GPS 12 Versions

[bjk896]

My first GPS was a 12 I used until Etrex time and it was put in the cupboard. I retired, did other things and had need for a gps again. Dam! the Etrex was quirky which I put down to buttons being frequently unworkable by - I think - the shock absorbing material deteriorating.
Anyway, I had 2 Garmin 12's in the cupboard. Fired them up. All Ok -except the date rollover of course. Fixed that OK.
One has the 3.50 versions of firmware, the other has the 4.50 versions
I cannot get my win10 PC to update the 3.50 machine. Windows will not run the software and I cant get a "compatibility" mode to fix it.

Now, in the dim dark past, I think the two versions were two different and incompatible beasts but cant recall the detail.
Do any of you oldies reckon I can load the 3.50unit with the 4.50 software and have 2 identical working units or will it brick the 3.50 version ???

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

Here are some links to the software, it does seem strange that the 4.60 page doesn't show a history going back to version 3.53, I have seen a post stating that ver 3.xx is not compatible with ver 4.xx

GPS12 version 3.53
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3476

GPS12 version 4.60
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3477

For reference here is the software for other models :-

GPS12 XL
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3465

GPS12 CX
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3473

GPS12MAP
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3471






.

 

[bjk896]

Thanks Nuvi I had downloaded both the 3xx and 4xx versions. The 4xx version works fine but the 3xx will not run under win 10. It is a different format with a Hex file rather than the .bin files of the 4.xx and win 10 tells me "This app cant run on your PC". Various Compatibility modes as I said doesnt help
Hence the question.
I still have 2 x 12's working just different update levels for what thats worth

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

Are your two GPSMAP12s exactly the same model / manufacture date ?, there are at least 4 variants eg:-

GPS 12
GPS 12XL
GPS 12CX
GPS 12MAP

 

[bjk896]

Both are labelled GPS12 on the backplate where the serial numbers are as well as on the front screen panel
There is nothing I can see to indicate Manufacture date

 

[UppedSaturn98]

My first GPS was a 12 I used until Etrex time and it was put in the cupboard. I retired, did other things and had need for a gps again. Dam! the Etrex was quirky which I put down to buttons being frequently unworkable by - I think - the shock absorbing material deteriorating.
Anyway, I had 2 Garmin 12's in the cupboard. Fired them up. All Ok -except the date rollover of course. Fixed that OK.
One has the 3.50 versions of firmware, the other has the 4.50 versions
I cannot get my win10 PC to update the 3.50 machine. Windows will not run the software and I cant get a "compatibility" mode to fix it.

Now, in the dim dark past, I think the two versions were two different and incompatible beasts but cant recall the detail.
Do any of you oldies reckon I can load the 3.50unit with the 4.50 software and have 2 identical working units or will it brick the 3.50 version ???

How did you manage to get the date to roll over correctly? I have the software and managed to roll it past 2019. I set a date in 2022 based off computer time and then it jumped to the correct date when it acquired a satellite signal. However if I power cycle the GPS it reverts back to counting from 1999.

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

Your GPS12 has an internal battery that retains data when the main battery power is lost, If your GPS12 keeps losing this data it is probably because the internal battery needs replacing

 

[UppedSaturn98]

I had thought this may be the case but I retain all my WPs and tracks and my almanac data seems to remain as I always receive a relatively fast fix. Seems strange it's only the date rollover that reverts. I also don't get a memory battery warning.

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

That is strange, also power cycling should not rely on the internal battery, I wonder if this problem has something to do with the GpsEow fix being written to get over the problem of jumping from block 1 to block 2 (1980 to 1999) >> (1999 to 2019) but now we are in block 3 (2019 to 2038), in other words the GpsEow fix only worked properly for 20 years ?

 

[UppedSaturn98]

It could be that. The unit did report a correct date past 2019 until turned off though. I might try updating time first and then resending the latest software version to the unit before powering off (did it the other way around initially). Who knows... Will report if any luck.