Thread: Smart Drive 65 - Can't load maps unblocked or any other. Any firmware parch?

Originally Posted by asprin624

@enetilah,

I do not understand you say you just bought a new Smart Drive 65.
Does it not come with new maps on it??

If it is not the maps you need for the area you live in.
Then you should of made sure you order the correct setup.

He stated in the first post why he wanted to patch the fw. He, like many Argentinians, prefers to use the local Mapear product. Garmin's protection blocks the use of 3rd party maps, even those covering the same region as the device's factory-loaded detail map entitlement. That's his personal choice to use Mapear and quite frankly he should be able to use such alternate map data if he wants imo.

First of all I am never in favour of patching NEW Garmin units.
You kill the warranty.

Why do you say that? I've never known Garmin to avoid a warranty claim on a bricked device, they unquestionably do an even-exchange for a new or refurb device of same type and map entitlement. The don't do any forensic examination, the device is simply superficially checked for any sign of user abuse or physical alteration then sent off for refurbishment. The only way a claim would be refused on a bricked unit would be if the consumer 'fessed up' to messing with fw intentionally. Regardless, unless you do something really stupid like flash an incompatible ramloader (boor.bin/Lrd.bin) it's very easy to un-brick any garmin which has had corrupt/incompatible system software (main firmware) flashed to region 14.