GPSMAP396 Beta Software Version 2.91
------------------------------------------------------------
To view the software version, complete the following steps:
1) Press the Menu key twice to access the Main Menu.
2) Select the System tab, and press Menu.
3) Select the System Information option and press Enter.
4) The software version will be displayed on screen.
------------------------------------------------------------
Warnings:
If you are updating from a previous software version, this software will
clear user memory. Please back up important data (routes, tracks, and waypoints)
to MapSource prior to updating.
If this software is uploaded to a GPS unit other than the product for
which it is designed, you will not be able to operate that unit.
If the upload software fails, verify that you have a charged battery
and try again. If repeated upload attempts fail, you may need
to return the unit to GARMIN for service.
------------------------------------------------------------
Change History:
Software 2.80 to 2.91:
1) Added support for latest Garmin map technology
2) Added Iceland time zone
3) Improved appearance of automotive mode maps
4) Improved appearance of topo map elevation contour lines and spot
elevations
5) Improved appearance of Class D and Alert Area airspace types
6) Improved voice guidance for road routes
7) Changed appearance of map in aviation mode when terrain shading is
turned off
8) Changed XM Audio page to retain previous category selection when unit is
powered off
9) Corrected number of decimal places shown for Altimeter field when using
map page "Map With Overlay" page layout
10) Corrected issue that could prevent some message log filter settings from
being saved
11) Corrected issue that could cause unit to shut down when using the Highway
page
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.70 to 2.80:
1) Improved behavior of audible terrain alerts when operating near airports.
2) Improved functionality of TIS serial input data format.
3) Corrected issue that could cause some towered airports to appear on the
map with a magenta symbol.
4) Corrected issue that could cause data fields to flash when using
Aviation In serial data format.
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.60 to 2.70:
1) Added legend for invalid METAR symbol
2) Added support for turbulence weather data
3) Added support for displaying radar coverage areas on main menu Weather
page
4) Added display of timestamps for additional data types on main menu
Weather page
5) Corrected issues that could prevent TIS data from being received
6) Corrected issues with address search
7) Corrected issue with incorrect battery timer display
8) Corrected issue that could cause HSI to occasionally display invalid
course deviation when used with the Aviation In serial data format
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.50 to 2.60:
1) Added display of estimated time to VNAV profile on VNAV setup page
2) Added new serial port format for Aviation In / NMEA & VHF Out
3) Added "Medium" volume option for terrain and TIS audio alerts
4) Added "NO TIS DATA" indicator to map page when TIS is enabled but no
service is available
5) Added ETE field to map on main menu Weather tab when panning with map
pointer in aviation mode
6) Added display of terrain and obstacle database cycle numbers
7) Added output of NMEA APB sentence
8) Changed main menu Weather tab to remember winds aloft and echo tops
altitude selections when leaving the main menu
9) Corrected issue that could cause XM audio volume to be changed when a
terrain or TIS alert occurs
10) Corrected issue with restoring defaults on Interface setup page
11) Corrected issue that could cause "lock to road" setting in Automotive
mode to be reset
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.40 to 2.50:
1) Added display of weather broadcast frequency when reviewing METAR
report text
2) Improved display of flag symbols for invalid METAR reports
3) Improved display of certain types of TFRs
4) Improved main menu Weather tab to preserve the aviation declutter setting
5) Changed audible terrain and obstacle alerts so they come through the
external speaker output as well as headphone jack
6) Corrected issue that could prevent last letter of channel name on XM audio
page from being displayed
7) Corrected unit shutdown when using Battery Saver mode
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.30 to 2.40:
1) Added a "Loud" option for Terrain and TIS audio settings on the Sound
setup tab of the main menu, to allow in-flight audio warning messages
to be played at a higher volume
2) Added a configurable data field to display the current UTC time
3) Added City tab to aviation mode Nearest pages
4) Added ability to tune SL30/40 frequencies on more pages (Airport, VOR,
Approach, FSS, and ARTCC)
5) Improved functionality of Aviation In serial data format
6) Improved terrain alerts when landing at private airports marked with
user waypoints
7) Corrected issue that allowed inadvertent enabling of "Lock To Road" in
Aviation and Marine modes
8) Corrected issue that would cause route page fuel and speed planning
values to be reset unnecessarily
9) Corrected issue that could prevent serial port format from being saved
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.20 to 2.30:
1) Corrected problem that could result in display of incorrect route METARs
when using Aviation In data from a Garmin panel-mount GPS
2) Corrected problem that could prevent anchor drag and other marine alarms
from functioning properly
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.10 to 2.20:
1) Improved reliability of communications with the GXM 30
------------------------------------------------------------
Software 2.00 to 2.10:
1) Added on-screen indication that is shown while turning off the GXM 30
2) Improved overall system performance and reliability
------------------------------------------------------------
Upload Instructions:
Instructions for uploading the new software to your GPSMAP396 using Microsoft
Windows 95 or later:
1. Download the appropriate self-extracting archive file for your GPSMAP396
onto your hard drive.
2. Unzip the files in the archive by running the downloaded executable file.
3. Connect your GPSMAP396 to a free USB or serial port (Com 1 through 8) on your PC
with the correct PC interface cable.
4. Turn on your GPSMAP396. If you are updating using a serial connection, ensure
the Serial Data Format is set to "Garmin Data Transfer". You can find this
setting on the "Interface" tab of the "Setup" tab on the Main Menu.
5. Change to the directory in which you unzipped the files,
(i.e., C:\GARMIN), and run the update program, updater.exe. Select USB or the
appropriate serial port and click "OK" to begin the software upload.
During the upload, the GPSMAP396's display will indicate "Software
Loading...." The upload process should take 3-10 minutes to complete.
When the upload is completed, the GPSMAP396 will reset itself and turn on
normally.
------------------------------------------------------------
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.