Updates & Downloads

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GPS 18x 5Hz software version 4.50

as of June 17, 2022

Download (1.18 MB)

View installation instructions and system requirements

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Change History

Changes made from version 4.40 to 4.50:

• Fixed problem with binary data output.
• Improve velocity performance at 5Hz for 178601000XXX.rgn.

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.
• Improved PPS (pulse per second) reliability.

Changes made from version 3.40 to 4.00:

• Improved time keeping.

Changes made from version 3.30 to 3.40:

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

Changes made from version 3.20 to 3.30:

• 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 3.10 to 3.20:

• Modified proprietary binary output data format to fix incorrect date/time calculation on some Garmin marine products.
• Fixed problem with almanac data not outputting.
• Reversed sign of vertical velocity to be in ENU coordinates.
• Add PGRMID sentence to allow user programmable device ID.
• Added support to enable/disable internal position averaging.
• 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 3.00 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.
• Fixed problem of sometimes only outputting at 1Hz.
• Allow PPS to coast when fix is lost.

Changes made from version 2.60 to 2.70:

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

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.

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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-5Hz' 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-5Hz is not properly connected to your computer. Click 'Cancel'. The update program will not find the GPS 18x-5Hz 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 086501000XXX.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 be
   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-5Hz' 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-5Hz 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.
   7. NOTE: If, for any reason, updater does not completely execute and terminate normally, the GPS 18x-5Hz system software may be corrupt and the unit will remain in Garmin mode. If this is the case try the following:
      1. Try to switch the unit back to NMEA mode (press F10 or select Config-Switch to NMEA Mode).
      Check to see if the unit is transmitting NMEA sentences. If the unit is transmitting sentences, verify the software version number via the PGRMT sentence. If the GPS 18x-5Hz is not transmitting sentences or the version number is not correct, you must reload the software starting with step 4 above.

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      System requirements

      1. IBM-compatible PC running Windows 2000 or later operating system and an available Com 1, 2, 3, or 4 port.
      2. PC Interface Cable for suitable for your OEM unit. The user will need to fabricate one according to the data provided in the Technical Specifications.

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