The Avidyne updater is a self powered ZipDrive. You get a CD from Jeppesen
and you load the update onto the ZipDrive, then take it to the aircraft and
plug it into a usb port in the front of the Avidyne (at least that's the way
it works on the Flightmax EX500)
Garmin uses a proprietary Data Card that you update from a PC Card slot on a
computer.
the Jepp update is downloaded via the internet using Jepps DataWriter
software and hardware. Then just take the data card to the aircraft and
plug it in.

--
Mark Manes
WC5I
T310Q N28409


"Jim Caldwell" wrote in message
...
Jerry, as for updating the FLightmax avionics, is that "reader" or
uploader a portable device that you plug into an ARINC connector, or is it
an integral part of the avionics? I presume the Garmin also uses a
similar
CDROM uploader? How long does updating the Garmin usually take?
"JerryK" wrote in message
...

"Jim Caldwell" wrote in message
...
OK...the GPS database is separate from the FlightMax database. But
isn't
there a GPS unit that is an integral part of the FlightMax system? I
mean,
you don't but a Garmin to use with FlightMax, do you?
If it is an integral Avidyne GPS interfaced to FLightMax, then what
about
updating *it*? I suppose it also has a CD-ROM uploader (but a
different
one?)...and does it update as fast?


Unless the 850 is quite a bit different than my 650, the 850 derives all
of
its position information from an external source via ARINC 429 or RS232
interface. In my case the external source is a Garmin GNS 430. Without
the
Garmin, the 650 is a nice radar display, but not a lot more.

As far as updates go, the 650 has it's own database and must be updated
separately from the GPS update. There is a separate subscription for
the
Avidyne unit. The updates come in the form of a CD. To update you
simply
load the CD in the reader and start the Avidyne. The 650 will detect
the
CD
and ask you to confirm the update. It takes anywhere from 1 to 10
minutes
to update the database and maps.

jerry






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