Universal Firmware Patcher for Protected Garmin Devices

How to Install from an SD Package - Instructions:

Download the RAR file from the Link attached then extract directly to a clean microSD formatted in FAT32 (best using WinRar to extract).
If your device has a Firmware version lower than 8.80 all is okay, otherwise a firmware downgrade is advisable, although it should not be necessary because I forced a firmware version of 8.81
Anyway, you can download an older firmware release from here:

Code: Select all
[Please Register or Login to download file]

Ensure the device is fully OFF (not in standby), insert the card in device and power on.
"Loader" will appear on screen for some time and the device will boot up when the flash of patched firmware is complete.
The device can reboot itsself during the process.
After the Patch is applied the device will be able to read Unlocked Maps.
When the flash has completed remove the card, in its root will be a new file named 154.bin.
That's a backup of the device's non-volatile memory region and may save your device at a later date.
You would be best to keep a copy of it somewhere safe for as long as you have the device.
In case of flashing of a new version of the Original Firmware the Patch must be repeated, so you have not run Garmin Express with device connected as the software update first Firmware Device if any available. Do one of the following alternative ways:

Methode 1 (with device NOT connected)
Get file GarminDevice.xml from your Device (you find it in folder \Garmin)
Put the file in a Removable device, as an SD Memory or an USB stick (8 or 16 GB) in folder \Garmin
Run Garmin Express, your Device will be recognized as well
Do all the Update you want (when GE ask you to reboot device, simply secure remove your memory from PC and reinsert again)
When Update finishes you will have ALL the files you need in the memory, simply move them into device.
Using this Tip you have all the vantages of Garmin Express, without any problem of bricking, and you leave the Firmware release untouched

Methode 2 (with device USB connected)
With the device connected GE copy new Firmware Update (if any available) into device and ask for reboot
Do not remove the device (this is very important) but move GUPDATE.GCD in your PC (you find it in folder \.System)
Patch your Firmware using Firmware Patcher. You get a file renamed as GUPDATE_Patched.GCD
This file must be renamed as GUPDATE.GCD and copied onto device overwriting the existing one
Now you can surely reboot your device. The Firmware loaded will be patched as well