Every time I use Garmin Express to update a GPS, I have problems. Today, it took a long time for it to recognize the device, even though it was connected. I finally had to add it again, so now I have GPS 1 and GPS 2. After almost an hour, it told me to insert an SD card. Despite trying half a dozen different cards - all good ones - it still cannot find the card. The computer can access the card, but Garmin Express can't see that it's in the GPS. When I click on the GPS through the computer, the card shows up.
I restarted the program, and it's still "Preparing Device for Map Update."
I'm just curious about other people having trouble with Express.
jerryc41 wrote:
Every time I use Garmin Express to update a GPS, I have problems. Today, it took a long time for it to recognize the device, even though it was connected. I finally had to add it again, so now I have GPS 1 and GPS 2. After almost an hour, it told me to insert an SD card. Despite trying half a dozen different cards - all good ones - it still cannot find the card. The computer can access the card, but Garmin Express can't see that it's in the GPS. When I click on the GPS through the computer, the card shows up.
I restarted the program, and it's still "Preparing Device for Map Update."
I'm just curious about other people having trouble with Express.
Every time I use Garmin Express to update a GPS, I... (
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When I had a problem with it, their support was worthless, telling me to reset my entire machine, erasing the maps in the process, and then downloading the maps again, one of which I had paid for. This almost bricked the machine. Some of the functions that previously worked stopped working. I was on vacation in England and made due with workarounds. The thing is still sitting in my camera bag. I gave up on it. Oh, and a micro SD card was involved in this too. I put a map on there, and the machine stopped seeing it. I know this doesn't help, but this occurred 4-5 years ago, so maybe their support has gotten better.
therwol wrote:
When I had a problem with it, their support was worthless, telling me to reset my entire machine, erasing the maps in the process, and then downloading the maps again, one of which I had paid for. This almost bricked the machine. Some of the functions that previously worked stopped working. I was on vacation in England and made due with workarounds. The thing is still sitting in my camera bag. I gave up on it. Oh, and a micro SD card was involved in this too. I put a map on there, and the machine stopped seeing it. I know this doesn't help, but this occurred 4-5 years ago, so maybe their support has gotten better.
When I had a problem with it, their support was wo... (
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As far as I'm concerned, no one has customer support. I never use it because I'm a pessimist.
It seems like such a simple thing. Connect the GPS, the program sees it and installs the update.
jerryc41 wrote:
Every time I use Garmin Express to update a GPS, I have problems. Today, it took a long time for it to recognize the device, even though it was connected. I finally had to add it again, so now I have GPS 1 and GPS 2. After almost an hour, it told me to insert an SD card. Despite trying half a dozen different cards - all good ones - it still cannot find the card. The computer can access the card, but Garmin Express can't see that it's in the GPS. When I click on the GPS through the computer, the card shows up.
I restarted the program, and it's still "Preparing Device for Map Update."
I'm just curious about other people having trouble with Express.
Every time I use Garmin Express to update a GPS, I... (
show quote)
I had the same problem some years ago with a Tom-Tom "lifetime update" & it never would. I finally just gave up on the miserable thing...........Jiminnee.
I had the same problem with a Tom-Tom "lifetime free up date" years ago. It never would would work after trying just about everything. I finally gave up on the miserable device.
jiminnee wrote:
I had the same problem with a Tom-Tom "lifetime free up date" years ago. It never would would work after trying just about everything. I finally gave up on the miserable device.
Maybe both of us should buy new units. : )
You reminded me, time to do mine. I'll let you know how it goes.
I have generally had good luck updating my Garmin units. Two hand held and one automotive with lifetime maps. It has probably been 6 months since I have done any updates, maybe things have changed.
jerold222 wrote:
I have generally had good luck updating my Garmin units. Two hand held and one automotive with lifetime maps. It has probably been 6 months since I have done any updates, maybe things have changed.
This is the first time it hasn't worked - with two different units. If the computer can see the GPS, why can't the Garmin software?
Indi
Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.
WAZE! Tells me where the red light and speed cameras are and where the police are. Connects to my entertainment center.
Garmin Express works just fine for me. YMMV, of course. Good luck
One key issue seems to be that you must use the original Garmin USB cable with each unit - I have no idea why, but any issues have always without fail been when trying to use non-Garmin cables. I always thought that a USB cable is a USB cable, but not so as far as Garmin units are concerned.
As soon as I realized the common factors I carefully labeled each cable and since then my GPS world has been a very happy place.
We have 6 gps units that I update regularly (2 are not mine) and since understanding the cable thing haven't had an issue for years. Only one of my units is newer than 2020 and one is now several years old.
When I've needed Garmin tech support, they've been excellent.
I gave up on them. Great when it works bad for up grades.
alexol wrote:
One key issue seems to be that you must use the original Garmin USB cable with each unit - I have no idea why, but any issues have always without fail been when trying to use non-Garmin cables. I always thought that a USB cable is a USB cable, but not so as far as Garmin units are concerned.
I like to label the cables so I use the right one. I'll try again later today.
jerryc41 wrote:
Maybe both of us should buy new units. : )
Do you have cell phones? If yes, why buy another device that does only 1 thing? If No, how does the price of a single purpose device compare to a used or new cell phone?
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