Data Hacking

134 Part II — Software Hacks
Like the other models, the way around this uses an older firmware version (2.34 as opposed to
the latest 3.70).
Here’s what you do:
1. Download a copy of the latest firmware from the Garmin website (www.garmin.com).
Keep this handy just in case of problems.
2. Download a copy of the 2.34 version firmware for the Garmin eTrex Vista from www.
gpsinformation.org/perry/venture/etrexventure_mariner_234.exe
(read the agreement at www.gpsinformation.org/perry/agree.html first).
3. The download is packaged in a compressed file. Uncompress the file and extract the
contents.
4. Find the file called 015401000234.RGN.
5. Open 015401000234.RGN in a hex editor to make the following changes.
6. Go to the address 0001F4DC (there is a go to function in most good hex editors) and
change E1 for C9.
7. Go to the address 0001F4DC and change 99 to FE.
8. Go to the address 0001F4DE and change 02 to 01.
9. Go to the address 000D002F and change A7 to 5B.
10. Connect the GPS unit to the PC using the appropriate cable and switch the GPS
receiver on.
11. Run the main executable file that you extracted. This will begin the firmware update
process.
12. The firmware updating application will keep you posted as to the progress of the update.
The process will complete reasonably quickly and the GPS will be ready for use.
MeMap Personalization
An interesting way to personalize the text that displays on your Garmin eMap and eTrex range
GPS is to use a program called MeMap. The MeMap firmware editing package is available
for download on the web from Ido Bar Tana’s site at www.geocities.com/etrexkb/
textpatch.zip. More information about the application can be found at www.geocities.
com/etrexkb/textpatch.htm.
MeMap enables you to search for text strings within the firmware so that you can edit them
with your own strings.
MeMap was written by Gilles Kohl (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/
gilles/memap/index.htm).
This product is free, so it won’t cost you anything if you want to experiment.