Garmin 660 Problems

[raynchk]

I bought a Garmin 660 from one of the members of this site and I'm having a hard time connecting to the Garmin map update site. I think he may have removed the original maps and for whatever reason, I can't connect to the Garmin Express app I downloaded to my computer. Anyone here got any helpful pointers?
Thanks!

[Thrasherg]

Have you tried another USB cable? I have a couple of cables but only one of them works with my 660, I don’t know what is special about the lead but the owners manual also cautions to only use the Garmin usb cable. This could prevent you transferring data from your PC to the gps. Otherwise I don’t know what to suggest, the Garmin software is not always intuitive but it seems to work most of the time. Where in Texas are you? I am just north of Dallas, so you could bring your unit to my house and we could try to get it running with my cables.

Gary

[Fennellg]

yeah these things are cable sensitive. Have you contacted  he original owner.  I would think he would have wanted to provide you a working unit. Or was it a low price as is deal?

[Fennellg]

There is a steep learning curve with the zumos.  I learned a great deal with zumo forum and YouTube.  The making of routes and sharing them with others in you group can be a challenge.  Every one should be on the same map up date for it to work.  Don't forget to turn off recalculate.

But first things first, if  you cant get any of you cables to work.  Get one from Garmin directly, or the original owner.  Anything else will probably not work. 

I bet I know what happened.  The original owner removed or wiped a added memory card.  The internal memory fills up to the point where map updates will not fit.  The work around is to store the maps or part of the maps on an added memory card. Music and pictures are also stored there as well.  These things are wonderful mp3 players for long trips.  There are some great helmet speakers for under a hundred bucks. 

Hope this puts you in the right direction . If I can be of further assistance let me know.

[2daMax]

First thing first...did u make the device Mass Storage mode when u connect to the pc?

[raynchk]

There is a steep learning curve with the zumo
I bet I know what happened.  The original owner removed or wiped a added memory card.  The internal memory fills up to the point where map updates will not fit.  The work around is to store the maps or part of the maps on an added memory card. Music and pictures are also stored there as well.  These things are wonderful mp3 players for long trips.  There are some great helmet speakers for under a hundred bucks. 

Hope this puts you in the right direction . If I can be of further assistance let me know.

Yep, I think this is what happened. I pm'd the original owner and he said he removed an sd card that had data on it. Problem is I can't get access to the device storage partitions. Tried it in windows and the drive wasn't showing in My Computer. Tried it in Linux and it didn't show up there either. All I get is a Garmin logo screen that flashes rapidly twice then goes dark for a couple moments.. ?? ..

I dunno??

[gv550]

I have a Zumo 550, 660 and 395. I can confirm that you need the proper garmin cable for each GPS, my 550 cable won't work with my 660 and the cables aren't labeled for each GPS so I don't know how you would know if you have the correct cable. They do look a bit differently so if you post a photo of your cable I may be able to identify what you have.
Also, the lifetime maps only applies to the original registered owner, if you register the used GPS to your account you will need to purchase the map updates.

[ace50]

Man you wouldn't believe how many wires are in those cables. I wanted a shorter power cable on my 660 so I bought another one to shorten.
I made it about it about 1½ foot long, but splicing all the wires together with some being the smallest gauge wire I've seen before!
And you have to splice ALL the wires. First I just did the power wires and that didn't work properly.
But it worked with all spliced and I still use it!

[raynchk]

Got up this am and called Garmin. They diagnosed a cable problem. Original owner contacted me this morning and said he'd sent the wrong cable. So maybe everything will work when he sends the proper cable. Still don't understand why I can't access the maps on the gps though. It shows there is a current map there, but for some reason the unit isn't accessing it. No POI's, can't enter and address, etc...

[Kevhunts]

Just in case you are not entering mass storage mode...

Placing your Garmin GPS in Mass-Storage Mode
These instructions are for those whose Garmin GPS devices do not appear in Windows when
connected to a PC.
1) Ensure your Garmin is NOT connected to your PC, then turn it on.
2) Click on the volume button
3) On the master volume page, press and hold on the upper right corner
for 10 seconds
Note: A diagnostic menu will appear
4) Click:
MTP Settings > Mass Storage > Save
5) Connect GPS to your PC using a USB cable
Note: You will then need to wait for USB Mass Storage Drivers to be
automatically installed
6) [On your PC] Open Windows Explorer – The GPS should now appear
as a remote drive under “My Computer”.
Once these instructions have been followed, your GPS will continue to appear as a remote drive
whenever connected to your PC.

It's a good idea to make a backup copy of the files on your gps unit.

[fac191]

I shortened my cable on a Zumo 660 and only used the red and black wires and had no problems. For anyone having problems with Garmin Basecamp check this out lots of people have found the videos very helpful.
https://www.tiger800.co.uk/index.php/topic,17506.msg181035/topicseen.html#new

[HeliMark]

Also, for some reason, when I connect my Garmin to the computer, I can not use the faster (3.0) USB port. I have to use the slower one.

Just something to consider.

Mark

[Thrasherg]

Also, for some reason, when I connect my Garmin to the computer, I can not use the faster (3.0) USB port. I have to use the slower one.

Just something to consider.

Mark

That's odd, my computer only has USB3.0 and the new USB3.1 ports and my Garmin works fine with them!!

Gary

[AVGeek]

Also, for some reason, when I connect my Garmin to the computer, I can not use the faster (3.0) USB port. I have to use the slower one.

Just something to consider.

Mark

Odd, as part of the USB 3 spec is to be compatible with both USB 2 (as on the Gamrin) and USB 1.1 (the original release version).

[HeliMark]

Odd, as part of the USB 3 spec is to be compatible with both USB 2 (as on the Gamrin) and USB 1.1 (the original release version).

Yup, true, but you need to understand. I am "that" guy who gets into a grocery store line with only two people in front of me, and all the other lines will cycle through 10 people before I get to the register. 

I have two Garmins, a Zumo (390), and a RV (760) one, one has no problems, the other doesn't like the 3.0. Just mentioning it for others whose computer may be like mine.

Mark