FYI - How to update your NAVI to the latest everything

[DonNJ]

Hi Rainman,

I followed your directions for updating the firmware. I had a new SanDisk CF (2 GB) so I did the following:

1. I downloaded new firmware file: gupdate.gcd from the link you provided.

2. I copied the 3 files, gmapsupp.img, GMAPSUPP.UNL & gupdate.gcd from the OEM card to my PC in a folder called "Garmin"

3. I gave my new CF the name of “GARMIN” just like the OEM CF

4. I created a folder called GARMIN on the new CF and copied the new firmware file from my PC to the new CF in the Garmin folder.

5. I turned on accessory and waited for Nav screen

6. I inserted the new CF card and the Honda screen said updating, and then completed. Everything to this point went as planned

7. I turned off power & removed the new CF.

8. I copied the remaining 2 files (gmapsupp.img & GMAPSUPP.UNL) from my PC to the new CF in the Garmin folder.

9. I inserted the new card in bike and turned on the power.

The HondaNav system could not unlock the maps. My waypoints were there as were the main roads but no local roads. The local maps were “missing”.

I shut off bike, put back original OEM card and when I turned on the power the system found the local maps. I checked the firmware version and it says 4.31 even though the OEM card still has the old firmware file.

So to make a short story long, I now have the updated firmware but had to use my original CF in order to access the maps. BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE A-OK.

I was thinking that I should replace the old firmware file on the OEM card with the new firmware file but decided to leave well enough alone.

Why is it that from the Garmin website you can download updated firmware files etc. . . FOR ALL OF THE GARMIN UNITS EXCEPT the HondaNav. So I thank you for the info you provided.

I wanted the latest firmware even though I have always said that the HondaNav system is worthless piece of crap due to its lack of functionality, no touch screen and no way to load or save routes.

I have over 34k on my 2006 Wing and find the HondaNav system basically worthless for trip planning. Trying to plan a scenic route of several hundred miles is impossible. Like some other HondaNav owners, I prefer to call it the Honda Moving Map since calling it a GPS is a stretch.

I am not going to update the maps for the Honda Moving Map. I wonder why Garmin charges $75 for new maps for all of the Garmin units except the HondaNav that costs $200.

Like many others before me, I am adding a second GPS on the bike. I think I will be buying the Zumo that everyone seems to like it.

Thanks again for the information you provided.

[royrcjr]

Originally Posted by LarryM

I already knew the answer. I just wanted to hear him say it.

Manufacturers have been providing firmware updates for free for so long, people seem to have come to the conclusion that they are not allowed to charge for them, which is not true. They provide it for free because it is cheap way to build customer goodwill. In the computer industry, you will not be in business long if you do not. . . .

For what it's worth, I've been in the computer industry for over 30 years, and I have, yet, to see a software manufacturer charge for a minor firmware update. And, to my knowledge, none have gone out of business for this practice. Yes, some have gone out of business, but it's usually been due either to a crappy product or one that is overpriced for the intended market.

Generally, firmware updates of the form 4.10 -> 4.20 -> 4.31 would be free. However, an update from 4.31 -> 5.1, for instance, would be considered a new release, rather than just an update, and I'm not aware of any software manufacturer that wouldn't charge for that kind of upgrade. In the case of the Honda Navi system, like most builtin GPS systems, where there is no direct computer interface, I'm guessing it's just cheaper and easier for Garmin to include the firmware update file on a CF card along with any map data updates and charge for the whole thing and be done with it.

When you consider that even Micro$oft hasn't charged licensed users of their software products for upgrades within releases, otherwise known as service packs (SP1, SP2, etc.), it's a pretty common practice to provide free intermediate upgrades even though it's not obligatory.

And, that's my $.02 USD, er, I mean $.00. (It's a free upgrade of my opinion)

[Ted61]

The reason Garmin/Honda charges $200 for the new card is - $25 goes to Garmin while $175 goes to Honda. LOL

[nelsoneddie]

Just spoke to Garmin today. The most recent CF card (as listed on the Garmin website) contains MapSoure 7 which means that the actual map data is about circa 2005 (POI's are more up to date). Garmin is coming out with and updated MapSource - Version 2009 by the end of this month but no actual date has been announced.

The 2009 version will be in the NT (used by the GoldWing( and non-NT formats (can't be used).

The sales rep. that I spoke to knew nothing of any plans for Garmin/Honda to come up with a 'new' CF card for the Goldwing. Apparently Honda has to initiate the process. The rep also said that Garmin does not manufacture the GPS unit itself but only provides the software. No idea of this is true or not.

BTW. If anyone is looking to download 'unlock keys', be sure your virus scanning is running and be sure to check the file before you try and execute it. You will save yourself lots of work and annoyance.

[Crossrodes]

Nelsoneddie, I think you may have that backwards. It is the NON NT version that will work on the Goldwing. The NT version will not work...at least that's the way it is in my '06.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two vesions?

[nelsoneddie]

You're right. Basiclly a typo on my part. According to the rep, the 2009 version will be both NT and non NT. Only the non-NT version will work.

