Thread: Garmin DataCard reader OS support

Garmin's proprietary DataCard Reader uses the same USB Drivers as the older "non-MSM" (Garmin-mode) devices. Drivers are also required on the PC for modern devices to be seen in preboot mode and for older software like Updater.exe to function, because it and other legacy softwares such as G7ToWin only see devices in Garmin or preboot mode.

Contrary to that info in the old open-boats-project.org thread you linked, the drivers work fine for Win 7 and 10 in all 32 and 64 bit versions and in the 64 bit-only Win 11 for Garmin/preboot mode devices and older softwares, so it'd be surprising if the DataCard readers don't get recognised in Device Manager. You're certainly correct in musing that the DataCards weren't designed originally for Mass Storage Mode use and therefore not browsable like a removable drive in Explorer nor seen in Disk Management.

The only difference from earlier 32bit versions like XP and Vista is maybe in the placement of the driver file. For example, in Win 11 the file "grmn1200.inf" is stored in C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\USB_Drivers\Amd64. Perhaps there were some problems using earlier MapSource versions in 64 bit OSs when working with old BlueCharts. Probably overcome in later MS versions.

Thank you Neil for your answer.So I assume you sucessfully tested and run this datacard on these os?
I am running windows x64, the datacard reader is detected, I follow the instructions on the garmin site I posted on the first post, reboot and choose "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement"
I see the driver loaded.
Connect a datacard on the reader and neither basecamp nor mapsource see it.
edit: redid the procedure, basecamp doesn't see the device. mapsource sees it but is it stuck on initializing

Config:
Lenovo X230
16Gb Ram
256Gb ssd
Windows 10 x64 with all updates
Mapsource 6.16.3

I think BaseCamp and HomePort use Mass Storage Mode only, just like GarminExpress. Therefore, they won't see old Garmin-mode devices. However, MapSource and WebUpdater can use both Mass Storage and Garmin/preboot modes.

The DataCard reader should be detected in Windows' DeviceManager under "GARMIM Devices". I don't actually recall using one in any 64-bit Windows version however all other old Garmin non-MSM devices i've used recently have worked fine in Win 10 and 11 64-bit, e.g. SteetPilots 320c, 2610 and 2720 just late last year. Maybe the DataCard readers are particularly sensitive to the OS type but if it shows in DeviceManager as "This device is working properly" under "Properties/General" and with the correct Driver loaded, then MapSource should work properly with it. I can't do a 64-bit test for you myself because i no longer have access to any DataCard reader.

To test an old OS, someone you know will have an old dusty but working 32 bit PC kicking around i bet. Or you may be able to load XP_32 on either a VM or directly to a small partition of your Lenovo and dual boot it, depending on the motherboard. If kept light, XP_32 can run cleanly on only 2 GB of space or even less.

You can also try using the DataCard inserted into your GPSMAP 276c connected to the Lenovo to see if MS works with it under 64-bit. MapInstall should then also see it connected like that:

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