PatchMap Software Update and Registration Tool

General FAQs

Contents

What do I need to update the map files?
I don't have an SD card reader on my computer (or it doesn't work).  Can I use my Garmin instead?
How does this whole update process happen?
How do I start the update process?
It won't read my Garmin. It just hangs or the status indicator goes around and around but nothing happens.
Registration Data

What do I need to update the map files?

• You will need as a minimum the micro SD card with the map files resident on it (version 14.9.6 or newer), a Windows computer, an Internet connection, and our software updater.
  • The micro SD card is the thing that is about 10mm (1/4 in.)  X 15mm (3/8 in.). A micro SD card adapter came with your purchase from Skybase and that is 24mm (1 in)  X 32mm (1-1/4 in).  Some Windows computers do not have a port for the micro SD card, but may for the mini.  The micro SD card adapter is a mini SD card.  If you use the adapter make sure to plug the micro SD card into the micro SD card adapter first before plugging the adapter into the computer. See the next FAQ below if your computer does not have an SD card reader slot.
  
  
  
  • The Windows computer can be Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1. Windows XP cannot be used.  Mac is not supported at this time, but there are ways of running Windows on a Mac computer. (Not covered here. Google Parallels.  Also, click here.)
  
  
  
  • Your Internet connection will need to be a minimum of 2 Mbps.  That is fairly slow by today's standards, but the faster the connection the better. Click here to view a table of connection speeds vs. download time.
  
  
  
  • The software updater is free.  If you do not already have it, you can click here to install it on your computer.

I don't have an SD card reader on my computer (or it doesn't work).  Can I use my Garmin instead?

• Yes, you can use your Garmin.
  • Leave the SD card in your Garmin and plug your Garmin into the computer using an USB cable.
    • Click here for steps for plugging your Garmin into your computer..
  
  
  • Please note: Copying the updated map files onto the SD card through the Garmin is slower, taking about 15% longer, depending upon the Garmin device.   The download time for the map files from our server to your computer will not change by using the Garmin.  That speed is based upon your Internet connection speed and stability.

How does this whole update process happen?

• The update process is performed in three steps; download, reassembly and copy:
  1. Downloading the map files
     • All the map files are segmented into packets of 2.5 MB each and downloaded one packet at a time.  If a packet fails download it is retried five times before telling you in a message box.  Restarting the updater will restart from where it left off. You will not have to start the whole process over again.
  
  
  2. Once the packets are downloaded they will be reassembled into usable map files. These assembled files will be placed in the same cache on your computer where the packets reside. If this process is interrupted for any reason, restart the updater program again and the reassembly process will resume from where it left off. Your C: drive (the boot partition) is where the files are cached until the update process is complete.
     NOTE: Your C: drive will require at approx. 8 GB of space which will be freed up at the end of the update process.
  
  
  
  3. Copying the map files to your SD card.
     • Once the files are downloaded and reassembled, then they are copied to the SD card, either through your SD card reader or through your Garmin, depending upon how you have it connected to your computer.
     
     
     • Because of the nature of copying files on to the SD card, if a copy fails part way through, the copy of that file must start again, but only for that file, the rest of the copied files are unaffected. If the copy process is interrupted for some reason, restart the updater program and it will resume copying from where it left off.


• In all three stages of the update process should it be interrupted the updater will pick up from where it left off so long as the files in the cache are not deleted.

It won't read my Garmin. It just hangs or the status indicator goes around and around but nothing happens.

1. You can stop the updater program and start it up again. You can start the program from your Start Menu -> All Programs -> Skybase Geomatic Solutions Inc -> Skybase Product Updater.



2. You can use an SD card reader instead. If you do not have one installed in your computer, you can pick one up from just about any electronics store for about $30.00ish.



3. Unplug the Garmin from the computer and with the PatchMap card in the micro SD card slot (the only place it can fit) hold the power button down for about 20 seconds or until the screen goes black. Release the button and it should restart. If it does not just press the button and it will start. This reboots the device.
   
   Once reboot is complete, check to see if it recognizes the PatchMap maps before plugging it into the computer. How to do that varies on the Garmin unit, but generally you go into TOOLS (may not be a tools option), SETTINGS, MAP or MAP & VEHICLE, and then INFO or MAP INFO or myMaps. If you see PatchMap V##.##.## (where the # represent a version number), then the maps are available.
   
   There may be other map files there, such as Contours and 3DMaps, but the main one that must be there is PatchMap V##.##.##.
   
   Now plug the Garmin into an USB port on your computer and wait for Windows to recognize the device.
   
   Waiting for Windows to recognize the device is crucial.
   
   If Windows does not recognize the Garmin and the SD Card too, then the program obviously will not either. A small window usually pops up, but if not you should be able to see the device when you open a Windows Explorer (START button / Computer) or the Windows key & the letter 'e' together.
   
   Click here to get instructions on how to hook up your Garmin to your computer and basic troubleshooting steps.
   
   When windows recognizes the Garmin, if the updater program is running it too should automatically check the device. The status indicator will start spinning again until the software sees the Garmin. If after waiting for a while nothing seems to be happening, click on the big button to force the process to start again or better yet, restart the program.
   
   If after trying these steps a couple of times and you are ready to pull out your hair in frustration you may have to use an SD card reader. Garmin devices connected to a Windows computer can sometimes be persnickety.

How do I start the update process?

1. Plug in the SD card into the computer's SD card reader slot.  If you are going to use your Garmin, then make sure the SD card is plugged into your Garmin first and the Garmin is powered on and boot up and the Garmin recognizes the PatchMap maps, then plug in the Garmin via the USB cable.
   
   
• It is important to make sure Windows recognizes your SD card (or the Garmin if using the Garmin) first before going on to step 2.
  
