updating Garmin GPSMAP 176

[wstrickland1]

I have a 176 that's never been updated. It has the original software version (2.0 I believe?). I have 2 questions for any who may know. First, will the latest update include everything that all the previous updates have or do I need to install each update that has come out? Dumb question probably but I'm going out on a limb to ask. Second question is does it take an engineering degree from MIT to perform this update? any input would e appreciated.

[warthog5]

The latest updates will give you ALL the updates. No need to load the others before the latest.

[Team Ruby]

I copied this (see below) right off of Garmin's website. From what I can tell, the update doesn't get you much. The process to update the unit is easy but you do need a proprietary Garmin card and read/writer to do it.


Changes made from version 2.2 to 2.2.1:
Changed the software version number from 2.2.0.4 to 2.2.1.0
Fixed problem which prevented the update of aviation data using AvdWebUpdater with handheld aviation devices such as the GPSmap 296.
Changes made from version 2.1 to 2.2:
Vista support
Changes made from version 2.0 to 2.1:
New installer created to combine initial install zip file and the USB Drivers Update setup.

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[sandyda]

The Garmin Power/data cord will allow you to do the update without having to buy a data card and reader, if you have a Db9 serial connector on your pc. Thats one of those 9 pin kind of rectangular plugs that used to be on the end of a mouse cord. You can get power from a 12v lantern/spotlight battery. OR you can call Garmin support and beg an update chip. You might not be able to get one, or you might have to pay a deposite, but this would simply require you to turn the unit on, put the chip in, and watch. If you are going to keep the unit a good long time (and if you are happy with it, you should) then you might want to get the chart cd, a good sized memory cartridge and the reader, a hockey puck gadget that plugs into a USB port. Then you can load updated charts, or charts for a different region when you want. For a fee.

[wstrickland1]

thanks for the responses. I do have the computer cable and a computer old enough to have a serial port. The unit runs on (4) AA batteries so powering up is not a problem. I'll give it a whirl.

Thanks Again