Garmin Express software

What was Garmin thinking with that express software.. Those programers should be on the unemployment line.. 52% cpu useage and the software stinks.. Uninstalled and used the webupdater link and all is well.. Thank you again Bear..

The assumption is you'll be using Garmin Express to restore. It only matters if the program knows where the backup files are stored.

That said the location is exactly where I'd expect to be. Programs that need to write no longer do so in the program files directory. It's generally put in a directory using the programs name under the documents directory.

I wanted to install 2013.40 maps. I installed Garmin express. It wouldn't find the updated maps.

I used the old map update. Worked.

That Garmin Express software is still a hot mess. What a disaster. It's still beta software as far as I'm concerned despite several updates. It freezes and hangs and doesn't work right on my Windows 7 pc. What a shame.

Looks like they keep updating the software with new versions. Maybe one day [in the next year or two] they'll get Express workable.

It's not completely stable on XP either. After the update previous to the current one, it crashed while I was trying to use it to apply FW v7.80 to my 2595. Very strange since whatever version they had running when last map update was released seemed to work flawlessly for me. Makes me wonder if they are suffering from "bricked unit syndrome" because of the random app crashes I'm seeing. I can't imagine working in their call center right now.

worked okay for me

I saw that the Garmin Express had 4 new voices but I did not see anything that allowed you to listen to them before downloading. I don't want to go through the trouble of downloading if I dont know what they soundl like. Is there a way to test them before downloading?

The Garmin Express keeps telling me I have uipdates with a popup in my taskbar even though I updated my maps. Annoying.

How do I turn this off?

If this is a windows computer "run" and "msconfig" then go to the start up tab then uncheck the Garmin software from from starting up when windows starts.

I installed the Garmin Express software and plugged in my 2595. It updated the firmware, a voice file, traffic receiver, and added 2013.40. It worked flawlessy for me running Windows XP.

Also, under device/back up/restore there is an option to change the backup location, which I did.

Using GE Version 2.1.13

Yes there should be a opytion

Hold on to that version, looks like you may have an advanced limited edition! GE is tell me I have the latest version. (.12) (Uh-oh!)

Same here. Mine says that I have the latest version (2.1.12) - that it is up-to-date even though I know that version 2.1.13 is available. Go figure...

Something tells me that version 2.1.13 is still more Garmin Crapola...

Mine said it was up to date also, but when I downloaded from:
http://software.garmin.com/en-US/express.html
I got 2.1.13. It came up with a small language update, that it installed without any problem.

Expess seems to work ok But the problem i see with it and i may have missed it somewhere but it dont save the mapset to the pc for use with mapsource or basecamp, it appears to only to update the gps and then it stops there. Prior to express you had the option to load the pc and gps maps but seems like they didnt think about that part of it, OR how do you keep mapsourse or basecamp updated with the new mapset when they come out.

Well, I just got an update for my Windows 7 and when I re-booted my computer I had a Garmin 'Express Settings' window that all of a sudden appeared [a window opened-up] on my desktop. I could NOT close this 'Express Settings' window.

When I had checked my Garmin Express recently over the past few weeks to see if there was a software update it always came back saying that Version 2.1.12 was up-to-date even though I knew from others that Version 2.1.13 was available. Well, due to this 'Express Settings' window appearing that I could not close I decided to go to Garmin's website and manually download Garmin Express Version 2.1.13 (even though my Garmin Express said mine was up-to-date with Version 2.1.12). After downloading Version 2.1.13 the 'Express Settings' [opened] window went away, therefore the software fixed the problem. I re-booted again just to make sure and thank goodness the stupid 'Express Settings' window is gone.

So, for anyone that has a Garmin 'Express Settings' window magically appear on their computer after a Microsoft Windows update - in all likelihood their Garmin Express software was Version 2.1.12 and [force] updating it to Version 2.1.13 will probably get rid of the unexpected (and unwanted) 'Settings' window that cannot be closed without the forced update.

Not a real big fan of the software. Seems outdated.

Getting ready to try it ... wish me luck!!

CC

I downloaded GE and updated one Garmin, I do this during a free, no limit window after 11:00PM. Well GE kept trying to download for our other 2 GPS's during the day, today it got down to 29% allowance left. Couldn't find settings to make download manual so just uninstalled the piece of crap.

