Not sure if I can help at all but i currently have both a Nav iv and a Garmin 660 so if you want the software copied from either or both ubits then I am assuming that's a pretty straightforward process. If the Garmin Unit was re-flashed then you would soon have your answer.
Creating a BMW Navigator IV from a Zumo 660?
- Thread starter Nick V
- Start date
Godzilla
Registered user
Max, thanks, mate!
I've been ambushed by more work than I expected, so the 660 --> Nav IV project has to go on the back-burner for now. But when (if?) I get hold of a 660, I'll certainly take you up on your offer!
And post your results on here? I would be interested to read how you get one.
muppix
Registered user
Did you get anywhere with this Nick? I'm picking up my new 1200 in a couple of weeks and while I still have a 660 I wouldn't mind the extra control which a Navigator would offer. But I don't want it enough to pay the BMW premium.
I sometimes browse this LC site and have missed this thread. Thanks for the revival. Whilst on our tour with BMW one of the lads had a chat with a bloke from Garmin who was exhibiting at Garmish. Now from what I understand is that there is a difference in the wiring from 660 to the NAV. It will require a repin of the plug at the cradle to make it work with the hand controller. Don't ask me any specifics but I guess it will take a bit time studying the wiring to determine how it should be. If I bump into him I'll ask the question if I remember. Best solution is to have a chat with a really good Garmin tech that knows his shit when it comes to BMW NAV and 660 and how that works with the cradle and controller. But apart from that the updates should be the same for the software, the firmware might be different but as it is basically the same model I can't see a poroblem trying to load the firmware. There may be problems to get it to actually load as internal differences may mean it will only accept software for that particular model. Think GS MU and GS TU in terms of the Garmin OE and aftermarket products.
Well seeing that a few months has gone past the £/R exchange is now around the 17 mark. Good for me when I transfer money but not so good if you have to live in SA. Best of luck Nick. My sister and her husband are considering emigrating to Canada.
Well seeing that a few months has gone past the £/R exchange is now around the 17 mark. Good for me when I transfer money but not so good if you have to live in SA. Best of luck Nick. My sister and her husband are considering emigrating to Canada.
Bumpkin
Registered user
I think the identification between the different models will work in a similar way to map unlocking. This is reliant, in part, on the internal serial number of the GPS and I don't think that this is likely to be a featured in the firmware but in some other EPROM memory on the board. It is this which will identify the unit and is programmed at manufacture. Whilst in theory you could maybe reprogram this EPROM, with the right tools and specialist know-how, to be a clone of another unit doing anything else would likely create an expensive paper-weight.
Hi there man!
No, I haven't. Recently, career advancement has taken priority, and GPS concerns have dropped down the order.
I've been idly considering a couple of sideways routes as well, like making my Samsung Galaxy S5 (equipped with Navigon and updated maps) do double-duty as my motorcycle GPS.
My experiment with the Tomtom Rider isn't going well. The GPS unit works pretty well, but the powered cradle is made of plastic so fragile and brittle that three of the five screw mounts have broken off from vibration, despite being rubber-mounted. There is also an ongoing issue whereby the cradle, even without the GPS unit attached, is interfering with the bike's CANBUS system, causing a power drain and audibly switching a relay on and off at one-minute intervals. At the moment, I'm getting around it by unplugging the cradle from the harness.
With all the mentioned difficulties in getting the 660 to talk to the hand wheel, it's also becoming more and more apparent that in SA, the 660, Navigator IV and Navigator V are 'Nice-to-haves', rather than 'Must haves'.
There was mention earlier of our exchange rate, and that's probably the biggest factor of all.
muppix
Registered user
Interesting. My money would have been on this being a firmware-only difference as that would be the cheapest way for Garmin to go rather than changing production tooling. Then again the Navigator has a different colour casing and we're being fleeced, so perhaps they can do it after all.
muppix
Registered user
Yeah, I used to have the original Rider but got fed up with the lack of planning software. TomTom is great if you want to just get from A to B, but that's not why I ride a bike. Good luck with the Samsung too; my iPhone has the Garmin EU app on it for those occasions when a foreign hire car lacks inbuilt GPS, but a jack of all trades is usually master of none, and I only use it because it's easier than carrying around the 660 with its car cradle. Speaking of which, if you ever make progress with the 660-Navigator conversion don't keep it to yourself - the exchange rate being what it is there's plenty Rand to be made with a bright idea! =)
You could just buy a map
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