Firmware Updates!

[Dv8oR]

Don't forget them ladies and gentlemen!

Did you even know, your GPS, Fishfinders, etc, have firmware that can add features to your equipment and usually the manufacturer will put them under the support or download section.

GLF and I were chatting one day and it went down the road of updates.

I got myself a Lowrance deal (not quite as nice as GLF's) and told GLF that there were updates available for both our rigs. (I got a little brother to his).

The updates for both our rigs added some handy nifty features!

I'm a freak about firmware, I knew there was new firmware and I don't even have my FF yet.....!!!!

SO! Check it out! and if you need help let me know!!!!

T

[GLF]

It was an interesting chat!

Thanks for the heads up.

Here is an example of the updates for my unit.

What changes are made in this update?

* Enhanced support for LGC-2000 GPS modules

* Added support for LGC-3000 GPS modules

* Many minor enhancements to the NMEA 2000 features

* Improved Tides and Currents to compensate properly for Daylight savings time

* Improved waypoint sharing

* Includes all features from previous updates, including:

** Added Lowrance Radar support

** Added waypoint-sharing across NMEA 2000 networks

** Enhanced Navionics Gold charts support

** Minor User Interface modifications

** Added NMEA 2000 integration - New features included with NMEA 2000 integration include: 1) Fuel Management: including Fuel Economy, Fuel Remaining, Fuel Range, and Fuel Used, 2) NMEA 2000 Alarms: including Low Fuel, Low Oil, Low Live Well and more, and 3) Up to 127 onboard sensors: including GPS, temperature, trim tabs, fuel flow, fluid level, water speed, and pressure

** Added Automatic GPS Selection - With this new feature, the user can have multiple GPS modules on their vessel and the head unit will automatically select the GPS module with the best position error, giving the user the best lock at all times and providing means as a fail safe for long voyages

** Added Hard Drive Interface - 1) Log sonar data to the hard drive without having to use SD/MMC cards, 2) Log sonar charts at full ping speed, and 3) Store up to 10GB of sonar log data (about 50 hours worth of sonar logging) or any other marine data

** Added feature to drop waypoints on sonar logs - With this feature, users can create waypoints from the Sonar Log screen to quickly mark locations of interest and then easily navigate back to that exact spot

** Added Gauge Pages - These "blank canvases" allow for endless customization of overlay data and analog gauges

** Added high power transducer array as option under transducer type dialog

** Improved access times to SD and MMC cards

** Increased Navionics support

** Increased number of backlight steps from 10 to 16

** Modified the PWR key to now cycle through 4 backlight levels instead of three

** Added option to disable the FasTrac (amplitude scope) bar from the sonar features window

** Improved bottom tracking ability in very shallow water (less than 9')

Most of the manufacturers have the updates for the newer units on their site.

Here is the link for Lowrance's updates.

[GLF]

Even if you just purchased your unit, there may be an update. There is no telling how long it sat in a warehouse or on a shelf before it was purchased.

[Dv8oR]

Even if you just purchased your unit, there may be an update. There is no telling how long it sat in a warehouse or on a shelf before it was purchased.

I don't even have mine yet talk about anal.... lol....

Don't be suprised too if the software in your whatever is already up to date. This is possible too!

[Dv8oR]

Here's a few links for ya's!

Firmware Updates:

1. Lowrance-http://http://www.lowrance.com/Downloads/Updates/default.asp

2. Humminbird-registration mandatory:http://www.humminbird.com/public.asp?ID=528

3. Magellan-http://http://www.magellangps.com/support/

4. Garmin-http://http://www.garmin.com/support/blosp.jsp

I'm working on more!

T

[Dv8oR]

Eagle-http://www.eaglegps.com/Downloads/Updates/default.htm

Northstar-still in development

[Dv8oR]

Raymarine-http://http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=2&Page=710&Parent=2

[muskybob]

Great job Dv8oR, thanks for the Humminbird link.

[Dv8oR]

My Pleasure!

and still more....

Navman-http://www.navman.com/Navman/Templates/standardcontent____40043.aspx

[Tad Pole]

ok guys i have a brand new lowrance 5300 GPS on the boat, i have a silly question? what is nmea 2000 and what does it do and........................

:confused:

[muskybob]

Here's a little reading. Easier than trying to explain it:

http://www.nmea.org/about/index.html

[Dv8oR]

ok guys i have a brand new lowrance 5300 GPS on the boat, i have a silly question? what is nmea 2000 and what does it do and........................

:confused:

You should have gotten a booklet that explains NMEA2000 with your brand new Lowrance. Long story short, its a network!

[shu9265]

Here is what I found about NMEA 2000:

NMEA 2000® Standard

The National Marine Electronics Association has introduced the latest verion -1.20- NMEA 2000® interface standard.

The standard contains the requirements of a serial data communications network to inter-connect marine electronic equipment on vessels. It is multi-master and self configuring, and there is no central network controller. Equipment designed to this standard will have the ability to share data, including commands and status with other compatible equipment over a single channel.

NMEA 2000® represents the cumulative efforts of the BETA Testing Group, a committee of industry and government professionals who have contributed time and expertise to the development and completion of this product.

A complete discussion of NMEA 2000® Version 1.20 is included as well as the names and affiliations of the BETA Test Group.

Why NMEA 2000 PowerPoint presentation:

http://www.nmea.org/pub/2000/NMEA2000.ppt

[GLF]

I finally remembered to check the firmware on my fish finder. My fish finder has version 1.4 and the newest version is 1.7. I have a sd memory card floating around the house somewhere........but I can not seem to find it

Once I find the memory card I will get the update done.

[muskybob]

Can you download to your puter, then upgrade to your fishfinder?

[GLF]

Can you download to your puter, then upgrade to your fishfinder?

I can on mine. Mine has a memory card slot to do updates and such with.

[Dv8oR]

I can on mine. Mine has a memory card slot to do updates and such with.

Ditto and its quite easy to do!

Did mine about a month ago!

[GLF]

I updated the link for Lowrance in the second post.