Connecting laptop directly to Kenwood 7260BT

davemb2009 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2010 Posts: 2

I have read all the posts regarding updating the units and adding POI's and just wondered if anyone had tried connecting a laptop to the head unit via the USB input? I am considering trying, but worried that I may damage the head unit, but if it works it would make life so much easier?

tiddler · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2006 Posts: 27

Hi, No you cannot conect a laptop to the USB port as it will damage the unit. It will only take USB memory sticks, any size, for playing mp3's. The SD card slot behind the face is also for Navigation updates. Hope this helps

cjay2412 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 30, 2008 Posts: 102

garmin FAQ say you can connect the usb on the back to a pc for: waypoints
map source, map quest, google maps
for routes mapsource only

however they do warn against using garmin garage which can cause "instability within the mapping software"

tiddler · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2006 Posts: 27

Hi cj2412,

I think you should ask Kenwood, as they are the makers of the head unit not Garmin. It uses “Garmin maps”.

In my manual it says:-
About USB device. In this manual, the word “USB device” is used for a flash memory device and digital audio players can be recognized as mass-storage.

When the USB device is connected to this unit, it can be charged up provided that this unit is powered.

Install the USB device in the place where it will not affect driving safety.

You cannot connect a USB device via a USB hub and Multi Card Reader.

Take backups of the audio files used with this unit. The files can be erased depending on the operating conditions of the USB device.

We shall have no compensation for any damage arising from any erased data.

No USB device comes with this unit. You need to purchase a commercially available USB device.

When connecting the USB device, usage of the CA-U1EX (option) is recommended.

Normal playback is not guaranteed when a cable other than the USB compatible cable is used. Connecting a cable whose total length is longer than 5 m can result in abnormal playback.

The reason I said you cannot connect a laptop to the USB port on the Kenwood DNX7260bt is that the output of a laptop USB port is 5 volt and you will damage the unit. If I’m wrong then I apologize, the only other thing to do is connect it and see what happens.

davemb2009 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks for all the advice, I will not be chancing connecting the laptop directly to the unit as all the info points towards this not working and also possibly damaging the unit. I will just have to perservere with using the SD card as a means to do the updates.

tiddler · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2006 Posts: 27

Hi davemb2009,

I use the SD card for updates, it dosen't take long. I think your wise not to connect the laptop. These head units are not cheap, and what's the use of owning a brick. Take care Wink

cjay2412 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 30, 2008 Posts: 102

just so were clear there are 2 usbs on kenwood 1 for playing music etc and a second mini usb that garmin say you can connect to a laptop as explained in my first post garmin provide the maps and the sat nav software for kenwood you can check if your software is up to date here
http://www8.garmin.com/products/kenwood/
kenwoods position on this mini usb port is that the end user should not connect anything to it. having a look round the internet people have connected a pc to this port and successfully downloaded voices icons poi's and maps. i would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used garmins poi loader via usb as at present i have to burn a cd every time i update my speed cams. i think in theory it would be possible to do but as the information available on the subject is a best conflicting i think i will stick with the cd method for now as said before these are expensive unit to brick

tiddler · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2006 Posts: 27

The head unit I’m talking about is the KENWOOD DNX-7260BT you update firmware via the USB lead that plugs into the USB port on the rear of the unit. The custom poi’s as with speed camera poi’s are updated via the SD card slot behind the facia. With the above unit you don’t use a CD. The manual states: After downloading your POI database, use the Garmin POI Loader to install the Poi’s onto an SD card. Use the SD card to load the Poi’s. The POI Loader is available at www.garmin.com/products/poiloader. I use this method and it takes seconds to upload to the unit. (No burning CD’s and wasting them)

cjay2412

As you say this is conflicting, you must be talking about a different Head Unit to the one above.

cjay2412 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 30, 2008 Posts: 102

the conflict was that garmin who make the software say you can connect usb to pc and kenwood say you should not
with the x260 range 2010 models u can update via sdcard however i have a 2009 model with no sdcard slot hence the need for cd's having a look around the internet havent found any one using poi loader via usb hence my relectunce to try it. there are sucess stories of people adding diffrent things to there navi in diffrent ways there are also stories of people bricking the navigation parts of there kenwood +£300 to fix as it only takes 10-15 minutes to perform an update (download data burn cd etc) i think i will stick with this method. it seems like a safer option

markrmifsud · Lifetime Member Joined: Sep 17, 2007 Posts: 39

I have tried to use a PC connected via the rear mini usb, but as yet I have been unable to get my laptop to recognise the unit. I have tried all of the usb drivers available from the garmin site. dnx7240bt

Rebel154 · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:53 pm Post subject:

markrmifsud · Lifetime Member Joined: Sep 17, 2007 Posts: 39

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