Change History

GPSMAP 9500 Black Box software version 44.02

as of June 19, 2026

Changes made from version 43.05 to 44.02:

• Revamped the search UI for new User Data experience.
• Added new night, red, and green modes, as well as improvements to Navaids symbology.
• Added UI functionality for radar North-Up true motion orientation, stabilization mode, and projected heading mode.
• Added support for new Force Current Bow Lock feature, allowing users to anchor at the bow of a kayak.
• Added support for remote features of the Force Current, including autopilot beep control, battery chemistry selection, and programmable pedal buttons.
• Added support for true and apparent wind speed alarms.
• Fixed an issue where gauge settings could become invalid resulting in a blank gauge page.
• Fixed an issue where navigating to a waypoint erroneously updates that waypoint's 'Modified' date.
• Updated the sonar coverage width calculation to use the port/starboard angle instead of fore/aft.
• Fixed an issue where the zoom keys could mistakenly activate digital switching controls in certain situations.
• Added ability to set Auto Guidance Vertical Clearance setting to values greater than 99.9.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 43.02 to 43.05:

• Added support for Video Shortcut Key with third-party input devices using Empirbus Connect 50 to open the first non-Surround View function in the Video category.
• Fixed an issue with display of data received from MAN Engines in certain installations.

Changes made from version 42.04 to 43.02:

• Added a new home category for video and camera sources.
• Added support for displaying a QR code to simplify connecting a mobile device to vessel Wi-Fi.
• Added support for the SpyPole device.
• Added functionality to engage the SpyPole in SpyLock mode from the LiveSonar pages.
• Added ability to synchronize video and audio playback across all GPSMAP MFDs on the BlueNet network.
• Improved experience for acknowledging Dangerous and Lost MARPA Alarms.
• Fixed an issue with positive depth lines shifting their position.
• Fixed an issue where some settings weren't syncing across devices.
• Updated the Mercury toolbars to support Precision toggle, and added a new Mercury Joystick settings toolbar.
• Improved the interface for rudder angle indication.
• Improved legibility of AIS and MARPA targets by grouping them together.
• Improved user experience when configuring autopilot steering direction.
• Fixed an issue that caused Yamaha engine voltage to not display in gauge pages or data fields.
• Fixed a rare issue where an unstable OneHelm device can cause the MFD to lose connection with other OneHelm devices.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 42.03 to 42.04:

• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to reboot when receiving certain NMEA 2000 data from some third-party devices.

Changes made from version 41.05 to 42.03:

• Added the ability to categorize video sources into different categories.
• Added a smart target to the navigation charts for sailboats.
• Fixed imprecise Sonar shift and cone width calculations.
• Fixed untranslated text in some languages.
• Improved appearance of Rapid Return image.
• Added the ability to change the date via arrow buttons on the Celestial page.
• Extended the number of items whose brightness can be individually adjusted on the Radar pages.
• Fixed Anchor Alarm visibility.
• Added support for Yamaha 26MY features.
• Improved the error messages displayed during software update troubleshooting.
• Fixed issue causing occasional freezes while saving sonar recordings.
• Improved the error messages presented during transducer troubleshooting.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 40.04 to 41.05:

• Added support for collecting sonar readings while sonar display is paused.
• Added support for configuring Track settings on a connected inReach device.
• Added support for viewing the status of a message on a connected inReach device.
• Added support for automatically sending vessel data to emergency services when an inReach SOS is declared.
• Improved MARPA tracking performance and reliability.
• Added higher resolution icons for the chart pages.
• Improved the user experience on gauge pages by hiding the navigation buttons after a period of inactivity.
• Added the ability to move the on-screen video remote to different locations.
• Fixed prompting for SD card after every reboot.
• Fixed inconsistent engine labels across different pages.
• Changes to improve product security.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to reboot when viewing certain Garmin approved third-party charts.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 40.02 to 40.04:

• Improved privacy for EU RED Cybersecurity compliance.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

Changes made from version 39.01 to 40.02:

• Added support for connecting to a Fusion RA800 device.
• Added vertical versions of Yamaha Troll and Autopilot overlay bars.
• Added new voice commands for Trolling Motor functions including Cruise Control, Heading Hold/Adjust, Prop Speed, Anchor Lock, and Directional Jog.
• Added new voice commands to show a saved favorite page.
• Added graphical representation for Polar Tables and a scale factor setting for polar table data.
• Added support for MAN engines.
• Added 'dot' draw type for AIS target trails.
• Added support for Sionyx Nightwave Digital video.
• Other bug fixes and improvements.

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 ActiveCaptain Helm performance when rapidly moving the chart.
• 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.