I just purchased a Varia RDU + RTL 500 bundle as a gift for someone who will probably never plug them into a computer, so I'm trying to update the firmware before I give them. First I plugged in the RTL, my PC found it immediately and I was able to update the firmware using Garmin Express. Then I plugged in the RDU and...nothing. The PC never found it and nor did Express. I tried multiple USB cables, rebooting, etc. I'm concerned because the RTL firmware states that you must update the RDU if you update the RTL. When I turn on the RTL and the RDU they do seem to find each other but I'm concerned they my not work correctly without matching firmware. Any advice would be appreciated.
I assume you have read the following from Garmin's website?
Notes:
PLEASE NOTE: Mid way through the update process, the Radar Display Unit will turn off. Please turn it back on again to continue with the update process.
IMPORTANT: Before updating, read the update instructions in the online owner's manual. To access the manual go to the main device dashboard in Garmin Express, go to Tools -> Help and Manuals. In the manual, the instructions are under Troubleshooting -> Support and Updates.
WARNING: If this software is uploaded to a device other than that for which it is designed, you will not be able to operate that device.
If attempts to upload software fail, you may need to return the device to Garmin® for service.
I saw that but I never even got far enough to start the update. Neither Windows nor Garmin Express can see the device.
As ZuhMan wrote you should read the document refrred to here: """IMPORTANT: Before updating, read the update instructions in the online owner's manual. To access the manual go to the main device dashboard in Garmin Express, go to Tools -> Help and Manuals. In the manual, the instructions are under Troubleshooting -> Support and Updates."""
Plugging in the RDU isn't going to do anything to update it.
Thanks, I followed those instructions as best as I could, I think it is updated but there doesn't seem to be any way to check the firmware version on the RDU. The update sequence also didn't seem to match the instructions exactly. This is what I did:
- Updated tailight firmware over USB using Express
- Unpluged the tailight from USB (this seems required but is not mentioned in the instructions)
- Turned on the taillight, it's status light turned purple
- Turned on the RDU, it's status light also turned purple
- Waited a bit while the RDU updated
- The tailight turned itself off first
- RDU stayed on for a few more seconds with a purple update status
- Then RDU turned itself off
- The instructions say you have to turn the RDU on again half way through the update so I turned it back on
- RDU immediately went into taillight search mode (flashing blue status)
- So I turned on the taillight and they paired normally
There didn't appear to be any "second half" of the update process, they just paired and went into their normal operational mode. So...I guess it worked...who knows. NOT a user friend process I have to say.
