Garmin Express 4.0

to give it a whirl with the much anticpated map update some are expecting at any time. Some of us early adopters have to give this a try so we can report back if it works or not.

On Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit. No problems with the update. The program has a completely new look and interface. It will take a while to get used to it.

One thing I noticed right off ... for the first time, the update didn't trash the custom names I had given to my devices.

It is showing a map update available on all 3 of my nuvi's for CN NA 2015.30, even though I updated months ago.

Edit: This version may not be ready for prime time. On my 3597 when I click the button for "Vehicles and Voices", I get "Server Error. We are having trouble communicating with our servers." Way to go Garmin!

Second Edit: The error has now cleared ... maybe it really was a temporary problem with their servers.

Is there really a need to update to this version?

Using my old GE's Check for Updates, the new version was found and installed fine.

I did click the 'gear' to check the settings of the new version and see that my previous settings were carried over EXCEPT that 'Always keep running in background' was now checked. I unchecked it and hope all goes well.

I have plugged in all 4 of my Garmin devices (3 nuvi's and an Oregon), and clicked "Check for updates" on each one. That seemed to clear the symptom where it was calling for a map update to version 2015.30. It is now showing the correct map and software versions on all the nuvi's, with the "Reinstall Map" option available.

However, the "Unable to connect to server" error seems to be back when I click on the "Vehicles and Voices" button. Maybe it is something with my old Vista laptop causing it.

Could be, I'm not seeing it with the 3 Nuvi's I currently have access to. I'm using Windows 8.1

Very different design but usable. Doesn't ask me if I want to leave the app running in the background like the old one did when I would quit the program.

Tap the gear in the upper right of GE to go to the setting to leave the program running or not.

The UI looks almost modern! We'll see what the version number has jumped to when the next map update arrives...

the new map update will be along very shortly

Seems a little quicker as far as loading, like the new look, not as drab as the old version.

THANKS

Thanks. Really, really wish Garmin Express becomes a good program - from what I've seen each new version is just a new version of a bad program.

I've been using GE since it came out and have never had an issue

or sooner than later . . .

Updating now...

You would be one of the few that can say that.

Have not ever had a problem.

I haven't really had a problem either

updated smoothly and seems to work fine...won't really be able to tell how well until the next map update as I am current as of now.

here either,

Garmin Express has some nice features also, you can move trips, and favorites from one Garmin device to another very easily.

found this on Garmin Forum

Or I just imagined it. Will see...

Easy to see information on all my devices even when not plugged in. Waiting to update maps when new release is out (kind of late).

I think I will wait untill after the next map update.

...I've never had a problem with it.

Tried to use with my 60csx and it doesn't work. I'll try with the others in my collection tomorrow. (It's cold out there in the garage!!)

Not seeing an answer to this yet. I'm not planning to update unless there a good reason to. I've never had any trouble with previous versions of GE and not inclined to do software updates unless there is some benefit.

Garmin Express no longer supports the older Garmin devices such as the 60CSx.

I will try this tomorrow.

Thanks for the update news!

Thanks for the fyi

Just noticed another update for the PC.

Fixed some migration issues from older versions of Express to v4.0.

Fixed Forerunner 610 repetitive syncing issue.

And just like the 4.0.2 update, this 4.0.5 update changes a Setting to "Always Keep Garmin Express Running in the Background." Assuming you don't want it running all the time, you will need to manually uncheck the box in Settings.

Anyone using GE 4.0.2 or 4.0.5 with Windows 8.1? I had GE on the Windows Start screen in a group with other GPS programs but after updating to 4.0.2 Garmin Express has been deleted from the group and does not appear on the Start screen at anywhere.

Version 4.0.5.0 did not correct the error for the Vehicles & Voices function where Express displays the error "Cannot connect to servers" instead of populating the list with the files that can be downloaded.

This error is not consistent ... sometimes Express works correctly, sometimes not. It has been reported by users in other forums so I suspect it is a bug rather than a problem with my computer or Internet connection. One user (on gpsPassion) reported that the server error popped up during a voice download, thus giving a partial corrupted voice file. The nuvi was then bricked (would not boot back up with the corrupt file).

This is not really a big deal (to me anyway) as I never use the custom voices or vehicles provided by Garmin. But for others, it is probably a good idea to avoid this function until Garmin corrects it.

This may have occurred some time back and I may have missed it.

After updating to 4.0.5.0, I fired up Autoruns to disable the automatic running of entries in start-up and services. To check, I did a "Find" on Garmin and discovered that there was a Scheduled Task to run ExpressSelfUpdater.exe. Don't remember that being there in the past.

I disabled all three places I found Garmin Express.

In working on a question concerning how the Backup and Restore function in Garmin Express works, as asked on another forum I discovered some interesting results that would lead me to believe that the backup and restore facility in GE should not be used as your only backup for the Nuvi. Here is what I found:

- attached my 3597 to the computer, started up GE, selected Tools, and created a new Backup of the device.

- the GE backup creates a folder that contains the contents of the GPX, POI, .system/SQlite and .system/Trips folders on the Nuvi.

- once the backup was created I MOVED the complete contents of the aboved listed folders to a folder on my computer so that those 4 folders on the Nuvi were completely empty.

- with the Nuvi attached to the computer, I closed GE and restarted it and ran the Restore facility found under Tools.

- After the Restore was complete here is what I found on the 3597:

POI - POI folder on the Nuvi was empty after the restore.

GPX - GPX folder contained a single file called GarminExpressImport.gpx

.system/SQlite - SQlite folder was empty

.system/Trips - all backed up Trips were restored correctly

NOTE - The GarminExpressImport.gpx file that the restore created in the GPX folder on the Nuvi is exactly the same size as the current.gpx file that was backed up by the GE Backup facility. The remaining 18KB of GPX files that I originally had in the GPX folder on the Nuvi do not appear to have been restored, only the current.gpx file.

Conclusion - a mixed bag. Hopefully your not counting on the GE Backup and Restore facility as your only backup system.

I tried the "backup" option last year. All it really backs up and restores is the CURRENT.GPX.

So, it's basically useless.

When I upgraded Garmin Express v4.02.00 to v4.05.00 the installer re-enabled the setting for Express to run automatically in the background. So, apparently that'll have to be checked out after every upgrade/bugfix issued by Garmin. We'll see how that goes.