Garmin GPS unit software updates plus some.

[Siskiyou]

Garmin has released a number of gps unit software updates in the last month.  It appears most of the models with a "C" suffix have received an update.  A quick check makes me think the 60c and the 76c are the same, but there is a difference in release dates.  Only use the update for your model.

Example of the 76c update:

Changes made from version 4.00 to 4.10:

Adds support for Topo Great Britain maps.
Correctly handles apostrophes and prefixes when displaying European city names and streets.
Fixes occasional shutdown on highway page.
Uses updated search process for WAAS and EGNOS satellites.
Presents only relevant cities as choices given during address or intersection searches.
Preserves stopwatch lap distance if user goes off of the stopwatch page.
Corrects profile plot for tracks and routes that cross the Prime Meridian.
Prevents long idle times during power save GPS mode.
Sounds anchor drag alarm until reset by the user rather than sounding just a single tone.
Shows proper units on the map page when reviewing depth contours on the map page.
Applies map datum only to the Location (selected) field and not to the Location (lat/lon) field.

For me I assume the updated search process for WAAS and EGNOS satellites is the most important.  I'll update my 76c in the next few days, but right now the lawn needs mowing, weeds whacked, and other changes brought about by sudden warm weather.

The Plus some:  Last week the wife and I made a trip to Southern California.  My 76c is not loaded with the best software for "city" navigation but it did a good job of calculating the route. It kept sounding the right tones when we change freeways.  I had created a waypoint for the motel we had reservations at.  The gps did a good job.  The first night in the South I setup my laptop computer and went to the website for best gas prices.  I then consulted my Streets and Trips software for the address and then created a waypoint on my gps.  As it turned out the targeted station was about a mile away and enroute to our destination the next morning.   Based on posted signs we saved from 10 to 50 cents a gallon on gas.  

We loaded up our pickup and headed North with a full tank of gas.  The night before I had not only checked out local gas prices but prices on our route back.  I created a waypoint for the targeted North bound stop.  It worked out to be a good location for a dinner stop and a fill-up.  I never thought that I would be happy to pay $2.92 a gallon for gas.  But that is better then paying over $3.00 a gallon for gas.

Without a doubt one of the best gas saving moves we can make is to slow down.  I-5 has become a racetrack.  In many areas the posted speed limit is 70 MPH.  This was the first long trip for the new GMC pickup I bought last August.  A nice ride with a good sound system.  When ever possible I used the cruise control and tried to keep out of everybody’s way.  In many areas the average speed for drivers is 80 MPH plus.  I tried to keep my speed in the slot between 65 and 70.  My average mileage was 16.9 MPG for the trip.  This is 3 or 4 miles per gallon improvement over my 1995 pickup.   The back of the pickup had a full load, and the back seat was also carrying some cargo.  A 55 MPH speed limit would take care of any gas shortage.  In California your vehicle is towed if you are stopped for going over 100 MPH.  If they dropped that down to 80 MPH that would get drivers attention and save some fuel.  And tow companies would make a few bucks.

To me some of this is good sense, and some is rocket science.  An old friend and former fishing partner had a PhD in engineering and worked on rockets and delivery systems back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  He was always talking about speed, payload weight, and fuel consumption while I was towing my boat to our fishing spot.  The good thing was he was willing to buy gas.  The bottom line is go-fast burns more fuel.  He claimed that by slowing down to 55 MPH and driver could save thirty percent.  Rough numbers tell me that if I was driving 55 MPH I could have received 22 MPG on my pickup.  

I passed a young woman driving an old Chevy Nova.  I then passed her a second time after a pit stop.  The old car was not smoking and she seemed steady as a rock.  I bet at the end of the day she saved more then a twenty-dollar bill.

When I got home I went to the trip computer on my gps.  I knew that I had exceeded my targeted speed when getting by a big rig with Montana plates.  It was clear that in his big black truck that he had his foot in it.  He was passing all the trucks on the freeway.  I had to give it a little more gas when getting by him.  Oops, the trip computer said I my top speed was 78 MPH.  And people were passing me.  Not an excuse just the facts.

[Siskiyou]

Another little software tool that Garmin has is Web updater software. I just downloaded it and will give it a try.  If understand correctly you can hook up your computer and Web Updater will quide you in the update process.  I'll try this a little later.

Copied from Garmin site to give you an idea what it does for you.

 Download (5.70 MB)
  View download instructions and system requirements

Notes:

WebUpdater guides you through the process of updating the software in your GPS.
WebUpdater finds the most appropriate update for your GPS from the Garmin web site and performs the update.
WebUpdater is not compatible with Palm and Pocket PC devices, fixed-mount marine units, chartplotters, fishfinders and discontinued units. For these products, please see our additional software page.
WebUpdater does not perform Beta updates.
For some unit updates, this software will clear user memory, including 'Recent Finds' and 'Favorites.' Please back up important data such as routes, tracks, and waypoints to MapSource prior to updating.
 
 Change History  
   
 
Changes made from version 2.3.1 to 2.3.2:

Changes to improve performance.
 
Changes made from version 2.3.0 to 2.3.1:

Fixed issue where some serial devices were not getting updated.
 
Changes made from version 2.2.0 to 2.3.0:

Added support for performing voice and other updates in newer units like the SP 2720, SP 7000 etc.
Added support for updating Garmin USB Mass Storage devices.
 
 Instructions for using this software  
   
 
Click on "Download" and choose to save the file to your computer.
Choose a location where you can easily locate the file by saving it to a location such as the "My Documents" folder or to "C:\".
Once the download is complete, go to the location where you saved the file and double-click on it.
Once the installation is complete, you may delete the downloaded file.
 
 System requirements
   
 
IBM-compatible PC running Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows XP operating system and an available USB or Com 1, 2, 3, or 4 port.
PC Interface Cable for your GPS unit. The PC Interface Cable may be purchased through your local Garmin distributor or ordered direct from our Online Store.
 
 
I will be sure and save all of my waypoints, tracks and routes ahead of time.

[Siskiyou]

Last night I tried WebUpdater with my Garmin 76C.  The bottomline is the 76C did not lose any data and the new update seems to be working.  The updated satellite search process seems to speed up the reception of satellites.  I had a few minutes before dark last night and went outside to try it.  Either the satellites were lined up just right or there has been a major improvement in satellite reception.  More time outside is required.

I need to do a side by side comparisom with a friends 76C.  It is safe to say that he has not updated his.

[paul105]

Within the last week, I updated (downloaded the latest software) onto 2 rino 120s using WebUpdater_232.  The Icon that WebUpdater_232  places on PCs desktop only installs the WebUpdater.  If you go to use the WebUpdater a second time, you have use Your PCs "Start" "Programs" function/menu.

Everything seems to be working great.  I updated the software because the lates version is supposed to allow you to us GMRS for peer to peer poling, increasing the range from 2 to 4 miles.  I haven't tried the GMRS peer to peer, because it requires an FCC license that I don't have.