The programmer worked great for loading a Garmin database on a GNS 530 card. You need to download USB drivers from Garmin, but device was recogni,ed and worked fine. It is a little spendy, but as far as I know, it is literally the only tool that works with the Garmin cards.

Dale H Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Product is as described. Well packaged and works well.

Tony B Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Absolutely satisfied with this product. Allows me to easily update my NAV/Terrain and Comms information on my Garmin 430W!

Timothy M Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

works as advertised. shipped quickly. Very pleased.

Brent W Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

You get used to computer hardware being plug and play - this isnt, you have to go to the Garmin website and download the drivers before it will work. Unfortunately the Garmin instructions for downloading database updates didnt tell me that. Once I got the drivers everything worked fine.

Keith M Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Unit worked as advertised, prompt shipping. Great experience

Eric K Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Works as advertised.

Benjamin G Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Received card programmer and plugged it straight a way into my iMac. Worked as advertised. Also works fine on my new Mac Book Pro, I just needed to purchase a mini USB-C to USB connector from the local computer department.

Kurt D Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Works perfectly

David R Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

delivered as promised, worked perfect according to Garmin specifications

Peter D Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Awesome.

Worked as expected, right out of the box, on my Mac (works in either Apple or PC systems). I received the shipment very quickly via USPS. Great service!

Worked perfectly. Quick delivery. All is good.

worked great

If youre a first-timer to updating the two database cards in the Garmin 430, this is the cable youll need for updates through the Garmin web sites. This will update the terrain/obstacle card as well as the nav card, even if the card has Jeppesen on the label. Its a little tedious the first time you set everything up for an update, then its a walk through the park after that. Theres a different adapter altogether youll need if youre not using the Garmin web site to update your 430 (and presumably 530 as well). Oh, theres one trick that Garmin customer support told me if the computer doesnt see the second card when it tells you to remove the first card and insert the second--just unplug the USB end of the Garmin cable from your computer and stick it right back in. It sees the Nav card right away after that. If I can paraphrase Anchorman, Garmin said that 90% of the time that works every time.

The device was in stock at the Wasilla store so it was easy and convenient to get. I was able to download the obstacle data to the card easily. It worked as advertised.

Did just what I need it to do. My Garmin 430W in completely updated.

Just what is needed to download and update your Garmin panel mount devices with Garmin databases.

Great service! The ease of ordering and receiving the Garmin USB Data Card went flawlessly.

Worked perfectly to update GNS430W Obstruction Data

I load both data cards from a Garmin 430W and 530W with this loader. It works with data (Nav, Terrain, and Obstacles) from the Garmin site. If your subscription is from Jeppeson, you may need the other loader.

Shipped and arrived on time. Worked to update data card first time. Will hope it lasts a long time.

Worked fine and now I am saving money over the Jeppessen subscription.

Worked great after I figured out the garmin Web site procedures.

Worked as planned. Fast shipping.

Its working. Cant say much more than that for a $70 card reader.

Works as advertised to update GNS 430/530 data cards directly from Garmin via a Windows OS. Garmin is less expensive than obtaining the updates from Jeppesen.

Very easy to use!

now that Garmin offers nav database updates for the GNS 430W at a lower price than jeppesen, I orders this to use the Garmin updates. I like this unit better than the Jeppesen unit. Installation was easy and quality seems good. I only wish it also worked on a MAC. I will say the Garmin update software is a bit more of a pain to use than the Jeppesen software.

Worked as described for updating my 530W & 430W

It worked well once I was able to get in touch with a representative from Garmin. My computer didnt recognize the device, or search for a driver. It should work now that Garmin hooked me up with the appropriate driver.

Earl P Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

I will begin by telling all that my personal experience and some research at Garmin require that successful updating with the Garmin USB Aviation Data Card programmer can ONLY be accomplished with a 32-bit computer. That said, I like the Programmer. It is faster than the Skybound II programmer and Garmin updating services are almost half the price. With the proper computer, updating has two steps--download and write. Gone is the verify. After my first update I inserted the card into my GNS Series unit and I can not find any difference from the other service. I believe that $69 is a very reasonable price for a programmer. I gave this 4-stars only because it took so long for me to realize that the 32-bit computer limitation is the reason that I spent so much time getting to that end.

Does its job, little overpriced, also requires several software downloads

Kalan B Verified Purchase

Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer

Works.. highly priced for what it is. Rating based on price..

Works great as long as it works. Got mine in Feb. 2019. Used it about 6 or 7 times, kept it in a drawer by itself so it didnt get damaged. The female port where the cord goes into the device broke under virtually no pressure in September 2020, so 1.5 years after receipt and used gently a handful of times. Garmin wouldnt replace it, had to buy a new one. Just $70 bucks, right? But if Garmin doesnt stand behind a $70 device, should I spend thousands or tens of thousands to put Garmin products in my airplane?

Yes, it does what it is supposed to do. HOWEVER, BE WARNED. Unplug the cable from the reader the minute you are done, don’t toss the reader with the cable plugged in the reader into your bag. The micro usb socket inside the reader will break free and ruin your $70 reader with no choice but to buy a new one. Happened to me after about a year.

Will not work with a Garmin G-175. Took a while to get this answered as to what I needed to update my new G-175. It was way too simple for Garmin to just say Go to Wally World and buy an 8 dollar SD card loader. Instead the standard reply from Garmin was I dont do the updates or do that stuff much, so not sure what you need. The one star is for Garmin, not for the product as I could not use it, so may work great.

Count me not impressed - Poorly designed and not robust. We have purchased 2 Data Card programmers. First one was used once. As a previous reviewer described, we left the cord attached afterward which caused the charging port to separate just inside the housing. This seems like a weakness in the design, but we accepted that mistake. Because it was broken, we then purchased a second one. On first use, it would not recognize the connection to the charging computer. We had to wiggle the cord to get a proper connection. For $70 , its not a well designed or well made product.