Stereo Upgrade

[ttmott]

Spent the better part of today getting the new Fusion head hooked up and operating. Sheesh there are a lot of settings to get it to fully integrate. Remotes, MFD's, Bluetooth, NMEA 2000, network......
I can't seem to get the Wi-Fi to function and connect with my Smartphone. Ten tries on the P/W and still no joy. Plus when I activate the unit as a source the Sirius Artwork on the MFD's goes away. I did get the BT to function but the software update will not load over BT. I'm sure it's one of the WPA menu items but that seems beyond my paygrade. In true Garmin fashion the manuals are of little value.

 

[Skybolt]

Spent the better part of today getting the new Fusion head hooked up and operating. Sheesh there are a lot of settings to get it to fully integrate. Remotes, MFD's, Bluetooth, NMEA 2000, network......
I can't seem to get the Wi-Fi to function and connect with my Smartphone. Ten tries on the P/W and still no joy. Plus when I activate the unit as a source the Sirius Artwork on the MFD's goes away. I did get the BT to function but the software update will not load over BT. I'm sure it's one of the WPA menu items but that seems beyond my paygrade. In true Garmin fashion the manuals are of little value.

To do the update(s) you need to be connected via wifi. If the head unit is defaulted the wifi is in server mode. Meaning you can connect to it as you would to the MFD(s), select the SSID on your phone. But there is a setting in the WiFi settings that allows the head unit to be a client and connect to your boat's wifi. That is how I have mine connected. The Fusion updates have always worked fine through my phone when I am connected to my boat's wifi.

From the web: https://support.garmin.com/en-ZA/marine/faq/CTEZoaUn4w8KDNw9CR9A58/

These steps must be done from a stereo with a built-in Wi-Fi router and are for connecting to a wireless router or another Fusion Apollo stereo with a Wi-Fi router built in.

1. Connect the wireless router to power, obtain the SSID and password, and check that the stereo is within the router's range
2. On the stereo, select the Menu
   
   icon
3. Select SETTINGS
   
   
   
   
   
4. Select NETWORK
   
   
   
   
   
5. Select WI-FI CLIENT
   
   
   
   
   
6. Select SSID, then select the router's SSID from the list
   
   
   
   
   
7. Select PASSWORD and enter the password if the router has one, then select SAVE. If there is no password, select SAVE if not
   
   

The stereo will now be connected to the Wi-Fi network, allowing it to group with other stereos on the same network and receive AirPlay / UPNP audio from a connected smart device.

 

[Skybolt]

Sounds a bit too confusing and complicated for me. I have the T Mobile wifi setup on my boat so wifi isn't a problem but hardwiring the headunit to the T Mobile router would be a major PITA. If everything connects wirelessly then I will probably give this a go. If hardwiring is required I'll pass. Although, on second thought, running an ethernet wire from the headhunt to the router might be possible. The headhunt and the router location are both on the port side. Headhunt on port as you walk down the stairs to the salon and the router is in the port side berth where the bulk beds are located.

Yet another reason to goto the boat this weekend!

Not really, that t-mo wifi router should work fine. Just follow the instruction in my post to Tom and then use the Fusion app to create the PB. It won't save previous sessions so each time you want to use PB you need to re-attach to it.

 

[alnav]

Spent the better part of today getting the new Fusion head hooked up and operating. Sheesh there are a lot of settings to get it to fully integrate. Remotes, MFD's, Bluetooth, NMEA 2000, network......
I can't seem to get the Wi-Fi to function and connect with my Smartphone. Ten tries on the P/W and still no joy. Plus when I activate the unit as a source the Sirius Artwork on the MFD's goes away. I did get the BT to function but the software update will not load over BT. I'm sure it's one of the WPA menu items but that seems beyond my paygrade. In true Garmin fashion the manuals are of little value.

Tom, if the Fusion-MFD Garmin Network connection is working (sounds iffy wrt artwork), and you connect to the Garmin wifi (usually for Active Captain), it's my experience that the Fusion smartphone app will work over that connection. That might enable you to at least get the SW update done.

 

[ttmott]

Tom, if the Fusion-MFD Garmin Network connection is working (sounds iffy wrt artwork), and you connect to the Garmin wifi (usually for Active Captain), it's my experience that the Fusion smartphone app will work over that connection. That might enable you to at least get the SW update done.

On this MS-RA770 there is a "network" feature to connect to the "Garmin Network". When I do that the SXM artwork goes away on the MFD. Don't know why but there it is.
If I set it up as a Client as @Skybolt shows and tie it into the boat's Wi-Fi network then can I use the Fusion App with Wi-Fi on my smartphone??
Or, if I set it up as a Wi-Fi Access point then I should be able to access using my smartphone - just connect to the Fusion in the phone settings. Right? This is how I had it on the old head. So now I see the SSID on my smartphone but when inputting the password it just refuses to accept. Dead End on that one. That's why I'm asking what the WPS or any other settings need to be.

