Seattle Avionics, Airmate, or Nothing?

[jnmeade]

I have dual DT1000 and a Garmin GT625. I typically do not use a tablet or pad, just the SkyView. I don't carry VFR charts or IFR LO charts.
I'm due to renew my Seattle Avionics subscription and have been unhappy with their download manager. I'm trying to decide if I should stay with Seattle, transfer to Airmate, or go without?
I subscribe to the Garmin database and keep it current. I'm set up for IFR but haven't been flying IFR lately and am not sure if I will in the future, but plan to continue the Garmin subscription.
I guess my question boils down to:
1. Can the Garmin database do the same thing on my SkyView display as the Seattle or Airmate?
2. What am I missing on the SkyView display if I go with the Dynon and Garmin downloads and not the Seattle or Animate?
Thanks for any info.

 

[Marc_J._Zeitlin]

1. Can the Garmin database do the same thing on my SkyView display as the Seattle or Airmate?

No. All the Garmin can do is feed the HSI/CDI and flight plan (and approaches, etc.). But it gives no map information to the Skyview, either VFR or IFR.

2. What am I missing on the SkyView display if I go with the Dynon and Garmin downloads and not the Seattle or Animate?

You can't display Sectionals, IFR Low/High charts, or approach plates on the Dynon.

You have to be able to display approach plates somewhere (digital or paper) in order to legally fly approaches - since you can't display approaches on the 625, you'll need either paper charts or Foreflight (or the equivalent) with the appropriate plates (unless the 625 can display Chartview or Flightchart plates - pretty small display for approach plates, though, even if it can...).

As problematic as the SA download manager is, if you want to fly IFR approaches, you're going to need charts from somewhere. IF you only fly VFR, then you don't need SA.

 

[jnmeade]

Thanks, Marc, you answered my question completely.