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Thanks for all the previous help on this forum.

I am confused about how maps are loaded and named on the DAKOTA 20 I have.

I created and loaded to the /GARMIN/CUSTOMMAPS folder two GARMIN CUSTOM MAPS I created:
   -HARRIMAN 2007.KMZ
   -NYC METRO.KMZ

I also downloaded, created, installed and renamed several maps from the GPSDEPOT site. These maps were loaded to the GARMIN folder on the microSD card. The maps were:
   -NY METRO TOPO.IMG, created from the NYTOPO file downloaded from GPSDEPOT as   
    GMAPSUPP.IMG and renamed to NY METRO TOPO.IMG
   -CATSKILLS.IMG, also created from the NY TOPO file as GMAPSUPP and renamed.
   _NEW JERSEY TOPO.IMG  created from the  NJ  TOPO file downloaded from GPSDEPOT . Again
     GMAPSUPP.IMG was renamed  to NEW JERSEY TOPO.IMG

When I look at SETUP>MAP>Map Information, I see:
   -The two Custom Maps
   -The NEW JERSEY TOPO MAP
   -A map called "mti_ny", subtitled "worldwide Autoroute Basemap"
   -A map called "Hxus039r" subtiled "HXUS039r"-US g2 v12". This map appears 3 times
   -A map called "WORLDWIDE BASE MAP,NR". I presume this ios the map that came  with the unit.

I do not see the CATSKILLS map nor the NY METRO TOPO map.

I am guessing that I did something wrong and the NEW JERSEY TOPO map somehow overwrote the       
2 previous maps.

All help is appreciated.

Bob M

 

I realized that MAPINSTALL had already been installed on my computer  when I attempted to install it.

I do need some time to read the help files and play with BASECAMP AND MAPSOURCE before asking any more questions.

I have had no problems loading maps downloaded from GPSFILEDEPOT to my DAKOTA using BASECAMP.

Thanks for your responses.

I understand that GARMIN Custom Maps refers to the kmz files created from raster maps. I have made several Garmin Custom Maps for friends with Garmin GPSr's. I finally bought my DAKOTA so that I could see what the images looked like on a Garmin and to try and understand the problems my friends were having with the Custom Maps.

I probably only need the Custom Maps I have created and now understand better the 100 tile limit and the fact that you cannot enable/disable the Custom maps individually.

I have downloaded a vector file from GPSFILEDEPOT and installed it using BASECAMP. It was no problem but certainly not as simple as installing the Custom maps.

I have downloaded and installed MAPSOURCE and MAPINSTALL but have not used them yet.

Since the only use I will probably have for these programs is to install new vector maps, I will probably select one of the three and get rid of the other two.

Once more thanks for your  help  (and the others),

Bob M

Thanks for replies.

As I understand I will need BASECAMP or MAPINSTALL to load maps (in particular those from GPSFILEDEPOT) onto my DAKOTA.

There is no easy way to load them (e.g. Garmin Custom Maps).

Bob M

I have installed BASECAMP (I believe I cannot get/install MAPSOURCE because I have not purchased any maps on DVD from Garmin}.

I used BASECAMP to install the NY state TOPO downloaded from this site. I have also loaded some Garmin Custom Maps that I created. Installing the Custom Maps was straightforward. I juct copied them from my computer to the correct folder on my Dakota 20.

Can I do the same with other maps downloaded from this site or must I use BASECAMP to install them? I think I understand the issue of renaming the file that BASECAMP loaded before loading another file from here.

Both the NY Topo and the Custom Maps work fine on my unit.

I have no need for BASECAMP other than loading maps to the unit. I have my own separate system for saving tracks, waypoints, etc.

Bob M

Thanks for the replies.

I think I am out of the woods. I will contact the seller and ask him to remove his ownership from the Garmin file.

As far as the Custom Maps problem, I don't think the problem exists after all. Since the unit has no maps, I tried to create a map of my neighborhood using MOBAC. I suceeded and did place it in the CUSTOMMAPS folder (the correct folder). I could not see it on the GPSr. I posted here. I then downloaded the NY State Topo from this organization and used Basecamp to install parts of it (NY metropolitan area)b on the unit. That worked fine and the tracks appeared on the map. I then disabled that map and enabled the Custommaps and that worked. Not as well as the map I had downloaded primarily because of the zoom levels I chose.

Thanks again for the help.

Bob M

I have just bought a Dakota 20 on EBAY. The GPSr came with no maps or any software.

I tried to register the unit with GARMIN and found (not surprised) that it was already registered. I have emailed them to find out how get around that.

Regarding maps, I have several Garmin Custom maps and have placed them in the \Garmin\CustomMap folders both in memory and on the microSD card. I expected that one would show up when I  locked on to satellites. This did not happen. The track appeared on a blank screen.

I did save the track and it appears to be accurate when I open it in other software.

How do I get my custom maps to show up on the screen?

All help is appreciated.

Bob M