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Updating the GHC™ 50

The GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument can be updated through either the Marine Network, BlueNet Network (software version 33.10 or after) or from the ActiveCaptain® mobile app.


Note: The GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument will not update through NMEA 2000.  The GHC 50 can not be updated through a Legacy Software update over the Marine Network


Updating the GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument through ActiveCaptain® mobile app:

The GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument has the ActiveCaptain® app functionality with no microSD / SD card required.  Updating the GHC 50 through ActiveCaptain® mobile app will update the instrument and all other connected Garmin devices on the NMEA 2000 system.

  1. Power the GHC™ 50 instrument on

  2. select ...

  3. select Global Settings

  4. select Garmin ActiveCaptain®

    • This option is only available if the GHC™ 50 instrument is not connected through the Marine Network or BlueNet Network to a chartplotter

  5. select Wi-Fi Network

  6. select the Wi-Fi OFF option to change the status to Wi-Fi ON

  7. select Okay to configure the Wi-Fi connection

  8. create the network name and select Done

    • The name of the Wi-Fi Network should be unique and not the same as any local Wi-Fi for ease of pairing a smart device.

  9. create the network password and select Done

  10. connect to the Wi-Fi network through the smart device's Wi-Fi settings

  11. open the ActiveCaptain® mobile app on the smart device and allow the application to search and connect to GHC ™ 50 instrument's Wi-Fi Network

  12. select My Marine Devices in the ActiveCaptain® mobile app on the smart device

  13. under Software Updates Available select Download

    • Downloading the Software Update From a Full Wi-Fi Source

      • disconnect from the  GHC™ 50 instrument's Wi-Fi and connect to a true Wi-Fi source to easily download the update, such as home Wi-Fi

    • Enabling Software Updates Over Mobile Data

      • select Settings Data Usage > and under Software Update select Wi-Fi or Cellular

      • this allows the smart device to be connected to the GHC™ 50 instrument while downloading the software update through mobile data, as long as there is a strong enough mobile data connection

  14. if the software download has completed over wi-fi and not using mobile data while connected to the GHC™ 50 instrument

    • "Software Updates Ready to Transfer" will appear once the download has completed

    • connect back to the GHC™ 50 instrument Wi-Fi

  15. the software updates automatically start transferring to the GHC™ 50 instrument

  16. follow the prompts on the GHC™ 50 instrument to install the software updates

    • This will update the  GHC™ 50 instrument and all connected NMEA 2000 devices

  17. restart the  GHC™ 50 instrument  when the  GHC™ 50 instrument prompts

    • the system will power cycle and return to Heading Hold screen and function will be restored to normal with updated software


Updating the GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument through the BlueNet Network:

  • The GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument can be updated through the BlueNet Network if the GHC 50 is running on software 33.10 or greater and connected through the BlueNet Network port to a BlueNet Network compatible chartplotter.

  • If used in a hybrid network utilizing a Garmin BlueNet 30 Gateway the software update must be initiated from the BlueNet Network compatible chartplotter.

  • See, Garmin Marine Device Software Updates, for updating software through the chartplotter.

  • If the GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument is prior to software version 33.10 then the GHC™ 50 instrument must be updated through either the ActiveCaptain® app or from a connection to a chartplotter through the marine network.


Updating the GHC™ 50 marine autopilot instrument through the Marine Network:

  • The GHC™ 50 instrument software can be updated if connected through the Marine Network to a chartplotter

  • The software update will be ran from the chartplotter when utilizing the Marine Network connection

  • See, Garmin Marine Device Software Updates, for updating software through the chartplotter

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