Garmin Express is (probably) in your future

I had a similar issue a couple of months ago when I tried to register my new 3597LMTHD. As far as I could tell, there was no way to register it except through Garmin Express. I had previously had problems with Express and didn't have it installed at the time. But finally in desperation, I gave in and reinstalled Express so I could complete my registration. I then uninstalled Express, and my registration stayed intact in my.Garmin.com even though Express was gone.

But I think it is clear that Garmin intends to make us use Express. When the 2014.4 CN NA map update came out in Feb., they disabled (the then current version) of MapUpdater. Then after a couple of days of problems and user complaints regarding Express, they released a new version of MapUpdater that would work with the new map.

But it seems clear to me that Garmin wants us to use Express and stop using the older software. I will not be surprised if new map updates will again not work with MapUpdater, forcing us into using Express. I will also not be surprised if Webupdater (for firmware updates) shares the same fate sometime in the near future.

Note: I have no inside knowledge of what Garmin is doing ... I am just speculating based on observation.

How many threads do we need on GE?

It's a well worn subject at this point.

I think we all know by now that Garmin Express is the poster child of how not to design software. Soon, it will be the only way to update maps so get used to it and move on!

You will be assimilated. Resistance is and will be futile.

Not really a fan of express. I still use mapquest.

What do you think, why Garmin is forcibly pushing Express on users? For sure not because it is such great working software. Try to find link on Garmin site to MapUpdater. It doesn't exist anymore according to Garmin.

For me it looks like Garmin's programmers philosophy is: if it works sometimes correctly why fix it, as we don't really know what we are doing?

many new post about GE, plus it bump up other newer sobject post.

It should be easy to understand. Lots of problems (with Garmin Express) equals lots of threads.

I suspect you mean Mapinstall.

What I see in the various GE threads is a lot of users NOT having problems. Some do of course, and they are the most vocal.

I suspect you mean MapUpdater.

Yep! Thanks. Never type with a screaming kid in the room. Nothing good will ever come of it.

Amen.

Up until now, you could install the Garmin maps on multiple computers. I've got mine on my laptop for travelling and my desktop for home route design. Reports are that the latest GE won't allow you to install maps on more than one computer. What's your experience?

I'm not sure if this is relevant, but GE installed 2014.4 to both my MAC and the Virtual Windows 7 I have running on it. And Win7 is using a map that is in the Win7 machine, not one on the Mac.

I have installed maps on my 2 computers using Garmin Express, but I have no idea if it is the latest version!

dobs108

...that are having problems but think it is completely normal.

Yes, I think they GE is the wave of the future, no way to escape it. It never used to work for me, but this update all went well, so maybe it will work out ok.

Might give it another try some day.

I thought that I was being forced into GE with the last update. Thanks to community members here I discovered that updating my old version of Map Updater to the current would do the trick. It was the first I became aware that a new Map Updater existed.

I believe that, as long as there is a workaround, people here will be able to advise on how avoid GE.

If Garmin Express won't run on my two-year-old MacBook, it's totally useless software. MapUpdater has worked well for me. I'm not buying a new computer. I'll buy a new GPS first, from a competitor.

--

it's the dog's fault

I think Garmin needs to consider what may happen if there is a repeat of what happened during the last map update and Map Updater is no longer a fall-back option. (For them -or- the customer) Let me preface here by saying I was one of the people who never had a problem with Garmin Express updating my 2595 until the last map release. Like many others, I had to fall back to Map Updater to get the new map installed.

Garmin needs to think about the folks who will be sending back their Nuvi's to get their Lifetime Map installed if GE errors out and they can't use Map Updater because it's not available. I will be one of those people. This may also be the tipping point for me to go to another vendor for my next GPS.

I really don't understand the logic here, especially if once again, Map Updater has already been taken off the network by Garmin. (As reported by some folks here.) Aggravating their customer base like this makes absolutely no sense to me.

But...I was told that the 'vast majority' of people using Garmin Express are not having any problems using it. Is that a fabrication?

I'd bet some money that the reason Garmin is pushing GE so hard is, that they also collect a lot of data from your computer as well as updating the device.

I wouldn't be surprised in the least to find out your computer is being scoured for information, all under the guise of 'anonymous data' collection.

