Change History

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GPSMAP 1223/1243/1253 software version 39.01

as of March 31, 2025

Changes made from version 38.03 to 39.01:

• Added vertical versions of the overlay toolbars.
• Improved the visibility and presentation of navigation aids.
• Added warning for AIS safety messages.
• Reorganized gauge functions to new 'Gauge' category.
• Added Graph layout options to gauge pages.
• Added warning when Trolling Motor compass is experiencing interference.
• Improved user experience for restoring the default view of gauge pages.
• Fixed issue with handling NMEA 2000 alert escalation.
• Improved transmission of NMEA 0183 navigation data when using Go To navigation.
• Fixed fuel capacity error with Yamaha gateway.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 37.01 to 38.03:

• Added stern line option on radar and charts.
• Added AIS target capacity alarm when tracking large number of targets.
• Improved management of lost AIS target alarms.
• Improved status and alarm visibility on the menu bar.
• Improved diagnostic messages during software updates in the event an error occurs.
• Added support for the Yamaha Joystick Hold feature.
• Added 'L/nm' as a possible unit for Yamaha fuel gauges.
• Added support for new manufacturer of Yamaha Bow Thruster integration.
• Added support for Yamaha electric motor products.
• Fixed an issue that caused shallow rock depths to show without red text.
• Fixed an issue that caused inconsistent display of spot depths.
• Fixed an issue that caused Track Points to vanish from behind a vessel in some circumstances.
• Fixed an issue where G3 charts would not draw if they crossed the antimeridian.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 36.12 to 37.01:

• Added support on the SurroundView Page for an audible indicator which can be enabled to alert the operator as the boat gets closer to a dock or another boat. In addition, Distance Markers and Visual Bumper can now be set to Active to provide additional visual feedback for nearby obstacles.
• Added the ability to enable or disable the display of seabed areas on the Navigation and Fishing Charts. This control is only displayed when seabed area data is available. Added the ability to review additional information regarding the nature of the seabed.
• Added the ability to disable Auto Guidance+ alarms or snooze them for the duration of the power cycle. Grouped similar Auto Guidance+ alarms to reduce the frequency of these alarms.
• Added support for changing how VRM/EBL floating origins move relative to vessel movement.
• Added support for using the advanced, chart-style heading line on radar overlay.
• Added support for displaying the vessel's true-scaled outline on radar pages. Added support for configuring the radar scanner device position and offsetting returns relative to the scanner.
• Added ActiveCaptain Community Points to search results along with other search improvements.
• Added support for pairing multiple headsets for the Garmin Voice Control feature.
• Added support for the Garmin Voice Control feature to control the Garmin Boat Switch and standard NMEA 2000 digital switches.
• Added support for displaying electric engine data received from NMEA 2000 standard PGNs.
• Replaced autopilot Wind Limiter setting with Wind Gain that allows tuning response for upwind and downwind points of sail.
• Added support for calibrating the steering alignment for Force trolling motors.
• Added support for multi-zone stereo volume adjustments to maintain a proportional relationship between zone volume levels.
• Updated OneHelm to use hostname to retrieve web content.
• Added the ability to show and hide functions within the home page.
• Added a database with polar tables for common sailboats.
• Fixed an issue which caused the Level Calibration, Tank Number, and Engine Number buttons to be hidden for GFS 10 setup.
• Fixed an issue where third-party input devices connected through an Empirbus Connect 50 could have their originally assigned station overwritten in certain situations.
• Improved LakeVu and g3 Auto Guidance calculations speed when the path passes through narrow channels.
• Fixed an issue where sonar pages would always select water speed, when available, instead of the selected speed source.
• Fixed an issue where an incorrect arrival time was displayed when selecting an active route on the chart.
• Improved the accuracy of tidal stream calculations.
• Fixed an issue where the LiveScope water temperature wasn't available to display on the chartplotter.
• Fixed an issue where cameras stayed disconnected after a network error.
• Fixed an issue where Onehelm functions on the home page in certain situations would show the incorrect icon and link to the incorrect Onehelm view.

Changes made from version 36.00 to 36.12:

• Corrected the display of negative intertidal depths and other chart depths that are displayed with an underline.

