Garmin USB query

[bob_menton]

Does anyone know if the Garmin data card programmer hardware, and the Garmin MapSource and latest City Navigator maps software, supports USB 2.0 ??

I have a 256 MB data card on order. My laptop only supports USB 1.1. The 128 MB data card takes several minutes to fill with maps using USB 1.1 - this'll take twice as long for the 256 MB card.

I know USB 2.0 is one helluva lot faster than USB 1.1 - if the Garmin hardware and software support it, I'm told I can get a PCMCIA card for the laptop that will give me a USB 2.0 port.

Will it work ??? Will USB 2.0 speed things up ??? Tanks for any response.

- Bob

[Steve_R]

Does anyone know if the Garmin data card programmer hardware, and the Garmin MapSource and latest City Navigator maps software, supports USB 2.0 ??

I have a 256 MB data card on order. My laptop only supports USB 1.1. The 128 MB data card takes several minutes to fill with maps using USB 1.1 - this'll take twice as long for the 256 MB card.

I know USB 2.0 is one helluva lot faster than USB 1.1 - if the Garmin hardware and software support it, I'm told I can get a PCMCIA card for the laptop that will give me a USB 2.0 port.

Will it work ??? Will USB 2.0 speed things up ??? Tanks for any response.

- Bob
It will depend on the whether or not the progammer is 1.1 or 2.0. If the programmer is 1.1, then getting a 2.0 PCMCIA card is not going to net you anything except money out of your pocket. :( If the programmer is 2.0, then yes you will get an increase in speed in data transfer. :)

At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[messenger13]

I don't understand what you mean by the term "Garmin data card programmer hardware". All I can tell you is that, when I am uploading maps into my 2610, it doesn't matter whether I'm using the 1.1 port on my laptop, or the 2.0 pc card...it is still DOG SLOW! The 2610 only supports USB 1.1. I keep hoping that Garmin will release a firmware upgrade to USB 2.0. For us 2GB CF card owners...it would make a huge difference!

[Steve_R]

I don't understand what you mean by the term "Garmin data card programmer hardware".

That's the unique hardware that lets you program the proprietary chips for the Garmin units that don't have internal disk drives, CF or SD cards. My guess, it's gonna be 1.1 and not 2.0. Slow dog programming. :(

[messenger13]

Gotcha...
Yea, Garmin doesn't seem to think USB 2.0 is a priority yet. Sure would make those all-night programming sessions go a lot quicker. Most people don't realize just how much faster 2.0 is than 1.1. USB 2.0 is faster than FireWire! :eek:

[meese]

USB 2.0 is faster than FireWire! :eek:

Not according to this (http://www.cwol.com/firewire/firewire-vs-usb.htm). And that's before we get to FireWire 800.

That's like saying a stroked Harley is faster than your Ninja, right up until the first corner, anyway. ;)

[bob_menton]

Does anyone know if the Garmin data card programmer hardware, and the Garmin MapSource and latest City Navigator maps software, supports USB 2.0 ??

- Bob

All y'all are correct re Garmin and USB 2.0. I sent Garmin an inquiry and received a reply: the Garmin data card programmer does NOT support USB 2.0, only USB 1.1. Bummer.

- Bob

[hammick]

All y'all are correct re Garmin and USB 2.0. I sent Garmin an inquiry and received a reply: the Garmin data card programmer does NOT support USB 2.0, only USB 1.1. Bummer.

- Bob
Both my 76cs and Quest are dog slow when uploading maps.

[bob_menton]

Both my 76cs and Quest are dog slow when uploading maps.

Dog slow? I'll show you dog slow. I'll show you double-dog slow. Try downloading maps from your computer to your GPS via the serial port instead of the USB 1.1 port. That's how we had to do it in the old days (Garmin eMap), before Garmin came out with a USB 1.1 data card programmer.

- Bob