb was maximum but I can't recall if there was some problem using HC.