  
• Check with Windows to make sure it sees the SD Card. Hold down the Windows Key (between the ALT & CTRL) and touch the 'e' key. This is a shortcut to the Windows Explorer. Depending upon the how you have it connected, you should see either one or two new drive letters or the name of your Garmin listed under Portable Devices (if you plugged in your Garmin).


2. Start the software updater program.  If you do not have the software updater program you can download it by clicking here.  You should see your card information listed if the updater recognizes it. If you are using your Garmin, that information should be listed there too.



3. Once Windows recognizes the SD card or the Garmin (depending upon how you have it attachd to the computer), then click on the Purchase and Register button to start the process.



4. Once you have clicked on the Purchase and Register button, you will see a window that has a Call Skybase First and a Cancel Update Request button. Call Skybase at the number provided and purchase the update and then a Skybase employee will authorize the download. You can then click on the Download Now button to start the update process.
   ( Note: The Purchase and Register button changes to read as Download Now when the download has been authorized. )



5. NOTE: The update process can take approximately 1 hour through an SD card reader to fully complete the update or about 1 hour 20 minutes through a Garmin GPS. The times will change depending upon 1) your Internet connection speed, 2) whether an SD card reader is used or a Garmin, 3) the model of Garmin, 4) speed of your computer.
   The approximate size of a PatchMap update is 2.3 gigabyte, so it takes a while to do the full update process (download, assembly, and copy).
   
   Click here to view a table of connection speeds vs. download time.



6. IMPORTANT NOTE:  At the very end once all the files are copied to the SD card a message box pops up telling you the whole process is complete.
   
   Test your card in your Garmin first before clicking on the 'Finished' button as this will erase all the downloaded files to free up that space again.
   
   If the SD card does not show the PatchMap V##.##.## (where the # represent a version number) then plug everything back in the way it was and click on the Copy Again button. You may need to restart the updater program.

Map Updater Dialog

Registration Data

• Garmin Device Name - This only lists a name if you have your SD card plugged in to the Garmin (and the Garmin is plugged into the computer), otherwise it will read the drive letter if the SD card is plugged into an SD card reader and not the Garmin.
  
  
  • This displays the user friendly name for the device. If this does not display the name of the Garmin device that is plugged in, then:
  • Windows may not have recognized the Garmin device.  Check in the Start Menu / Computer. The name of the device should be listed there.
  • For example, if you have a Nuvi 2555LMT plugged in, you should see nüvi 2555 in the Windows file browser.
  • You may have to click on the large button once the Garmin device that is plugged in is recognized by Windows.
  • Make sure the Garmin is powered on.


• Garmin Device Status - This indicated whether the Garmin files are indexed (enumerated).  In order for the registration program to read the files on the Garmin and the SD card plugged into it, it must be indexed first. If the Garmin device status does not appear here, then click on the big button.



• Product Name - Name of the Skybase product residing on the SD card.



• Product Version - Version of the Skybase product on the SD card, usually a map version number.



• Garmin Serial - This is Garmins' ID for that Garmin unit. Note that this will not match the serial number printed on the outside of the unit.  This is, however, an unique ID for each Garmin unit manufactured and is assigned by Garmin.



• SD Card Serial - This is the hardware serial number embedded on the SD card where the map files are located.



• Company Name, Unit Number, First Name, Last Name, Phone Number, Email
  • Only the first name, last name, and email are required in registration, but we recommend all fields.  Registration is required for obtaining an update.

Buttons

• The Big Button - This button forces the process that scans for the attached devices.
  • The ulimate goal of the scan is to find the SD card.
    • The SD card can be plugged into an SD card reader (preferred), one that is either mounted into the computer unit or is a dongle type device which plugs into an USB port.
    
    
    
    • The SD card can be plugged into a Garmin GPS device, so the Garmin is then used like an SD card reader.  However, be aware that copying the files on to the SD card through the Garmin will be slower, about 15% longer.  The file download speed will be unaffected by the presence of a Garmin unit.
      
      Click here to view a table of connection speeds vs. download time.


• Purchase and Register - When the proper files are located on the SD card and if there is a newer version available and the required registration fields are filled, this button will be enabled so you can click on it.
  
  
  • Clicking on this button opens a dialog which updates our registration server by posting a request for download. It also requests that you call Skybase @ 780-814-2130 to arrange for the purchase of the update.  When payment has been processed, Skybase will enable the download.  Then you can click on the Download Now button to initiate download.
    ( Note: The Purchase and Register button changes to read as Download Now when the download has been authorized. )
  
  
  
  • NOTE - This updater will pick up from where it left off.
    
    
    • What this means is that should your Internet connection break, or should you need to stop the download temporarily, or should the download crash in some way, it will pick up from where it left off seemlessly once you restart the software updater program. This gives you the flexibility and assurance that the partially downloaded files are not lost. However, you must resume the download process again manually by restarting the software updater program and clicking on the Continue Download button.
    
    
    
    • Since the files are downloaded in packets, the files are also assembled packet by packet in to the same folder into which the packets were downloaded.  This happens on your Windows installation drive which is usually your C: drive. You will need approx. 8 GB free on this drive at the start of the download process. The space will be freed up at the end of the update process once you click on the Finished button at the end of the update process.
      
      When the files have been assembled, the copy process is started. Should the copy of an individual file fail that file copy will have to be restarted from the beginning by restarting the updater program, because the updater program will continue from where it left off.  Other successfully copied files will be unaffected by the copy failure of a single file.


• Register Only - This button updates the Skybase registration server with the information in the text boxes, but does not initiate the update process. Three fields: First Name, Last Name and Email address are required to be registered in order to obtain the map update.



• Help - The help button pulls up this page.



• Exit - The exit button will close the map updater dialog.