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gpsmap 66i freezing after latest software update 9.50

7280745
over 1 year ago

I've just updated my gpsmap 66i to the latest software (version 9.50) via Garmin Express before going out on a hike today.

On the hike, it became unresponsive at various points - Not in any particular function, just seeming to freeze at random. The first time it did this was at the prompt to enter expedition mode and it wouldn't respond to any button presses. It failed to record when I started recording then entered expedition mode. When I turned it off at the end of the trip, it froze on the screen where it shows the power logo as it shuts down and just showed this for the entire duration of the drive home (about 40 minutes). Each time I have had to hard-shutdown the unit by holding down the power button and then starting it again.

These problems only started straight after this software update, so that seems the most likely cause. Any tips for how I can get my device working reliably again? It's not functioning well enough that I can trust it - It froze and had to be restarted about 3 times within a 2-3 hour hike, and failed to record when I had instructed it to.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I’m experiencing the same issues.  My device has now *also* problems on finding GPS signals. I got it a bit more reliable after resetting all the device settings. Now it doesn't get GPS position at all OR in one moment of time it indicates strong signals and in very next moment of time I’m getting message about missing signal. Also changed from GPS to GPS+Colnass mode (device froze while doing it). Anyhow after hard power off I got both systems. And device keeps freezing.

    I have bought the device August 2019. Maybe my hardware version is too old for SW 9.50. For instance, system info shows GPS software version 2.90. I wonder if there is a way to get back old software version.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to vetta

    edit
    "GPS to GPS+Colnass"  --> "GPS to GPS+Galileo"

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    The common denominator seems to be expedition mode. You might see if the problem persists when NOT using this feature.

    Difficulty acquiring a fix might be due to an outdated EPO file. Although you don't say what the message IS, chances are that it has nothing to do with signal strength per se. It's probably a matter of not being able to find satellites currently overhead because the EPO is out of date. A sync (via the Explore mobile app) should get you an up to date EPO file.

    AFAIK, there are no "old versions of the hardware". You should be able to install current f/w (both the normal device f/w and new GPS chip f/w) on any unit.

    If all else fails, open a support ticket.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    If you really want to downgrade, you can older versions of the firmware from gpsrchive.com:

    https://www.gpsrchive.com/GPSMAP/GPSMAP%2066i/Firmware.html

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to twolpert

    3 units 66i came from mission

    updated to 9.5 and have freezing when attempting to make test

    Test leads in abt 50% to total crash

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I got 66i about stable after fully resetting the device using instruction 'How to Reset the GPSMAP Handheld Devices' https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Z41VbtQ1EH7F4wmdm0hfE6. I wrote 'about stable' because I wonder some things like how it can take so long to get screen back on in Expedition mode. So, I don't have yet 100% trust on the system.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to vetta

    I did full reset on all, full new setup, but still they freeze often

    I am currently not using exp mode, as this crashes one of my 3 devices regularly, the other two survive it without problems.

  • +1 over 1 year ago

    We're very sorry to hear that your GPSMAP 66i is having issues Resuming from Expedition Mode and freezing up. 

    We sincerely appreciate you reaching out about this and we've reported it to our Engineering team for investigation.

    It appears that the issue lies with the expedition mode but again we are investigating that. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Garmin-Leslie

    the exp mode as it is implemented now seems to be quite different from how it did work before.

    At attempt to resume, the text Resuming was displayed for some seconds and then all did work as usual.

    The current version of the exped mode does flash 'resuming' for a second, but then the device switches off and reboots completely. Depending on many factors, for example number of maps, this takes then nearly 2 minutes, missing to select  'stay on' in the last few seconds will turn the device back to exp mode and so on, when exp mode set to automatic.

    This can take few attempts to actually resume normal operation.

    This was definitely not so in previous versions.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to skyeye

    I can confirm @skyeye experience with Expedition mode. When resuming (turn screen on with short tap on power) 'resuming' is shown and system reboots after it. That takes in my case over 40 seconds, which is far longer than powering the device.

    I tested behavior with  'Expedition Mode' setting 'Prompted'. I cannot test with value 'Automatic' because it does not work: screen stays on forever.

    I got a chance to test also with 67i and screen turns back immediately after tapping in Expedition mode.