New Garmin USB Drivers (version 2.1)

[PanEuropean]

Garmin has released new USB drivers for the GPSR's that connect by USB to the computer. This includes both the SP 26xx series (2610, 2620, 2650, 2660, and BMW Nav II) and the USB data chip programmer that comes with the StreetPilot III and BMW Nav I.

The new driver package can be downloaded from this link. It is self-installing, and will update any older driver installations.

Note that you must re-boot your computer if you want to use the USB connection with your GPSR after you do the installation.

PanEuropean

 

[MikeO]

Thanks Pan .

I've just run through unzipping and following the wizard - do I need to do anything else, or is it upgraded automatically already?

Mike

 

[AndyB]

Thanks Pan .

I've just run through unzipping and following the wizard - do I need to do anything else, or is it upgraded automatically already?

Mike

Mike: Just reboot and you are ready to go

Thanks Pan, your message came through quicker than Garmin's email updates

Andrew.

 

[MiGSel]

Any idea what it does?

If it works, don't fix it, right?

 

[PanEuropean]

"Any idea what it does?"

There is no functional change between 2.0 and 2.1. The change is that 2.1 has a fully automated installer - it will unzip the file, then launch the install wizard, remove the old driver, and install and register the new driver.

Previous releases of the drivers just supplied the drivers as compressed (zipped) files. So, it is very possible that a user who originally installed - for example - version 1.3 of the drivers (when they first installed a cartography product from a CD), then dutifully downloaded and unzipped every subsequent release, might still be running on 1.3, unless they manually invoked an 'update driver' command, either from the properties sheet of the driver itself, or by right-clicking on the driver (after unzipping) and selecting 'install'.

If all that is Greek to you - get the new, self-installing package, and just double-click on it. If you understand fully what I said in the paragraph above, then get the new driver package and just double-click on it anyway, because you've probably been fooling around with your computer so much you screwed it up by accident anyway.

PanEuropean

 

[MiGSel]

I noticed on the Garmin site that there are no functional changes.

And among other things, I do network administration and hardware & software maintenance, so I know quite enough about my computer to install a driver properly thank you.

I was only trying to say that if your USB unit is detected by your PC correctly, why would you go and mess around with drivers? I have seen many people get in trouble by "fixing" something that worked perfectly.

Cheers,
Michel

 

[Mutley]

Will I need to do my 2610

Hi Pan,

I have ordered my 2610 (Aspid)and will get it sometime next week, will mine come with the new software or will it automatically upload when I first go oline to register or what ever you do.

Thanks.

Mutley

 

[richie]

Re: Will I need to do my 2610

Hi Pan,

I have ordered my 2610 (Aspid)and will get it sometime next week, will mine come with the new software or will it automatically upload when I first go oline to register or what ever you do.

Thanks.

Mutley

Ha Ha Ha, Chuckle Chukle

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi MigSel:

Your comments are very correct, and I understand exactly what you are saying. I think Garmin decided to release the drivers in a new package with an installer because feedback from the tech support department indicated that many end users were not familiar with the process to manually update (register) a driver. A review of some recent threads here on the board tends to confirm that...

Mutley: When you get your new GPSR, it will come with CDs that contain the cartography (CityNavigator Europe 6). When you install the cartography on your PC, the installer engine also automatically installs both the MapSource program (executable) needed to view and manipulate the maps, and the drivers needed to communicate with any Garmin USB or serial device.

However - the version of the MapSource program and drivers that come on the CD may not be the most recent release. So, what you can do is this: AFTER you have installed the cartography, MapSource application, and drivers from the CD (this will all be done automatically when you stuff the CD in the computer), go to the Garmin Updates and Downloads page and see if the version of MapSource available for download there (6.3 as of today) has a higher version number that the version that was installed on your computer, from the CD. You can check the version number of what you have on your computer by starting MapSource, going to the HELP menu, and selecting "About MapSource" from the drop-down menu. You will then see a screen like the photo below - the version number is just below the word "MapSource". If you then click on the button "USB Driver Versions", you will get a little pop-up message box (shown in the photo below) listing the version number of the drivers.

To update the MapSource application (not the maps themselves, but the program that displays them on your computer), download the most recent version of MapSource from the previously mentioned web page. It has a fully automated installer, so it's pretty simple.

To update the USB Drivers, go to the same Garmin update page, and click on the model number of your GPSR (SP 2610). You will then be taken to a page that offers you two downloads - one for the USB drivers, and one for the product (system) software that makes your GPSR itself work. Download the newer USB drivers, if you need to, and double click on them to install them.

It is probable that your GPSR will have the most recent product (system) software, but your MapSource program and drivers will be slightly out of date. This is understandable - the MapSource program and drivers are supplied on the CD, and the CD is manufactured (printed) in one huge batch once a year, when the cartography is updated. The product (system) software for the GPSR itself is loaded into the GPSR at the factory in Taiwan just before the GPSR is shipped out the door, so there is a pretty good chance it will be up to date, assuming your retailer has fresh stock. Because GPSRs are expensive for a stockist to leave on the shelf, they almost always have fresh stock.

Last point: Shutdown and restart your computer between each software installation. In other words, load the CD's, after that installation is finished, shutdown and restart. Install the updated MapSource program, then shutdown and restart. Install the new driver package, then shutdown and restart.

PanEuropean

 

[Mutley]

Pan, thanks very much, I thought as much, but I felt I should check with the GPS Guru

Ritchie, no idea what your post was aimed at, unless its a pee take of another newbie GPS owner who will have lots of questions when I get it

Cecilthecat is my tech support chap anyone want his No coz his phone will be burning hot

I have borrowed Nicks 2610 instructional Video so this should help me big time

Cheers all

Mutley