Any way to hack the Nuvi 250 firmware?

No, it won't work.

Because thats the way it works, We don't talk about hacks anyway here.
Buy a 255 if you want one, and sell the 250.

I wasnt trying to rip garmin off...not a hack in that sense...of the map files..I was trying to see if I can modify a GUID on the Garmin to try to load the 255 firmware.

Same thing really.

The OS isn't hackable anyway so it doesn't matter.

Different processors and processing speeds make the software incompatible from all I've heard. Even the TTS voice files from most the older models won't work in the new ones.

I have both 250 and 255. I bought 255 because those new features, but I'm very DISAPOINTED with 255. It's slower (yes, it is) than 250, and display is not as crisp as on 250, and I need to press display much harder, and etc...

So, I will sell my 255, not 250. Yes, I will miss some of new features, but those features are not so big deal after all.

By the way, that "ecoRoute" feature is not as clever as it should. Sometimes it recommend route which last 2 hours longer (driving 5h instead of 3h) and just 4€ less expensive than fastes route. Sometimes it even calculate and recommend route that cost more(!) than fastest route!

I found the 2x5 to be way faster than the 2x0 series, especially with satellite lock. It's nearly instant. What is this ecofuel feature? Do I need to upgrade my firmware to get it?

Yes, you need upgrade for ecoRoute.

255 is slightly faster in route calculation, and slightly faster in POI search under 200km, but is MUCH slower in POI search above 200km, and is slightly (but iritantly) slower in response to user commands. Yes, it's faster in satelite search, but not always: Sometimes my nuvi 250 find satelite in 20-30 sec and nuvi 255 searchig for minute or two.

But, display is awfull! It's main reason why I'm selling 255, not 250

See http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/services/ecoRoute# .If you run webupdater it will include it in the download.After download you will see ecoRoute icon under tools.You will also see another selection under Route Preference.Tools,settings,navigation and touch route preference.Less Fuel.
Edit.Also look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ax2sA9dO2E&et=1236749780.99

The original request is quite reasonable. I bought a 250 approx 15 months ago but the biggest negative is having to touch bottom right corner to get advance info about the next turning rather than wait til you're almost there. The 255 screenshot shows the next turn in the top left corner thus obviating the task on the 250. I've spent £100 now for lifetime map upgrades for the 250 so I really don't see why Garmin should want me to buy another unit - TomTom have always had the next turn shown; maybe that's what I should have bought in the first place!

As stated earlier we don't discuss hacks here in this forum community. Being an educated buyer is the best way to get all the features you want at the time of your purchase. TomTom may have a feature you want, then lack in others without comparative shopping you would never know.

My post wasn't about hacking ie doing something illegal: it was about encouraging Garmin to keep customers on their side. Are you seriously suggesting I spend $hundreds on many GPS models just to find a model that gives 100% on all fronts? Retailers over here just tell you they all do the same thing. It's not until you have the experience (the 250 was my first venture into SatNav)that you relisae what features are important. Hey, Garmin realised what was useful when they brought out the 255.

There's another very popular forum that has some FW hacks on it for Asian FW. Many of them have bricked their units because of incompatibilty with the motherboard, processor etc. I wouldn't bother to take the chance, myself.

I DO know what you mean though about finding out about other features that you want. Perhaps Garmin should be considering an ala carte type system where you can add-on features later, for a price. While it won't be as cost effective as a higher end unit, you could weigh it out for yourself.

Thanks Jt - a bit of sympathy! Is Garmin watching this site? I am mostly OK with my low end model - apart from the absence of an auto displayed next turn direction. Cheers!

Most people improperly associate hacking with something illegal. For us older fellas, it's almost an art form. Turbo CCC is the most notable hacker in the forums here. His voice editor is a classic example of hacking. He took apart the files and figured out how they were made and then reverse-engineered a way for us to alter them to suit our preferences or make them better. Creating and loading your own POIs is actually hacking of a sort. You're adding functionality that was not supplied by the manufacturer.

If you want to make a Nuvi 250 a Nuvi 255 you are indeed speaking of a hack. when you buy a product you need to be intuitive no matter how new you are to it, we live in the age of the internet and there is no longer a excuse for latency. Salesmen just want your money, and could care less about you the buyer (user). I suggest you sell your 250 and buy what you need, before you brick what you have.

Well said. I am a first time GPSr and before I bought my Nuvi750 a couple of years ago, I went to the internet and reserched each unit. Everything you need to find out is out here. I even discovered POI-Factory while I was researching to see what unit I was to buy. Because of this research, I am very pleased with the Nuvi750 because I knew what I was getting. It takes a little time but it is worth it.

