Can't see loaded Garmin maps on Oregon 450

[Ramblin GPS]

I've read the tutorials here for using MapSource to load maps on the brand new 450.  Downloaded & installed MapSource.  Loaded the maps to the PC from the Garmin DVD.  Per the tutorial, loaded selected portions of NH, VT & ME in a single loading onto the 450 (not the SD card) and enabled the maps, but can't see them.  The current gmapsupp.img file showing on the 450 is ~800,000 KB.  I've tried this several times now, with several different quadrangle selections.

All told I've invested about 5 hours in reading & trying to get this turkey to work.  The Garmin website & Oregon user manual are for the most part useless.  (How can these people sell us their maps for their units without any loading directions?  Thank goodness for this website!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Seldom]

What Garmin DVD?  They usually come with MapSource.

Which tutorial? 

Are you in NH, VT or ME?  If not, you'll need to pan your display to those areas?

Don't know how much memory is available on your 450, but I generally try to send any PC generated IMGs someplace other than where Garmin software is, that means to a card UNLESS it's a preloaded card purchased from Garmin.  

800 MB may be a reasonable size for a gmapsupp.img of that area, it actually looks a little big to me, but someone who's actually got your software would have to verify that.

[babj615]

You should actually use Garmin BaseCamp and MapInstall (loads with BaseCamp) with the oregon GPSr

Map source can perform some functions with the Oregon series, but BaseCamp was written specifically for them!

[Ramblin GPS]

Thank you very much for the great info!  (I was following a tutorial and some advice posted here.)

Per the advice, I went to the Garmin website and downladed & installed BaseCamp (which did come with MapInstall), then using BaseCamp's help menu installed the 24K maps for parts of 3 states.  I can now see the topo maps.

(BTW, There is no hint you need these programs in either the 450's Quickstart Manual, the 46-page Main Manual, or the Garmin 24 K Map DVD.   Or any tutorials... What's up with that? )

[babj615]

The only tutorial you will ever need for your Garmin Oregon GPSr is just a click away!