Explorist 400 Firmware updates

[+user13371]

I believe these are the most current firmware versions available for the Explorist 400. If you spot mistakes, please offer corrections:

 

North American: 4.202, includes firmware only

European: 4.257, includes firmware and basemap

 

To download either version from Magellan, you have to register and supply a matching serial number for the right model. Entering a 400-NA serial number won't let you download the 400-EU firmware.

 

Firmware packages are distributed by Magellan as Windows EXE files only. To update firmware using a Mac or other system, you need to unpack the component files (not sure how it's done) and copy them in a specific sequence to your GPS (firmware data file first, followed by an update command file that starts the flash update process).

 

Questions:

 

How does one extract the firmware data from Magellan's EXE bundle, so non-PC users can do an update?

 

Does it violate any law (US or international) to try to obtain firmware outside of Magellan's channels?

 

Does anyone know where to get the 400-EU firmware (or any specific model's firmware, really), without having to supply a matching serial number?

 

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Please don't hijack this thread. Try to keep comments informative and relevant to Explorist 400 firmware updates. Thanks!

Edited May 25, 2007 by lee_rimar

[+EScout]

It sounds like Magellan is getting more restrictive on firmware releases. When the European firmware for the 500/600 was first released, you could get it without registering your GPSr. I also understand that it now may come with the local continent base map.

 

I am also not sure of any legal issues. Historically, firmware upgrades have been distributed free to owners of the GPSr units, including this one. Some of us have guessed that staggering releases may be more for the ability of handling support. In that case one should not expect Magellan support if they load a firmware of another area. However, many (most?) people get support for most issues at sites such as this one and the Explorist Yahoo Group.

[+geognerd]

There is one website (not Rhamphorinkx) I saw linked in another forum topic that has some eXplorist firmware files stored. I won't link to it because of concerns raised by Lee.

 

Like Lee, I wasn't able to get to non-NA firmware on Magellan's site without ending up on a registration screen. I don't know if there would be any legal issues about getting firmware from sources other than Magellan (like the one I mentioned above). However, I bet someone would have a warranty issue. If an owner of a 400NA had a problem and sent it in to Magellan for repair, and they saw it had the European firmware, it wouldn't surprise me if Magellan refused to repair it even if the problem was not the result of firmware. Installing an "alternate" firmware could fall under some inappropriate modification clause or something.

 

As for the 400 firmware, I am satisfied with v4.2.02. It was a big step up from the very first version that came from the factory. If 4.2.57 is like the European 3.2.57 firmware for the 210, the only changes that would be added to the 400 would be additional screens shown here. I don't know if I ever bothered downloading the previous European update (without basemap) for the 400 because I didn't find those extra screens on my 210 to be worthwhile.

Edited May 25, 2007 by geognerd

[+user13371]

...I also understand that it now may come with the local continent base map.

Yes, is true of both the 210-EU and 400-EU firmware packages, they include the basermap.

 

This seems a bad idea, unless the basemaps get data updates/correction as often as the firmware - or if new firmware features require changes to the structure of the basemap. Otherwise, it's just needlessly inflating the size of the download.

[+user13371]

REQUEST: Does anyone have an Explorist 400, European model? If so, please PM me, I have some questions about firmware and feature differences compare to North America model. Thanks.

Edited May 26, 2007 by lee_rimar

[+Die Baumanns]

Register your ex400 twice as an European.

 

Bye

Guido

Edited May 26, 2007 by Die Baumanns

[+user13371]

Register your ex400 twice as an European

Thanks, that works! I owe you a beer Edited May 26, 2007 by lee_rimar

[+user13371]

To clarify a couple of items from the original post:

 

- To unpack Magellan's firmware updater EXE file into its comonent parts, a Mac user can just run it through StuffIt Expander. I'm told by a PC user that they used WinRAR, I suppose WinZip other tools also work.

 

- To update the firmware manually, using the component files instead of the EXE:

• Backup your GPS data to your SD card (or directly to computer if no SD card)
  
• Remove the SD card from the GPS (if you had one installed)
  
• Clear the memory on Explorist
  
• Connect Explorist to the computer in USB File Transfer mode
  
• Copy the file USB0002.DAT from computer to the USBTRANS on Explorist
  
• WAIT FOR THE COPY TO FINISH
  
• Copy the file USB0002.CMD to the USBTRANS on Explorist
  
• The GPS will close its USB connect and go into a SOFTWARE UPDATE mode
  
• WAIT FOR THE UPDATE TO FINISH
  

When the update is done, the GPS will reboot itself. Take it outside and let it figure out where it is

 

To update the basemap, the steps are almost the same, except you copy BASEMAP.MGI to USBTRANS folder, followed by the USB0003.CMD file.

 

NOW... Why doesn't want Magellan to let people download just any old firmware and basemap that would work in their units?

 

BECAUSE they probably have market restrictions or pricing structures that differ in North America and Europe. You can easily turn an NA unit into an EU unit (and back again) - and if people did that in any significant numebrs it would present a them with problems (loss of profit, increase support load, whatever).

 

That's the theory, at least!

Edited May 26, 2007 by lee_rimar