How to Update a Garmin GPS

Nolan Browning/Digital Trends

If you’re sick at yelling at Siri or pulling over to search for an address, an onboard GPS unit is wildly useful. Simply say where you want to go, and — boom — you’re well on your way. However, your Garmin device needs to have a current list of all mapped roads and highways in order to be effective. We’ve all heard of a scenario where your GPS starts taking you down a dark road that twists and turns until you find yourself at a dead end.

Streets and routes change constantly, and if you don’t keep your GPS current, you’re bound to be that person sitting in the middle of nowhere cursing at your dashboard. Fortunately, keeping your GPS unit updated is easy, especially with Garmin’s Express software, which essentially reduces it to plugging the device into your computer and letting the software work its magic. You can use Express whether you’ve got a Drive, DriveAssist, Zumo, Nuvi, or any other model in Garmin’s lineup. Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide on how to update a Garmin GPS.

Contents

• Step 1: Connect your device to your computer
• Step 2: Install Garmin Express
• Step 3: Access or purchase updates
• Step 4: Disconnect your device

Step 1: Connect your device to your computer

Before beginning the update, connect your Garmin GPS device to a computer. To do this, remove it from your car, truck, or motorcycle, and make sure the device is powered on. Using a mini USB cable, hook the GPS to your laptop and wait while the progress bar scrolls. If you’ve connected the device before, prompts should begin automatically. If it’s your first time, you might need to manually sign in to your Garmin account before starting.

Step 2: Install Garmin Express

Next, you’ll need to make sure Garmin Express is installed on your computer by navigating to the Garmin Express download page and selecting either Download for Windows or Download for Mac. Once the appropriate file downloads, click the install button and follow the on-screen prompts. As mentioned above, Garmin Express works with all GPS units, including Drive, DriveSafe, Nuvi, and Zumo.

Step 3: Access or purchase updates

Now it’s time to install your updates. If Garmin Express hasn’t already opened on your computer after installing, select it, and make sure your internet connection is working properly. Click Add a Device and locate your GPS. The app will search for any available updates and offer you a list. Click Select All and keep your device connected while the updates install. Once complete, you’ll have all available apps that are either free or came standard with your device. If you didn’t purchase lifetime updates, you may need to purchase them at this time.

Nolan Browning/Digital Trends

Step 4: Disconnect your device

When you’ve finished installing the free updates (or purchased anything new), select Eject to safely disconnect your device and unplug the USB cable. Once unplugged, simply install your GPS back in your desired vehicle, and rest assured your directions will (hopefully) be accurate.

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Garmin Nuvi Update – GPS Update

Garmin is one of the international leaders of the GPS market. Since 1989, date of its creation in United States, Garmin provides innovative GPS technology to challenge customers. With 30 years of innovation and high requirement level, Garmin advocates the slogan « built to last ». Garmin GPS crosses ages and succeed in adapting its technology through demand and innovation expectations. Nowadays, Garmin offers products for automotive, marine, aviation, sports and outdoor activities. At the heart of the automotive GPS range, Garmin launched a new range called Garmin Nuvi. Garmin Nuvi is very famous and contains a lot of different products. If you’re here to update your Garmin Nuvi GPS, you’ll be pleased to know that every Garmin Nuvi of the range can be updated. Let’s see how to update your Garmin Nuvi now.

Update my Garmin GPS

Garmin Nuvi : most famous models

First, you might not know that Garmin provides a lot of Garmin Nuvi models. This table shows some of the most used Garmin Nuvi GPS :

Product	Price
garmin nuvi 57lm	168$
garmin nuvi 57lmt	180$
garmin nuvi 57	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 205	198,99$
garmin nuvi 255w	180$
garmin nuvi 350	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 1300	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 1350	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 1450	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 1490	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 2595lmt	Not sold anymore.
garmin nuvi 3597lmthd	Not sold anymore.

