Do you have an *old* GPS receiver?

Trail Boss · 04-06-2019, 10:14 PM

Do you have an old model of GPS receiver, possibly sitting in a drawer, waiting to be used on your next trip? You may be in a for a little surprise.

On April 6th, GPS clocks came to an end of the current 'epoch', namely a period of time since August 21, 1999. What happens now? New and old GPS receivers will start a new epoch. However, some older models of GPS receivers may 'rollover' and start the new epoch using the previous epoch's date: August 21, 1999. As far as your old GPS is concerned, you can now party like it's 1999.

I turned on my circa 2008 Garmin Rino 530 HCx (same generation as the 60 CSx) and, for a fleeting moment it displayed today's date, then it displayed August 21, 1999.

To fix it, I installed a software update.

Go to Garmin's Support page: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/
Enter your GPS model and let it search for it.
You'll be presented with the Support page for your GPS receiver.
Click 'Software'.
You'll need to download installer software. New models use Garmin Express whereas old models, like the 530 HCx, use Garmin WebUpdater.
Download and install Garmin WebUpdater.
Connect your (powered) GPS receiver to your PC via its USB cable.
Run Garmin WebUpdater.
In my case, it claimed my device already had the latest available software.
However, if you continue it will indicate there is a 'GPS Update' available.
Select it and allow it to install the update.
When done, the GPS receiver will restart.
Initially there will be no date. Give it time to establish a connection with the GPS satellite constellation and 'do its thing'.
Some time later, your GPS receiver will have the correct date again.

If you're interested to learn more about the epoch renewal, here's a helpful article: GPS rollover event could have some side-effects.

geogymn · 04-07-2019, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the heads up! Will pass it along.

Schultzz · 04-08-2019, 12:32 AM

"As far as your old GPS is concerned, you can now party like it's 1999."

Great line!

ndoggac · 04-08-2019, 11:06 PM

Great advice and tech support! Thanks. Let's see if your receiver is still tickin' in another 19.7 years!!?? ;-)

Trail Boss, sent you a private message...not sure if you check your inbox?

timberghost · 04-11-2019, 10:36 PM

Both of my old Tritons didn't skip a beat, even the ancient eTrex Legend (B&W) shows correct date...
NYCWiN wasn't so lucky:
https://nypost.com/2019/04/10/nyc-wi...-software-bug/

Frankonix · 04-15-2019, 10:59 AM

This was a great read. Thanks for sharing!

04-06-2019, 10:14 PM	#1
Trail Boss Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 906	*Do you have an old* GPS receiver? Do you have an old model of GPS receiver, possibly sitting in a drawer, waiting to be used on your next trip? You may be in a for a little surprise. On April 6th, GPS clocks came to an end of the current 'epoch', namely a period of time since August 21, 1999. What happens now? New and old GPS receivers will start a new epoch. However, some older models of GPS receivers may 'rollover' and start the new epoch using the previous epoch's date: August 21, 1999. As far as your old GPS is concerned, you can now party like it's 1999. I turned on my circa 2008 Garmin Rino 530 HCx (same generation as the 60 CSx) and, for a fleeting moment it displayed today's date, then it displayed August 21, 1999. To fix it, I installed a software update. Go to Garmin's Support page: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/ Enter your GPS model and let it search for it. You'll be presented with the Support page for your GPS receiver. Click 'Software'. You'll need to download installer software. New models use Garmin Express whereas old models, like the 530 HCx, use Garmin WebUpdater**. Download and install Garmin WebUpdater. Connect your (powered) GPS receiver to your PC via its USB cable. Run Garmin WebUpdater. In my case, it claimed my device already had the latest available software. However, if you continue it will indicate there is a 'GPS Update' available. Select it and allow it to install the update. When done, the GPS receiver will restart. Initially there will be no date. Give it time to establish a connection with the GPS satellite constellation and 'do its thing'. Some time later, your GPS receiver will have the correct date again. If you're interested to learn more about the epoch renewal, here's a helpful article: GPS rollover event could have some side-effects. __________________ Looking for views!

04-07-2019, 07:58 AM	#2
geogymn Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,959	Thanks for the heads up! Will pass it along. __________________ "A culture is no better than its woods." W.H. Auden

04-08-2019, 12:32 AM	#3
Schultzz Low Impact Skidder Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 830	"As far as your old GPS is concerned, you can now party like it's 1999." Great line! __________________ Never Argue With An Idiot. They Will Drag You Down To Their Level And Beat You With Experience.

04-11-2019, 10:36 PM	#5
timberghost I bear therefore I am Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 275	Both of my old Tritons didn't skip a beat, even the ancient eTrex Legend (B&W) shows correct date... NYCWiN wasn't so lucky: https://nypost.com/2019/04/10/nyc-wi...-software-bug/ __________________ Feverishly avoiding "a steady stream of humanity, with a view that offers little more than butts, boots, elbows and backsides". (description quote from Joe Hackett)

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04-08-2019, 11:06 PM	#4
ndoggac Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 34	Great advice and tech support! Thanks. Let's see if your receiver is still tickin' in another 19.7 years!!?? ;-) Trail Boss, sent you a private message...not sure if you check your inbox?

04-15-2019, 10:59 AM	#6
Frankonix Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 62	This was a great read. Thanks for sharing!

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