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Garmin 400/500 Series Software Updates
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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas
ContinuousWave: Small Boat Electrical
Garmin 400/500 Series Software Updates
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| Author | Topic: Garmin 400/500 Series Software Updates |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-04-2007 03:02 PM ET (US)  
If you have any of these units make sure you go to the Garmin Web Site and download the latest software updates to an SD card and then install them on your unit. There are some major fixes embedded in these units. I can't stress how important this is! These updates were overnighted to some of the major retailers that sell these units so you might be able to get them from your local vendor. The following updates are available. 2.10 2.20 2.30 Follow the directions for transfering these changes from your computer to your SD card. Thanks ...... Tom |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-04-2007 03:15 PM ET (US)
Here are what the changes fix. The 3rd one from 2.20 to 2.30 is the most important one. http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/249784/332634/ 16376316/file.jpg http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/249784/332634/ 16376318/file.jpg http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/249784/332634/ 16376317/file.jpg Tom |
| Chuck Tribolet |
posted 05-04-2007 06:18 PM ET (US)
You can download Garmin fixes (and a text description of what they fix) at http://www8.garmin.com/support/blosp.jsp . Like essentially all of Garmin's fixes, they are cumulative,
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| ConB |
posted 05-04-2007 07:35 PM ET (US)
Will my wife's Palm and the SD card in it work to do the updates? Con |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-04-2007 09:37 PM ET (US)
Not sure ... try it. Tom |
| jimh |
posted 05-05-2007 01:29 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the notice of these updates. I am sure many GARMIN users will be interested in them. |
| blackdog54 |
posted 05-07-2007 10:22 AM ET (US)
This was the question I had for my dealer when the charts on the 498 came pre-loaded, I do not have a card. Any recommendations? |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-07-2007 11:07 AM ET (US)
You'll have to buy one of Garmin memory sticks plus their usb card reader to update your unit. Bottomline. |
| Crabby Mike |
posted 05-08-2007 09:18 AM ET (US)
On the Garmin site you may register to be notified of updates for your particular unit and maps used. Garmin has stream lined the download procedure so that it is seamless. The notifications include what changes were made to the program so that you may intelligently decide if the download is necessary. Many of the units have a USB port so that unit updates can be downloaded to your computer then transferred to your GPS. As an aside Garmin’s tech support cannot be beat, they have always answered my e-mail questions within a day and have replaced out of warranty items at no charge as a warranted item. Mike |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-19-2007 10:44 AM ET (US)
Ok, I consider my self to be somewhat computer literate, but tell me specifically what I need to do. I have a new GPSMAP 478 that I use both in the car and the boat (fantastic unit) and a 545s with transducer in the 18' Outrage. How do I make sure both of these are up to date with software (both have coastal charts)? Do the cables etc. that came with them hook up to the USB for easy data exchange? Do I take a laptop with wireless connection out to the boat, which can power up the 545s to do the data upgrade? Second, I would like to get the lakes charts into both of the above units. Can this be done, and if so how? I've read the manuals dozens of times, talked with the retailer (local) I purchased them from, read the Garmin website (no FAQs for either units) and still are a bit confused (surprise, surprise). Thanks in advance. Bob |
| Old Cypress |
posted 05-19-2007 06:09 PM ET (US)
Bob, I am not sure about the 478. But I just updated my 545s. It is really simple. First purchase a SD card that is one of those little memory cards that most people use for their digital cameras. They come in all different sizes and shapes. Purchase a SD one. Second go to Garmins website their is a link in one of the posts above and download the update onto your computer. It doesn't matter where you save it, I saved the update on my desktop. Third double click on the update and it will ask you where to dump the file specify the SD card. (I am assuming that you have a slot for the card on your computer, if you don't then you will have to find someone that has a slot for the card on their computer) Fourth after the software is put on the SD card, go outside and put the card in your GPS and then turn on the GPS it will ask you if you want to update the software. It takes about 30 sec and you are done. Lake charts I am looking to purchase those on a SD card as well I haven't done that yet. It will cost you about $89-100 depending on where you buy the card. Again you have to get the charts on a SD card not a MINI SD card. Hope this helps. And yes, I agree Garmin's Instructions are somewhat lacking. |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-19-2007 11:45 PM ET (US)
Old Cypress - thank you very much - I'm more concerned with the 545s so I'll do that one first. Thanks again...Bob |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-20-2007 09:10 PM ET (US)
Only me...I get the SD card (256MB) with the reader. I go to the website, select updates for the 545/545s. I double click on the desktop, it dumps it to the SD card perfectly. I go out to the boat, power up the unit, accept the warning that you're on your own navigating with a Garmin product, then when it stops loading it's normal stuff, I pop the SD card in. It jumps to a screen that says something to the effect of "do you want to update?" I select yes. It starts it's stuff, has a percentage counter, goes 1%, 2%, 3%...up to 17%, then a black screen comes on saying Garmin, then Loading Software - with no counter. This went on for an hour - nothing. No ability to do anything with any keys on the unit. I double checked your post and you said it took 30 seconds. I powered down the unit. It powered up in the 2.10 software version (pretty sure the update was to take it to 2.30). I tried it again, and exactly same thing - up to 17%, then locked up. Any ideas? I'll check here tomorrow, then contact Garmin. Bob |
