Why Does my Garmin® Marine Device Show the Wrong Date?

The following series of devices may display the date as either December 31, 1989 or January 1, 1990.

• GPSMAP® 21xx series
• GPSMAP® 22xx series
• GPSMAP® 3xxx series
• GPSMAP® 4xxx series
• GPSMAP® 5xxx series

The incorrect date was caused by the antenna being used with the device sending the incorrect information to the chartplotter. To correct this issue a software update must be applied to the device while the antenna is connected.

For instructions on how to update the GPSMAP 21xx, 22xx, and 3xxx series chartplotters, please review the Related Content.

For instructions on how to update the GPSMAP 4xxx and 5xxx series chartplotters, please review the Related Content.

If the update cannot be applied to the device at this time, changing a setting on the device will temporarily correct the issue.

In order to correct the date for the GPSMAP 21xx, 22xx, or 3xxx series, the Source GPS Mode must be changed from Garmin to NMEA:

1. Power the device ON
2. Press the Enter button to choose I Agree when the disclaimer screen appears
3. Press and hold the ADJ/Menu button for a few seconds to get to the Main Menu
4. Highlight the GPS tab on the left hand side of the screen
5. Press the Right arrow button twice to highlight the Setup tab at the top of the screen
6. Press the Down arrow button twice to highlight the Source setting
7. Press the Enter button
8. Highlight NMEA
9. Press the Enter button
10. Restart the device by powering it OFF and back On and when the device acquires satellites the time should be corrected

In order to correct the date for the GPSMAP 4xxx or 5xxx series, the Serial GPS Mode must be changed from Garmin to NMEA:

1. Power the device ON
2. Choose I Agree when the warning screen appears
3. From the Home screen, choose Configure
4. Choose Communications
5. Choose Serial GPS
6. Press the Mode button one time to change the setting from Garmin to NMEA

Now that these settings have been changed, the Date and Time should display correctly once the GPS has acquired its position.