That is a problem with the technology installed in vehicles, it becomes obsolete in a few years.

 

Especially when most of it is obsolete even before it is sold, due to extended R&D cycles and such.
Some of this is just starting to change as more and more things are being designed with the idea that nothing is perfect right out of the gate, so maybe it would be a good idea to be able to make changes down the road.
From little things like being able to update map data, to a full blown OS replacement. But you have to get out of the propitiatory walled garden mindset to make this happen. Things like OBD2 initially had to be forced by law, but eventually even the automakers came to appreciate the benefits of standards like the CAN bus. Of course now folks like John Deere and others have discovers the other edge of the digital doubled edged sword and it looks like some kind of right to repair laws are going to be needed. (People are just no damn good)

It would be nice if someday you could buy a Goldwing with just an open computer control system (either IOS or Android or if I'm really dreaming users choice). Then it would have Honda apps for bike control, audio, nav, etc. but you could load up third party apps to control those functions if you didn't like what Honda provided instead. Doubt I will live long enough to see that, but when I see what Tesla does with updates, I have hope. If people whine about a problem, bang next update it's fixed or at least changed to be less of a problem. I just got some fleet control software for our Ford trucks at work, and I'm amazed at all the things that can be changed, but Ford didn't provide any way for the user to access any of it.

 

It would be nice if someday you could buy a Goldwing with just an open computer control system (either IOS or Android or if I'm really dreaming users choice). Then it would have Honda apps for bike control, audio, nav, etc. but you could load up third party apps to control those functions if you didn't like what Honda provided instead. Doubt I will live long enough to see that, but when I see what Tesla does with updates, I have hope. If people whine about a problem, bang next update it's fixed or at least changed to be less of a problem. I just got some fleet control software for our Ford trucks at work, and I'm amazed at all the things that can be changed, but Ford didn't provide any way for the user to access any of it.

we will never see this from Honda on our bikes

 

I do my own updates now and have 2020.20 installed on mine. It's not real difficult to do as long as you have a Garmin GPS with lifetime map udates. I also have the 5.10 firmware too. The problem with the latest and final official update is that the mapset is 2017.10 which means the maps are from early 2016 which puts them at almost 4 years old anyway... Since this photo, I updated to 2020.20 and just learned that 2020.30 is now out from Garmin.

 

I have a used 2006 and would like to update the firmware, where did you get 5.10 at? Thanks

 

Just to add, if you do your own custom mapsets, it is not without limitations as far as the 06-08. The 06-08 have a 2gb limitation. Since the size of the full mapset has grown, I now just make up 2 CompactFlash cards. First one, I put most of the lower 48 minus all of the west coast. 2nd, I do the west coast and overlap a few states then add Canada and Alaska. Both come in under 2gb that way.
Another limitation is that searching POI's by name cannot be done. If you have the address, you can still search by address. A workaround is to put in an OEM card temporarily and you can then search by name, save it as a favorite, and then put your custom mapset card back in. Then look into your favorites and route to it.
One last issue is if you try to plan a route that is more than several hundred miles and select to avoid highways, you will probably get an out of memory error. Just dont use the avoid highway option and it will work. Or just route to a shorter destination and once there, select another place on the route you want and so on.

Personally, I will still put the route into the onboard navi but also use Waze on my cellphone that's mounted on my left handlebars. It is a lot easier to zoom in to see what's ahead on the onboard navi to see twists and curves coming up or to zoom out to see my progress.

 

Can you share some quick instructions/files?
(2006)

 

As with most Cities, my City has a new major ring road that has just been completed. I don't think it'll be on Garmin's "official last update". If I go and buy a cheap "car" GPS unit, with lifetime updates, I'll be able to keep updating my Goldwing? What about this "5.10" software version? Is this something I must watch for when I buy? Where does a person buy these Compact Flash Cards, or are they rewriteable? Your help is much appreciated. Your last post was very helpful, Thank You!
I believe my last "2012" update came with two CF cards, one for Canada and one for U.S.A.

 

I don't even feel guilty about it since Garmin robbed us with their low value/ high price GPS.
So how big was the gun Garmin held to head to make you buy that GPS?? Most people use their phones now for GPS, I have a Garmin 50 LM free life time maps updates, 3 times a year. KI paid $22 for it new in the box.

 

I don't even feel guilty about it since Garmin robbed us with their low value/ high price GPS.
So how big was the gun Garmin held to head to make you buy that GPS?? Most people use their phones now for GPS, I have a Garmin 50 LM free life time maps updates, 3 times a year. KI paid $22 for it new in the box.

Honda made it so the only way to get ABS brakes was if you got the GPS.

 

For me, I bought used and it just happened to come with the navigation. But I figure since I have it, I might as well make the best of it. I don't completely rely on it but it does have its usefullness...

 

It seems like the 5.10 firmware will work then. Here is a copy to download and get you started. I can't post it as a gcd extension file as it isn't one of the approved file formats allowed so I changed the name to gupdate510.pdf. Don't try to open it, just download it to your computer and rename it to gupdate.gcd

 

And yes, the 06-08 US models as well as 06-10 Canadian models use a CompactFlash card. The 09-up US models began using SD cards. You can buy and use 4gb Compact flash cards, you just have to make sure to stay under the 2gb limit on data. And whatever you do, don't overwrite your factory card. If something ever happened to your new card, you would still have the factory card to fall back on.

 

Thanks, I found a 4.9 update online, but I'll try the 5.10 you've provided first.
I have an "older" CF from the previous owners original Nav, he had then updated to 2011 (the 2011 card is in the Unit now), so I'll use this older CF for now. I'm capable of backing up/copying etc without much effort once I find my CF reader in the pile of old junk. I found some links to various 2Gb map files that will work, but all the links are expired or on super slow tin can and string 18hr downloads.

 

Ok, well that was more work than I thought. But I got it all working.
Used the gpupdate51 you provided, and my firmware is now showing 5.1
Note: I had to ensure the naming of gupdate.gcd was ALLUPPERCASE (ie: /GARMIN/GUPDATE.GCD) Without that, the unit wouldn't acknowledge a firmware file was present (just sat there)

As for the updated map files:
I managed to locate a RAR of the North American NT 2022.25 maps from a sketchy download site with horrible speedlimits. I used "Jdownloader" plugin on my browser to assist with this as it timed out often. (this isn't necessary for others reading this, but it was very helpful for my impatient soul)
I opened the maps in MapSource and selected enough of Canada/Northern U.S. states to meet my needs.
All in all about 1.2GB which is well under the 2GB limit. I may go back and pick and choose a few more States at some later date.
Transferred the maps to my "device", which in my case was a temporary USB stick because my CF card wasn't local to my pc.
I then transferred the GMAPSUPP.IMG file from the USB to my CF card, slapped it into the bike, and it happily read the new maps.
I can actually see roads that were built in the last 10 years!
Instead of driving through a farmers field, I'm apparently on blacktop!
Thanks for your assistance Pwhoever/Mike, and to others who have posted various notes and solutions. It all guided me along.
If anyone else needs a hand-hold, I'm happy to return the favor.

 

Good tip that the firmware needs to be all uppercase. I wasn't aware of that. I will keep that in mind. Glad you got it done.

 

I just purchased a 2006 and could you provide location of the 5.10 update, thanks in advance

 

It came from another Goldwing owner right from the updated Garmin CF card.

If you were asking how to get it for yourself, it's posted above in post #14. Just download and save but do not open that attachment. Then rename it to GUPDATE.GCD