nuvi 34xx (GCD File) software version 6.20 released

So, I have the previous firmware v.4.80 installed. If for some reason I update to v.6.20, is there a way to downgrade the firmware back to v.4.80? If I do a snap shot of the whole unit including the hidden .System folder and write that back, would that do it or is the firmware stored in some EPROM in the device which would not allow me to downgrade without some fancy Garmin tool to flash it?

Back it up to your computer with all the subdirectories named correctly as is in the Garmin. Then it's a matter of copying all the files back to the Garmin if there's any problems. Make sure all hidden files are shown.

I've done this successfully for my Nuvi 350.

Fred

Ok thanks. I hope I don't have to downgrade but sometimes it's necessary. I'll try it out this weekend hopefully. Anyone else upgrade to this firmware version yet? Any comments? Just curious. Since I don't use Smartlink, the only thing I see useful are the bug fixes and issues with the reduced red traffic alert bug.

Although it's an excellent idea to do a full backup of your Nuvi and I highly recommend that you do that, it is not a requirement for downgrading firmware.

If you have the .system folder visible in My Computer, while your Nuvi is attached to the computer, all you need to do, PRIOR TO doing the update, is to copy the GUPDATE.GCD file from the .system folder to your PC.

Now if you perform the firmware update and for any reason want to downgrade back to the older version, all you need to do is to overwrite the GUPDATE.GCD file that the new update placed in your .system folder with the one you copied to your PC.

@FZbar, that will work for you as well as it's applicable to all Nuvi models. The only difference should be that you'll find the GCD file in a different place on your 350 as there are no hidden folders or .system folders on that unit. When you successfully downgraded in the past, what really allowed you to do that was placing the old GUPDATE.GCD file back on the 350, not replacing all the other files you had a back up of.

Thanks for the info.

If Garmin didn't put in a code within the v6.20 firmware to prevent the backdate. Nothing is certain until someone tries and then reports back.

AFAIK, Garmin doesn't do that. The only time I recall any problem with downgrading was a couple of years ago when backing out of one specific update broke the Bluetooth function on some 7x0 or 7x5 models.

I've seen it done only once with the nuvi 2x0 series a couple of years ago. Once you were at a certain FW version, trying to backdate resulted in an error message (when trying to backdate) stating that the unit could not be backdated....no specific reason was given. I do however remember the Bluetooth issue on the 7x0 series that effectively killed Bluetooth for users who backdated their 760's (Bluetooth models) to a sub v3.xx. It happened to me and Garmin replaced the unit for one with a dimmer screen and lower audio volume. I was not amused.

Ok, thanks for the input. Not sure if I'll wait out the update for reviews of v.6.20 or just go for it but I hope the backdate works if I need to do it. If I do, I'll post the results of course.

Ok, so I have upgraded to this firmware and noticed some changes in performance. The Voice Command for Saved Places and Find An Address are much better. However, I've encountered a bug with the Voice Command RE: Find City. If you try and change to another country either by voice or by keyboard, it completely locks up the unit. You must force it off with the power switch and restart twice to get it back to normal. I was curious to look up a city in Canada and it would not change via the Voice Command feature without locking up. Works great for the US but that's it.

Any other reported problems before I perform the V6.20 update?

I sent this info into Garmin but the true test will be in a few weeks when I travel. I will post any other observations after that trip but it won't be for a few weeks.

Thanks for the info, I will update after leaving this site