Vectors to Final vs Activate Approach - One Big Difference for LPV Approaches - Garmin GTN / GTNxi

I recently started flying again after many years. RNAV approaches have totally revolutionized IFR flight to small airports, but they have their nuances as does the equipment required to fly them.

This video demonstrates a key difference in vertical guidance availability between Vectors to Final mode and loading the full approach with an initial fix. My Instrument Proficiency Check instructor highlighted this difference using this RNAV 18 approach to 5R4 Foley, Alabama.

My personal airplane is a 1959 Piper Comanche with Garmin GTN 650. I use the GTNxi 750 simluator and A2A Comanche in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 for this video, but the basic concepts are the same across the GTN / GTNxi series.

0:00 Full Approach Mode
4:00 Approach Plate Review
6:46 Vector to Final Mode