1. Download the appropriate self-extracting zip file for your GPS unit into a directory on your hard drive. (i.e., c:\garmin). This archive includes firmwares for both the etrex USA and the etrex Euro. This usually needs to be the latest
2. Unzip the files into this directory by running the downloaded executable file (.exe).
3. Connect your etrex to a free serial port (Com 1, 2, 3, or 4) on your PC with a PC Interface cable.
4. Turn on your etrex unit and ensure the Interface setup is set "GARMIN"
5. Change to the directory in which you unzipped the files, (i.e., c:\garmin) and run this update program: updater.exe. Select the appropriate serial port and click "OK" to begin the software upload. The upload process should take approximately 3-10 minutes to complete. When the upload process is complete, the unit will reset itself and turn on normally.

1. IBM-compatible PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows XP operating system and an available Com 1, 2, 3, or 4 port.
2. PC Interface Cable for your GPS unit. Don't get ripped - make your own

This enables more code and data, and the etrex got a face lift in the form of a fifth screen that can hold five out of an impressive list of 31  parameters displayed on a single data screen. Because of the hardware upgrade, the new firmwares higher than 3.00 cannot be downloaded to the older revisions of the etrex.

So if you are purchasing a new etrex, make sure the firmware is higher or equal to 3.00. To check the firmware version flip to the setup page, and select the system menu. The firmware would be either 2.14 or lower - old etrex - or 3.00 or higher, new and improved etrex.

• Software modified to support hardware changes. Does not effect user operation.

• Prevents excessive number of track points from being recorded.

• Added an Advanced Skyview mode on the GPS page that displays the location in the sky of each satellite that the unit is tracking. Along with this skyview is the signal strength for each satellite. To get to this new mode, press the ENTER key while on the GPS page and an option menu will appear. This option menu contains two items: SETUP DISPLAY and ADVANCED SKYVIEW. The SETUP DISPLAY option will take you to the Display Setup page for adjusting contrast and light controls. Selecting the ADVANCED SKYVIEW option will switch the GPS page to display the advanced skyview information.
• Allow display of speed and track when velocity is below 1.0 MPH and Selective Availability (SA) is off.
• Fixed route leg distance calculation that occurred when the unit did not have a fix.
• Fixed Dutch grid conversions and added new Dutch map datum to accompany the Dutch grid.
• The map datum list on the unit's Setup page is now displayed alphabetically.

• Fixed elevation display on the Compass page so that it does not "dash out" after 9999.
• Improvements in positioning to fix erroneous track logs.
• Improved the arrival alarm.
• Changed the meter unit symbol from 'mt' to 'm' to be consistent with international standards.

• The UTC label is no longer displayed on the time when the UTC offset is zero.
• The user selected north reference offset is saved correctly.
• The restore defaults button on the units setup page saves the defaults correctly.
• Elevation is no longer displayed in kilometers or kilofeet when exceeding 1,000. It now remains in meters or feet.
• Shortened the Australian grid abbreviations.

• New display option on the Map page for the Goto navigational line. The line can be displayed from your current position (default) or from your original point of navigation as a course line. This option can be changed from the Map page's option menu by selecting "SHOW BEARING LINE" (default) or "SHOW COURSE LINE".

• New user configurable north reference offset that can be modified on the units setup page.
• New project waypoint feature that allows you to create waypoints from existing waypoints given a distance a bearing.
• New hide/show waypoints feature on the Map page that is accessed from the option menu.
• Editing the location of a waypoint is now displayed correctly.
• Added PVT output support.
• Fixed rare memory anomaly caused by uncontrolled shutdown.
• Added bearing and distance to the map when veiwing a waypoint from the Review Waypoint page.
• The elevation on the Review Waypoint page can now be modified.
• Added more time zones. Note: Daylight savings needs to be turned on/off manually for time zones out of the United States.
• More zoom levels on the Map page.

• Initialized user grid for proper software upgrade to existing units that contain software version 2.03 or less.

• Turned on seconds attribute for time display.
• Added user grid format and user datum setups.
• New data entry pages for number fields and position origin field.
• Added new position formats: Dutch grid, Qatar grid, and Finnish KKJ27 grid.

• Correct MGRS position format editing.
• Added +5:45 "other" time offset to accommodate Nepal time zone.

• Added Polish and Czech languages

• Added an Advanced Skyview mode on the GPS page that displays the location in the sky of each satellite that the unit is tracking. Along with this skyview is the signal strength for each satellite. To get to this new mode, press the ENTER key while on the GPS page and an option menu will appear. This option menu contains two items: SETUP DISPLAY and ADVANCED SKYVIEW. The SETUP DISPLAY option will take you to the Display Setup page for adjusting contrast and light controls. Selecting the ADVANCED SKYVIEW option will switch the GPS page to display the advanced skyview information.
• Allow display of speed and track when velocity is below 1.0 MPH and Selective Availability (SA) is off.
• Fixed route leg distance calculation that occurred when the unit did not have a fix.
• Fixed Dutch grid conversions and added new Dutch map datum to accompany the Dutch grid.
• The map datum list on the unit's Setup page is now displayed alphabetically.
• Added Dutch and Finnish languages.

• New user configurable north reference offset that can be modified on the units setup page.
• New project waypoint feature that allows you to create waypoints from existing waypoints given a distance a bearing.
• New hide/show waypoints feature on the Map page that is accessed from the option menu.
• Editing the location of a waypoint is now displayed correctly.
• Added PVT output support.
• Fixed rare memory anomaly caused by uncontrolled shutdown.
• Added bearing and distance to the map when veiwing a waypoint from the Review Waypoint page.
• The elevation on the Review Waypoint page can now be modified.
• Added more time zones. Note: Daylight savings needs to be turned on/off manually for time zones out of the United States.
• More zoom levels on the Map page.
• Improvements in positioning to fix erroneous track logs.
• Improved the arrival alarm.
• Changed the meter unit symbol from 'mt' to 'm' to be consistent with international standards.
• The UTC label is no longer displayed on the time when the UTC offset is zero.
• The user selected north reference offset is saved correctly.
• The restore defaults button on the units setup page saves the defaults correctly.
• Elevation is no longer displayed in kilometers or kilofeet when exceeding 1,000. It now remains in meters or feet.
• Shortened the Australian grid abbreviations.
• New display option on the Map page for the Goto navigational line. The line can be displayed from your current position (default) or from your original point of navigation as a course line. This option can be changed from the Map page's option menu by selecting "SHOW BEARING LINE" (default) or "SHOW COURSE LINE"