Garmin Nuvi was very appreciated by customers years ago. Today, most of Garmin Nuvi are not sold anymore because they have been replaced by a new range : Garmin Drive. This new range is composed by four different types of products : Drive, DriveSmart, DriveAssist, DriveLuxe. First of all, there is the classic Garmin Drive, used as a driver assistance. Then you find the Garmin DriveSmart for a connected drive. In the same range you have the Garmin DriveAssist. This GPS is equipped with a camera. Finally, Garmin provides a premium product called Garmin DriveLuxe.

About the Garmin Nuvi, even if it is not sold anymore, a lot of customers still use those products. That the reason why you will find here a simple and practical way to update Garmin Nuvi GPS.

Update your Garmin Nuvi

Why should you update your Garmin Nuvi ?

Using Garmin Nuvi enables you to drive with self-confidence. Moreover, Garmin Nuvi offers a premium GPS technology and is very helpful for drivers. Nevertheless, using a Garmin Nuvi with an old map not updated is useless. With highways perpetually in evolution, it is important to update your Garmin Nuvi map regularly to offer consistent itinerary. Use a GPS similar to reality avoid mistakes of itinerary and all the dangers linked to the road (stop, traffic light…). It’s a fact : roads, prohibited direction, stores and others are created every day. That’s why you should update your Garmin Nuvi maps.

How to update Garmin Nuvi GPS ?

In order to update easily your Garmin Nuvi, you can use Garmin Express, a software dedicated only to Garmin GPS updating. Using Garmin Express is really simple. Actually, you can download Garmin express on Windows and MAC through Garmin’s website.

Garmin Express software enables you to easily update your GPS but also to save and manage all GPS data. To summarize, you can download every maps you need and put it in your GPS memory through USB connexion. As a bonus, Garmin express sends you notifications to inform you of the most important updating to do.

Currently, there is an explanation of the use of Garmin Express and the right way to update your Garmin Nuvi without issues :

Step 1 : download and install Garmin Express on your computer

First, you need to download Garmin Express software on your computer. In order to download Garmin Express, go to Garmin’s website . Here you have to choose between windows or MAC download. Once the software downloaded, follow the instructions to finish the installation. As you know, Garmin Express can be use for Garmin Nuvi but also for Drive, DriveSafe and Zumo.

Step 2 : connect your GPS to your computer

Before updating your GPS, you have to connect your GPS to your computer. First, take your GPS out of your car, truck or motorbike. Then, with a USB cable, connect your GPS to your computer and wait during the loading. If it’s the first time you’re using Garmin Express to update your Garmin Nuvi, you might need to connect to your Garmin account manually. Otherwise, the connexion will be automatic.

Step 3 : access to the updating possibilities

This is time to install your updating maps. To download updating maps, insure yourself to have a high internet connexion. To start, add your device and locate your Garmin Nuvi GPS. Garmin Express software will research all of the updating possibilities available and you will see them on a list. Select all the updating propositions and let your Garmin Nuvi connected while updatings are loading. Once the download finished, you will have all the free apps and other updatings available. At this moment, you may need to buy updating maps licences. If you already have the map licence, you can install the maps you need on your computer. Garmin Express software downloads the updating maps on your device. Downloading can takes some time especially if your internet connexion is slow. In order to succeed in downloading the map, we recommend to use a SD or microSD card. Insure yourself to have enough memory to receive the Garmin Nuvi maps.

Step 4 : unplug your Garmin Nuvi GPS

Once the downloading completed, eject your Garmin Nuvi to unplug your device safely and unplug your USB cable. Finally, you just need to put your GPS back to your car and use it as much as you like. Enjoy !

Garmin Nuvi updating prices

To update your Garmin Nuvi, you have 3 prices options. You’re free to choose the option that corresponds the most to your needs and budget. There it is, the different options :

● nüMaps Guarantee : when you just bought your Garmin Nuvi, the map already available can be an old and not updated map. So, you can update Garmin Nuvi for free during the 90 days after your purchase. Garmin offers you this possibility to use the brand new map version for free. Take your chance !

