Dynon SkyView ChartData

[CRW]

I have been using 16 gb memory sticks for the Seattle Avionics ChartData for a few years. The latest down load will not fit on the 16 gb sticks. Has anyone experienced this or am I having some other problem? I am using the same computer with Windows 10 and the same memory sticks as in the past. I re-formatted the sticks and prepared them for the SkyView data but that did not correct the issue.
I tried 32 gb sticks and the data loaded with no problems.
Possibly the chart data has increased in size.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I have been using 16 gb memory sticks for the Seattle Avionics ChartData for a few years. The latest down load will not fit on the 16 gb sticks. Has anyone experienced this or am I having some other problem? I am using the same computer with Windows 10 and the same memory sticks as in the past. I re-formatted the sticks and prepared them for the SkyView data but that did not correct the issue.
I tried 32 gb sticks and the data loaded with no problems.
Possibly the chart data has increased in size.

Which areas have you selected for download?

 

[CRW]

I have always downloaded the complete database. Of course I don’t use all of the data but it only takes a few minutes more for the download.
Prior to this cycle everything would fit onto a 16 gb stick.
I believe that Dynon recommends a 16 gb stick.
It appears that something has changed. If so, I believe that the recommendation should be a 32 gb stick.
I don’t think that there is much of a price differential between the 16 gb memory stick and the 32 gb stick so no big deal.
if you don’t download the complete database then 16 gb is sufficient. I will certainly never use the IFR HI charts in my airplane so not downloading those charts would allow the use of the 16 gb stick.

 

[airguy]

As the popular GPS approaches continue to be added, much faster than ILS or VOR approaches are removed, the total amount of data will rise due to more approaches being available. I can't imagine the file size on the VFR/IFR sectionals themselves has changed much, but approach plates are definitely increasing in number.

 

[owenssonex]

CRW- I'm impressed "I don’t use all of the data but it only takes a few minutes more for the download." Are you referring to the PC download or the transfer to the USB? My USB update process is roughly 90 minutes with only three states of VFR only information- very painful. I thought it was my old computer but others have experienced the same thing with the clunky seatle avionics chart update management software.

Jim

 

[CRW]

CRW- I'm impressed "I don’t use all of the data but it only takes a few minutes more for the download." Are you referring to the PC download or the transfer to the USB? My USB update process is roughly 90 minutes with only three states of VFR only information- very painful. I thought it was my old computer but others have experienced the same thing with the clunky seatle avionics chart update management software.

Jim

It does take a while to download and I have had some problems (mostly in the past) which have been irritating. I believe that the download process could be improved by Seattle Avionics but I don't seem to have as much problem as some people. I have not lately timed the process but I am thinking that to download the complete database onto the memory sticks (I have 2 SkyViews and have to have a memory stick with the data for each SkyView) takes about 1 hour. I have been doing that for years and have gotten used to the long download. I just get it started and go and do other things, come back and with a little luck the download has completed. However, when the 16 gb sticks filled up before the download finished, I had to do another download. Not fun but since everything worked the second go around I can't complain too much. I would think that if I downloaded less data it would take less time but I have always downloaded the complete database.
I have certainly had to work with other software that was much worse (and a lot that is better) but as I said above, I think that the Seattle Avionics downloader could be improved and I read where some people have experienced some undesirable issues with the download. Thankfully I have not had too many issues and I am hopeful that that trend continues.

 

[HFMan]

I found one way to streamline the Seattle chart data update. I use ImDisk to create a virtual USB disk. I then use the ChartData manager to update this disk- takes only a couple minutes. I then copy the contents of this virtual disk over to my actual USB drives which takes about 20 minutes each. Before, directly updating my USB drives would take over an hour apiece.

 

[kellym]

I have always downloaded the complete database. Of course I don’t use all of the data but it only takes a few minutes more for the download.
Prior to this cycle everything would fit onto a 16 gb stick.
I believe that Dynon recommends a 16 gb stick.
It appears that something has changed. If so, I believe that the recommendation should be a 32 gb stick.
I don’t think that there is much of a price differential between the 16 gb memory stick and the 32 gb stick so no big deal.
if you don’t download the complete database then 16 gb is sufficient. I will certainly never use the IFR HI charts in my airplane so not downloading those charts would allow the use of the 16 gb stick.

Unless you routinely fly in the flight levels, the HI charts are a waste of space. Also, why the entire available files?.....Canadian and Mexican charts take a fair amount of space. Eliminating the states that you are unlikely to fly to will save a lot of space. I have 24 states selected, which is basically the western half plus WI for OSH. My total Chart Data directory is 9 GB. If I plan a trip outside what I have, can easily add those states. You always get all airport diagrams and approach charts, so it is only sectionals and IFR LO that you are slimming down.

 

[airguy]

Unless you routinely fly in the flight levels, the HI charts are a waste of space. Also, why the entire available files?.....Canadian and Mexican charts take a fair amount of space. Eliminating the states that you are unlikely to fly to will save a lot of space. I have 24 states selected, which is basically the western half plus WI for OSH. My total Chart Data directory is 9 GB. If I plan a trip outside what I have, can easily add those states. You always get all airport diagrams and approach charts, so it is only sectionals and IFR LO that you are slimming down.

If you only fly in your local area on a regular basis, that works. Some folks, myself included, may jump up on short notice and make an 1700nm cross-country just for grins to go share a beer with somebody you haven't seen in a while.. I know, because I'm doing exactly that in 2 days. My airplane is hangared 15 miles from my house and it's not practical to keep changing USB sticks every time a new plan hatches - it's much easier to buy the larger sticks and keep them stocked with everything.