I have had my 2460LMT for only a couple of weeks now, moving from Magellan. Magellan lost me because of entering addresses. If they didn't recognize the address you couldn't enter it ... frustrating. My daughter and fam live on Fairchild AFB. The house has been there for years with the same address, but Magellan says no ... Garmin says OK. I also got tired of the slow rerouting and "when possible make a legal U-turn." The good part of Magellan was the Content Manager, where I could edit and add addresses without the GPS installed and then syncing when I wanted.

With all that said, I am very happy with my Garmin GPS, but a bit frustrated at GE. There is no way to edit/add/delete addresses, the Extras tab generally doesn't work, and GE does not report my unit as an LMT. You have to go to myGarmin to find that out. That was important to be to verify what I bought since it was a previously owned unit. The GUI is a bit clunky, IMHO anyway, and it loads on reboot even if you have the boxes unchecked. I always have one update in GE ... German et al languages for Digital Traffic. They know about it .. but OK to update anyway

Even though GE is a bit lacking in features/functionality, the quality of my unit makes up for the difference.

Thank you all for your comments ... in all the topics. They are really helpful to a new G user.

I think their main goal is to limit user access, modification and unsanctioned customization of the devices. MTP mode is one step in this direction, Express is another. The next steps are to eliminate mass storage mode, combine POI Loader into Express or Basecamp, and disable webupdater, mapupdater, poiloader, and all import methods except Basecamp and Express.

I can understand this from a support perspective. It would simplify support to combine all the functions in one software product, and restricting the methods for customization would reduce support issues by preventing inexperienced users from messing up their device.

So that's what my crystal ball says Garmin is up to. It will be interesting to see if that's how it plays out.

I was wondering about the statement "There is no way to edit/add/delete addresses".

Are you saying that some other software is able to edit or delete addresses from your GPS? Although GE offers to back up Favorites/Saved Places (and I do not know of other Garmin software that would do that), I would not have expected a design feature to be the editing of "addresses".

Interesting comment about GE not reporting that your unit is a LMT. My 2595 is a LMT but you can not tell that from the GarminDevice.xml file unless there is something coded there that I am not recognizing.

Garmin Communicator does not tell me that my unit is a LMT

Referring to Magellan Content Manager
With Magellan Content Manager you could do all the above without your GPS attached to the computer. Then at some other time you could connect via usb and Sync. All your address edit/add/deltes would then be xfered to the GPS. .... It would be nice IF Express would offer such a facility.

GE only says my unit is a nuvi 2460. However, myGarmin (enter serial number) reports the unit as 2460LMT.

Going to Garmin Communicator reports same as for you.

Hope I explained a bit better.

It will be.

I have participated in this forum for nearly 5 years, and I honestly don't think the average poster in here is reactionary or the type who fits the category of "vocal minority" when they complain about Garmin Express. So, just going by what is posted in this forum, I'd have to disagree that "most" people haven't had a problem with Garmin Express when installing their new map. Heck, I was one of the people that lost a few of my voices when I used Garmin Express for the last map update: a NEW bug! (and it failed to install the map BTW) It has always worked for me before in the two-plus years I have had my Nuvi. So sure, there's complainers. BUT: GE has never worked well or bug-free in the nearly two years since it was released.

If Garmin follows the industry with GE, then getting it right and bug free is at least years away if at all. Look at MS. When they don't get it right, they just push out another version. How about the auto makers ... How many times do you get updates to your apps? Or if you are like me, if it isn't broke (works for me) then don't fix it. I don't know if Garmin lets out Beta testing, but that would definitely be a plus for them. I have Beta tested various software, and find that it proves to lessen the oopses on roll-out.

Their customer service needs to improve a bit. They need to be on the same page ... Resetting IE so that Extras will show in GE to me is not a solution. They also need to "completely" read a support question. Don't ask me for a model and serial number when it is in the support inquiry.

For me, I would give support a B, GE a C-, and in offering needed/wanted features probably a C. Keep in mind though that I am a Garmin Newbie and only other experience is 3 years with Magellan Roadmate 1440 and a 5235 that I had for just two weeks and sold on CL.

Is there a posting area where we can tell Garmin what we would like to see in fixes and new features?

There's another side of dissatisfaction with GE that has nothing to do with whether it can successfully install a new release of maps. The stopper for me is that it's always running, idling away in the background, only heaven knows doing what. What the hell's so important about GE (to me) that Garmin built it that way? I'd be a lot more inclined to give GE another try if it was like other user applications: start it, use it, stop it. I'm perfectly capable of finding out for myself that there's a new map or a new version of GE available.