● nüMaps Onetime : this option enables you to update a single time your Garmin Nuvi GPS. To do it, you will have to pay. Here you can choose the region of the world you want to purchase . As an example, the map of North America (49 states) costs around $59. In order to know if you have to buy a map, you can check on Garmin’s website if a new map version has been launched for your Garmin Nuvi.

● nüMaps Lifetime : is the most financially attractive option. It enables you to update 3 times a year your Garmin Nuvi during its whole life. You can drive free spirit totally and safely with all your maps always updated. This option costs around 100$.

Finally, update Garmin Nuvi is very simple and practical to drive safely. You have all the information necessary to update your device and how much you’ll need to pay. Choice is yours !

Update my Garmin GPS

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How to update beta firmware of Garmin Fenix ​​6, Fenix ​​5 watches

Sometimes, especially for new watch models, you don’t want to wait for the official release of new firmware.

Especially if you know that the new firmware has already fixed the problems that haunt your watch.

What to do in this case?

Let’s try to update the watch firmware by ourselves and install the latest beta software.

What is a beta version?

In a nutshell – this is not the final version, but almost ready-made software that is not yet released to the market, but invites users to try fixes or changes before the official release.

This term is used by software developers. Read a detailed description on Wikipedia.

First of all, I draw your attention to the fact that installing fresh firmware on the watch is an operation that you do at your own peril and risk!

If you are in doubt and are not familiar with the technical features of the watch and working with a PC, it is better to wait for a stable and official firmware version and update the watch automatically through the Garmin Express program installed on the PC.

And the manufacturer himself says: “Although this software is believed to be reliable, it has not yet been released for production and should be used at your own risk”.

Translating: “While this software is believed to be reliable, it has not yet been released to production and may be used at your own risk.”

Therefore, I do not recommend that children under 18 flash the watch themselves or do it under adult supervision 🙂

Well, if you are mentally mature and want to try new fixes before anyone else and become a potential beta tester, let’s get started.

Video: How to update the Garmin Fenix ​​6x watches (works for all models of the series 6)

Step -by -step instructions on how to make a clock of the Garmin Fenix ​​6x hours:

This method works similarly on other models of Fenix ​​watches as well as also Forerunner, Viuvoactive, Instince, Venu, MARQ, Quatix.

Step 1: Go to the official Garmin forum and select your watch model.

Step 2: Find a post about the new beta firmware, for example here – forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-6-series

For example here – www.garmin.com /support/download_details.jsp?id=11665

Step 3: Save the ZIP archive and follow the instructions for installing the firmware step by step.

Step 4: Connect the watch to the PC using a USB cable and copy the firmware files according to the instructions to the watch folder.

Step 5: If you did everything right, then turn off the watch and wait for the download and firmware update.

If you did everything right, you can check the firmware version in the menu Settings – System – About Device. You will see the new firmware number on the watch display.

Video: How to update the firmware of your Garmin Fenix ​​5 X watch

Step-by-step instructions on how to update the firmware of your Garmin Fenix ​​5X watch:

This method works similarly on other Fenix ​​watch models.

Step 1: Go to the beta release page and read the information.

For example here – http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=11665

If you find the problems that you fixed in your watch, it makes sense to change the firmware. If not – “don’t wake up famously while it’s quiet” – wait for the official firmware.

Step 2. Download the firmware archive from the link. The download link is in the document.

By the way, how to manually flash the Garmin Fenix ​​3 HR watch?

To do this, simply go to the Gamrin website and follow the instructions – for example, here is the link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=10270

All you need to do is follow the instructions at the bottom of the release. The only point is that each watch has its own installation features.

Let’s get back to installing the Garmin Fenix ​​5 X update.

Step 3. Read the installation instructions. A detailed explanation is usually found on the same page where the Beta release of the firmware itself is located.

Step 4. Connect the watch to the PC. Do not forget to first set the clock flash drive mode in the clock settings. This is done through the watch menu:

Settings – System – USB mode must be set to “Drive”

Thus, when you connect the watch to the computer, you will have a new disk in Explorer.

Step 5. Open the directory where you saved the archive. Unzip it in the same folder.

