Garmin wants to update my nuvi 250 firmware, should I?
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 16 years
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I have a new-this-week nuvi 250. Still learning a lot about it. I went to the Garmin site, created an account, and clicked on the option to register it. after giving my SR# they had me connect the device (interesting in itself since they don't supply a usb cable, but I had one) and then informed me that to register the device I had to accept a firmware update.
The question is, do I want to accept the firmware update? I currently have 3.10 firmware. I would like any information that I can get about the newer firmware before I accept it. In particular I'm concerned about the track log. I've seen some discussions about a hack for the 200 (not 250) that is use to record a tracklog. And the information seems to be that if the software is updated the tracklog capability is lost. My 250 does keep a tracklog (no hack needed). I have not yet determined if and how I can extract this data, but it's something that I very much want to do. I certainly don't want to update my nuvi 250 if it will cost me any tracklog functionality.
Beyond the tracklog feature, I'm interested in finding any other information about the firmware change. Any features that I gain or give up, any bug fixes, anything else. Garmin doesn't seem to provide much information, or at least I have not found it.
Firmware Update
I have always taken the updates for my Garmin Vista an Nuvi and I have never had a problem. I would recommend taking the updates.
It may pay to wait
If your current nuvi is operating fine, I would wait at least a month or so just to see if any issues come out of the closet. Keep an eye on this site for updates on the firmware. If all is well you will not hear a peep from the users.
Also try to find out what the firmware update will do for your nuvi. If it is mostly to correct something you don't use or need, you can skip it.
Wanted -Woman with GPS -send picture of GPS
try to find out how
.....Also try to find out what the firmware update will do for your nuvi.....
Yea, that's what I'm trying to do with this post. Is there some other way that you can suggest doing this than asking here? I've already tried to find info about it on the Garmin site but come up dry.
I found this..
might help explain it for you
http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_nuvi250-firmware-upgrades_...
Mike
Google to the rescue
.....Also try to find out what the firmware update will do for your nuvi.....
Yea, that's what I'm trying to do with this post. Is there some other way that you can suggest doing this than asking here? I've already tried to find info about it on the Garmin site but come up dry.
Check this site:
http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_nuvi250-firmware-upgrades_...
Sadly, the site doesn't mention dates for the firmware. Since you say you just bought the nuvi, it may be that the current v5 firmware has been out for a while already. If so, I'd go for it. What version do you have now?--Oh wait, it's 3.1. There are a lot of good-looking upgrades between your 3.1 and 5.0!
Aha, this link shows that the current version's been around since at least Sept. 18, 2008.
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7444160
If there were issues with v5.0, we'd know about it by now for sure. If it were my 250, I'd go for the v5.0 update now. Be sure to let it finish--don't disconnect ther nuvi while files are still being transferred.
Okay
I haven't had an issue with any Garmin firmware updates over the years. I say go for it.
TomTom built in and Garmin Nuvi 1490T. Eastern Iowa, formerly Southern California "You can check out any time you like...but you can never leave."
thanks
might help explain it for you
http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_nuvi250-firmware-upgrades_en.html
Fantastic link! thanks.
Fake Out the Registration Process
. . . then informed me that to register the device I had to accept a firmware update.
You can fake out the registration process. See Phil Hornby's explanation at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/16646
Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.
thanks, still trying to know if I should update
You can fake out the registration process. See Phil Hornby's explanation at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/16646
Slick! So much good information here, I may not get any sleep for a week.
So now there are two questions (maybe 3). I'm wondering if I do this can I still update the map files. I understand that I have limited time to get updated to current maps after making a new purchase. My nuvi ids the maps as "City Navigator North America NT 2009", but I don't know if this is current and wonder how it could be when the nuvi came with 3.1 software and they are now on 5.0. Anyone know?
And I'm really wondering if an update will kill the track log feature (aka trip log). I'm seeing more and more things that seem to say the nuvi has no track log, and I really really don't want to give up this feature (see http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/page2.htm#hanse... for example). Can anyone tell me if a nuvi 250 with current 5.0 software still has the ability to turn off and on the track log, which shows up as a blue trail on my nuvi where ever I've traveled? On mine it found as tools -> settings -> down -> map =>bottom right option is "trip log" hide/show .
You will lose the map scale
If you update from 3.1 to 5.0 you will lose the map scale. If this feature is important to you and the new version doesn't have any features or bug fixes that you need, I wouldn't update. However, if the reserve is true, then go ahead. 5.0 works fine, and it will give you access to the new SiRF update.
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598
Updates
My way of looking at updates lately is, if it ain't broke, don't break it...
Lot's of others are willing to be brave, if the update says it will fix something that I am having trouble with, then...
Garmin Nuvi360, Nuvi760, eTrex Vista HCx, Oregon 300
It is current
My nuvi ids the maps as "City Navigator North America NT 2009", but I don't know if this is current
Yes, it is current.
Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.
update
So I couldn't get a good answer on the tracklog question, so today I broke down and called Garmin support. Had a nice long call. Thankfully Garnim people seem to be in the USA and don't speak with a heavy 7-11 accent. Here's the highlights:
Support can register the product by phone, no update required.
Garmin is now making the 250 nuvi on a newer hardware platform (apparently the same hardware as the 205/255).
Newer nuvi 250 made on this platform get the trip log. Supposedly older 250's do not (although it does show up in the 250 on-line pdf manual).
I went ahead and did the web update. No obvious change. Still have my trip log. I was concerned when the web update identified my hardware as 2x5 serise and showed me the 2x5 change log. Called back support, was assured that this was OK and it would not brick my 250. I'm now running 4.6 software (not the 5.0 another website led me to expect, but newer than 3.1.
Couldn't get much info from support about the platform differences, but the guy that I talked to said the thinks that the newer platform supports multiple vias rather than the just one that older systems do. No as good as full route support, but better than having to change vias while driving. I still need to play around with this on my unit to confirm it, but will be a real nice feature if true.
Maps do indeed seem to be current, did not update. Same with POIs, which surprises me since there is a major chain grocery store, about 2 years old, near my house that still isn't listed, even though farther away stores for the same chain are. No explanation on how or why "new" platform hardware just purchased could have the 3.1 software but current maps, but I have no dates to put with the different firmware versions.