Update firmware Montana 610

[berin]

Hi everyone, Happy New Year.

Could someone help with a Garmin Montana 610 please? I have a Montana 600 and new 610, unlocked maps don't work in 610.

- <Model>
<PartNumber>006-B2299-00</PartNumber>
<SoftwareVersion>330</SoftwareVersion>
<Description>Montana 610</Description>
</Model>
<Id>Xxxxxxxxxx</Id

in mass storage mode I can't see the System folder or GCD file. Does this device need a firmware patch (if so how) or is there another method for using unlocked maps.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Butters]

To see .System folder you'll need to go to View tab in File Explorer Options in Windows Control Panel (Folder Options in earlier Win OSs) and make the following changes:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] I guess you'd need to do it a little differently if you want to use a Mac.

Montana 6x0 devices have a 'weak' form of MSV protection, so only need patched firmware to use Unicode maps (those with Code Page 65001). Other maps with CP1252 can be easily unlocked for use by gimunlock-0.04. Do a google search for it.

Best edit your post to remove your UID, it's not safe to post it publicly.

[berin]

Hi Butters, thanks for your help - (post edited!).

The maps I want to use (City Navigator Europe 2019.20 and Topo Great Britain Pro) are unlocked with gimg - 0.04. They work fine in the 600 but not the 610. I looked again at the drive on the 610 (using Windows and Mac), there is no System folder nor GCD file. I think I'm looking in the right place as I can see the system file on my Zumo 590.

Any ideas?

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Butters]

I'm sorry but i don't have a Montana so i'm guessing a little. Did you "unhide" in Windows as shown in the image in Post #2? If so, maybe Montana doesn't have a .System folder and detail maps are only stored on it's SD card in Garmin folder (or maybe additionally in Map folder).

Where exactly did you put the IMG files you unlocked?

[Giomen]

You probably use Unicode map - City Navigator Europe 2019.20 NTU and Topo Great Britain Pro.
SW must be patched for it! There is no difference in the file structure between Montana 600 and 610!!! You can compare the content of garmindevice.xml yourself.

[Butters]

@Giomen
Because it only has the 'weak' form of MSV there's no absolute need to patch the firmware (SW). I agree that's easiest solution, especially as Montana 6x0 doesn't have GSV so it can be done with just a patched GCD file, however he can still use the non-unicode City Navigator unlocked, or change the code page in a Unicode map from 65001 to 1251 and not have to patch SW in either case. My point is this: answering "SW must be patched" isn't totally correct as there are indeed other methods for M6x0 to use unlocked maps, which is what he asked in the initial post:

Does this device need a firmware patch (if so how) or is there another method for using unlocked maps.

.

[berin]

@Giomen
Because it only has the 'weak' form of MSV there's no absolute need to patch the firmware (SW). I agree that's easiest solution, especially as Montana 6x0 doesn't have GSV so it can be done with just a patched GCD file, however he can still use the non-unicode City Navigator unlocked, or change the code page in a Unicode map from 65001 to 1251 and not have to patch SW in either case. My point is this: answering "SW must be patched" isn't totally correct as there are indeed other methods for M6x0 to use unlocked maps, which is what he asked in the initial post:
.

Hi guys, thanks for the comments. The maps (CN Europe 2019.2 and Garmin Topo Pro GB) were unlocked with GU+IMG .004. Both are on a card in /garmin. Both run on the 600 but on the 61o I get "cannot authenticate maps"

If I understand correctly, the 610 doesn't have advanced protection (there is no gupdate.gcd file) and so the unit can't be patched. Yet the maps still don't run. Do I need to make another change to the unlocked mao .img? If so what, and what tools do I need?

Thanks again

[Butters]

....... on the 61o I get "cannot authenticate maps"

You get the 'cannot authenticate' message on the M610 even though the maps are 'unlocked' due to fw protection called 'MSV'. Sure they work on the M600 but they don't pass the authentication test on the M610. That's because the M600 doesn't have MSV (Map Signature Verification) whereas the M610 does have that protection (albeit the 'weak' form).

If I understand correctly, the 610 doesn't have advanced protection (there is no gupdate.gcd file) .....

Yes it has protection, but it's the 'weak' form as stated above. Additionally, the absence of the GCD means absolutely nothing in regard to that. Most outdoor devices auto delete the GCD file after it's been invoked anyway.

... and so the unit can't be patched.

Wrong. It's firmware can indeed be patched with the Universal Firmware Patcher by big-bang. Join Masters Section if you want to know more.

Yet the maps still don't run. Do I need to make another change to the unlocked mao .img? If so what, and what tools do I need?

The 'other change' is to use ImgTool to change the map IMG's Code Page. I don't think you fully understood my comments in Post #6. You can use unicode maps without patching fw for M610 if you're prepared to mess around a little, read this: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. That's only applicable for devices with weak form of MSV such as your M610. It's a bit of a kludge but you did ask if there was another method apart from patching fw.

[berin]

OK, got it. That worked. I had to use garminunlocker alternative 8.01 first, then replaced the codes with 1252. What does "temporary" mean - is there something that will make this fix revert?

How do I join master section, since the better fix seems to be the firmware patch?

thanks guys, I appreciate it.

[Butters]

If you want to use the unicode features, as said in point 4 of the linked thread the locked unicode version is only for 'temporary' usage until the next reset. Then it will be unavailable again. If you don't need to use the unicode features continue to use the unlocked map with changed CP to 1252, or simply use the unlocked non-unicode version if it's a City Navigator.

To join Masters section either contact the Admin Chaotix to request master status but as you don't yet have enough posts helping others it's unlikely i think. Otherwise make a donation to the forum, i think "VIP Master" status is still available that way. Again, contact the admin about it: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].