Garmin Express v2.5.6.0 Released

This seems like about release #4 or 5 in the past couple of weeks.

I wouldn't trust that POS program if they updated it every hour for the next year.

It hasn't given me any problems at all the last 4 or so map updates.

I'm curious, when you click on the "Extras" tab has it ever shown any results for you?

Any version I ever installed never showed anything, so I wonder why the tab is there.

I'm still baffled on why it works for some people and not for others using the same operating system.

I will never install it again until it is confirmed that all is working properly. If it means skipping a map update, so be it. Life is complex enough; I don't need any additional aggravation.

Well it USED to, but now it doesn't anymore! I couldn't tell you exactly when it stopped working.
I don't usually use the Extras tab so I haven't looked at it in a few versions.

Garmin should remove the "Extra" tab as all the former features that used to list under this tab have been moved to the "Device" tab, under "Optional Updates" at the bottom. There you will find the optional "Voices" and "Vehicles".

Before I got rid of Express, the Extras tab worked for me a few times. But it did not offer the normal voices and vehicles that are under the Optional Updates. It just offered the "Premium" specialty bundles you find in Garmin Garage, like the Simpsons, Star Wars, etc. So I suspect they intend to develop the Extras into more of a "shopping" link.

Updated last night to the latest firmware version for my Oregon 600. Was supposed to improve GLONASS performance (which was hardly its most egregious problem). My initial impression is that it has made it worse. Raining too heavily now to go out for a in hand field test.

Garmin had put out a call recently on its website for beta testers. Has anybody been contacted with any offers?

But it was discussed here: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/41935

Question is whether that survey is a mere public relation ploy, or will real world users be utilized to provide real world feedback on both their hardware and software products? Worldwide there is no shortage of competent talent that might be brought to bear on Garmin useability issues.

These updates to Garmin Express will seemingly be going hourly, before long.

And people simply not in-touch with common sense continue to use it. Amazing...

Not this one. Not until it's fixed. Removed voice files from my gps without telling it to. Have gone back to Webupdater.

Install of GE modifies the windows registry and sets the program to autorun. That makes it undesirable to me when an alternative is available.

I thought Map Updater would no longer work and was corrected by people here and provided the appropriate link.

Map Updater updated, maps updated and GE uninstalled. End of problem.

The Extras tab lists Vehicles, Voices and Bundles from the Garmin Garage (www.garmin.com/garage).

Optional Updates listed in the Device tab are updated files (language, standard voices, timezone, etc) that may be installed with Garmin Express or the WebUpdater utility.

Extras worked for me before 2.5.2, then broke, and now work with Express 2.5.6

Newest version is 3.0.1 which I installed this morning. Extras work on this version.

And it has already been updated to 3.0.2.

Well that's kind of a blanket statement. I've used it the past year or two and had zero problems with it. I realize some others are having issues with GE but I'm not seeing any of those problems. In fact, I would cautiously say that it has outperformed Map Updater in my experience.

I really haven't had any install issues either. I will continue to use it until it gives me a reason to stop.

...not much choice either ... they are simply PUSHING everyone in that direction.

I fear that they've recently discovered a major flaw in their programing, prompting this recent flurry of updates.

Could be the result of a major change in staff or programming model over at Garmin.

Could ultimately be great news for the future!

Cool another dun update!

installed 3.0.4.1 (the newest newest) and Extras are broken (again)

I'm ready to flip a coin as to what the outcome will be for the next release.

Thanks! I'll reserve judgement until I try it. Sometimes an upgrade is to repair something that you will never encounter. But if you do, the software becomes, as yous aid, a POS.

Garmin is chasing its own tail with this one.

quote]I'm still baffled on why it works for some people and not for others using the same operating system.[/quote]

I used both Express and MapUpdater on the same computer.

When it works, Express worked fine for me - probably better than MapUpdater, but I have also had Express tell me I had the latest maps when I knew a map update had been released and MapUpdater had no problems.

I use both also, on a Mac. I've noticed that MapUpdater cannot maintain a solid full pipe on downloads, where GE does.

I've also experienced one working while the other won't.

I checked today and 3.0.7 is the latest release. Why so many updates in a short amount of time?

Reason being, they don't thoroughly test the software before releasing, they leave that up to us.

It looks like there is a new release every day.
I updated it yesterday and it was 3.0.6

Or they get a report of a problem, fix it, release a fix, and then get a report of another issue and the cycle starts again. Their testing may be only to see if the specific problem they are dealing with is fixed.

I worked for awhile beta testing the long gone and badly written Garmin Lifetime MapUpdate program and that's exactly what they appeared to do. I'd get 2 or 3 new beta versions a day somedays.

Since 2.5.6.0 is a full version increment back, how about starting a new thread with the title "Garmin Express 3.0 Windows". I say Windows because the MAC version is on another Version number path.

Thanks

What can I say....better but not great!

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42148

So what does that tell you, they have incompetent software developers in my opinion.

Hi Guinea pigs!

The only time I used Garmin Express is on the last two or so map updates because MapUpdater would refuse to fully download the map update. Using GE on the exact same PC (MacBook Pro 13-inch, Late 2011) and the download, map compiling and map install all worked flawlessly. Go figure.

No Probs here

v3.0.8.0 is out

Lets just say that it's a fairly dumb way to deal with software issues but on the other hand we'd be screaming even more if there was a serious issue that they had a fix for but waited until they could release it along with a bunch of other fixes.

What is ticking be off is that it is beginning to look like all these updates to GE have nothing to due with problems concerning the software and your GPS. According to posts on other sites these multiple updates are because Garmin Connect (that silly watch you wear when your running) now needs GE for updates etc and Garmin is having a heck of a time making connect work properly with Express.

So instead of them spending time fixing problems for their automotive customers all the resources are going to fixing a "watch". Go figure.

Hi,

Would anyone still happen to have the original 2.5.6.0 installer? Unfortunately, I'd overwritten that file, but it worked fine (while I'm not having much luck getting the 3.0.x series to work with each of my 3 GPSes).

Thanks!

A "quick patch" release to fix one or two small bugs is OK as a software maintenance philosophy. But if that's what they are doing, at a minimum, Garmin needs to publish release notes so you can determine if the fixes apply to your configuration.

And one could assume that going from the 2.x.x versions a couple of weeks ago to the 3.x.x versions now was somwhat of a major release. And there is no evidence as far as I can determine that even the major versions have any kind of quality assurance / software testing standards. Of course we are looking at it from the outside in and just guessing. Maybe Garmin has very sophisticated testing methodology, but without release notes it doesn't appear that way from the user's perspective.

With the number of releases Garmin is putting out, you may in fact find one that works for you if you keep trying.

But even so and once you DO find a working version, what they do on their server end may not coincide or even work with previous releases. It's all a coin toss.

At least the numbering isn't too long...lol

Garmin could just keep adding another decimal point and a new number following it.

3.0.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 ad infinim

Now that would be more like the Garmin I know and loathe!

Can't help but ask why you have two Garmins.

Why don't you switch to another manufacturer?

Typically software release numbers are Version, revision, maintenance. So it would be 3.0.999999

Only 3.0.9.0 so far.

Only 3.0.9.0 so far.

I got 3.0.9.0 and the extras are blank, so I predict 3.0.10.0 very soon.

My nuvi 40 got a firmware update to 3.8 yesterday and now when it is hooked up to the computer the connection screen now shows "garmin.com/express" below the GARMIN logo. I think that is new, as I do not recall seeing anything about express on my screen before.

Garmin Express is the not the best software I've used, but it has always worked for me and does what it needs to do. Guess I've been lucky with it