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GarmanNuvi wrote:The Universal firmware patcher for protected Garmin devices is to modify the FW to enable your device to use Unlocked maps
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I will summarize my experience buying a Garmin Etrex 32x GPS with HWID 3445 a week ago.
This model seems an evolution of the Etrex 30 and the Etrex 30x but with 8 GB of internal memory.
I want to mention that I have an Etrex 20 patched. I also have a Forerunner 250 and a Fenix 3 without patching and I have some experience in the field although I am not a specialist.
Another curious fact is that the 32x version is 50 euros cheaper than the old 30x that only has 4 GB of internal memory instead of 8 GB. Why?
The first thing that caught my attention is that it only supports tracks in the internal memory and not on the SD card. This aspect was confirmed by Garmin.
What seemed strange to me is that it deletes the tracks from the SD card without requesting permission: they disappear. This can be a problem because if you load a corrupt track in the internal memory it may be that the GPS is disabled and you cannot access via USB to erase it. Should we take it to the technical service?
In theory, GPS should open CITY NAVIGATOR NT maps (not NTU) by patching them because it has MSV: Weak:
Model: eTrex 22x / 32x | HWID: 3445 | SWVS: 250 | MAP: Yes | GMA: Yes | MSV: Weak | GVS: ---.
Indeed, open those maps but their size cannot exceed 200 Mb. The same happens with free topographic maps. Occasionally, it loads larger free NT or topographic maps (400 Mb) but I don't know in what circumstances.
I always mean using the external SD card to install such maps.
The installation procedure has been with MAPINSTALL 4.0.4 (not with the latest version because it gave problems, like BaseCamp. I use v 4.6.2) in a virtual GPS (pendrive) and then copy the map image to the SD (I could have done it directly to the SD I guess).
Patch the device by copying the .gcd file on this page to the Garmin folder of the internal memory:
[Please Register or Login to download file]
It seemed that the firmware was updated, loaded and updated but, to my surprise, it returned to the original firmware. I deduce this because the GPS still did not open NTU or JNX maps and kept showing version 2.50 in “About”.
I also tested the firmware of this other forum only for JNX maps:
Copy the .gcd file back to the Garmin folder of the unit but this time I don't even load it and I think the gps deleted it too.
I have not continued investigating because in this forum said the units as of 2019 had the firmware encrypted and could not be patched. Although in theory the Etrex 32x should be able to be an improvement of the Etrex 30x.
Maybe it would have worked using WebUpdater, or by copying the maps into the internal GPS memory as was the case with the tracks, but then what is the SD card for?
My theory is that Garmin has modified the firmware of the new units, which is why he sells them cheaper because he hopes to recover his money with the mapping.
I am mainly interested in JNX maps because I make my own maps and that format greatly facilitates their use in Garmin.
I don't understand why Garmin wants to charge for using that format. It would be as if Microsoft charged for using devices formatted in NTFS and not in FAT32 (I know it's not the same, it's just an example).
I would appreciate any information from a recent buyer of an Etrex 32x regarding its patching and installation of JNX maps or City Navigator NT / NTU
For now, I find it more interesting to use a smartphone with the ORUXMAPS APK (free on its website). It allows many map formats and download them online too.
regards
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