Will reinstall when I decide to update the others.

or was that repair garmin seems to have a lot of opps programmers, opps we screwed that one up, it doesn't seem that garmin uses any beta testing that's reliable if any at all. just program it let the users do the beta testing if it screwes up there unit they will fix it, it probably their fault anyway

Scary product!

Well, (after updating the software to Version 2.1.13 yesterday) this morning I decided to open Garmin Express...and the damn thing would not open! Garmin Express is a piece of sh*t!!! I deleted the damn thing. Good riddance!!!

If Garmin cannot do better than this on just a simple little application, then they are not hitting on too much. I hope they are embarrassed, but something tells me they are ignorant of their own stupidity.

If you really "deleted" the program, this is probably one of the causes of many of your problems. When only deleted from the file directory many files, sub-programs, registry entries all remain in the background and memory and affect how your computer operates.
As with all other windows programs, to remove them they MUST be UNINSTALLED with the regular windows program (or equivalent) created for that purpose. Occasionally, insignificant files may remain but have little or no effect on your computer.

No Oooops. I did 'remove' Garmin Express by 'uninstalling' it using the Windows 7 'Programs & Features' settings. I just used the word 'deleted' because it was easier to convey what I had done.

PS - Did I mention what a POS Garmin Express is?

I installed GE and so far do not see what it actually does. When I went on Garmin website, my dashboard, it stated that my software was not up to date. Also, I had to install my POIs using the POI loader. As I stated in an earlier post, it does not allow you to listen to voices before installing. What's the point. I thought it was supposed to take care of all of that.

I don't understand what you are complaining about. GE is primarily to update maps and keep the unit software updated much like My Dashboard, Web Updater and a host of other programs Garmin has written over the years.

POI Loader has always been used to load custom POI and its functionality has changed several times over the past few years. The program has gotten faster, allowed the specifying of both the input and output file names.

You've been on this site long enough and hopefully been active enough that you have seen (and maybe read) many of the threads on problems associate with each of the programs you mentioned. So, what's your beef?

Did -any- Garmin software ever allow you to preview voices before installing? I don't recall ever hearing of such a thing.

With Garmin trying their best to make this an all-in-one updater, it's causing issues with many users who have to revert to the old way of updating their unit anyways.

Personally, I'd rather have individual software apps doing specific things (as far as updating GPS units like WebUpdater & POI Loader do) and work as they should. What I don't need is an all-in-one piece of bloatwear that doesn't work correctly while using the processor needlessly while not doing anything.

Installed in windows 7, it wouldn't connect to my nuvi 2455, yesterday I tried it with windows 8 and all I could get is that my GPS had no maps installed. I've gone back to lifetime updater. I was then able to relaod the maps to my computer.

I don't have a beef except to say that I don't see any point to using GE rather than the map and POI updating programs already available. GE does not offer any benefits over the individual programs.

Make that another .12 person here. I want .13!!! lol

You can manually download the latest GE (which is Version 13). Remove the Version 12 GE and then download the Version 13. If you elect to keep GE Version 12 it will likely continue to tell you that it is the latest version, which we all know is incorrect.

Have I mentioned my opinion? Regardless of which version you have, Garmin Express is a total piece of crap.

My Garmin Express updated automatically today from version .12 to .13.

After the update GE stated that I needed to update almost everything on my 3590 including the maps. Well I have updated the maps back in February when the came out so what gives with this? I also updated the firmware, voices and everything else along the way so GE must be looking at their database as to what a user has downloaded and not what is actually on the device.

For laughs I tried to update the maps and GE give me an error that I don't have enough room on the device to install all the maps so please make a section. I tried clicking on that and nothing happened. The really interesting thing is that I had no problems using map updater to make the update and to top things off I do have an additional 8 gig SD card installed in the unit that is virtually empty.

GE is NOT ready for Prime Time by any stretch of ones imagination.

John

When I try and access the link provided in this thread for the MapUpdater, I get a warning from my virus protection software. Does this happen to anyone else?