Changes made from version 35.30 to 36.00:

• Improved the image quality of relief shading charts.
• Improved the ability to recover from an interrupted Garmin Navionics+ map update.
• Added preferred sailing race start line end (port/starboard) and Start Line Bias data to Start Line Guidance page.
• Prevented engine data from the Yamaha gateway from being processed twice.
• Added support for selecting whether Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchors should stow or remain deployed when the Garmin Force trolling motor is stowed.
• Prevented gray areas from appearing outside irregular Garmin Navionics+ chart boundaries.
• Improved the presentation of multi-line text and label placement on Garmin Navionics+ charts.
• Updated the Boat Status field of the Mercury Gauge Page to show which Mercury features are active.
• Improved the user experience of setting up custom combo pages for boat builders by providing optional grid lines and allowing elements to 'snap' to the grid.
• Added the ability for boat builders to set gauge and switch backgrounds to transparent to better integrate these components into custom background images for custom combo pages.
• Added support for formatting the ActiveCaptain Card to quickly delete all files from it and restore it to an empty, blank state.
• Fixed an issue that affected the density of depth contour labels in some situations.
• Added the possibility to select the source for Total Fuel Remaining from Yamaha data or computed data from the fuel flow.
• Improved the relief shading chart presentation by preventing un-surveyed areas from obstructing high-resolution relief shading content beneath them.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 35.10 to 35.30:

• Fixed an issue preventing some radar scanners from displaying their maximum range.
• Fixed an issue where the keel offset setting would be set correctly, but display 0 when using a GSD 25 or GPSMAP 7400/7600xsv with only a 12-pin transducer.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to reboot when viewing certain Standard Mapping charts.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the stern guides for the Surround View Camera System to become misaligned in some situations.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 34.00 to 35.10:

• Added support for multiple Traditional, ClearVu, and SideVu sonar views in the same Combo with each displaying sonar from a specified transducer.
• Removed Traditional, ClearVu, and SideVu sonar source selection from Settings->Communications->Preferred Sources.
• Improved Sonar Setup->Source menu to show transducer names.
• Removed the dedicated Split Zoom Traditional Sonar function from the Sonar Category. Split Zoom may be enabled from any Traditional sonar window.
• Added the ability to toggle range synchronize on or off for multiple Traditional and/or ClearVu functions in the same Combo.
• Added the ability to toggle sonar scrolling synchronization on or off for Traditional and/or ClearVu functions in the same Combo.
• Added a toggle to the Frequency menu to select between low and high channels when using a dual-band CHIRP transducer.
• Added the option for boat builders to create custom combo pages to create a more branded user experience for their customers.
• Added an animated graphic indicating the built-in map is being updated and a banner indicating if an update was interrupted. Built-in map update progress is visible on the Software Information page.
• Added support for up to two radar guard zones.
• Added support for up to two radar VRM/EBLs.
• Added support for moving the origin of VRM/EBLs away from the vessel.
• Added support for outputting new NMEA0183 sentences (TLB/TLL/TTD/ZDA).
• Added new commands for Garmin Voice Control feature: Backlight Range.
• Added support for reading large capacity (exFAT formatted) cards up to 1TB via External Card Reader.
• Added support for engaging the autopilot in Low Speed Heading Hold for more responsive rudder control at low speeds.
• Added MFD support for an AX8 FLIR thermal Camera, including handling of the camera's user configurable thermal alarms.
• Added indication in the System Information page when this device is displaying the built-in map from another chartplotter on the network.
• Fixed an issue which prevented route labels from showing or hiding when the setting changed.
• Fixed an issue that prevented the tide or current station selected from the chart information menu from displaying in the tide or current review page in certain situations.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the Weather Layer setting to turn off after the device is power cycled.
• Fixed an issue that prevented 100% from being selected as a calibration point for the GFL 10.
• Fixed an issue where the user would be unnecessarily notified of entering and exiting boundary areas on power-up.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 33.40 to 34.00:

• Improved the contrast of important navigation features such as contours and hazards, and reduced the use of bright colors for less eye strain when using the chart for long periods at night.
• Streamlined access to Warning Manager, inReach messages, Smart Notifications, AIS List, and DSC List pages from tbe new 'All Communications' button on the bottom control bar.
• Streamlined access to user data and nearby services information from the new 'Where To' button on the bottom control bar.
• Added support for setting a home location, and then navigating to it via Auto Guidance or simple routing.
• Added support for Yamaha 24MY features.
• Added support for the autopilot Tack Speed and Gybe Speed features, which adjust the speed at which the autopilot completes tack and gybe maneuvers.
• Added support for the autopilot Auto Response feature, which monitors the sea conditions and adjust the Response setting accordingly.
• Added autopilot safety alarms for off course and disengaged events.
• Decreased Auto Guidance+ calculation time when using the latest Garmin Navionics+ content.
• Added support for the NMEA 2000 Standard MOB PGN to trigger a Man Overboard.
• Automatically store sonar logs which can be sent to Garmin via ActiveCaptain to improve Garmin Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics Vision+ Charts.
• Updated support for NMEA0183 to enable receiving new satellite constellations and to differentiate between L1/L5 satellites.
• Improved the Total Fuel Onboard calculation to only include data from fuel tanks with a valid capacity and level. Tank instances with an invalid capacity or level will now be ignored for this calculation.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 33.30 to 33.40:

• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to reboot when viewing maps containing non-Latin characters.