| Old Cypress |
posted 05-20-2007 09:15 PM ET (US)
I didn't have that problem. Did you save the file to your desktop and then open it up? At this point it should ask you where to dumpt the garmin file. The only thing I can think of would be to download the file from Garmin again onto your desktop and try again. It didn't take mine long at all I was actually surprised at how quick it did. I would be glad to discuss over the phone if you want. Send me you phone # using my email and I will give you call if you want. Sorry all of that happend. Computers you gotta love them :) |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-20-2007 09:17 PM ET (US)
Try this .... put the card in before you turn the unit on. as the unit boots it will format the card fo that 545. Take it out then go to the Garmin site and download the patch again. After that place the SD card in your 545 and try it again. If that doesn't work there is a possibility you'll have to return the unit for exchange. Tom |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-21-2007 01:05 PM ET (US)
I'll try the trick of putting it in, turning on, then copying to the SD card. Thanks. By the way, the GPSMAP478 that I have has the ability to use the Garmin Web-updater where you plug it in via USB port, then let Garmin's website do it's thing - that was awesome! Bob |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-21-2007 11:24 PM ET (US)
I'm beginning to think I need to get a large hammer. I get a new, fresh SD card, nothing ever on it. I put it in the machine and turn it on. Nothing happens. I take it out, put it in the PC reader/writer slot and put the download onto it. I then bring it back to the boat and put it in (unit still on). It asks me if I want to update, I select yes. It goes to an update screen, starts with percentage of completion in a bar along the bottom. Between 1% and 17% it says scanning for marine devices. On 18% it says scanning data, then the screen goes black and the words Garmin, then loading software comes on and that's it - locks up. I'll get on the horn with Garmin tomorrow. If it doesn't work out ASAP, I'll be looking for a delicate device, one with a handle and a 2 to 3 lb weight on the end to swing at the damn thing with... Bob |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-22-2007 07:27 AM ET (US)
Your probably going to have to return the unit. I had the same thing happen to my first one (returned it to the seller who replaced it on the spot). Garmin will have you do a master reset of the unit first by depressing the power and home keys simulataneously after you initially turn the unit on. They're is a glitch in their original software 2.0 version that causes this. It doesn't happen with all the units for some reason. The software patches take of it of th issue (specifically version 2.3). It is nothing to worry about ... it is a known issue with all the initial 400/500 series that is related to software 2.0 version. Tom |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-22-2007 07:31 AM ET (US)
I know for a fact the Garmin sent field reps to most of the dealers that sell these so they could update the existing units with the 2.3 software version before the units were sold. This took place in conjunction with the release of patch 2.3. Mine has been solid since I made the updates that was 2.5 weeks ago. Tom |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-22-2007 09:59 AM ET (US)
Mornin' - just called Garmin and that's exactly what they said - not to send back right now, but to do a master reset, then put the card in, turn it back on, then pull out, pop back in and let it do it's thing - should work. I'll try that tonight and report back...Bob |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 05-23-2007 01:10 PM ET (US)
Master reset didn't help. Spoke w/Garmin Tech Support. We'll be sending this one back to Kansas and exchanging for a new one, hopefully with all the current updates. They believe our unit is one of the several thousand original ones that they may have messed up on. They said they were trying to fix 500 a day before they shipped, but may have missed this one. Too bad - will probably be fine in the end. I'll do a follow-up post when it's fixed in case anyone is considering one of these and how Garmin handles the problem with the unit I've got. Bob |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 05-23-2007 01:12 PM ET (US)
I figured you had a bad unit. Garmin will make it right. Keep the faith .... Tom |
| Ranjr13 |
posted 06-04-2007 05:52 PM ET (US)
New unit came last Friday - came with the 2.30 version software (most up to date) - hard to tell anything else different about the unit - Garmin came through quickly - hope to put some hours on it this upcoming weekend and get more comfortable with it. Bob |
| blackdog54 |
posted 06-04-2007 11:39 PM ET (US)
Does this affect the 498? Mine has no cards, came pre-loaded with coastal USA. I have heard of people having problems with updates on the ones that came pre-loaded. BWP do you know anything about this? How can I determine what software version I have? Thanks. |
| bluewaterpirate |
posted 06-05-2007 07:47 AM ET (US)
Blackdog ..... Here was what you will need to make the necessary updates to your Garmin 498. Remember, for update purposes the Garmin 492/498 are the same unit for update purposes. When you go to the Garmin Update site you will find your updates listed under the Garmin 492. I have never had any issues making updates to these units. Here's what you will need to make these updates as well as the initial associated out of pocket costs. These updates are very important to the end user because this is the vehicle Garmin uses to make corrections and add capabilities to their existing product lines. What you will need: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/detail.asp?product_id=GI1159&p=Garmin+ USB+Data+Card+Programmer http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Garmin+Blank+32MB+Memory+Cartridge.html Garmin Web Site for updates, current updates for your 498, and procedures for making those updates: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsDetails.jsp?id=1403& product=010-00503-00&cID=148&pID=369 http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/249784/332634/ 18426655/file.jpg http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/249784/332634/ 18426656/file.jpg This should lay aout all the particulars in regards to your Garmin 498. TOm |
| blackdog54 |
posted 06-09-2007 11:00 AM ET (US)
BWP- how do I determine which version I have now? |
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