I don't agree with the "you can't hack something you bought to get more features" argument, particularly when it applies to trying a different firmware. Once you've bought something then you can do what you like with it. If you brick it in the process, well, that's a risk you take.

Probably the best selling consumer router of all time is the WRT54G. Does anyone think that would be the case without DD-WRT or Tomato firmware? I have a 54G on DD-WRT that's been solid as a rock and considerably more capable than the stock Linksys firmware for the last five years. The 610N upstairs is going to have DD-WRT on it as soon as I've read up on the necessary forum pages. If I've paid out my money for it then I'll treat it anyway I want to.

Just as long as you wear a patch on your eye while doing it. But we don't discus that piracy or hacks here. Firmware is software, if they want you to have a different version they would offer to you, Oh wait they do... as different model that you can buy...

Sorry Bob, but that's neither piracy nor an illegal hack. Reverse engineering goes on all the time and in the case of Linksys they posted the GPL code on their site as they are required to. If there was anything illegal about the various 54G firmwares their lawyers would have done something about it a long time ago. Same as IBM would have done when the PC "clones" first came out with reverse engineered IBM BIOS's way back when. Or Intel would do now against the various ways there are to overclock their rate limited CPU's. The only eye patch I'm likely to need is from eye strain after reading the DD-WRT forums before installing the new firmware on the 610N.

John
If you try to load a different firmware version (software)your a pirate. Your a pirate when you have a piece of software you didn't buy legally.

What's a pirate? COMPUTER PIRACY is copying and distribution of copyright software, movies.

What's a hacker? They range from teenage kids to computer professionals, and they come from all parts of world. They exploit weaknesses in computer systems in order to gain unauthorized access to these systems. Most of the time, they are not malicious--the most they will usually do is poke around for other security holes, examine parts of the system, and leave.

Hackers are on a perpetual quest for knowledge, in the form of passwords, accounts field length and access codes. The reward they are after is the feeling of having outwitted the security and the privileges accorded to the cracked accounts, as well as bragging rights.

Pirates are always trying to acquire and distribute the newest Programs, firmware, movies,and games as fast as possible. Their reward is increased access, credit towards future downloads on bulletin boards, free software, and bragging rights.

You mention Turbo CCC, does he hack, sure, does he change the firmware No.. He has exploited and figured out field lengths and rewrites the data that is read. Not modifying the firmware in any way, because the data still has to fit in the original field length.

A little bit 8th grade I think. Here's your homework:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_%28computing%29

As I understand it, when you install a copywrited program you often have to agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA). This sets out the terms of use.

You don't actually own the software. You only have a license to use that software. If the modification you perform on the software is consistent with the EULA, it's alright. If the EULA prohibits things such as reverse engineering, then you've broken the contract.

Now, if the software is open source then you aren't as many restrictions.

As far as hardware, if you tweak something in the system whether it is hardware or software you may void the warranty. So it's proceed at your own risk.

A friend bought a digital read out for a large milling machine. The machine was larger than the digital readout was supposed to measure to. But my friend was informed that when he needed the readout to measure larger lengths, all he had to do was call, and they would add the additional capacity to the readout. Soon a job came up that the required the larger capacity and the call was made. The readout company said to send the $1,500.00 check and the additional capacity would be installed. He sends the check. Waits a week and calls them back. The salesman checks that the check cleared and tells him to go to the readout and enter a code.
Yep. That's it. The readout would already measure the additional distances. They just wanted more money from the customer.

I'm curious to know if anyone with a 250 noticed charlesd45's post and tried installing the free ecoRoute update?

The Garmin site states that it (the update) works with 205 series units but the 250 is a discontinued 205 series so I'm curious if it works.

..Or did we scare off the OP with all of the piracy & hacking mumbo-jumbo?

I'll also jump in to the off topic drift of the thread and mention that the high-line off-road vehicle company I used to work for had a similar software activated 'feature' upgrade business model. If you wanted certain lighting, door lock/unlock, power seat memory, audio, and/or security 'features' or modifications in operation, you could pay the dealer extra and they would configure it for you (by hooking up to the body computer and programming it via a built-in menu).

Certainly well within their rights as the developers & owners of the body computer software, but a bit crass imo since their vehicles cost about as much as my first house. Time and tolerance marches on though.

edit- Whoa! I only just now noticed the thread is almost a year old! ... But still curious if it's a downloadable upgrade.