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Fellow non-Windoze users:

I got tired of waiting for Garmin to release the Mac OS X software for updates, so I began investigating undocumented approaches to updating the software on my Nuvi 350. I cannot stress enough that the information that follows is, strictly speaking, experimental and comes with no guarantee whatsoever, including that following these steps may destroy or render useless any equipment.

Having said that, it turns out that my Nuvi was successfully updated from v2.3 to v4.3 with the following steps:

1. Plug the device into the USB port on your Mac.
2. Turn on the Nuvi and wait for it to boot. It should eventually display a screen indicating that it's connected to a computer.
3. Wait until the Nuvi (removable drive icon) appears on your desktop.
4. Navigate through the Nuvi directories to the Garmin folder: Nuvi > Garmin. Keep this folder visible in a Finder window for use below.
5. Rename the files 006B047800.bin and 006B048201.BIN with a leading lowercase letter 'a.' This step is not required, but I figured that, should something to awry, I could simply remove the new files and rename these back to their original names.
6. Download the Garmin Nuvi update from Garmin. You want the Unit Software, available for the 350 here:

   http://tinyurl.com/mouw8

7. Uncompress this file with Stuffit Expander.
8. Open the resulting folder called "nuvi300_430.exe Folder" and navigate through the nuvi > Garmin folder.
9. Drag the three files ( 006B047800.bin, 006B048201.BIN, and GUPDATE.GCD) into the Nuvi's folder that you left visible above (Nuvi > Garmin).
10. Once the copy procedure is complete, eject the Nuvi from the Finder, then unplug the Nuvi . It should continue its startup. When it asks you if you want to update, answer that you do!
11. Wait about 2 minutes for the update procedure to finish.
12. Enjoy the modern software!!!

Incidentally, this update procedure left INTACT all my "favorites" on my Nuvi. I do NOT use the Nuvi for music or pictures, so I cannot comment on whether these, or additional map software are affected in any way by this update.

If I've made a mistake here, I'll post corrections in this thread. Make sure you read the whole thread, therefore, before you try this. To change vehicles:

1. Navigate to the nuvi > Garmin folder. Create a new folder (Apple Shift N) and name this folder "vehicles"
2. Go to the Web site:

   http://tinyurl.com/ywsxcv

3. Download your car icon(s), then unZIP them in the Finder.
4. Drag the .srf file(s) you just unzipped into the vehicles folder you created. Now, find the file on the Nuvi > Garmin called "GarminDevice.XML". Rename this file "oldGarminDevice.XML". Now, eject & unplug the Nuvi. Let it start up.
5. Choose the Settings button on the Nuvi's main menu. Choose the Map setting, then pick Vehicle > Change. Pick your car from the list.
6. Choose OK!

Stay off the phone while driving (even if it's an iPhone)! -W

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