True, github isn't a forum but i only linked that because it's got the date history. V0.01 was known in sosaw Chinese forum long before we got it as we found out after the event. So it was available in the Oriental garmin hacking world prob from 2009, just not the Western forums nor even the RU or other Eastern bloc ones. It was first made available right here at GPS Power in the West then spread like wildfire. Ultimately, the rapid distribution of gimunlock from here and the ease in which it unlocked maps was likely the main reason Garmin's fury was brought down upon the heads of the main map posters in this forum, in my firm belief anyway. There were maybe other factors too, patching of charts for modern protected marine devices would have added some fire in Garmin's belly I believe.

As for the half 'n' half thing being hypocritical, that's a valid view. However, they're a 'for profit' business. So it's all about the money isn't it? Not meant cynically in my case, they're like any other commercial enterprise and will furiously protect their income stream, pouncing on things that might disrupt or reduce that. It seems they were quite slow in fact with taking action on unlocked maps. As for things like cure firmware which 'technically' breaches their EULA but doesn't cost them financially ... Pah! So what? They're highly unlikely to waste time and money stopping what is essentially just a free public service when it doesn't alter their bottom line. Here it is in your native lingo Tex

Spoiler: :-)
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


I guess we'll find out eventually whether garmin goes full-on about altered firmware like they did about altered maps. If it does happen, I doubt anyone in this forum wants it to be here again .....