Help with Garmin data card programmer - I'm confused!

[Sunbeam]

Hi folks,

I'll start with a little bit of background for context:

My boat came with a Garmin 2006c chartplotter. Although it's not "new tech," it's in great shape and I (now, finally) have chart cards for most of the areas I plan to boat in the near future. So, I would like to use this plotter.

The problem: Unit briefly "loses" satellites quite frequently. Not acceptable. (This is while holding still in an area with great reception.) I tried putting the antenna outside but it didn't help. I also updated the chartplotter and antenna software slightly (but not all the way.... the update card I was loaned was still a very early version). The problem persisted.

From reading, it sounded like this was a known problem with the earlier versions of the antenna software (I now know the antenna also has software - it comes along with the plotter updates and is "pushed" to the antenna). I looked on Garmin's website and there are much newer updates than what I have, so updating my software version to the latest and greatest seemed like a logical first step. There were even notes that the updates could solve antenna problems where it loses satellites. Great! The downloads are free and available on Garmin's website. Also great!

But... the "gotcha" is that in order to get the software updates onto the plotter, one has to get them onto a Garmin data card. To do that requires a "data card programmer." Oookay, so I scoured eBay and finally got both a data card programmer (not cheap ) and a blank card. The next gotcha is that the programmer only works on Windows machines. Okay, I'm at a friend's house who has such a machine, so I've got that covered.

But... today I read through the online manual for the data card programmer (http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/45_USBDataCardProgrammer.pdf) and I see two things that I'm not sure how to solve:

1) It says I need "Existing installation of Garmin MapSource updated to Version 3.04 or later." I looked for this on the Garmin site but only found a "patch"?

2) It says I need a CD-Rom with USB Device drivers for the programmer (didn't come with my eBay one).

Gaaah, I hope I haven't bought a useless lump of plastic in this programmer and I'm somewhat despairing at this point. Does anyone understand this who can help me?

Thank you!
Sunbeam

PS: I did think about just buying a new/used antenna, but the ones I found on eBay were just as (or more) expensive than the programmer, and with them I still would have no idea what software version they had on them until I was able to plug them in. Also I figured the programmer has other uses (making datacards of charts). I also thought about calling Garmin, but figured (and I can't blame them) that they would first want me to update to the latest software version (which is what I'm trying to accomplish here, since mine is still circa 2002 in terms of updates).

[jkidd]

Garmin just sent me the update on a 512 k chip. However due to age they might not support it anymore. Any of the Mapsouce disks have the driver for the programmer on them. Once you have the base Mapsource loaded it can be updated to the current version off of the website.

[Sunbeam]

[hardee]

Sunbeam,

Hi, I have been a Garmin fan for a long time. I still use a handheld VI-Plus because it has a great battery life and is waterproof. I am actually looking at replacing it (the screen is about 1.75") with a newer larger screen (maybe 640 or so). But to get to what you are asking about....

I would up replacing my RayMarine GPS 125, because of the same issues you are having, loss of position fix, which was getting more frewuent and taking longer to reverse, which required a full system shutdown and restart after one plus minutes to reboot the entire system. From what I learned, the antenna has a software system that includes a buffer circuit, and that buffer was failing, thus the position fix loss. In talking with the electronics guys at Rodgers marine in Portland (OR), Their fix was 2 fold. Update the software, and it will work for a while OR replace with a new (and I'm sure IMPROVED version of the antenna and eliminate the problem.

The cost was going to be the same eventually, because the old GPS was dying, so I opted for the antenna replacement. (Now I have a little green light on my antenna that glows when it is on --- whoopi BUT the good part. No more position fix loss messages on my display.

I hope you can find and get what you need. There are other guys on here who can work magic with little electric boxes so good luck. If you don't find what you need, I would call Garmin. They have been really helpful for me before. If not there then call Rogers Marine, Portland OR and ask for Marty K or Marty B. 503 and 288 with 3745 will get you to them. OR check out Rogersmarine.com.

Good luck and Happy New Year,

Harvey
SleepyC

[jkidd]

Maybe someone close has one you can use to get the update done. New Mapsource disk are about $100 but you should be able to find a used one for much less.

[jkidd]

Try this http://download.cnet.com/Garmin-MapSource/3000-20422_4-75123302.html

[Sunbeam]

Harvey: That's interesting about the buffer. I wonder if it just gets old and dies (which could apply to me), or if it dies from hours of use (in which case my unit has less than 50 hours of use).