Of course I have Bluetooth control of the system but updates can't happen over Bluetooth.

I've slept since the last time I struggled through all of this....

 

[ttmott]

On this MS-RA770 there is a "network" feature to connect to the "Garmin Network". When I do that the SXM artwork goes away on the MFD. Don't know why but there it is.
If I set it up as a Client as @Skybolt shows and tie it into the boat's Wi-Fi network then can I use the Fusion App with Wi-Fi on my smartphone??
Or, if I set it up as a Wi-Fi Access point then I should be able to access using my smartphone - just connect to the Fusion in the phone settings. Right? This is how I had it on the old head. So now I see the SSID on my smartphone but when inputting the password it just refuses to accept. Dead End on that one. That's why I'm asking what the WPS or any other settings need to be.

Of course I have Bluetooth control of the system but updates can't happen over Bluetooth.

I've slept since the last time I struggled through all of this....

Hold on - I just went through the link Orlando provided and it seems I missed a step on AP Security....
Back to the boat tomorrow.....

 

[alnav]

On this MS-RA770 there is a "network" feature to connect to the "Garmin Network". When I do that the SXM artwork goes away on the MFD. Don't know why but there it is.
If I set it up as a Client as @Skybolt shows and tie it into the boat's Wi-Fi network then can I use the Fusion App with Wi-Fi on my smartphone??
Or, if I set it up as a Wi-Fi Access point then I should be able to access using my smartphone - just connect to the Fusion in the phone settings. Right? This is how I had it on the old head. So now I see the SSID on my smartphone but when inputting the password it just refuses to accept. Dead End on that one. That's why I'm asking what the WPS or any other settings need to be.

Of course I have Bluetooth control of the system but updates can't happen over Bluetooth.

I've slept since the last time I struggled through all of this....

If you can get the boat network connection going that's probably the best solution. I was simply saying to try connecting your phone to Garmin Wi-Fi and try the Fusion app. It should work based on my experience. That way, you could get the update done. If the unit has been sitting around for a while, I would want to update as first priority, even if I had to do it via USB stick.

 

[Skybolt]

On this MS-RA770 there is a "network" feature to connect to the "Garmin Network". When I do that the SXM artwork goes away on the MFD. Don't know why but there it is.
If I set it up as a Client as @Skybolt shows and tie it into the boat's Wi-Fi network then can I use the Fusion App with Wi-Fi on my smartphone??
Or, if I set it up as a Wi-Fi Access point then I should be able to access using my smartphone - just connect to the Fusion in the phone settings. Right? This is how I had it on the old head. So now I see the SSID on my smartphone but when inputting the password it just refuses to accept. Dead End on that one. That's why I'm asking what the WPS or any other settings need to be.

Of course I have Bluetooth control of the system but updates can't happen over Bluetooth.

I've slept since the last time I struggled through all of this....

Tom, you want to connect the 770's WiFi to the boat's wifi as a client. Then your wired connection to the GMN will still work. Also you should then be able to have your phone connected to the boat and be able to use the fusion app.

 

[ttmott]

Tom, you want to connect the 770's WiFi to the boat's wifi as a client. Then your wired connection to the GMN will still work. Also you should then be able to have your phone connected to the boat and be able to use the fusion app.

If you can get the boat network connection going that's probably the best solution. I was simply saying to try connecting your phone to Garmin Wi-Fi and try the Fusion app. It should work based on my experience. That way, you could get the update done. If the unit has been sitting around for a while, I would want to update as first priority, even if I had to do it via USB stick.

Thanks guys
Tomorrow I'll try that as well as making the Fusion an access point like I had it before.
The software update is on my phone and the App recognized the update was needed against this new head.
Kinda like it's half working.....
More to follow.

 

[ttmott]

So, 100% of all the MS-RA770 failures I've ever heard of have the same symptom. Pretty small sample but have to wonder how many of the total failures of these units that Fusion has seen are from this issue. And how willing they are to step up to the plate on repair out of warranty.

If Fusion won't cover it, may you can get away with the current head and just use the switch/remotes. Haven't priced one recently...but approaching a boat buck I'd imagine.

Talked to Garmin yesterday, they will do an out of warrantee exchange for a very reasonable cost. I'll do that which means I can keep a new spare on the shelf.

 

[ttmott]

@Skybolt @alnav
Ok success - until...
Got the head connected to the boat's Wi-Fi router and my smart phone Fusion app working just fine.
Everything is working on the MFD including the artwork.
All of the NMEA 2000 NRX remotes working just fine.
Bluetooth active and working with my smartphone.