Open 2 windows in Explorer or another file editor such as Total Commander.

In one window, you will see a Garmin watch with a set of system folders and files, and in another part or window, a set of firmware files that you just unzipped.

By the way, before installing the firmware, from sin, make a backup of the clock. Usually I make myself a full backup (save) of all information from the watch except for maps, because their size is quite large.

Map of Russia – 1.4 GB, map of Ukraine – 450 MB, Eastern Europe, the world – go from 2-3 GB.

Maps will take a long time to copy. In addition, my maps are saved separately on another hard drive. 🙂

Step-by-step instructions for flashing Garmin Fenix ​​5 X watches

A) Copy the file gupdate.gcd which is located in the System_v *** folder to the \GARMIN watch directory That is, directly to the watch root.

Where *** is the corresponding version number

B) Copy the file gupXXXX.gcd which is located in the folder Sensor Hub_v *** to the watch directory \GARMIN\REMOTESW

where XXXX , *** is the number versions

B) Copy the file gupXXXX. gcd which is located in the folder Display_v *** to the watch directory \GARMIN\REMOTESW

where XXXX , *** is the version number

GPS_v *** to the watch directory \GARMIN\REMOTESW

where XXXX , *** is the version number

E) Go to the firmware folder Text_v *** , select ALL interface text files and copy to folder with contents \Garmin\TEXT

In this case, you will replace the old language files that are located in your watch with new ones.

E) Disconnect the clock from the computer culturally, through the Windows menu. 🙂

Instead of the watch face, you will see information about the availability of a new update. The watch will offer to update now or start the update later at night.

Click on the update of course! 🙂

And if you did everything right, just watch your clock update.

The watch face will automatically display information about the progress of the update.

The end result will load the watch face you previously selected in your watch. This will be the final step of your update.

At the same time, your sports activities and records will be saved.

The heart rate history in the widget can be reset. It’s not critical.

How do I check the firmware version of my Fenix ​​watch?

Hold the Up-Menu button for 1-2 seconds continuously.

Go to the section: Menu – Settings – About the system – (here it will display the number of the current watch version)

If the process did not go – what should I do in this case?

You can revert to the latest stable software.

Repeat steps A, B, but at the end of the operations, drop the gupdate.gcd file from the System_Backdate_v290 firmware folder (in our case, this is the latest stable version of the watch software) to the root of the watch – this is the Garmin pack.

If the watch returns to a stable firmware version, all your settings will be reset!

I repeat again: the process of flashing the watch is a critical and important operation.

If you do not need to fix something in the functionality and you did not find your problem in the list of fixes on the Beta version page, it is better to wait for the stable version of the software.

You take full responsibility as soon as you start flashing your watch!

If you’ve installed the firmware and notice a problem with your watch, let Garmin know:

Send an email to [email protected].

Please include in your email what version of Fenix ​​5 you have, the software version and a detailed description of your issue, as well as any steps to reproduce.

Please note that you will not receive a response to your message unless Garmin needs more information about the problem you are reporting.

Question about versions:

For example, beta firmware ver. 2.96. Your watch is running version 2.40.

Do I need to additionally deliver intermediate firmware to upgrade to version 2.96?

– No, you don’t. You will be able to upgrade to version 2. 96 by installing the current firmware version following the steps I have described.

In closing, I have successfully updated my Garmin Fenix ​​5X watch to the latest beta firmware. I continue to test the watch and now I’m a beta tester! 🙂

Service programs and firmware for Garmin navigators, update repair firmware for Garmin navigator