Phil

I recall that when it was first released, Garmin make a big deal of this "feature". The justification for running it all the time in the background was so that it could continually check for new versions of the maps, firmware, etc. and then download them in the background with no user-intervention required. They also touted the fact that you could adjust the settings to restrict the downloads to off-hours/overnight if you wanted. All well and good except that it consumes a lot of resources "monitoring" for something to do that happens only four times a year. (maybe five if there's a firmware update)

Ever since the nuvi line's inception (I've been involved with Garmin products since my first eMap, then the GPS V, way before the nuvi), it's whole idea was simplicity, catered to those who want to push a button and go...in other words, a GPS for dummies. I'm not calling anyone here a dummy. Users that are here and are participating are nowhere even near being in the dummy category but you have to realize that the majority of users outside of this and other forums and in the general population may fit that category very well. In fact, my significant other falls into that category (and sits in the bottom of that category hole).

The whole logic behind Garmin Express is also geared towards this same category of users...the people who Garmin thinks & believes are incapable of running a simple software program when needed to check for updates and are also too confused to be able to set up their GPS to do what they want their GPS to do/display/inform. Instead, Garmin chooses for them/us/everyone and ends up giving us very limited features and functionality compared to any of the handheld models like the Colorado, Montana, etc and the older Street Pilot and Quest lines of the past.

You'd think that the advent and popularity of the smartphone would've made people smarter than what Garmin think/believes they are. I, for one, think we are actually (the general population as a whole) getting smarter. Seems as if Garmin doesn't think so...yet.

I have numerous utilities, login items, extensions, etc. and they don't bother my computer one bit. All those things use <<<0.2% of the CPU. My use of the computer to write, compute, shop, etc. is never impeded by these utilities.

What is the concern over having GE doing background updates? What is it consuming?

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!

For Sure!

For Sure!

What is a GE Sticky and can you set GE to only update when you tell it to?

Making the GE thread a sticky is sort of a reference possibly to making the thread a faq since I don't think the POI Factory software does stickies

Yes, when/if you install GE and launch it, click the "cog" in the upper right. You are given the options to:

-autoupdate GE (or not),

-set the search frequency for device updates, and

-auto-launch GE when a Garmin device is connected to the computer (or not).

For me on the one PC I now have GE (installed to be able to register my new nuvi earlier this week and for the mistaken thought on my part that I needed it to get new TTS3 voices for the nuvi 3597) I have the two unchecked and the frequency set to Never. For knowing of new updates, I depend upon Users here at The Factory to alert me.

LOL.

I have GE 3.1.6 and I checked via the cog and it tells me that there is another update. Really? Or is this a malfunction. I tried to verify by searching the Garmin site, but no luck there.

Does anyone here have a definitive word here?

It looks like 3.1.7 for the PC has been out for a while:

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?79176-Garmin-Expres...

As I noted in another thread, Garmin Express 3.1.7.0 came out on April Fools Day. I still think there is something symbolic about that

Thanks. I do applaud Garmin for fixing issues, but 4 updates in 11 days? Part of the issue I see is having so many different devices trying to use the same app and having their own set of needs. And there are more rolling out every month.

Thanks. I do applaud Garmin for fixing issues, but 4 updates in 11 days? Part of the issue I see is having so many different devices trying to use the same app and having their own set of needs. And there are more rolling out every month.

I just discovered something about this and decided to add to this thread rather than start a new one.

As dbrieser said in the original post, when you go to my.garmin.com and try to register a new nuvi, all it does is tell you to download Garmin Express to register your device. I discovered however, if you select a device category other than "Automotive", it does not tell you to download Express. It takes you to the old my.Garmin online registration where you can enter the device serial number. It seems to accept and correctly identify and register a nuvi even though you selected a different device category.

For example, I tried it with my 3597LMTHD. I selected the category "Outdoor and Dogs". I then entered the SN of my 3597 and completed the online registration. A few minutes later I got the confirming email from Garmin, and my 3597 now shows as a registered device at the top of myProducts list on my.garmin.com.

I still agree with the premise of the original post. Garmin WILL make us use Express whether we want to or not. But until Garmin closes this loophole, there may still be a way to register your nuvi without using Express.

Hi, I just check the GE in my computer and I have Version 3.1.8.0