Changes made from version 32.20 to 33.30:

• Added support for Power-Pole CHARGE Marine Power Management Station to allow users to monitor battery status, to emergency start, to select where power is directed when charging, and to transfer power between power banks. These features require purchase of a Power-Pole CHARGE unit and a C Monster Gateway through Power-Pole.
• Added support for initiating/cancelling an inReach SOS and communicating with Emergency Response from a chartplotter, via a connected inReach device.
• Added support for the user to select different accent colors that are displayed across the UI.
• Added support for an overlay bar and configuration menu to control the Active Trim feature on Mercury engines. These features require purchase of a SmartCraft Connect Gateway through Mercury.
• Added support to compensate for vessel heave when viewing Traditional and ClearVu sonar. The Marine Satellite Compass MSC 10 is required to calculate heave.
• Added support for new SmartModes and presets for sailboats.
• Added support for receiving pre-planned routes from compatible third-party PC applications over NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183.
• Added support for activating the Garmin Voice Control feature using the dedicated voice assistant button on a supported headset.
• Added new sonar gain adjustment commands for the Garmin Voice Control feature for Panoptix FrontVu, LiveScope, LiveVu, and RealVu pages.
• Added new sonar range adjustment commands for the Garmin Voice Control feature for Panoptix FrontVu, LiveVu, RealVu and LiveScope pages.
• Added new commands to the Garmin Voice Control feature to show Panoptix sonar pages.
• Improved ability to calculate longer routes with Auto Guidance+, and improved the quality of Auto Guidance+ routes in general.
• Improved performance and appearance of the chart when zooming in and out.
• Added support for calibrating Force Kraken Trolling Motor steering alignment.
• Improved presentation and usability of Preferred Source selection to allow users to make a more informed decision when choosing a preferred source, and to view which source is chosen by the automatic preferred source selection logic.
• Added support for selecting a preferred depth source when not tracking bottom.
• Added support for filtering fuel level data.
• Added overlay toolbars for viewing tide, current, and celestial information.
• Added support for displaying radar range in units of feet/meters when ranged inside 1/4 mile or equivalent distance in kilometers or nautical miles.
• Fixed issue that can cause the 'Radar Service Lost' error to show incorrectly on system powerup.
• Improved NMEA 2000 bandwidth usage on system powerup.
• Fixed an issue that caused grey boxes to show when Yamaha RPM is changed.
• Fixed an issue that prevented the Options button from working in certain situations when viewing a OneHelm page.
• Fixed an issue that caused digital data fields to not update in certain situations.
• Fixed an issue that prevented Quickdraw Contours from displaying properly on the map at certain zoom ranges.
• Fixed an issue that caused the device to lose contact with NMEA 2000 stereos in certain situations.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 32.10 to 32.20:

• Fixed an issue that affected reliability of software updates for some network peripherals.

Changes made from version 31.10 to 32.10:

• Improved visibility of areas and lines on the chart.
• Improved the appearance of notification banners used throughout the device.
• Added new 'Trip' gauge page set to the home page that shows trip-related information. The 'Trip' gauge page can be added to a combo or SmartMode similar to other existing functions.
• Added support for using heading direction from the Garmin Force trolling motor compass instead of the LiveScope transducer compass within LiveScope pages for barrel mount installations.
• Added support for Power-Pole Advanced Boat Control features when used with the Garmin Force trolling motor: Smart Anchor Selection, Smart Anchor Jog, Drag Detection, End of Route, and Auto Stow. These features are only compatible with dual Power-Pole setups, and require purchase of a C-monster Gateway through Power-Pole.
• Added a new command for the Garmin Voice Control feature to show the waypoint list page.
• Added QR code to allow customers to easily download ActiveCaptain app.
• Fixed an issue that could prevent the GRID 20 from connecting wirelessly for some installations.
• Fixed an issue that could show the 'No Transducer Connected' message on power-up when connected to a GLS10.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to report an incorrect Unit ID to the ActiveCaptain App for registration to the user's Garmin account.
• Fixed an issue allowing stereos in low-power mode to be powered on from the chartplotter.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 30.40 to 31.10:

• Added support for sending and replying with custom messages via a connected inReach device.
• Added Mercury logo and active indicators to the Mercury features on the toolbar switcher.
• Added an overlay bar for controlling Mercury autopilot, including Autoheading and Route Following (requires Mercury SmartCraft Connect gateway).
• Added new commands for Garmin Voice Control feature to the Traditional, ClearVu, SideVu, Split Zoom, and Split Frequency pages: Sonar Range Increase/Decrease, Sonar Gain Increase/Decrease, Sonar Range Auto, Sonar Gain Auto.
• Added new commands for Garmin Voice Control feature: Radar MotionScope On/Off.
• Integrated Fusion speed vs. volume settings into chartplotter Media page, to allow media volume to dynamically adjust based on the vessel's speed.
• Added support for saving only the user data within a specified area boundary to a card.
• Updated the autopilot display with improved visuals and user experience.
• Corrected the initial sonar frequency after power-up to be the same as the last one used.
• Fixed an issue where the speed data overlay would not show in some cases on Panoptix and LiveScope pages.
• Improved visibility of radar overlay heading line.
• Corrected the calculation for the bearing digital data field.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 30.10 to 30.40:

• Fixed an issue which prevented mobile devices from pairing using BLE for the Smart Notifications feature.

Changes made from version 29.20 to 30.10:

• Improved GN+ mapping presentation and drawing speed.
• Added data fields for the following NMEA 2000 PGNs: Battery State of Health (127506), Battery Case Temperature (127508), Linear Actuator Position (128780).
• Improved the Mercury Cruise overlay toolbar to add better support for Mercury V12 engines.
• Improved the Mercury overlay toolbars to show when communication with the Mercury gateway has been lost.
• Added new commands for Garmin Voice Control feature: Mark Waypoint, Radar Rain Clutter Up/Down/On/Off, Radar Sea Clutter Up/Down/On/Off, Radar Gain Auto High/Low/Bird, Radar Transmission Start/Stop.
• Fixed an issue where the Media controls would control only one zone at a time on 3rd party stereos.
• Corrected text display of NMEA 2000 alerts.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 28.40 to 29.20:

• Added Mercury Engine Details page showing advanced engine data, including Engine and Transmission Oil Level readings for supported engines.
• Added Mercury Engine overlay toolbar to provide quick access to basic engine information, as well as shortcuts to advanced engine details and Sport Exhaust controls for supported engines.
• Added new commands for Garmin Voice Control feature: Navigation Chart Zoom In/Out, Fishing Chart Zoom In/Out, Radar Zoom In/Out, Radar Gain Increase/Decrease, Radar Range Increase/Decrease, Radar Clear/Enable/Disable Echo Trails, Clear Active Track, and requesting Current Time, Air Temperature, Water Temperature, Sunrise Time, Sunset Time, and Wind Information.
• Added support for independently adjusting Map Orientation and Look Ahead settings for each Navigation Chart instance in a combo page.
• Added support for third-party input devices using a new NMEA 2000 virtual device when connected through an Empirbus Connect 50.
• Added support for filtering Apparent, True, and Ground Wind Speed and Direction graphs.
• Added support for the following languages: Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Thai.
• Added support for adjusting the volume on all zones on all devices that have been added to a Group.
• Added support for the Media Page being included in a combo.
• Fixed an issue which prevented Depth Range Shading from drawing on top of a Quickdraw map in certain situations.
• Fixed an issue where OneHelm devices would not be visible on power up.
• Fixed problem with incorrect RPM Gauge limits on Mercury engines.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 28.30 to 28.40:

• Changes to support manufacturing.

Changes made from version 28.10 to 28.30:

• Fixed support for 'All' zone for Fusion stereos which allows for volume control of all zones on a stereo at once.
• Fixed issue with remote power-on button not appearing for Fusion MS-WB670 and MS-BB100 stereos after they enter power saving mode.

