Updates & Downloads

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GPS 18x PC/LVC software version 4.50

as of June 17, 2022

Download (1.18 MB)

View installation instructions and system requirements

Notes:

• WebUpdater can be used with the USB versions of this product.

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Change History

Changes made from version 4.40 to 4.50:

• Fixed problem with binary data output.

Changes made from version 4.30 to 4.40:

• Fixed corner case GPS week number rollover for devices using older hardware.

Changes made from version 4.20 to 4.30:

• Fixed satellite tracking bug affecting GPS sensors used before April 6, 2019.

Changes made from version 4.00 to 4.20:

• Fixed GPS week number rollover for devices using older hardware.
• Improved PPS (pulse per second) reliability.

Changes made from version 3.90 to 4.00:

• Improved time keeping.

Changes made from version 3.80 to 3.90:

• Better handling for leap second data storage especially over long periods of non-use.

Changes made from version 3.70 to 3.80:

• Fix the timing of the output PGRMT Sentence.
• Fix to retain position averaging state between power cycles.
• Update the magnetic variation table.

Changes made from version 3.60 to 3.70:

• Improved NMEA output timing stability.
• Added support to enable/disable velocity threshold filtering.
• Modified the PGRMID sentence format for maintaining consistency with the other NMEA sentences.

Changes made from version 3.50 to 3.60:

• Fixed factory firmware flash capabilities.

Changes made from version 3.30 to 3.50:

• Added support to enable/disable internal position averaging.

Changes made from version 3.20 to 3.30:

• Add PGRMID sentence to allow user programmable device ID.
• Reversed sign of vertical velocity to be in ENU coordinates.
• Fixed problem with almanac data not outputting.

Changes made from version 3.10 to 3.20:

• Modified proprietary binary output data format to fix incorrect date/time calculation on some Garmin marine products.

Changes made from version 3.00 to 3.10:

• Improved robustness of internal error handling.

Changes made from version 2.90 to 3.00:

• Fixed NMEA mode echo when the reset command is sent via PGRMI.

Changes made from version 2.80 to 2.90:

• Improved binary phase output and mode switching reliability.

Changes made from version 2.70 to 2.80:

• Fixed problem of unit not working above 60,000 feet.
• Allow PPS to coast when fix is lost.

Changes made from version 2.60 to 2.70:

• Added map unlock support.
• Fixed time field of PGRMI echo sentence to be UTC time.
• GPS velocity performance improvements.

Changes made from version 2.50 to 2.60:

• Fixed field 7 of PGRMI input to properly reset unit.

Changes made from version 2.40 to 2.50:

• This version will clear all user settings.
• Fixed problem with SBAS tracking.
• Changed default DGPS mode to 'Automatic'.
• Fixed formatting of GPVTG sentence.
• Changed default RTCM baud rate to 4800.
• Fixed automatic velocity filtering.

Changes made from version 2.30 to 2.40:

• Fixed 'number of satellites in use' field of GPGGA sentence.

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Installation Instructions

1. Download the appropriate self-extracting archive file onto your hard drive.
2. Unzip the files in the archive by running the downloaded executable file. It is recommended that you unzip the files to the default location of C:\Garmin, but you can browse for a different location.
3. Connect your unit to a free serial port (Com 1, 2, 3, or 4) on your PC. The user will need to build an appropriate cable to accomplish this.
4. Power up the unit. If you unzipped the files to C:\Garmin follow option 1 below. If you unzipped the files to another directory follow option 2 below.
5. If you unzipped the files to C:\Garmin, proceed as follows:
   1. Navigate your browser to the C:\Garmin folder and run the SNSRXCFG program by clicking on the SNSRXCFG.exe file. Make sure 'GPS 18x' base model has been selected and click 'OK'.
   2. Either select Config-Update Software from the menu bar or press F12 to update the software. Normally, you will see a confirmation window indicating that you have connected to the unit. If the connection confirmation window does not appear, there are two possibilities:
      1. The GPS 18x is not properly connected to your computer. Click 'Cancel'. The update program will not find the GPS 18x and will fail. Verify the serial connections, cycle power on the unit, and try again.
      2. The unit may be in Garmin (update) mode. In this case, click 'Cancel' to continue with the update.
   3. A browser window will open and default to the folder C:\Garmin. You may now browse for the correct region file to upload. The correct region file will be named 079601000XXX.rgn and 178601000XXX.rgn, where XXX is the version number of the software you wish to upload. Select region file and click 'Open'.
   1. IMPORTANT : The different part numbers correspond to different hardware variants of each product. Most sensors have two different hardware variants, hence the two RGN files in the software package. If you choose the incorrect part number or aren't sure you can try both. Updater.exe first queries the sensor's part number and if it does not match that if the update file a pop-up will appear saying 'No updates are available for your product'. If that occurs simply try the other part number. You cannot accidentally load the wrong SW to the device.
   4. At this point, the Garmin software update program, updater.exe, will start. Updater will prompt you to select the appropriate serial port. Click 'OK' to begin the soft
   5. If you unzipped the files to another directory, proceed as follows:
      1. Run SNSRXCFG by clicking on the SNSRXCFG.exe file. Make sure 'GPS 18x' base model has been selected and click 'OK'.
      2. Either select Config-Switch to Garmin mode from the menu bar or press F11 to switch your unit to Garmin (update) mode. If the unit is in NMEA mode you will see a confirmation window saying 'Connection Success'. If the connection confirmation window does not appear, there are two possibilities:
         1. The GPS 18x is not properly connected to your computer. Verify the serial connections, cycle power on the unit, and try again.
         2. The unit may already be in Garmin (update) mode. Proceed to step c.
      3. Change to the directory in which you unzipped the files, (i.e., C:\GARMIN), and run the update program, updater.exe. Select the appropriate serial port and click 'OK' to begin the software upload.
   6. During the upload, the display will indicate 'Software Loading....'. The upload process should take 1-3 minutes to complete. When the upload is completed, the unit will reset itself and turn on normally. At this point, click the connect button (or select Comm-Connect from the Menu bar). If you select view-NMEA Transmitted Sentences the NMEA sentences should be updating on the screen.

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   System requirements

   1. IBM-compatible PC running Windows 7 SP1 or later operating system and an available USB port.

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