I thought about getting a new antenna, but even that was a bit confusing as to which ones would work with it (it's not that easy to get info on new parts for "obsolete" systems). I got what seemed to be some good advice to try working with the devil I know, i.e. my GPS 17N antenna, because newer antennae might not play nicely with my older unit. Now if I had known (or even knew now) of an new antenna that would for sure be compatible, I would probably buy (or have bought) one. I'm starting to freak out a bit about how much I'm spending on the 2006c, just in case I can never fix it.

Jody: Wow, so that's the MapSource right there and I can download it? So I don't need a CD? (I did find the programmer software to download, if I understand it correctly, here: https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=595)

So... with the CNet download you pointed me to (thanks!), and the above download from Garmin, and a friends Windows XP computer, and the programmer, and a 128mb blank datacard.... am I ready to go? I know I probably sound stupid here, but this sort of thing is not my forte and I'm just a bit overwhelmed at the moment

Sunbeam

PS: I did consider a new chartplotter, but not only were comparable new units expensive, the thing is, I really don't "love" either of the top contenders at the moment. I do like the 2006c, and so I was hoping to put off an update, figuring that as time passes there would be a new iteration I would like better.

PPS: Okay, back outside to my epoxy/fiberglassing. It's not the most fun work, but at least I know how to do it I'm fiberglassing my anchor locker drain hole, just to be SURE no water can leak between the hull and the tabbing, and then also filling in a dozen or so more angle-brackets-were-screwed-into-the-hull-core holes.

[hardee]

Sunbeam,

Sounds like you are having a "Happy Boating New Year"

Enjoy. There is an interesting editorial in the Jan/Feb 13 issue of Wooden Boat intitled "Why Do We Do This?" buy David Kasanof. long story short. Can't explain, it is just in our blood.

Yup, can't live with and can't live without. BUT can't get along without either.

HNY - 2013
Harvey
SleepyC

[hardee]

Sunbeam Said:

[halibut taco]

It sounds like you have everything you need to do the update now Sunbeam. I was able to update my 3210 last summer by downloading the software update from Garmin and using the datacard method to transfer to the device.

Here are the steps from their website after you get to the update page for your model:
Installation Instructions
Click on 'Download' and choose to save the file to your computer.
Choose a location where you can easily find the file, such as the 'My Documents' folder or 'C:\'.
Once the download is complete, go to the location where you saved the file.
Double-click on the downloaded file. This will automatically extract the files to C:\Garmin and run a program to transfer the software update to a Garmin card.
Power on the device and make sure all attached network devices are powered on as well.
Insert the card into the top card slot of your primary device. Select 'Update' in the window that automatically displays.
After the update completes, all Garmin Marine Network devices will have the latest software. This ensures all of the devices will be able to communicate with each other.

I was never able to locate a copy of MapSource so I ended up buying a copy of Homeport to transfer and backup my tracks and waypoints. It will work with the datacard reader that you bought. Homeport is $30 but it works with newer Garmin units if you upgrade with them. By the way I find the datacard reader to be kind of buggy and not really plug-and-play like most usb devices. You may need to restart the computer with it plugged in order for it to recognize the card. It also only works with 32-bit Windows so I need to keep an old laptop around in order to use it.

[rogerar]

I bought one of these USB card programmer cords, new old stock, sealed. After weeks of working with Garmin, and trying to install on 3 different computers, it was decided it was defective. Garmin is very good at working with you, they even took control of one of my computers, trying to install with no luck. Just call Garmin and ask for the Software Department, they spent untold hours working on this with me.
I gave up and threw it away. They no longer make these USB card programmer cords and the price is going up, good luck!
Roger

[Sunbeam]

Thanks to everyone for the input
(Not to stop anyone from adding anything new, either!)

In addition to all the great info, at least I now feel like I didn't get discouraged over something easy. Whew! I'll see what I can do with the two downloads and the data card programmer, and the friend's computer (which is older so probably 32-bit?); and, depending how that goes, perhaps calls to Garmin and/or Rogers Marine.

I'll keep the thread updated as I know more.

Sunbeam

[Sunbeam]

[halibut taco]

That's great Garmin can send you the update. If you didn't have a datacard already then programming it yourself probably isn't worth it. The cards are expensive online. I had one of them from a previous update so for me doing it myself was the cheaper route.
Did you end up getting the card reader? If so you can use it to make backups of your waypoints and tracks. Once the update is done you won't need it anymore. You can tell your Garmin unit to Export to datacard. Then use the datacard reader and either Mapsource or HomePort to backup the waypoints to the PC. Very useful for transferring to a future device.

[Captains Cat]

Sunbeam, if you have radar, I recall 5.90 causing some overlay problems. Anyone remember if I'm remembering right? Sally and I ask ourselves that question all the time!

Charlie