How to find/transform a file type that is usable for my GPS...

[bensonhung]

I am a new comers here and with no knowledge about map-making and map-editing. I can't find any instant maps from your website for my country. Hence I would like to use some sources of maps which are in *.shp format and would like to load it to my GPSmap 60CSx. I find my GPS cannot recognize this fomat and there is no software available to make it compatible. Please advise me how to fix this problem and load my *.shp to MapSource. Thanks in advance.

[Coggins]

You can't directly load shape files into MapSource. The tutorials on this site are for building U.S. TOPO maps. We would need to know what country before helping you.

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[Boyd]

It depends on what's in the files, but you might have a look at Mapwel. It should be able to read the shapefiles and load them onto your GPS in Garmin .img format. That does not necessarily mean they will look nice, but it's a start and the software is pretty easy to use: http://www.mapwel.eu/

You can download the trial version and see what you think. The trial version will not export the fully detailed map, but it should display it correctly on your computer screen. Also, have you looked at the Garmin format maps here? http://gpsmapsearch.com/

[bensonhung]

Well, I am from Hong Kong. And I got a few questions after attempted the above-mentioned suggestions.

First, I find it available to load *.shp file to Mapwel, but I encounter difficulty when I want to export or save it as a fomat which is readable for MapSource. I can only export file in *.mpw format which seems to be incompatible with MapSource.

Second, I notice that Mapwel has the ability to load it file to GPS directly. However, the trial version can only provide very limited detail of the map. Are there any software available which can provide more detail and with better resolution (Both free or not). Thanks. 

[Coggins]

Well, I am from Hong Kong. And I got a few questions after attempted the above-mentioned suggestions. Are there any software available which can provide more detail and with better resolution (Both free or not). Thanks. 

You can use the free version of GPSMapEdit if you want to use the maps with MapSource. http://www.geopainting.com/en/

[bensonhung]

I still encounter some problems in loading *.shp file into my GPSMap 60CSx. I used GPSmapedit and sucessfully generated some maps in Polish format, *.img(Garmin MapSource map) and ESRI shapefile. I tried to load *.img into GPSMap 60CSx. However the GPS device still cannot read the file ("XYZ"is not a valid MapSource file and could not be opened). Then I tried to use MapSetToolKit to make *.img file available to my GPS by change its file type. However, it is not okay too and show the following sentence: "Select a cgpsmapper/ cpreview folder". What's wrong with that. Please help. Thanks.

[Coggins]

Installing .img files into MapSource is covered here:
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/

You can send an .img file directly to your GPSMAP 60CSx with either sendmap or MapUpload.

Sendmap: http://www.cgpsmapper.com/buy.htm
MapUpload: http://www.mapwel.eu/down.htm

[Boyd]

Mapwel can export .img files with no problem. But you actually have to buy the advanced version: http://www.mapwel.eu/exportmap/hw_export.html

I use this myself and it works great.

[Coggins]

Information on open Hong Kong map can be found here:
http://hkom.hkfrd.com/forum/

FWIW: MapWel can do some nice stuff, but I haven't seen any maps made with it able to be used in MapSource.

[-Oz-]

Correct; no MapSource which is why although I have the advanced version I don't use it yet.