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No tide data on eTrex 30x
raichea
6 Points
Hi - first time posting here after finding there's no handheld forum on the Garmin site.
I bought a 30x last week. Garmin Express was already installed on my PC for another device and the 30x was recognised and it told me that updates were available. I downloaded and installed the software update (now at v3.0) but couldn't download the TopoActive maps as I didn't have a spare uSD card. A day or two later, fitted with a new uSD card, I was able to add the maps.
Since then, I've been using the device and getting used to its quirks. Today, I was trying to look up some tide times (Where To>Tides) but there appears to be no tide data on the device. It just says "No Results Found. Try Adjusting Search Parameters". If I press Menu, I get "Spell Search" but no matter what I put in the resulting search bar I still get the "No Results..." message.
I tried removing the uSD card to see if the newer maps were the problem, but the results were no different. Unfortunately, I don't know whether the Tides function was working with the pre v3.0 software as I didn't try it.
I've raised this with support, and they're supposed to be sending me an email with some suggestions in it, but problems with their systems mean it hasn't reached me yet, so I thought I'd try here in the meantime.
Any ideas? Has someone else got a 30x upgraded to v3.0 and can see the tide info?
I bought a 30x last week. Garmin Express was already installed on my PC for another device and the 30x was recognised and it told me that updates were available. I downloaded and installed the software update (now at v3.0) but couldn't download the TopoActive maps as I didn't have a spare uSD card. A day or two later, fitted with a new uSD card, I was able to add the maps.
Since then, I've been using the device and getting used to its quirks. Today, I was trying to look up some tide times (Where To>Tides) but there appears to be no tide data on the device. It just says "No Results Found. Try Adjusting Search Parameters". If I press Menu, I get "Spell Search" but no matter what I put in the resulting search bar I still get the "No Results..." message.
I tried removing the uSD card to see if the newer maps were the problem, but the results were no different. Unfortunately, I don't know whether the Tides function was working with the pre v3.0 software as I didn't try it.
I've raised this with support, and they're supposed to be sending me an email with some suggestions in it, but problems with their systems mean it hasn't reached me yet, so I thought I'd try here in the meantime.
Any ideas? Has someone else got a 30x upgraded to v3.0 and can see the tide info?
Comments
I thought the data might have been in the basemap - and maybe it is - however, if I disable the basemap I still get the same tide data. Have never been interested in tides myself, but always found the way Garmin handles them to be mysterious.
Of course, Garmin loves to cripple their entry level devices in odd ways to annoy you, and make you wish you had bought a more expensive GPS. So maybe that's it. :O)
https://support.garmin.com/ms-MY/?faq=0471LJHr9v9opscA1Cd9v9
Thanks to Boyd and Sussamb too... for info, I'm in the UK. I'm about 12 miles from the coast but the search facility suggests you should be able to look for tide data elsewhere.
I think you're right, Boyd... I'll have to wait for Garmin. Could be a long time... I still haven't received their email and when I tried calling 5 minutes ago, their recorded message said that "Unforeseen circumstances mean we can't answer your call now. Please try later."
Regarding the "unforseen circumstances" when trying to contact Garmin, if you look at the link to the tech support article you posted, I think there's a clue...
_______________-
"Please note: Due to the Labour Day(01/05/2019), our email and call service will be unavailable during this period. Because of this, we will reply to your email in 3 working days after our team returns. We apologize for all the inconvenience that might cause you. Thank you."
The support phone number for UK is UK-based and we don't have a Labour Day holiday here in the UK.
Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep chasing Garmin support.
Thanks all.
https://support.garmin.com/ms-MY/?faq=0471LJHr9v9opscA1Cd9v9
Looking closer, that link comes from Garmin Malaysia. So, it might not be the manual you should consult for a UK product. ;)
https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=0471LJHr9v9opscA1Cd9v9
Point taken about different models and country specifics but the 30x is the top model of the eTrex non-touch range and I can see no reference to features missing.
I hope Garmin will answer soon and resolve why the data isn't there. While useful, I'm not dependent on the tide info but I'd like it if it's meant to be there.
No-one I spoke to at Garmin was able to give a definitive answer although they were all very helpful. To get to the above understanding, I was eventually put through to a rep on the Garmin marine team who eventually grabbed a 30x (also at v3.0) himself and tried to get the tide data, getting the same response as I did.
Also note that, if tide data is important to you, you're out of luck on the land-based handhelds. The marine rep told me that Bluecharts are now at version G3, which are not compatible with these devices - they need G2 and these are no longer offered by Garmin. He also said that the G2 Bluecharts may be available online but if you buy them as a download beware that they aren't locked to another device.
Fortunately, I don't actually need tide data - it would just have been useful on some occasions. I hope this information may be of use to someone else.
FWIW, if the old firmware had tide data, you can revert to it. Old versions are archived on this site (which is well-known, but NOT an official Garmin site)
http://www.gawisp.com/perry/etrex/eTrex_10_20_30/
Note that these are actually the installers for the firmware and not the firmware itself. To revert, you will need to change the filename to GUPDATE.GCD and copy it to your GPS. I have gotten confused by all the different "flavors" of Garmin devices, which require that file to be copied to different locations. But I *think* the GUPDATE.GCD file needs to be in the \Garmin directory on the GPS. Maybe @sussamb can confirm this?
When you restart your GPS, it *should* ask if you really want to install firmware that is older than your current version. If you agree, it will then go through the installation process. This may take a little while, so be sure you have good batteries in the device, since a premature shutdown could be disastrous.
Also be sure that you have good backups of all your user data (maps, waypoints, tracks, etc) just in case. It's good practice to just copy the entire contents of internal memory to a folder on your computer periodically. I would also remove the SD card before doing a firmware update/downgrade. If there's already a GUPDATE.GCD file on the GPS, then that is the installer for your current firmware. You might want to save that for future use, if needed (although you could download it again from the link I posted).
It's really intended to be entered from this gateway: http://gpsinformation.net/allory/garfeat3.htm
As long as we're talking about useful sites, have a look at JaVaWa's free software. Every Garmin owner should have a copy of his GMTK and JDM programs. Lots of other good stuff there too.
http://www.javawa.nl/gmtk_en.html
http://www.javawa.nl/jdm_en.html
Unfortunately, the author suffered a stroke a few years ago and although he recovered, at that time he said wan't going to be able to continue with his programming. Haven't seen any updates recently, I hope he is doing better.
It's a shame, because Garmin is really the only game in town now, and I wish there was a viable competitor to make them try a little harder.
I don't think I'll be using it instead of the eTrex 30x though.