2010 GL1800 Software and Nav update

[Sbhingley]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, so I hope this question hasn't been asked recently. Information I'm finding through searching seems to be for later models of my bike.

I have a 2010 GL1800 Navi (N. America, SD card system). I've not ridden for nearly 2 years due to an ankle injury 18 months ago. I'm getting the bike up to speed again and would like to update the system software and the navigation maps data. Photo below of the current versions installed. What's the newest updates members have managed to get into this year of bike?

I've no idea what version of system software is now available now, or from where, but I am aware of the Garmin 2014.40 maps update. Wondering if anyone has achieved newer? Any pointers or thoughts appreciated.

Many thanks!

[Viking]

The update you are aware of can be purchased directly from Garmin, here:

https://goldwing.garmin.com/goldwing/si ... nfo?id=139

If you are handy with your computer, and have the itch to make maps on it, there are many threads on this subject here at Goldwingdocs. A search for any of the terms such as Nav, Maps, Mapping, Navigation, Updates etc will give you a lot of reading. By far the easiest method is to just buy an update from Garmin, and accept 2014.40.

[Sbhingley]

Thanks very much.

There is indeed a lot of info here, it’s been enlightening reading over the last few days I’m minded to do the 2014.40 as you suggest, but could do the computer fiddling route if there is significant gain. I was just wondering what’s the latest map data anyone has achieved with my setup? If there’s a big incremental gain it might be worth a go! The bit I couldn’t find here was the updating of the system software itself. Do I have the latest version, and if not where is that obtained, and how is it achieved? Does that update as well when you update the maps data? ie. If I go with the 2014.40 will my V2.50 system update as well?

Appreciate your time, and that of anyone else who may pitch in.

Steve

[Viking]

I am sending you a private message

[Henry34653]

You can get updates as recent as April 01, 2019 from the below site at no cost.. just download the gmapsupp. Img file to your computer, copy the file to your Sd card and you are set.. I have been using this site for awhile and have had no problems.

http://www.raumbezug.eu/osm-garmin.htm

[Sbhingley]

Thank you very much, that’s an impressive site, much appreciated. I’ve got a new SD card on order and intend to update my system software too. I’ve also received some very useful advice on how to sequence these updates, so making good progress. My bike is in the shop at the moment, getting some recall work done, so I’m looking forward to getting it back and trying some of these things out!

I see from your details you have a 2006 bike, are you using these new maps on that machine? Also what system software have you managed to get to? I’m still on 2.50 but have kindly been offered 4.90. Just trying to find combinations that people currently have working so I don’t unwittingly come across an incompatibility.

Really appreciate you taking the time to help, thank you.

Steve

[Henry34653]

Yes I am using the maps on my 2006 wing. The garmin software version is 4.90.

[Sbhingley]

Magnificent, that’s really good to know, I’ll work to try and replicate that combination.

Thank you very much!

[Sbhingley]

Henry34653,

Just wanted to thank you so much for the maps webpage suggestion, it worked great, and the maps are installed and ready for use

I've had less success with the system software update though. I've kindly been given two updater files (gupdate.gcd) for V4.60 and V4.90, but am unable to get them to run on my SD card. It's as if there is a missing file to initiate them. If I add the original 'sys.bin' file to the card it does then run, however it's V2.50 my current version.

Do you have any pointers on how to get from V2.50 to V4.90, or indeed anything that is newer? It could be that it's too big a jump to go straight from V2.50 to something like V4.60? Maybe if I could get the current system file for V4.90 and put it straight on the card, rather than trying through an updater?

Anyway you seem to have had success in the past, I hope you don't mind me asking for some pointers. I'm happy to have the new maps, which was the main aim, but it's become a bit of a challenge to try and get the system refreshed too

Many thanks in advance.

Steve

[Henry34653]

Steve,

I bought my 2006 gl1800 used and the navi had never been updated. I bought updated map from garmin which contained the 4.9 update. When I inserted the new card, I got a message on my navi screen that my navi had been updated to the 2011 map. I checked the navi info screen and noticed that the system software was version 4.9.

I then copied the garmin gmapsupp.img file to my computer as a backup. I then copied the gmapsupp.img file that I had downloaded from the website to my garmin map card, inserted it into my navi and had a new map dated August 1, 2018.

I do this each time the map on the website is updated which I believe is the first of each month.

Maybe there is some hidden file on the garmin map card that triggers the update to version 4.9 and that maybe why the gcupdater is not working for you.

Henry

[Sbhingley]

Good Morning Henry,

Very many thanks for that information. Good to know that you have 4.9 in an older bike than my 2010. Should have asked before, do you have a Compact Flash installation or SD card? I'm wondering if V4.9 is specific to the CF card, as I can't yet see any mention on any forums of SD cards in North America going above V2.9? I also had forgotten about hidden files, I'm not too familiar with the PC file structure as I normally use Apple, I'll have a look at that thanks. Again I think this might be SD card specific as folks updating in the CF world don't seem to have such issues.

Having said all that the plot thickens further, as last night during my research I went on the Garmin site and saw that all SD systems, 2009 onwards, now have updated maps available, 2019.10! That has happened since I originally posted here, quite some timing I'm going to find out what system software is associated with that new release, but it may well be best to flush my system with that official update and then do as you do from here on to keep the maps updated periodically.

Really appreciate your support Henry, thank you. All the best,

Steve

[Henry34653]

Steve,

I have the cf card. I would imagine that if you got your update from garmin, then the system software would be on that card. Therefore is probably not a further system update for your bike...

henry

[Sbhingley]

Ok I think that explains a lot then. I spoke to Garmin and they say that they are showing V2.70 with my 2010 Bike and this latest map update.

