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Garmin Software Updates - Real?

 
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:04am

Every now and then when I log on to Garmin's Dashboard support page, it says there is a "software update" for my 855. I dutifully follow the directions, and the webpage will then say "up to date."

But the firmware versions, traffic receiver software version, GPS chipset version, etc. remain the same.

Are these updates actually doing anything? If so, what?

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Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:17am

Download

Download and install Garmin's Webupdater software from http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99...

Attach your Nuvi to your computer and run the Webupdater program. Using this software you can tell exactly what is available for update and pick only what you want from the files available.

myDashboard updates the same software but, as you've seen, doesn't tell what is available or what got updated. My guess, in your case, is that it found a voice file, or text file, that had an update available. Your looking for some major update like firmware, traffic, GPS, etc. but with myDashboard it could be something as minor as a voice file but you never know for sure.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 6:09am

I had the same problem

I even wrote to Garmin about it, they suggested the difference between my dashboard and web updater may be rectified by clearing the cache, it didn't.

I suggested to Garmin they list the actual update version number whenever an update seems to be available so you can look on your GPS and make sure you really need one, they said that was a good idea, we'll see if they implement it.

I have two 2460's and when I updated the maps with the most recent via mydashboard it told me there was an update, after several update tries on the first unit (because each time I came back it said there were updates available, just thought it was a multi layer update) I looked on the second for the software version number, it was the same as the other yet I hadn't updated it yet., Then when to webupdater and that told me it was current.

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. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 9:00am

thanks

thanks

Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:57am

what update?

I notice the same thing. after the update are done the version is still the same, long time ago was telling me what kind of update where avaiables ,now does not show me that anymore.The firmware remain the same and make me wonder what did I get new on my Gps or Did I just waste my time.

Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:00pm

Dashboard.

Chances are you are just wasting your time. Do what t923347 suggests above and use Webupdater instead.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 4:01pm

I never use Dashboard.

I never use Dashboard. Always always always rely on WebUpdater.

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"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 8:38pm

I always only used

I always only used webupdater for all my differnt model garmins I have had in the past and never a problem with any update. Stay with webupdater.

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NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 8:45pm

Never had a problem with it

Been using it for years, it has always worked fine for me.

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Nuvi 360, OS X Lion 10.7