Changes made from version 27.10 to 28.10:

• Updated graphical look and feel of analog gauges.
• Improved access to system settings button on new home page.
• Updated graphical look and feel of the media and Fusion function pages.
• Updated SurroundView configurations, calibrations, and additional user settings.
• Added support for Mercury Helm for different stations on the boat, Mercury Steering Angle, and Mercury Troll overlay bar.
• Added support for Apple AirPods with Garmin Voice Control features.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 26.20 to 27.10:

• Added support for quickly reviewing and modifying overlay toolbars.
• Added support for pan-tilt-zoom IP cameras and target tracking.
• Added support for controlling Power Pole shallow water anchors with overlay toolbar.
• Added support for Garmin Voice Control using compatible Bluetooth headsets via the USB Voice Control Bundle.
• Improved transfers of Android and iOS Activecaptain file transfers while app is minimized.
• Added support to display Mercury Cruise overlay bar and control where available.
• Added ability to select Heave preferred source if multiple sensors are present.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 26.10 to 26.20:

• Fixed an issue with SideVu causing units to freeze after long periods of time.
• Fixed an issue with LiveScope Color Limit when used with Blue Palette.
• Fixed an issue with depth range shading.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 25.30 to 26.10:

• Added support for new home page and graphical style. This update includes many user interface improvements and easier navigation to pinned functions.
• Added support for new Garmin Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics Vision+ cartography along with several chart presentation improvements and Auto Guidance+ technology.
• Added a Ghost Reject Auto setting to improve sonar performance and ghost image rejection for LiveScope under most conditions.
• Added LiveScope Color Limit control to reduce background noise.
• Added support to detect and display Mercury popup banners.
• Added Mercury active exhaust state and toggle options for supported engines.
• Added support for filtering sailing polar data.
• Hide course to steer during upwind routing when going upwind with laylines enabled.
• Added display of layline data fields without requiring laylines to be visible.
• Added support for vessel look-ahead on navigation, fishing, and weather charts.
• Added support for OneHelm top and bottom overlay bars.
• Added troubleshooting text to many warning/alarm banners.
• Added improved options for Yamaha split engine pages.
• Added support for additional Yamaha autopilot steer patterns.
• Various other Yamaha engine control improvements.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 24.10 to 25.30:

• Added Beam Overlay feature to improve Panoptix display when multiple Panoptix transducers are connected.
• Added support for sailing polar tables along with new data fields and layline integration.
• Added customizable data field filtering options.
• Added support for Estonian, Hungarian, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Slovakian, and Ukrainian languages.
• Improved installation and verification process for OnDeck Hub by showing detected sensors, relays, and diagnostic data.
• Corrected missing option on single range radar for hiding AIS trails.
• Fixed a rare issue where the configured engine page layout was being reset after starting the engines.
• Improved transmission of cross track error (XTE) on NMEA0183 when using a GoTo navigation.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 23.00 to 24.10:

• Added support for Mercury SmartCraft Connect gateway, including VesselView page and fault code notifications.
• Improved presentation and review of ActiveCaptain Community POIs.
• Added support for momentary switches and a configuration page using standard NMEA2000 switch PGNs.
• Added support to display up to 5 Yamaha engines.
• Fix an issue where trip data was being reset on power off.
• Improved software updates from ActiveCaptain.
• Expanded allowable values for dynamic lake level.
• Re-organized and improved presentation of SD card popup page.
• Added ability to auto align vessel icon to heading or COG based on speed.
• Fixed an issue where headling line options weren't displaying on navigation chart.
• Improved heading line display on radar pages.
• Fixed an issue where depth range shading might not work from a map card.
• Updated magnetic variance models.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 22.10 to 23.00:

• Added message banner for easier route navigation with the Force Trolling Motor.
• Added additional LiveScope color palettes.
• Added Compress Range, Reverse Range, and other LiveScope user interface improvements.
• Added support for the engine jack-plate position message for Bob's Jack Plate products connected via NMEA2000.
• Improved NMEA2000 device information page to show the device's calibration status on first page.
• Improved software updates from the ActiveCaptain app.
• Fixed transmit power slider values showing '4294' for all settings.
• Fixed HDMI output failing after 24 hours.
• Fixed text issues when using certain languages.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.

Changes made from version 21.00 to 22.10:

• Added heave PGN (127252) support on NMEA2000.
• Added water speed as a source of odometry.
• Added new fish species supported by the SiriusXM Fish Mapping service.
• Improved shallow water sonar depth tracking.
• Improved startup speed of file transfers from mobile phones to chartplotters.
• Fixed a rare issue that could cause marking a waypoint to fail.
• Fixed an issue with sonar pinch-to-zoom after changing frequency.
• Other improvements and bug fixes.