Garmin Nuvi 200 Track Hack

Posted on 15. Nov, 2007 by Marc in GPS

After having the Garmin Nuvi 200 for just over a week, I have come across a really handy feature. The feature allows you track your routes on your Garmin Nuvi 200. This is a hidden feature, so it is still relatively unknown.

YOU NEED TO ENSURE YOU HAVE FIRMWARE VERSION 3.40 OTHERWISE THIS WON’T WORK

UPDATE (20/11/07): Garmin have released a new firmware version which disables the hidden tracking feature. To check what version you have, go to: Menu->Settings->System->About. Here it will show you the version number. If the version number is not 3.40 it will not work. If you would like to roll back to version 3.40 to enable track logs, download the firmware HERE

To get to the track feature on the Garmin Nuvi 200, do the following:

Select a destination you want to drive to.
On your view map screen, press the Arrival time button in the bottom left corner
This will bring you to the Speedometer Screen. Once in this scree, press and hold the screen for 8-10 seconds over the speedometer.
This will bring you into the Garmin Diagnostic Menu. DO NOT change anything here. Click the Next button at the bottom.
At the next screen, you will see the “Logging Control” screen. Press “START RECORDING” to start recording your track
Once you have completed the trip, press the STOP button on the main map screen.
Connect your Garmin Nuvi 200 up to your computer via a USB cable.
Go to the Garmin Nuvi 200 drive, and browse to the X:\Garmin\Logs (Where X:\ is the disk drive of the Garmin)
Go into the latest created folder, and download the gps.bin file.
Download Nutrak from this site. Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder on your Computer
Go to the command prompt (Start-> Run-> “cmd”) and go to the folder where you extraced Nutrak.
In the command prompt type “nutrak.exe gps.bin”. This will create a .gpx file.
Open Google Earth
In Google Earth, click File, Open and browse to the .gpx file that was created.
You will now be able to see where you have driven in the track you have created.

This is an example of a track I created.

If you would like anymore info go to this GpsPasSionForums post, and there is some more info on this great feature

If you enjoyed reading this post, and found the above info helpful, please consider helping me, by donating something towards server hosting and upkeep

UPDATE: I have also posted about how to view location coordinates on your Garmin Nuvi GPS – http://www.marcforrest.com/2008/01/08/garmin-nuvi-200-view-favorite-location-coordinates/

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96 Responses to “Garmin Nuvi 200 Track Hack”

Joel

18. Jun, 2008

I know this should work for the Nuvi 200 and not the 200W, but this just ticks me off completely. Garmin knows good and well this capability is wanted, needed, and can be done. I guess they only want me to buy a more expensive device. Okay… which Garmin GPS will create a track log out of the box?
Nana

18. Jun, 2008

hi Joel
i’m having the same problem, i have the nuvi 200w. i’ve been trying for monthes know, but nothing
i belive that there is a way to unlock the track log, if u find anything plz let me know.
thank u and good luck
Alan

20. Jun, 2008

It works on my Nuvi 200. I downgraded the firmware from 3.8 to 3.4. Everything works just like what in the post. By the way, nutrak now has GUI version calls wNutrak. It works great! And thanks for this great post!
Yuki

24. Jun, 2008

Hi,

I have Nuvi 200, software version 4.10.
I put the nuvi200_340.exe in my laptop. Execute it, Then Finis.

When I rebooted my Nuvi, it gave me a notice that the older software is available and I am asked whether I want to continue to install the older software. It run. My Nuvi rebooted and it asked again the same question. I tried several time and same question poped up.

It seems, I am not allowed to downgrade from 4.10 to 3.40….. :(

Any suggestion.

Thanks…

Yuki
Mike

24. Jun, 2008

I don’t want to sound like a jerk but it really helps to read the previous posts before posting something that has already been discussed many times over.
aucobalt

01. Jul, 2008

I have tried this on my 200W and I can’t get it to work. I upgraded from 3.1 to 3.4, then downgraded to 2.6 to only upgrade to 3.4 again… still nothing… following instructions very carefully.
Felix

01. Jul, 2008

Guys y had the 3,3 version and 3.4 upgrade worked prolerly on my N200.

