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Software Updates

For best results, you should update the software in all Fusion® devices regularly. Some features, such as the Fusion PartyBus™ group functionality may not work properly unless all connected stereos are using the same software version.

Depending on your stereo and network connections, you may be able to use any or all of these update methods:

  • If you have one or more stereos connected to a network with a wireless access point, you can update the software using the Fusion Audio remote control app (Updating the Software Using the Fusion Audio App).

  • If you prefer to not use the remote control app, you can update the software using a single-stereo update file loaded onto a USB flash drive (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).

  • If you have multiple stereos connected using Ethernet cables as part of a Fusion entertainment network, you can update all of the connected stereos using an entertainment package network update file loaded onto a USB flash drive1 (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).

  • If you have any Garmin Spectra™ lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000® network as the stereo, you can update the stereo and the lighting controller software using an entertainment package network update file loaded onto a USB flash drive1 (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).

  • If the stereo is connected to a compatible Garmin® chartplotter, you can update the stereo using a network full marine package update downloaded from the Garmin website or from Garmin Express™ and loaded onto a memory card1 (Network Update Options ).

You can use this table to best determine what update methods are available for your stereo or stereos and find additional information about each type of update.

Devices

Available Update Methods

Update Method Details

  • A Fusion Apollo™ stereo only

  • Fusion Audio remote control app

  • USB flash drive (single-stereo update)

None

  • A Fusion Apollo stereo

  • A Garmin Spectra lighting controller connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo

  • Fusion Audio remote control app

  • USB flash drive (single-stereo update)

  • USB flash drive (entertainment package network update)

  • You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update a connected lighting controller.

  • Updating using the remote control app updates the stereo only, and does not update a connected lighting controller.

  • One or more Fusion Apollo stereos not connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network

  • One or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo or stereos

  • Fusion Audio remote control app

  • USB flash drive (single-stereo update)

  • USB flash drive (entertainment package network update1)

  • You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers.

  • Because the stereos are not connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network, you must update each stereo individually, using either the either USB flash drive method or using the remote control app.

  • Updating using the remote control app updates the stereo only, and does not update a connected lighting controller.

  • Multiple Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network with a mix of stereos connected using Ethernet cables and Wi‑Fi® connections

  • With or without one or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the stereos

  • Fusion Audio remote control app

  • USB flash drive (single-stereo update)

  • USB flash drive (entertainment package network update1)

  • You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers.

  • Only stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using an Ethernet cable update at the same time when using the entertainment package network update. Stereos connected using Wi‑Fi technology must be updated individually.

  • If you update using the remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update, it can update multiple stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables as long as they are all the same model. Stereos of different models must be updated individually. The remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update does not update a connected lighting controller.

  • Multiple Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables only (no stereos connected using Wi‑Fi technology)

  • With or without one or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the stereos

  • Fusion Audio remote control app

  • USB flash drive (single-stereo update)

  • USB flash drive (entertainment package network update1)

  • You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers. The entertainment package update method also updates all stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables, regardless of model.

  • If you update using the remote control app or a USB flash drive single-stereo update, it can update multiple stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables as long as they are all the same model. Stereos of different models must be updated individually. The remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update does not update a connected lighting controller.

  • One or more Fusion Apollo stereos connected to a Garmin chartplotter using a wired Garmin BlueNet™ or Garmin Marine Network connection.

  • With or without a single or multiple Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the chartplotters or stereos

  • Memory card using a networked compatible Garmin chartplotter (full marine package network update1)

  • Fusion Audio remote control app or USB flash drive (single-stereo update)2

  • The full marine package update method updates all Garmin devices connected to the wired Garmin BlueNet or Garmin Marine Network and the NMEA 2000 network at one time, including connected stereos and lighting controllers.

  • If you have an NRX remote control or a DAB module connected to the stereo, it is not updated as part of the full marine package update method. You must perform updates to those devices individually (Update Options ).

  • If your stereo or stereos are connected to a Garmin chartplotter, you should perform an update using the full marine package update method on a memory card thorough the chartplotter. It is not recommend to use any other update method with this setup.

  • If your stereo or stereos are not running SW version 6.20 or later, you should disconnect it from the Garmin networked devices and perform a single-stereo update. After this update, you can reconnect the stereo and use the full marine package update method for all future updates.

1 A stereo must be running SW version 6.20 or later to receive an update over the network. A stereo must be running SW version 6.40 or later to send software updates to other stereos on the network. Update any stereos individually as needed before trying a network update.
2 Not recommended. You should use a full marine package network update if your stereo or stereos are connected to a Garmin chartplotter.
GUID-56980C9B-0008-49B0-9193-091DD5268F2D v10
January 2025
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