imported post
Just in case the referenced forum's thread should disappear, I have copied it to here:
From Modesto Bob's thread on GL1800Riders
_________________________________________________________
UPDATING THE GARMIN NAVI TO 2009
This post is mostly a compilation of the several terrific posts I have read on this forum about how to do this NAVI update. I made this file for my own use...but little of it‘s content is original from me. Call me an editor at best. Then I thought...what the heck, maybe someone else would find it useful. I believe this post has covered all the issues that have been raised on the forum. If not, any errors are strictly my own (read in here the usually legalese refusal to take responsibility for your future acts). Personally, while I have downloaded the firmware update and ordered the 2009 map file, I have not yet received it. So I haven’t followed this script myself yet....but I will! Good luck with your update!
First - there are two different things that need updating. One is referred to as the FIRMWARE which is updating the GPS unit itself with instructions on how to operate. As of October 19, 2008, the latest firmware version is 4.31
Second - The MAP SET. This can be obtained at least two ways. One is to buy a new 2gb CF (Compact Flash) card from HONDA/GARMIN with the map sets already on it. They want $199.00 for this card. But the latest version available is out of date.
The cheaper way is buy the full version of GARMIN’S CITY NAVIGATOR, and then install it on your PC and upload it to the card yourself. GARMIN sells this for $99.00, but you can find it cheaper. Make SURE you DON'T get the "NT" version as it won't work on the GW NAVI.
As of October 19, 2008, the latest version of CITY NAVIGATOR is 2009 - CN2009. It's part # is 010-10474-00. CN2009 has the same part number as CN2008, so be sure to get the newer one...only the revision number is different. Be sure to order the full DVD set of CITY NAVIGATOR, NOT the update.
Note: It’s been said you don't NEED to buy another 2gb CF card, just re-use the OEM card. But others have reported that you DO have to use a new card for this to update work. So, just get a new card! Save the OEM as it is, then you know you can’t possible screw this up! I hear new 2gbCF cards sell at Office Max for $10-15. Format the card FAT or FAT32. Not NTFS.
INSTALLING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE:
Step 1. Download the firmware file gupdate.gcd from somewhere. It’s on the web...look at the latest posts on this topic for the web-address. It's not locked. The file is a little over 3mb so it's easily e-mailed around. Someone said they borrowed one out of a new GL at the dealership. Don't bother asking GARMIN...they just tell you to go buy the $199 CF card. This particular firmware file is specific to the Honda/Garmin NAVI unit. It's not going to help you update your Zumo or any other GARMIN product.
Step 2. Pull the OEM card from the NAVI unit. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF, Open the main trunk, push the latch on the left side of the NAVI box to open the cover, and eject the current CF memory card by pushing the eject button located directly above the card.
If you insist on re-using your OEM card, copy the files on your OEM CF card to your hard drive in a “GARMIN” folder, so if something goes wrong, you can recopy them to the card.
Step 3. Copy the new gupdate.gcd to your (new or old) CF Card BY ITSELF in a folder called GARMIN. That's the only file that should be on the card...just a folder with a file inside.
Step 4. BEFORE you put the card back in the GPS, power up the bike (accessory is fine) and DON'T press the ENT button when prompted by the GPS. After the bike has “booted up”... if the audio screen is displayed... push the "DISP" button and return to the NAVI screen. Make sure you are on the screen where it asks you to press “ENT”...but don't press ENT before you start! Next go to the trunk and stick the CF card in the NAVI. After you put the card in, the GPS will seem to do nothing for a while...and you’ll see the default NAVI logo screen. It just looks like it's not doing anything...be patient...DON'T turn the key off. The NAVI will eventually read the card and load the update file into the GPS unit. You should see a small black box at the bottom of the screen which shows you what's going on ("Reading/Uploading/Updating”). After uploading is completed, this text box will disappear and the GPS will reboot itself and stop at the "ENT" screen. This means the update is completed. Now press the ENT button be taken to the map screen. Go into the Menu/System Info and see what version firmware was loaded and...voila! it should say "Version 4.31".
Step 5. Now go take your card back out of the bike and to your PC. Restore the map files you backed up. Put the card it back in the GPS and you should be good to go with your OLD maps. Make sure to close the NAVI box cover and push the latch to the right until it clicks. Check the cover is securely closed. If you are adding the new map set also, see how to do that below.
Note: Do not remove the CF memory card or turn the ignition switch OFF before the updating is completed. Interrupting the complete program update may cause a problem in the Navigation System. If the update fails “consult with a Honda dealer near you”. Read in here that “legalese refusal to take responsibility for your future acts”... again.
Note: if you are NOT updating the maps... after you get the update to work, copy all the files from your old card to your new card, making sure to put them in the GARMIN folder...EXCEPT the old gupdate.gcd file. Do not copy that to the new card, keep the new gupdate.gcd file on the new card you will be using. OR...as an alternative...put your ORIGINAL OEM card back in the GPS and it will use the maps as usual (you probably should copy the new gupdate.gcd file to the OEM card if you will be continuing to use that card in the bike ...although it’s been posted that once the GPS has read in the new firmware (the update process) it will NOT go back and read the old gupdate.gcd file that is on the ORIGINAL card, just because you put that card back in).
