Garmin June 22 SW Update

There's a Garmin SW update as of earlier this week: https://www8.garmin.com/marine/PDF/MarineSoftwareUpdate/2022/June2022.pdf
Big changes to the Fusion MFD interface (there's a Fusion update that needs to be done separately as well). Also looks like further refinement to what used to be PartyBus, now Fusion Groups (don't use so can't comment).
The analog gauge screens are revamped into what looks like a neater display.
Most appreciated for me was a change to the location and appearance of the Settings button - I had a devil of a time finding that after the home screen implementation earlier this year, now it jumps out.
The Active Captain app can now be set to auto-download updates when available, nice feature that should reduce frustration from getting to the boat, then discovering an update in a poor coverage area.
I've got the dongle that will enable headphone connections for verbal commands. I don't expect that to be anything but a novelty but we'll see if it turns out to be really useful.

You know what we went through to get the Sirius XM data and Fusion to integrate on the Garmin chartplotters.
That was a long battle that we finally figured out between the XM antenna feed, Fusion NMEA 2000 and Fusion ethernet link. Then finding all of the shortfalls and issues with the Garmin XM antenna/tuner. Are they going to dink all of this up?

ttmott said:

You know what we went through to get the Sirius XM data and Fusion to integrate on the Garmin chartplotters.
That was a long battle that we finally figured out between the XM antenna feed, Fusion NMEA 2000 and Fusion ethernet link. Then finding all of the shortfalls and issues with the Garmin XM antenna/tuner. Are they going to dink all of this up?

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Tom, certainly possible. I had the Fusion playing on Bluetooth during and after the install and that continued to work just fine. I had the impression that the album art was more prominent on the MFD with perhaps a bigger icon. I do need to check to see if Sirius XM is working properly.
I got an email from Garmin thanking me for registering my Fusion right after the install. The Fusion unit is showing up on my Active Captain equipment list now and I don't think it was there before. So, perhaps some steps toward more integration of Fusion into Garmin.

The software update has been running a few days and no problems so far. On the Fusion interface, Garmin streamlined quite a bit. Looks like they did away with the concept of "device" which caused us some confusion. Now, after associating the GXM-53 Sirius feed with Aux2, the Sirius interface comes up when Aux2 is selected as the source. So, no swapping between devices to change Sirius channels or Fusion volume.
I was able to get the new voice control to work with Apple AirPods. It will change screens and also report data like depth and fuel state. But, certainly not worth wearing earphones or buds. A mono earphone with a boom mike would be tolerable but still not all that worthwhile. Hopefully the utility of this will improve with future updates. If it interfaced with the VHF and/or personal phones that would be another story.
If anyone wants to play with voice control, Garmin sells the kit for ~$60. It consists of a custom weatherproof adapter cord with a micro-USB plug for the MFD leading to a regular USB dongle socket with weather cover. The dongle itself is an ASUS USB-BT500 adapter still in the OEM package. The Asus unit can be had for less than $20. That coupled with a $5 micro-USB to USB adapter would provide the same capability as the Garmin package albeit without weather protection.

So far so good on the update. I like the new look of the gauges. I am using the SiriusXM SXV300 receiver and it is all good it seems, I never had to swap devices. They did change the interface a bit, but not too bad. The Album Art still works and the RA770 is still allowing both WiFi and Ethernet connections.

I can't see ever using a headset to operate the Garmin line. Maybe if our boats were ocean liners, but even then I can't see it being any more then a gimmick. Unless to your point, it interface's the VHF and other communications as well.

Tried the Voice control thing today. Seems to work well, but it's more of a novelty to me. I can't see me wearing earbuds while cruising.

You say "OK Garmin", and a second later, you'll hear a tone. then you can say "Show me traditional Sonar", or "Chart", or whatever, and it does what you'd expect.

bobeast said:

Tried the Voice control thing today. Seems to work well, but it's more of a novelty to me. I can't see me wearing earbuds while cruising.

You say "OK Garmin", and a second later, you'll hear a tone. then you can say "Show me traditional Sonar", or "Chart", or whatever, and it does what you'd expect.

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I agree, a complete novelty. I mean if it made life easier like using Alexa to turn on lights at home it would make complete sense. But I had trouble wrapping my head around using a remote for touch screen control. However I do like the favorite screen option with that, I guess the need for a headset is what looses me.

EDIT: Voice control instructions: https://static.garmin.com/pumac/Voice_Control_USB_Bundle_Install_EN-US.pdf

One thing I noticed this morning while playing around with the new software is with Android Helm appears to be broken, as in doesn't work and that is disappointing.

I tried out the Voice Control this past weekend and man I don't even know why they added this. I mean it worked great but there are so little commands at this point it's not worth using even if you wanted to. Almost full Stereo control works nice, but zero screen control, only access. sheesh ...