USB flash drive sizes

[skyboy999]

I note the download page now shows a warning
SkyView displays work with USB flash drives containing a maximum of 32GB memory. Higher capacity drives can not be properly formatted in the required FAT32 file system.
I've been using 64Gb drives without any problem but I'm still running 16.0.2. Is this something that is only an issue with later releases and will I need to change?

 

[n172lb]

Yes, I am using 64GB formatted with FAT 32 with not a problem - in two different airplanes with HDX systems

 

[skyboy999]

Indeed, but have you upgraded to 16.0.8?

 

[Rhino]

This is a misnomer. Windows went away from FAT32 years ago, partly because it doesn't support file sizes over 4GB. They dropped the FAT32 formatting tool from Windows when that happened (the tool had been limited to 32GB up to that point). Then the myth was widely propagated that FAT32 was limited to 32GB. But FAT32 doesn't actually have that size limitation. The theoretical limit is 16TB, though it usually will only work up to 8TB. People format FAT32 drives to over 32GB all the time, and there's no true reason why you couldn't do this with Skyview. Just be aware that Skyview has a history of being picky about what kind of USB drive you use (not size). I've even seen anecdotal reports that one type of drive that works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for the next. I suspect that was more likely two different model drives from the same manufacturer rather than identical drives though. So keep in mind that you may get errors on a larger formatted drive that actually have nothing to do with the size it's formatted to. And you may need to download a separate utility to format FAT32 over 32GB.

 

[CanardMulti]

As mentioned in another thread, I've been using compact USB 3.0 Samsung 128 GB drives with good results. I formatted them FAT 32 using a free 3rd party utility, MiniTool Partition Wizard Free. I've not upgraded to 16.anything yet.

Still waiting for "Version 16.2 is due to release in the weeks after AirVenture for SkyView HDX, SkyView Classic, and SkyView Touch" as announced in the Dynon Preflight Brief news on 22 July. Notice they didn't say how many weeks. Or months. Or years.

Ken

 

[kellym]

Just be aware that Skyview has a history of being picky about what kind of USB drive you use (not size). I've even seen anecdotal reports that one type of drive that works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for the next. I suspect that was more likely two different model drives from the same manufacturer rather than identical drives though. So keep in mind that you may get errors on a larger formatted drive that actually have nothing to do with the size it's formatted to. And you may need to download a separate utility to format FAT32 over 32GB.

I have reported that identical SanDisk ultrafit 32GB drives work with certain Skyview systems, whether HDX or Classic, and not with others. I in fact exchanged one of my ultra fit drives with a friend, because his just purchased drive did not work in either his HDX in one plane or Classic in another. My drive worked in both of his planes, and his drive worked fine in my Classic system, so we just swapped. Only difference I know of is manufacturing date. We both are upgraded to the latest version 16.

 

[wout12]

The smaller older drives seem to do better. I use an older 8G. Once i found which one works I dedicated it to my plane.

 

[Merlinspop]

My installer recommends the Sandisk 16gb.. I presume the Cruzer Fit. Has anyone had trouble with this model in an HDX? Is the capacity adequate?

 

[PilotMelch]

I have good results with SanDisk Ultra 32GB thumb drives, provided they are not knock-offs (there are counterfeits out there, even on Amazon, so be sure it is actually SanDisk). I have several sets and use them in several Skyviews with no issues. A full set of SA data (everything) takes up about 16GB now, so really a 32GB thumb drive is a good idea. Any more is arguably too much. I also use them to transfer the Dynon software and database updates.

 

[Merlinspop]

Thanks. Picking up some next.