Then I updated the head to the latest Fusion Software. Now the network defaults to the GMN and nothing else is available. No Wi-Fi client, no Wi-Fi Access Point; it's all gone from the menu. The Garmin network and it's IP address is there but no way out from under that.....
If I unplug the GMN then the other features come back. So I set it up as a client Wi-Fi again then turned everything off and re-connected the GMN and brought it all back up - it goes back to the GMN and no communications with my smartphone through the boat's Wi-Fi.

Have you seen anything like this?
Version 6.20 BTW.

 

[ttmott]

Whom would have known based upon this that the auto detect would eliminate the other choices -

Change History​

Changes made from version 6.10 to 6.20:​

• Digital Signal Processing Improvements
• Removal of GMN setting in user settings menu. Stereo will auto detect GMN.
• Other bug fixes and improvements

 

[alnav]

@Skybolt @alnav
Ok success - until...
Got the head connected to the boat's Wi-Fi router and my smart phone Fusion app working just fine.
Everything is working on the MFD including the artwork.
All of the NMEA 2000 NRX remotes working just fine.
Bluetooth active and working with my smartphone.

Then I updated the head to the latest Fusion Software. Now the network defaults to the GMN and nothing else is available. No Wi-Fi client, no Wi-Fi Access Point; it's all gone from the menu. The Garmin network and it's IP address is there but no way out from under that.....
If I unplug the GMN then the other features come back. So I set it up as a client Wi-Fi again then turned everything off and re-connected the GMN and brought it all back up - it goes back to the GMN and no communications with my smartphone through the boat's Wi-Fi.

Have you seen anything like this?
Version 6.20 BTW.

Just pulled the current install manual and:

There must have been problems when stereos were on both the GMN and Wi-Fi. I presume one of the updates changed the functionality because it used to work.
You should still be able to use the app by connecting to the MFD Wi-Fi. If my MFDs are on, I am usually connected to MFD Wi-Fi so haven't noticed this. I suppose that if you want your phone connected to boat Wi-Fi, you will need to disconnect the Garmin ethernet and lose album art.

 

[dtfeld]

Whom would have known based upon this that the auto detect would eliminate the other choices -

Change History​

Changes made from version 6.10 to 6.20:​

• Digital Signal Processing Improvements
• Removal of GMN setting in user settings menu. Stereo will auto detect GMN.
• Other bug fixes and improvements

I hate updates...Victron isnt much better. Fix 1 break 2.

 

[ttmott]

Just pulled the current install manual and:
View attachment 157972
There must have been problems when stereos were on both the GMN and Wi-Fi. I presume one of the updates changed the functionality because it used to work.
You should still be able to use the app by connecting to the MFD Wi-Fi. If my MFDs are on, I am usually connected to MFD Wi-Fi so haven't noticed this. I suppose that if you want your phone connected to boat Wi-Fi, you will need to disconnect the Garmin ethernet and lose album art.

That's what I'm seeing. In fact the other networking menu items are now gone if the GNM is detected. We listen to the system more without the MFD's turned on. It would be a significant pain to have the MFD's on any time to control with a smartphone and listen to the system. Avoid version 6.20 as that is what changed the functionality.
I have a ticket into Garmin to see if they can work through it.

So, it looks like I'm going to lose the artwork that we fought so hard to get and use NMEA 2000 to control from the MFD's..... To Dave's point - one step back....

 

[alnav]

That's what I'm seeing. In fact the other networking menu items are now gone if the GNM is detected. We listen to the system more without the MFD's turned on. It would be a significant pain to have the MFD's on any time to communicate with a smartphone. Avoid version 6.20 as that is what changed the functionality.
I have a ticket into Garmin to see if they can work through it.

Were you able to tell if the loss of Wi-Fi still occurs with GMN powered off? If it doesn't and the connection to GMN doesn't wipe out previous Wi-Fi settings, you should be able to use the app via boat Wi-Fi as soon as you tie up and secure electronics. That would be consistent with the way we operate and not as big of a deal.

 

[ttmott]

Were you able to tell if the loss of Wi-Fi still occurs with GMN powered off? If it doesn't and the connection to GMN doesn't wipe out previous Wi-Fi settings, you should be able to use the app via boat Wi-Fi as soon as you tie up and secure electronics. That would be consistent with the way we operate and not as big of a deal.

It wipes out the connection data altogether from what I'm seeing. I would have hoped that the unit would reconnect to the boat's WiFi but no. You have to return to the setup. I'll check again to verify that.