I’ve ordered the new maps (2019.10) and will see what comes with the SD card. I’ll probably leave it there and quit whilst I’m ahead

Thanks everyone for your time and support.

ATB,

Steve

[huggiebear]

Hello everyone!
This is a question for the guys who makes their own maps from basecamp.
I found an old 4GB CF card and decided to put both countries "USA and Canada" instead of 2 separate 2 GB card.
After selecting the tiles from the 2020.1 map the total is 2.4 GB.
Went out for a ride and rode for 900 Km worked flawless.
Yesterday I decided to see if I could search for a POI but I found out the soft keyboard turns black and no letter to choose from.
Anyone has this problem?

[Viking]

Hello everyone!
Yesterday I decided to see if I could search for a POI but I found out the soft keyboard turns black and no letter to choose from.
Anyone has this problem?

Everyone has this problem, even with updates from Garmin as far as I have been able to determine. I believe it was left off the firmware updates, after 4.50, which was flawed. When they replaced that with 4.60, it went the way of the Do-Do bird (extinction level event)

[huggiebear]

the main Viking thanks for your fast reply, I thought I was missing something when I transfer the maps to the card.

[keithg64]

I'm interested in this as I have a 07 with the 4.90 system version and a 2014.40 mapping that I bought from garmin last year.

I do have an external garmin that I use on my trips but using the bike gps on day runs is ok and a good reason to be able to know how to use it even though it's not user friendly yet.

Can I really use my cf card that's in my bike for updates from street maps ?

[Henry34653]

Yes, click on the maps from north America and just choose the region that you want to install to your cf card.

[huggiebear]

Keithg64
Before You select the region/S from the map, make sure you update your portable Garmin gps, once the update it's done click on option and select copy map on computer.
If you have more than one map update on your computer click on maps and select the latest one.
The one I have it's 2020.1
Because we don't get POI you can put USA AND CANADA Map on a 2GB CFcard.
You can see how much space you have left on your card at the bottom of your screen.
If you encounter any problem feel free to contact us, we're here to help each other.
Good luck

[Biesty]

I have updated my 2006 NAV for years but have some questions specifically regarding the 2009-2010 (US) NAVs

Does anyone know if the 2009-2010 (US) NAV has the same 2gb limitation for the maps on the SD Card as the CF Cards or if you can install larger than 2gb on the SD cards (assuming you install your own maps, and I'm not asking about the card limitation I mean does the nav unit accept an SD card with a map image larger than 2gb)?

What is the most current version of the firmware for the 2009-2010 (US) NAV?

Are the map updates still available via https://goldwing.garmin.com/goldwing/site SPECIFICALLY for the 2009-2010 (US) bikes? (I keep getting an error on that page)

I saw a post that said you could transfer a route to the SD card version of the NAVs starting in 2009, is this correct or is that only for 2012+ models?

Thanks,
Scott

[Viking]

The most current firmware version is 4.9. I believe jinx has used 4GB SD cards in the 2009/2010 U.S. version Navi unit or perhaps that was 4GB CF cards in 2006-2008 U.S. version bikes. The most up to date Garmin City Navigator maps are 2021.10 which came out in June. I do not believe they will even load onto a 4GB card for all Canada, all U.S. and all Mexico. The only way to be sure about the SD card limit in the U.S. 2009/2010 bikes would be to try one. If it works, let us know. If it doesn't, use the card in your digital camera. That would be less expensive than for me to buy a 2009/2010 U.S. specific GL1800 so I could try it, LOL (just kidding).

I could not get anything more than a 2GB CF card to work in a Canadian 2009, and so, my latest maps are on two CF cards. Alaska, Canada and down to Kansas are on one, and Kansas south plus Mexico on the second. It has worked out fine since Covid 19, as I have not been south of the Can/US border anyway, LOL (another joke)

EDIT:: I checked back through the GPS posts and I think it was a 4GB CF card that jinx got to work, as that is the year of his bike.

[huggiebear]

I've used a 4GB CF CARD on my 2010 airbag model sold it in November last year and bought a 2016 with 20k Km on it very easy to update the maps.

Worked fine the only thing you have to do For 2010 and older is split the maps on 2 cards or leave some state out and do it on the existing card (2GB)

The one I did recently for the 2006 to 2010 I left some states on the west side to keep the map size under 2GB (1.90-95) for the 2012 to 2016 I copy the entire maps Canada and USA. Never had any problem yet.
To update the firmware on the 2010 and older I used a map I bought from Garmin in 2016 on a 2 2GB CF CARD WITH A 4.9 firmware for all my friends from GWRRA.
.
On the 2010 and older you can not load gpx files but you can on the 2012+

[Biesty]

You must have the Canadian 2010 model. I am trying to determine if the US 2010 model that uses an SD card instead of a CF card can load maps larger than 2gb.

thanks,
Scott

[Sbhingley]

When I was playing with my USA 2010 over a year ago, I had no success with anything over 2GB. Not to say you definitely can't, but it wouldn't come good for me. Good luck! Steve

[Biesty]

I installed Garmin City Navigator 2021.10 (full North America - 3gb file) on a 16gb SD card 100MB/s (Kingston Canvas Select Plus - better than class 10) and put it into a 2010 (US) SD model with version 2.30 firmware.
It loaded perfectly fine and very fast (the owner of the bike said it was the fastest the maps have ever loaded).
We zoomed into Anchorage, Alaska, somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Canada and into Mexico City, Mexico with no issues. All small roads showed up and plenty of restaurant icons as well.

So, I guess that answers the question that a 2010 US SD model can easily load a file over 2gb in size and read the maps properly.