Since I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this question I decided to post it here, since P3D is the simulator that I use. Please move if not allowed here.

 

I’ve read some threads online that ask the same thing but I still fail to understand the differences between the two.

From my research it would appear that these two products offer very much the same features (like charts and moving maps). Main difference seems to be that Navigraph offers monthly updates.

I see that some people have both, but isn’t that overkill?

In my case I don’t really care about updated charts or AIRAC cycles, so I think EFBv2 would be the better choice for me? Also no subscription with that one.

If someone could please enlighten me on this, I thank you greatly in advance.

I have Navgraph subscription, I have tried EFBv2  (demo), I found it really nice. However, IMHO I found it a bit overkill to maintain all these applications and I can do the same with a free application called LittleNavMap and Navgraph. The best, try it out and see if you want to stick with it 

I have had EFB from v1 and am now running v2. If you fly IFR it is advisable to have a Navigraph FMS data subscription to ensure SIDS, STARs and navigation data is kept current. The annual price is not unreasonable around 30 Euros.

EFB reads your own scenery BGLs and generates airport data from them. I have never felt the need to subscribe to Charts and the recent attempt by Navigraph to move all FMS users to the Charts subscription was quickly reversed after significant customer backlash.

Ideal combo for me is EFB v2 and Navigraph FMS Data.

Thank you Ray for the explanation.

So a casual simmer like me (who doesn't really care about up-to-date data) is better off with EFB v2? 

Navigraph Charts looks, like you said, more interesting for people who like to have their navigation data current.

@simtom, if you're a casual flyer I would try Little Navmap that omarsmak30 recommended. If you feel it's not for you it's cost nothing. Or you could try a 30-day free trial of EFB.

However, Little Navmap still uses navigation data so a Navigraph subscription is still recommended. If you opt for one then it's the same cost for EFB as LNM.

You haven't said if you fly IFR or VFR. That is important.

I tried both but I was a bit overwhelmed by the interface of LNM 🙂 I really liked EFB though, easy to change your SID or STAR and clean interface overall.

I fly 95% IFR.

Assuming you fly something like a PMDG737 then I would recommend EFB and a Navigraph subscription since the PMDG CDU data also needs keeping current.

If you fly an other IFR aircraft with no FMS that changes things. Hard to say without more info.

Yep, most of the time I fly PMDG birds. Any reason why they need to be kept current? I'm using cycle 1802 for every program that I use (Active Sky, PMDG, SimBrief, ...) and so far I haven't run into compatibility issues.

If you buy EFB be aware the ILS frequencies are those current in the real world. If you don't keep your FMS data up to date you will hit problems when EFB STAR shows you the ILS frequency as 111.50 but your outdated data shows a different frequency.

If you're going to buy EFB then I really would recommend you subscribe to FMS data. The cost over a year is minimal compared to the cost of the PMDG aircraft and EFB.

I see, well thanks for helping me out Ray!

And the Charts options is for those who prefer to stay with Navigraph? Excluding the subscription cost, are there any benefits of using that program or is it just personal preference?

The Charts are aimed more at VFR pilots I would say. More info needed for that type of flying than IFR. But near in mind both sets of data come from Navigraph. They have a monopoly and the service is very good.

55 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Ideal combo for me is EFB v2 and Navigraph FMS Data.

Ditto

38 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

If you buy EFB be aware the ILS frequencies are those current in the real world.

I've been looking into EFB myself, but this statement is confusing, because it would mean that the navdata is out of sync with P3D's navdata, which is stone age old. Which airac cycle does EFB contain?

31 minutes ago, Ricardo41 said:

Which airac cycle does EFB contain?

Very much depends if you have a current Navigraph subscription for FMS Data and logically, then have the latest Airac Cycle from where EFB gets its Airac Cycle too, bearing out precisely what Ray has stated

36 minutes ago, Ricardo41 said:

I've been looking into EFB myself, but this statement is confusing, because it would mean that the navdata is out of sync with P3D's navdata, which is stone age old. Which airac cycle does EFB contain?

I’ll give you an example. LIPZ 04R in EFB showed one frequency but when I tuned the PMDG737 Nav 1 to that frequency it didn’t activate. The real world frequency had recently changed but the old one was still in the AFD for Venice. I had to swap the AFD to update it. Discussion here https://forum.aivlasoft.com/topic/3954-lipz-and-ils-question/

EFB uses whatever AIRAC cycle you give it but it reads ILS frequencies from the AIRAC data, not your BGLs.

UPDATE: the ILS activated but wasn’t shown in EFB because of the frequencies being different.

Edited January 11, 20206 yr by Ray Proudfoot
Correction