Thread: Garmin eTrex 10 Firmware - Update

It might be possible to convert the device to an EU version, but it very much depends on whether the Chinese and US/EU hardware are the same.

If they have the same HWID (albeit that's very unlikely) then a successful cross-flash of firmware is pretty much guaranteed. If they share the same PCB P/N (quite likely they do) then a cross-flash might work.

So please supply the HWID and PCB P/N of your device. Please read here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. It your etrex has a hidden diagnostics menu behind the time or battery symbol then you can get the device's PCB info from there in Version Information page, as well as HWID from its Inventory page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

I'll need more than that sorry. It would be best to find the device's PCB info on the device, but if you're unable to locate it because there's no Version Information page in its Diagnostics menu then we might find it in the firmware file if you have access to that. We'll need a copy of the Version 2.20 CHN firmware later anyway if a CHN>US/EU cross-flash is viable.

I think eTrex 10 might delete the GCD file after it's done an update, but please check if there is a file named "gupdate.gcd" remaining on board. If there is, please upload it somewhere, megNZ for example, and give a link. If it's not there, then give me a copy of your GarminDevice.xml file by [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], or you can attach it as a ZIP or RAR archive here in the thread but if it's the latter, please remove the UID from it beforehand to maintain privacy. Look for the 10 numerals commencing 386....... written between "<Id>" and "</Id>".

Hi Neil,


As suggested, there was no gupdate.gcd file available.

The diagnostics menu doesn't seem to offer access to any additional information.

Attached is a ZIP copy of the GarminDevice.xml file.

Thanks,

Martin..

Spoiler: attached

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Unfortunately, neither GarminExpress nor WebUpdater will supply me the V2.20 firmware with a lower version listed in your GarminDevice.xml file, even when the software version is reduced as low as "0.00", i.e. <SoftwareVersion>000</SoftwareVersion>.

Without a copy of the fw i'm unable to check if the PCBs match in CN & US/EU versions. I recall being told that someone did a successful full conversion of an SEA or JN eTrex 10 to US/EU and if that did happen it is almost a certainty that any other Asian version such as yours will also convert. However, i cannot verify that previous conversion.

If the basic hardware for CN and US/EU devices are different, the device may permanently brick after being flashed with US/EU fw.

If you wish to try on the understanding that a failed conversion will kill it, let me know and i'll make the flash kit for you. If you are able to obtain a copy of CN V2.20 fw from somewhere, the risk will be reduced considerably if the PCB P/Ns are found to match. It might be worth trying yourself by connecting the eTrex to your PC, editing the XML on the device itself to a lower version, and then starting GarminExpress to see how it reacts.

The Tramsoft link is to v2.20 firmware for a completely different device, the eTrex Camo/Euro. It has HWID of 0516 and therefore can't be used. Your eTrex 10 has HWID 1609 and it is only that firmware i'm seeking. It can be of any CH 1609 version including 2.20, so i can then make the comparison with US/EU HWID 1304. Although your CH device is running V2.20 fw presently, that bears no valid relationship to other files of the same version naming but meant for other hardware.

The file you mentioned, eTrex 10 B1304 220.gcd, is for the US/EU device and that's the intended conversion for your CH device to make it usable in the UK. I already have some versions of the US/EU fw, including the V2.20 and the latest V3.60:

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

If you want to take the risk, attached is the flash kit to attempt the conversion. Do a backup of its present internal folders and files before you start. Because we can't locate any CH fw for it, this will be a one-way route, there's no way to return without the CH fw to flash it back, even if it stays alive. Cross your fingers, follow this:

• Open the ZIP file and extract its content to find 2 files, 130401000360.rgn and Updater.exe
• Drag the RGN onto Updater.exe which will open its GUI
• Select the radio button next to "USB Device"
• Place the eTrex into preboot mode and connect it to your PC (you need to know how to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and also have [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] loaded. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] probably also works to get etrex 10 devices into preboot.)
• Once the device's details appear in the window next to "USB Device", press "OK" button on Updater's GUI, wait for the flash to finish

Good luck! Hopefully Updater reports a 'success' message and the eTrex next starts up as a US/EU model. You can then connect it to GE or WU to update the files required for its new identity.