Issue: it turns off when playback prompted!!.

Playback worked just the first time I tried, but no other time before.

Track files are very rich (active mode kind) and usefull, still.
Dave

09. Jul, 2008

Yeah, it would be nice to have the track log feature. But seriously, why not buy a GPS with that feature?
Felix

09. Jul, 2008

It Do is nice to have the track log feature, nicer if you discover that you don´t have to pay extra for it. Any buck not waisted is a gained buck, isn’t it?.

Also, as I described on my local group: now that my little Nuvi200 saves some tracks and I can also follow some ‘path like’ wp’s, that is, now that i have really learned how to use it and all its capability, I’ll wait for a new and better unit till I really get to need it (and all the extra features within).
jayzap

20. Jul, 2008

aaahh. can’t get mine to work.
no downgrade from ver 3.6 to 3.4 in my nuvi 200 indonesia version.

can this be done manually by replacing the relevant file?.

cheers
joemaster

14. Aug, 2008

HI,
thanks for the 3.40.

Mine was 4.40 and I ran Garmin webupdater to check if there is a newer version. Well at the moment, mine was the latest. Then I ran your nuvi200_340 at the cmd mode. everything went ok.

when I switched on my nuvi200, it duly inform me that the software to be installed is older the existing software already installed, and do I want to continue. I continued and there seems to be some small character like ‘loading’ and i forgot what. after that, a green line goes from the left to the right of the nuvi screen and it booted ok.

i checked the ‘about’ and confirmed that i have the 3.40 loaded.

i switched on the gps simulator and went to a location some 3 km away. i tap on the arrival and then the speedometer and press next. got the logging and started the recording of my simulated driving. then i took the data and use wnutrak.exe and convert the gps.bin

open up google and open the file and got the trip on the map.

thanks a lot.

so meaning that from 4.40 i managed to get it to 3.40

BTW what did i miss by leaving 4.40 and going to 3.40?
Torben Ness

22. Aug, 2008

Joemaster. I have the same SW version as you, but i wasent able to “update” it back to ver 3.4, but i just pressed the exe file, and the unit was updatet, i dident use the “cmd” method. What do you do when you update your unit from the command prompt? (cmd)
Futra

23. Aug, 2008

@Torben Ness:
I have the same situation as you do. I believe when you have the v4.40 you are unable to downgrade. I’ve tried doing the auto installation and also manually extracting and copying to the device but still no avail.

@Joemaster:
How did you downgrade from v4.40 to v3.40? I did everything I could but there was no prompt on the nuvi regarding previous version software installation, it just booted normally into the main screen. Mind telling me how did you do it?
sandro

24. Aug, 2008

I can playback my route on the nuvi itself. How do I delete the routes I no longer want?
joemaster

01. Sep, 2008

Dear Torben Ness
All i remembered was I followed exactly as per instructed.
first i ran the Garmin web updater. then i log off from the updater ad followed the instruction exactly. That is all I can remember. But it worked.

i also recorded this on simulation
http://rapidshare.com/files/141709983/giant_to_tanjung.gpx.html
joemaster

01. Sep, 2008

Dear sandro
you can connect the nuvi 200 to the PC and look inside the Garmin>gpx and Garmin>Logs. Delete any that you do not require. Do a complete copy of the Garmin into your PC first using copy and paste. To convert to google map data, you are to extract the file from the Garmin>Logs.
sandro

01. Sep, 2008

Sorry, I meant delete without connecting to a computer. I can view at the screen where it says “start recording” by pushing “start playback”. Any way to delete this without connecting to a comp.?
joemaster

10. Sep, 2008

Dear sandro,
I am at the moment unable to find a way yet.
alexandre

19. Sep, 2008

i bougth a new gps model nuvi 200, and i need do downgrade of fw 3.4, because this a new model and it came with fw 4.0. So, what i have to do to get make downgrade by fm 3.4. Can i have some help please. thanks
mike

19. Sep, 2008

Sure, did you read the previous posts? Without reinventing the wheel here….

download the file and give it a try.. i doubt it will work with your new unit.
alexandre