When clicking this link to download the Windows version of GarminMapUpdater:

http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.exe

my Windows7 does pop up a warning that states "This type of file could hurt your computer." I don't believe it's a virus protection warning but a Microsoft Windows (or possibly an Internet Explorer) warning. Upon downloading the file, my Norton Internet Security states that the downloaded file, GarminMapUpdater.exe is safe and is reliable.* The link to the above link is from:

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={60f574f0-602d-11e2-f3fb-000000000000}

*Norton's report:
Filename: GarminMapUpdater.exe
____________________________
Details
Reliable,  Many Users,  Mature,  Good

Downloaded File GarminMapUpdater.exe fromgarmin.com
garminmapupdater.exe
____________________________
File Thumbprint - SHA:
46b7c8fe876d6210b26c162063803528ef147cef97ed4a7
5e4baf1261afa88d5
File Thumbprint - MD5:
Not available

Thanks for the reply CraigW, but no, it is definitely a McAfee warning about "viruses, spyware, and other unwanted programs." Maybe it's just the way the MapUpdater program is written that causes the warning.

Again thanks for your reply. It's nice to have a community to check out these things.

Updated my maps with Garmin express. Put it on an sd card (too big for 1490LMT). Now I can't access my diferrent vehicles. When I try, it shuts down. Any thoughts? Not a big fan of the blue arrow. Not the biggest deal in the world. Just wondering if there is an easy fix

Thanks

A hard reset is worth a try:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26136

Several folks here routinely do a reset after a map or firmware update. I'm not one of them but a hard reset is what I do if something odd seems to be occurring with my nuvi. It did cure an issue I had after an update once.

See:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39890

I am using the Garmin Express on my New Garmin Nuvi 3597. I did the new updates on my unit which included new firmware to version 2.70, map update & Traffic Receiver update. I waited for all the updates to get done.

I then tried to install some vehicles and the unit locked up several times. I see that a lot of people are having the same problem as I am. After I reset my computer and Garmin Express and checked for updates again it says there is a map update 2013.xx. I just installed all the updates and now it wants to do it again. I see this has happened to other people as well. Is there an alternate program to use.

Can you all tell me how to install third party voices and vehicles? Here is a link that has some cool vehicles. http://www.vehiclesforgarminnuvi.com/
When you unzip the files they have a .srf extension.

Has anyone bought any third party voices or can recommend some good sites that have support for support for speaking the street names. Which voices have you tried and liked and why.

Thanks for your time and help!

To install third party voices and vehicles; connect GPS to computer and use file manager to copy those .SRF files to the VEHICLE folder & and the voice files to the VOICE folder on the NUVI

Yes, you can select (change) the Location where you want the backups to go. Click the Box called Chage Backup Location. ITS LOCATED JUST BELOW THE BOX THAT READS BACKUP FILES NOW. (Thats the Button you Click to Backup Files). Garmin Express seems to work well, once you Read and Follow the Onscreen Instructions.

I've tried repeatedly to install Garmin Express on a Dell XPS desktop running Win XP SP 3 and it fails every time.
I download the file from the "Map Updates" section of MyDashboard on the Garmin site. Same thing every time. It never gets through the "Downloading required components" window. The progress bar gets about halfway across, then resets and tries again. After three tries it brings up a new window with two buttons "Failed. Try Again?" and "Exit".
I contacted Garmin Support via the web site and they suggested repairing the .NET 3.5 software. Did that and didn't help. Their next option is contacting them during working hours M-F. Not so convenient for me because I work during the day, but I'll have to give that a try.
Anybody have any other suggestions? I've read through the posts here, and don't see the same thing, although some are similar, and I may try some of those ideas/solutions.
Thank,
Mike

It is not a good piece of software. It fails on a good majority of computers when doing map update. It doesn't even do a complete backup.

Garmin Express causes problems for many users for reasons unknown.

To avoid this I recommend you use Mapupdater to update your maps and Webupdater for firmware and other software.

Here is the link for MapUpdater, click on "SAVE" rather than "Run". Once saved to the location of your choice, create a shortcut to it. It's an executable file and doesn't use resources as Garmin Express does.
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.exe

For WebUpdater download here:
http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

If you continue to experience problems using the above two programs I suspect you are having issues with your operating system (XP SP3). Most likely it has to do with Net Framework since many of Garmin's software rely on it.

Just about the best, succinct software recommendation I've read here.

I have never had any luck with using Garmin Express for a map update....not once. I finally deleted the program and use exclusively the webupdater and it works flawlessly.

I have seen screen shots...but much improved and the clear ability to add Maps to Computer and GPS unit...

Yooray!

And next week they'll be an even NEWER version, try as thay may, they just can't get it right.