Thank you for creating this section: Catymag, Adrenalin, AlexWhiter, Alexandr, Kunix, Giomen with gpspower.net(noeman), gps-forum.ru, PouchX from garniak.pl, Turboccc from gpspassion.com, and Alviora from 4pna.com. Most of the firmware posted here is created by them or with the help of knowledge that they shared. Thank you! : ) ATTENTION! All information in this section can be used only at your own peril and risk, we are not responsible for the consequences associated with its use. The best, easiest and most convenient way to flash your Garmin navigator is to use WebUpdater or Garmin Express and get the latest update in minutes. The second easiest way is to take the device to the nearest service center. But sometimes neither the first nor the second method is suitable for a number of reasons. This section contains service firmware for Garmin GPS navigators and general instructions for installing them, in particular cases, the installation method may differ from the one below. All firmwares have been repeatedly checked, but we do not bear any responsibility for their use, do it at your own peril and risk, or better yet, take the device to a specialized center. Before you start flashing your device, CAREFULLY read this text and think about whether you want to do it yourself, but if you have already decided, then make sure that the navigator is fully charged! Navigation firmware from memory card : 1. Determine the HWID of the device 2. Download and unzip the required firmware 3. Format the memory card (not “quick” format!) 4. Create a Garmin folder on the card 5. Copy the firmware file to the created folder (rename the firmware file to GUPDATE.GCD). 6. Insert the card into the navigator 7. Turn on the navigator and wait for the flashing process to complete. Firmware using Garmin Updater (for firmware in .rgn format): Updater and firmware file (xxxxxxxxxx.rgn) in one folder 3. Select the firmware file with the cursor, hold down the left mouse button, drag it to the Updater.exe icon 4. In the window that appears, select the USB connection method (or com port if you sew with a cable) 5. Turn off the navigator and disconnect cable 6. Start the device in Pre-Boot mode. (Press and hold the power button and/or one of the corners of the screen, depending on the model of the device, or simply hold the top left corner of the screen or one or more of the physical buttons on the device, or switch the switch slider to the “lock” position and simply hold your finger in any place on the touchscreen or hold your finger just above the letter G in the Garmin logo (for navigators of the 3xxx series) . ) 7. Connect the cable 8. Wait for Windows to detect and install your device (if necessary, install drivers such as Garmin USBDrivers_2311 9. Now in the Updater window, click OK and wait until the firmware is installed. As soon as the screen appears the inscription LOADER, the power button (or wherever you held your finger there) can be released.0322 The procedure should take place quickly enough, because when the power button is pressed for a long time, the device exits the Pre-Boot mode and sometimes goes into the screen calibration mode. If you need to roll back (return) to the previous version of the firmware (using Webupdater): 1. Spend the necessary firmware in the .GCD format (SD-rover), extract the firmware from the archive ” GUPDATE.GCD” . 2. Install WebUpdater (if not installed). 3. Connect the navigator to the computer. 4. Drag the firmware file to the WebUpdater icon (the program will automatically start and offer to flash the navigator). 5.Wait for the end of the firmware, disconnect the navigator from the computer. 6. Wait until the firmware is completed. The firmware version will be downgraded. In this case, in no case should the device be turned off. Otherwise, restoring it will be problematic even for a service center. Before starting the procedure, set drivers for Garmin or the latest version of Map Source (drivers included). Explanation of firmware names the name indicates: device name (205w), firmware type (SD), firmware version (v600) , and HWID of the device (0827) Device name This indicates the device from which the firmware was removed, do not take this as a model for which the firmware is suitable! (read more below) Firmware type: Cure – firmware is used if the computer does not see the navigator to eliminate errors associated with the file structure (For example, errors in the map file or GUPD file ATE. GCD which results in constant reboot of the device.) Cure firmware does not restore the device by itself, but allows the failed device to be connected to the computer and delete or edit the faulty files, after which, for the device to work correctly, the firmware must be updated (flashed from PRE-BOOT mode) to the latest. SD – indicates firmware from a memory card and firmware supported by WebUpdater. SM – Firmware used to troubleshoot software missin messages on the boot screen g Current firmware version 0002 Everything is simple except for one moment. Some old devices and some hunting, tourist, aviation and chartplotters are not supported in Ukraine, for them separate, converted from official firmware were released, therefore, if you want Ukrainian language and keyboard to be supported in them, you need to use only such firmware. So, for example, a separate Ukrainian firmware was compiled for the Garmin nuvi 660 device based on the official firmware V3.