Sorry, we're having a problem communicating with our servers

A good speculation, but I still think Garmin support should check...

This is probably a dumb question but have your new Drive 50's ever had a GPS lock? If they're new, maybe that's what it takes to synchronize the clock and then connect.

That a good speculation, but in my case I could finish the initialisation of the unit, but Garmin Express still doesn't work.
Therefore I guess that "Garmin customer support" still needs to help us.

Here is what I did to do the initialisation of my GPS unit. (Make sure your battery is full)

• I installed Garmin WebUpdate and changed the GPS unit to "Mass Storage mode".
  
• I updated all the firmwares, voices... sugested by WebUpdate.
  During the next reboot of the device, the firmware updates were installed (keep calm and be patient :p)
  
• I changed the device back to "MTP mode".
  
• After another reboot of the device, the displayed time was finally correct and my locales remained saved too.
  

But like I said, its sad but my Garmin Express still displays the server error...:mad:

BTW my GPS device is a "Drive 50 LMT Travel Edition"

i also made all of the updates by web ubdater with any problems.
i also had my gps running and it synchronized the date and clock.
i have the same drive 50 travel edition.

maby there is a problem with the travel edition and garmin express

BTW my GPS device is a "Drive 50 LMT Travel Edition"

I also have the Drive 50 LMT Travel Edition

As that's a new model it wouldn't surprise me if some folks are hitting issues that Garmin weren't able to duplicate in testing. This is why I'm afraid you'll need to speak to someone in Product Support so the issue can be resolved. In the meantime of course your device will still function so enjoy it as it looks like a great deal, I'd certainly be buying the Travel Edition if I was buying another GPS right now.

Without a working software it's a waste of time

In the meantime of course your device will still function so enjoy it as it looks like a great deal, I'd certainly be buying the Travel Edition if I was buying another GPS right now.

I agree that it is a good deal, but I'm leaving Switzerland to travel across Australia in aprox 14 days. Without the map update I can't enjoy my new Garmin device and have to rent one over there.
But don't misunderstand me, I like Garmin devices too, and it's a good idea, that they made Garmin Express. But software which is used by millions of customers has to work, otherwise a good looking deal can result in a waste of time.

To be honest, a real improvement of the "Garmin Express" software would be better understandable error messages.
Because the avarage PC user mostly doesn't know anything about log files, or tools like wireshark or the windows eventviewer...

One thing I do not like about the Garmin online support is that they point you to the FAQ, which ends with:

"Garmin Express should now be able to connect to the server."

Which is fine, except there is no "If not, click here to contact Garmin" link to follow.

I agree that it is a good deal, but I'm leaving Switzerland to travel across Australia in aprox 14 days. Without the map update I can't enjoy my new Garmin device and have to rent one over there.

You can still enjoy your new Garmin or are you also unable to switch maps? If so then you may be able to use the clone method to enable you to obtain the Australian map. Just Google Garmin clone method.

Thanks for telling me about the clone method

You can still enjoy your new Garmin or are you also unable to switch maps?

Yes, I'm unable to switch maps in Garmin Express.
Thanks for telling me about the clone method, I will try it out.:)

I have the DriveLuxe 50 and had no problems updating map to CN City Navigator 2018.10 with garmin express version 5.1.1 on my windows 10 home version 1607 pc.
Jerry
PS I let garmin express download the map update for 2018.10 in the background then when it was done updated my 2 nuvi 3597's nuvi 1690, nuvi 3490, and the DriveLuxe 50 with no problems here in Ohio.