ALTERNATIVE (reported by one poster): just pull the card and put it in your reader. There are three files on the card. One is the old 4.20 gupdate.gcd file dated 4.3.2006. Over-write that file with the 4.31 file. Turn the bike to ACC, wait for the ceremony to finish and the GPS to ask for the normal “press enter” ...then plug in the card. The GPS should find the new gupdate.gcd file, load it in and reset itself. With this alternative plan, you do not have to remove the map files from the OEM card, and you don't have to then re-load the map files back on it.
Note: The difference between a NORMAL UPDATE and a FORCED UPDATE (Canadian bikes, apparently) seems to be that the forced update requires you to remove the navigation unit to be able to press the reset button a couple of times.
INSTALLING THE NEW MAP SETS
Note: the maps are locked by Garmin's own security measures. You can't simply copy the data from one card to the other. It doesn't work like that. You MUST buy their license to make it work. It uses your GPS serial number to code it so it will only work on one bike.
Its said you can use the UNIT ID rather than take the GPS apart to get to the SN. The UNIT ID is available in the system display of the GPS unit. You can apparently call GARMIN and give them the UNIT ID #, and they can give you the unit Serial # . Finding the Serial Number entails removing the GPS unit from the wall of the trunk. To find the serial number, remove the CF card to prevent damage, unscrew the GPS out of the trunk and then remove the metal case from the plastic cover. There will be a sticker on the metal case with the unit serial number.
The UNLOCK KEY: To unlock the CITY NAVIGATOR software , you have to install the software on your PC first, then input your NAVI serial number and obtain an UNLOCK KEY. That key will become specific to your bike. The DVD will become useful for only one specific GPS/ serial number unless you obtain more than one UNLOCK CODE. Each unlock code is limited to a single GPS unit. Use the GARMIN 25-digit unlock code to unlock the map on the PC. Remember, if the incorrect GPS unit serial # is used, it won't later work on your GW NAVI. The unlock code comes with the CN2009 DVD (it is between the two printed paper-boards that are the backdrop to the DVD jewel case, all within the heat-sealed packaging). It is not inside the DVD jewel case itself. Don't discard the paper-board backdrop until you have opened its two halves and the lock code certificate falls out.. You do need an internet connection to do all this on your PC.
Step 1. To install CITY NAVIGATOR on the PC: If you've bought the full version of CITY NAVIGATOR NON-NT (The Honda GPS can't read/decompress the NT version.), just install the program to your computer. Then redeem the unlock code with GARMIN over the internet.
During installation of MAPSOURCE onto your PC, it asks for the Serial Number of your designated target GPS device. Enter the serial number of your GL1800 NAVI GPS, as this is your declaration that “the one and only allowable unit in the entire cosmos specified to decode this DVD's map data WITH THIS SPECIFIC UNLOCK CODE is that GL1800 NAVI unit on your bike”. The DVD may alternatively give you the choice of entering your NAVI "Unit ID" since it is easier to find that via the display itself.
Step 2. Assuming you've now unlocked the map set and can see all the little detail roads On your PC, you need to select the "Map Tool" icon (the one that looks like a square PACMAN) and then start in one corner and select all the different sections of North America. The only thing you have to watch for is to be sure to select all the maps available to be transferred. After you do this (selected the 09 map), save the file Then try the data transfer to the CF card. Maps that were NOT selected would be missed. Next, make sure your CF card (back up the OEM card first if you refused to get a new card to use...cheapskate...) is in your computer and click “Transfer - Send to device”. This will bring up the “send to device box” in which you want to make sure "Maps" is checked. It won't allow you upload routes or anything else so don't bother trying. Click “send” (to the CF card) and go (insert time consuming activity here)... as this is going to take awhile. First the software builds the map sets and then it uploads them to the CF card. It's not uncommon for this to take a long, LONG TIME... an hour or more. Be patient. Whew!
One poster said “When in MAPSOURCE (CITY NAVIGATOR) on the PC, in the 1000mi resolution, I chose maps and with the selection tool just highlighted the entire North America land mass, then "transfer" download to original empty CF card as is. I didn't even have to name a "Garmin" folder, it did it for me.”
Step 3. Once the PC is finished uploading all the data to the CF card, put the card back in the GPS, you should then have the latest version of the maps installed. The new maps are there as data on the CF card. As such, there is no actual "upload" or "install" procedure to endure. The maps are immediately "in your display" ready for you to access.
Home, Honda dealers, POIs, previous searches, settings, and your favorites should not be affected by these map data updates. This information is saved in the ROM in the GPS unit along with the other firmware programing that makes the NAVI system work. The NAVI does not have the ability to write to the CF card. Check it out...from MENU, go to
- find
- point of interest
- all points of interest
- Honda dealers
The above routine should list the dealers from the ROM on your NAVI and not the '09 database. It is unknown whether that list is updated with a firmware update. It may be that most/some of the Honda dealers will be in the '09 database but not accessible with the above routine.
Your results may vary (read in here the usually legalese refusal to take responsibility for your future acts).
Good luck and ride safe!
ModestoBob
Lurker
Location: Modesto, CA
GL1800Riders Forum;