The difference between the two versions is the type of file compression that Garmin uses. There are two types. I don't know exactly what the difference are but the Honda GPS can't read/decompress the NT version.

Originally Posted by Crossrodes

Nelsoneddie, I think you may have that backwards. It is the NON NT version that will work on the Goldwing. The NT version will not work...at least that's the way it is in my '06.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two vesions?

[nelsoneddie]

For Canadians who are interested, you can use Garmin Canada Metroguide IV in your Honda GPS.

1.) With ignition off, remove the existing CF card.

2.) Copy all files except for the *.IMG file to a second 512MB card.

3.) Run Metroguide IV on your PC, select all maps and then File/Export to the 512 card. No keys or unlocks are required to transfer the files. The process to build and transfer takes about 5 minutes - depending upon your computer speed.

4.) Once the transfer is complete, with the ignition still off, insert the 512MB card in your GPS, turn on your ignition and hit {ENT) when prompted.

You will have all the POI's from Metroguide, all routing plus all those little Canadian towns and streets that are missing from Garmin North America. Your routing will be actually much better as well with less errors.

Store the original CF card in a water tight container and carry on your bike. If you ever want to head to the US, just swap out the cards - with the power off.

Eventhough the Metroguide IV POI's are somewhat dated in comparison with Mapsource North America, you will get many more small towns and roads that you don't get with MapSource North America.

Metroguide has towns on it that North America V7 or V8 don't have. In addition, the newest version probably won't have them either. For example, on either version of Mapsource North America, look for the town of Hopetown Ontario and then look for it in Metroguide. Only Metroguide IV has Hopetown in it which is important to me. It is the start of an excellent motorcycle ride in Ontario.

Nelsoneddie

Originally Posted by Crossrodes2

I have an '06 Canadian bike. I have tried doing a PM to Albertadoug to get the instructions out of the service manual (I don't have mine with me, I'm in Arizona) to do the forced update and I guess he's not around right now. Can anyone else send the info to me or publish the procedure here.

[Crossrodes]

Thanks for the info Nelsoneddy. I just spent over $100 for the City Navigator North America Garmin maps and before I spend another bunch of money I'll see if they meet my requirements around here in the BC, Washington and Alberta area. Good tip though. I didn't realize that I could get a different set a maps with better detail to load. Too bad that what I have apparently doesn't have that detail. If you know of a good cheap source for these maps let me know.

Mike

[Titanium06]

I have Canada 4 and do find it much better running it on my other gps.
Question is when you lnstall Canada 4 do the towns show up on the map in text or are they still just dots.

[POUL]

To Burger

I have a US spec GL1800 and have change the maps to City Navigator 2008 European. I use the MapSource program and a CF card reader on my computer to make a map set for the goldwing.

If I don´t set a check mark in the include data for route calculation field, it won’t work in the Goldwing, and I get a error message.

If I set a check mark the field, the map set increase to 2,3GB and I can’t have all Europe maps on the CF card. I remove some country to get below 2,0GB and now everything’s work fine.

Is there any way I can have all the European countries and still have it to work in the goldwing?

\Poul

[Cardinal Pilot]

OK, mine is done. I purchased a CF reader/writer and a 2GB Sandisk card from Amazon. On the new card, I created a folder called GARMIN then put the downloaded Gupdate file into it. Then followed the instructions in this post for loading it into the GPS. I now have V4.31 (I had V4.2) installed. Could not have been easier.

Next is a map update for which I am waiting for Garmin to release version 2009 of City Navigator. I will purchase that then load it into the new card and see what happens.

[nelsoneddie]

The towns show up as text and dots.

Originally Posted by Titanium06

I have Canada 4 and do find it much better running it on my other gps.
Question is when you lnstall Canada 4 do the towns show up on the map in text or are they still just dots.

[pz7pvq]

If a pin breaks off on the navigation unit itself, is there a way to repair it without buying a new one?

[komarkutno]

Please help me i can't download gupdate.gcd (4.31) from " http://wingstock.org/pages/downloads.html " link not work. Please send me this file to mi email komarkutno@onet.eu . thanx

[bluemax]

Originally Posted by komarkutno

Please help me i can't download gupdate.gcd (4.31) from " http://wingstock.org/pages/downloads.html " link not work. Please send me this file to mi email komarkutno@onet.eu . thanx

Try this link for the update file: http://wikisend.com/download/879918/gupdate.gcd

[kbm]

okay since you guys seem a lot smarter than me....is there a way to hook into the nav to run a camera. It would seem poss. but I don't know. any ideas

[komarkutno]

Originally Posted by bluemax

Try this link for the update file: http://wikisend.com/download/879918/gupdate.gcd

thanx.

[Ted in ncal]

I did not want to update the software yet and only wanted to update the maps. Nothing like haveing a map with no city names on it. Purchased a 2 gig CF card and loaded all of the North America maps, from my 2610, on it. Replaced the Honda Navi CF card with the new one. When the Navi completed it's start up it copied all of the maps. When I tried to use them it could not unlock the maps. I obviously missed a step somewhere.

Did see something in this very................ long thread about Garmin not allowing their maps to be used in multiple units.