 

[ttmott]

Were you able to tell if the loss of Wi-Fi still occurs with GMN powered off? If it doesn't and the connection to GMN doesn't wipe out previous Wi-Fi settings, you should be able to use the app via boat Wi-Fi as soon as you tie up and secure electronics. That would be consistent with the way we operate and not as big of a deal.

Actually it gets worse. Once the unit sees the Garmin Network it locks down hard on it. Even if the network is disconnected (cable pulled) the head stays locked on the GMN. Turn everything off and disconnect the ethernet GMN then bring the head back on line and still lock on with no other network options but showing GMN not connected.
So, you have to do a Factory Reset without the GNM connected. Then set up the entire sound system again.
Not good and not worth the artwork on the MFD. Those guys...... I had a great functional setup and they f'd it up - probably had to work hard to do it also.

 

[Skybolt]

That's what I'm seeing. In fact the other networking menu items are now gone if the GNM is detected. We listen to the system more without the MFD's turned on. It would be a significant pain to have the MFD's on any time to control with a smartphone and listen to the system. Avoid version 6.20 as that is what changed the functionality.
I have a ticket into Garmin to see if they can work through it.

So, it looks like I'm going to lose the artwork that we fought so hard to get and use NMEA 2000 to control from the MFD's..... To Dave's point - one step back....

OMG, I didn't make it the boat today as planned. SO VERY glad I didn't. Sorry your the guinea pig Tom, but dam.

So I guess no updates for a while. I can't believe the direction they went. It has to be because of center consoles and Garmin wanting, now forcing, their MFD it be the center of attraction. Garmin needs to realize that new CC's are not their only customers. I am thinking they will see some push back on this. No artwork on the MFD isn't a big deal, at least for me. I don't use Sirius that much and with the MFD controlling it. I have an NRX right at the helm next to the Grid.

It goes hand in hand with their tech support saying you need the GXM if you want Sirius. They don't mention the SXV300 as an option. The GXM supports Sirius, but you need the MFD to control it.

 

[ttmott]

OMG, I didn't make it the boat today as planned. SO VERY glad I didn't. Sorry your the guinea pig Tom, but dam.

So I guess no updates for a while. I can't believe the direction they went. It has to be because of center consoles and Garmin wanting, now forcing, their MFD it be the center of attraction. Garmin needs to realize that new CC's are not their only customers. I am thinking they will see some push back on this. No artwork on the MFD isn't a big deal, at least for me. I don't use Sirius that much and with the MFD controlling it. I have an NRX right at the helm next to the Grid.

It goes hand in hand with their tech support saying you need the GXM if you want Sirius. They don't mention the SXV300 as an option. The GXM supports Sirius, but you need the MFD to control it.

Unfortunately, Orlando it is beyond Sirius (pun intended). It has to do with the functionality of connected wireless devices. If, for example, you normally have your smart phone connected to your boat's Wi-Fi network and that is the portal to the internet as well as internet calling, streaming music (Pandora), and the Fusion App. But now if your Fusion stereo is connected to the Garmin Marine Network you can't use your smart phone to control the stereo system (which I do), your phone can have no Wi-Fi connectivity to anything other than the Garmin Helm Wi-Fi if you want to control the Fusion system. I suspect the change is due more to a vulnerability they uncovered in their network and couldn't reasonably patch it....
Now - you could do the smart phone connectivity using Bluetooth and have the stereo connected to the GNM. But, then you can't load those darn software updates using the Fusion app on the smartphone via Wi-Fi.

What does this does to Party Bus (which I don't use) is a question also.

Anyhow - there are two ways to do this as far as I know -
1. Connect the Fusion head to the Garmin Marine Network and get the Sirius album artwork on the MFD. NMEA 2000 will host all of the other Fusion controls on the MFD's as well as the NRX remotes. Connect your smart phone to the Garmin helm Wi-Fi and loose connectivity to the boat's or any other Wi-Fi; Or, Leave your Smart Phone connected to the boat's Wi-Fi and control the head using the fusion app via Bluetooth. Bluetooth works just fine but range is very limited. Fusion S/W updates would best be either download on smartphone off the GMN then connect to the GMN and send to the head unit or download onto a USB memory device and plug that into the back of the head.... Or possibly even connect the smartphone to the back of the Fusion head via USB to move updates.

2. Do not connect the Fusion to the GMN but still connect the helm systems and remotes via NMEA 2000. Configure the Fusion as a Wi-Fi client (as we previously discussed) of the boat's Wi-Fi router. Now your smart phone has full Wi-Fi connectivity through the boat's system and you can stream music. The only downside of this is the Sirius album artwork will not display on the MFD's. But, here again, Bluetooth can stream music resident on the smart phone but not sourced from the internet.