22. Sep, 2008

mike, thanks.. sorry by my english…
So, i did read all post, i does very time, but don’t back for FW 3.40.
i did read here and others sites also.
Are the same context…
Help..
alexandre

22. Sep, 2008

my gps come whit firmware 4.0
jim

02. Oct, 2008

I have the 4.0 firmware. Has anyone tried to ‘downgrade’ to 3.8 then downgrade to 3.4? Maybe we need to do in steps.
Jacob

05. Oct, 2008

does anyone know if it’s possible to tracklog with a 600/650? i’m beyond pissed that i bought it so i could geotag my photos and now i’m learning it’s useless b/c garmin took that feature out. i’m desparate. thanks.
wayne

09. Oct, 2008

Garmin sucks. The whole reason I got a nuvi200 was for this track log. Now they disable rollback for the new nuvi200’s. Don’t buy a new nuvi 200. Waste of money.
Joe

20. Oct, 2008

I have n200W, firmware v4.0, where I can find FW to enable TrackLog?
Thx
Facundo

19. Nov, 2008

I have nuvi 200W, firmware v4.0, where I can find FW to enable TrackLog? Thx
Joe

08. Dec, 2008

TrackLog on nuvi 200W – 100% working
http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=98909&whichpage=18
joao

25. Dec, 2008

Guys, I just received a Nuvi 200 for christmas, firmware 4.40 has track log! :))) Just go to system->maps ;)
mike chuzie

26. Dec, 2008

Check out this thread.
http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=98909&whichpage=18

Make sure your Nuvi applies to this firmware and you can update to V.5.00 with tracking.

I have been fighting to get this hack on my nuvi for a long time and finally got it today.
Torben Ness

05. Jan, 2009

Ive tryed this, but i cant find my Nuvi when i choose USB, my Nuvi 200 dont show up. It says something about detach the device from usb, and then hold down the powerbutton untill loader msg apeers.. Whats that loader msg, is that the sign that says Garmin and thats it, if i hold it longer the screen calibration shows up… Ahh, i want to get this tracklog to work…..
lechozo

05. Jan, 2009

Just hold the button while keeping an eye on the “updater.
When you see a device number appearing on the USB PORT window of the Updater, then press OK and release that power button
Torben Ness

05. Jan, 2009

Its working now, but i cant transfer my logg over to mapsource.
mike

05. Jan, 2009

go with google earth instead.
Torben Ness

05. Jan, 2009

I worked it out, using wNutrak
davisa

13. Feb, 2009

Torben Ness and others with “loader” problems…

detach usb, power on device, press on the ‘battery’ for 10 seconds (this enters to the hidden service menu), then attach usb. Install system drivers (OS will need it). Your unit is in service mode (that also accepts updater commands), so run updater and proceed.
melenike

07. Mar, 2009

Hi, marc. Thanks for your interest and your time. This blog was very intresting for me.
I have a question: Do yuo know how can I do to run in a NÜVI 200 the feature “SAT SCREEN” (pressing the battery icon in other nüvis)May be there is a patch to unlock something in it…
Thanks again.

Melenike
melenike

07. Mar, 2009

Error: not battery icon, but SIGNAL icon
Sorry….
marcel

14. Mar, 2009

Does anyone know how to convert a .gpx file to a bin file so I can load it in my nuvi 200 (a wNutrak v0.15 conversion in the other way)
Hendrik

04. Apr, 2009

How do i update my nuvi to the latest software
zack

12. Apr, 2009

my friend told me that there is a program that will show you were all the cop cars are, that my gps will pick up on there singles and put dots on my gps were there are is that true
Jan

12. Apr, 2009

Tracking for the Nuvi200W. Try these links.
It works!!
Jan

http://www.malsingmaps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9014&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=120

http://www.anpo.republika.pl/download.html
Torben

14. Apr, 2009

Zack: It seems that your friend is joking with you. The Nuvi 200 is a very good GPS device, but it cant track other GPS devices.
Jose David

22. Apr, 2009

Thanks JAN for this link http://www.malsingmaps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9014&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=120

It works for me.
unk

11. Oct, 2009

Garmin Nuvi 200 firmware may be found here:

http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_nuvi200-firmware-upgrades_en.html#V0340