[tla1960]

You have to buy the software for each unit. And each unit requires an unlock code. Therefore, if you used an unlock code for your 2610, you cannot use it on the CF Card for the Goldwing Navi.
I just went through this and have decided to wait on City Navigator 2009 before purchasing and updating my Navi.

[thecruiser]

bump... (so I can find this later)

[GeGe]

Can anyone tell me when to hit the reset switch the second time on a "Forced Update".
In step 5 i can see that i'm going to push the reset switch and hold it until "Updating from card" appears the second time.
In step 7 it says to release the swith after "Loader" and "Updating from card".
If i do so i already have released the switch before i came to step 7.

When do i hit the switch between step 5 and 7 ?

[lawingnutz]

OK....the green dots with no text is the most annoying feature of the gps.....Nelson is saying in his post that the towns show up as text and green dots....does this work on the US version or is this just a Canada thing???

[Titanium06]

I have done exactly what Nelson has done and I'm in Canada.
He must be in a highly populated area with cities as towns do not show up.
Pending on what zoom level you are at cities will show up.
But the Canada 4 is 3 times better mapping than the city Navigator.
This is because they use Dmti CanMap mapping which it looks like Garmin will be using for the New 2009 update for the Canadian part. I say this just because I noticed it at the bottom when viewing the City Nav NT 2009 on line.

[Cardinal Pilot]

Well, thanks to Rainman, my map set and my firmware are now updated. I had previously updated the firmware and was just waiting for the mapset to be updated by Garmin to CN2009. I ordered the mapset from Amazon for $81.00. After an initial wrong shipment (and free return with replacement shipped) I was able to install CN2009 to a new 2GB card I purchased for that purpose. I kept the old OEM card with V7 as a backup. The install went exactly as Rainman said it would. The only thing you have to watch for is to be sure to select all the maps available to be transferred. After my initial selection, and on close review before downloading, I saw several maps that were NOT selected and would have been missed. The download took as long as Rainman said it would.

When I finished, I stuck the new CF card into the GW GPS, turned the system on and after only a few seconds of 'loading maps' it came up with City Navigator 2009. A special thanks to Rainman for his explicit instructions and saving me a lot of money over purchasing the Honda update CF with its older version of CN2008.

BTW, if anyone in the PHX area would like to borrow my CF reader to do the same thing (maps and firmware), send me a PM. I cannot give you my DVD as the unlock code, which came with the Amazon shipment is limited to a single serial number. I'm told you can use the unit ID rather than take the GPS apart to get to the SN, but if you decide to get the unit serial number I can tell you which numbers on the label is the serial number. I also took some photos of the process if that helps.

[Ted in ncal]

Ed, does the new map set show the city names on the display? If so is it at any zoom level?
The no names issue has been my bigest complaint with the Navi. The stop moving to get it started has been fixed with chopatops workaround.

[BSeery]

Originally Posted by Ted in ncal

Ed, does the new map set show the city names on the display? If so is it at any zoom level?
The no names issue has been my bigest complaint with the Navi. The stop moving to get it started has been fixed with chopatops workaround.

were is this workaround ?

[Ted in ncal]

I think that snowman started the thread and between snowman and chopatop ( or choptop ) they came up with the mod that allows you to fool the system into thinking that the bike is stopped. Maybe someone out there still has the link.

The mod works well for me. I only use it to start the Navi when I forget to start it before riding off.

[kurtsanders]

Vendors are encouraged to provide "firmware updates" to:

1) Fix unintentional errors in programming that have been identified after distribution.
2) Enhance firmware programming to provide additional functionality that was not provided in the point release. (e.g., new features). This is normal lifecycle management of the unit, and a software program marketing manager provides a strategy for the beginning, middle and end for a product.
3) Customize firmware to allow new DATA files to be recognized, e.g. accomodate larger GPS maps, recognize new larger sized CF cards. This relationship extends that units life, and provide a revenue stream for the service centers or map designers.

Easy to see the reasons why. So if you have the courage, do it yourself. The BACKUP would be a "critical" portion of the process.

[thecruiser]

I've looked at this thread from time to time trying to figure it out. So far it hasn't come together.
I think maybe this winter when my son-in-law (the computer guru) is around, maybe together we can figure it all out.
For now, I know the NAV system can be improved on and I'm willing to try it, but somehow it never seems to go well when I try these things on my own.
A lot of has to do with not understanding the terms and some may even be my computer not working right.
I'm sure there are problems along those lines also. I have problems using PhotoBucket. Nothing wrong with the site but it just doesn't work on my computer. Some of the pages don't load properly.
Others have tried to help me with it and the determination was that my computer is "messed up".
Larry

[Cardinal Pilot]

Ted in N cal wrote 'Ed, does the new map set show the city names on the display? If so is it at any zoom level? The no names issue has been my bigest complaint with the Navi. The stop moving to get it started has been fixed with chopatops workaround.'

I cannot answer your question specifically because I have not had a chance to ride since installing the map update. Perhaps another person who did the update can answer. The PC version of Mapsource does show the city names at zooms of 5 miles or less, so I am hoping the GW display is the same.