GPSFileDepot Forums

General Category => Using The Maps/Garmin Software => Topic started by: chollenb on May 28, 2018, 01:07:23 PM

Title: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: chollenb on May 28, 2018, 01:07:23 PM
I just ran software updates for BaseCamp and Map Install and now the topo maps I downloaded from GPSFile Depot will not fully install on my Garmin Montana 650t...it indicates partial install with file sizes of 1M or less (they should be several Meg).  I had no problems before the software updates.  There is plenty of space on my memory card (15G).  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: Boyd on May 28, 2018, 03:43:18 PM
If everything is as you say, you can download old versions of Basecamp here, so just revert back to the version that works: http://www.gawisp.com/perry/mapsource/

Of course you could also just restore from a backup of your computer, if you have one.

Do the maps display properly in Basecamp on your computer? If so, you shouldn't need to replace it. MapInstall is a completely separate program, so you could just downgrade that.

Alternately you could try Mapsource, also available at the same link.
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: Red90 on May 28, 2018, 06:59:02 PM
Just use map source to install old maps. It works a lot better than mapinstall.
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: yogazoo on June 04, 2018, 07:34:47 PM
BaseCamp Version 4.7.0 breaks the ability to load maps to your GPS unit. I couldn't identify the MapInstall version. I've received several emails from folks this week who can't transfer the maps I've posted to GPSfileDepot.

I personally use MapSource to transfer and GmapTool to properly name the maps but I'm afraid that's beyond what many users of my maps have the patience for.

I've also had reports that even pre-compiled maps (changed version header to MS=0 for viewing in BaseCamp) will not show up in the map selection dropdown menu in BaseCamp.

I'm a little worried that this isn't an "issue" in Garmin's eyes. In a week or two, if this doesn't get fixed in BaseCamp I plan to pull the installer versions of my maps and only offer the pre-compiled versions for download until we figure out what's going on. I keep getting emails and now have a form response written up to I don't have to spend 15 minutes typing it out 10 times a day.
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: Boyd on June 05, 2018, 09:12:25 AM
Why do you need gmaptool to properly name the maps? There's a box where you can manually enter the mapset name in Mapsource (IIRC, you have to uncheck the option to automatically name it).

But you raise a valid concern. Garmin discontinued their DVD maps a couple years ago and only sells pre-built mapsets now, either as a download or pre-loaded memory card. I think the only current Garmin product that requires MapInstall is City Navigator, if you choose the option to install the map on your computer.

Still, it would be foolish for Garmin to not fix this problem. There are still a lot of people out there with 24k or 100k topo maps on DVD. My guess is that they are using their programmers for other things now (like fitness products or action cams) and desktop software to support 3rd party maps is low priority. Hopefully it will get fixed eventually.

On my own website, I offer separate Windows and Macintosh downloads as well as a pre-compiled file that can be copied directly to the GPS (for example: https://boydsmaps.com/boyds-map-of-new-jersey-2018/ ). I think it would be a good idea for everyone to offer the pre-compiled option, because it also makes your map accessible to linux users that cannot run MapInstall or Mapsource.
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: yogazoo on June 26, 2018, 02:05:00 PM
Boyd,

I use gmaptool mostly out of habit, but also to change the MS version in the header to "0" so folks can view their pre-compiled maps in BaseCamp (when GPS is connected to computer). I also like to change the Map Set and Map Name in gmaptool to the same thing. Some units read from these differently and have had occasions where the map name on the GPS was an abbreviated list of the 8 digit numbers from my map tiles (Map Set) despite changing the Map Name.

I've reported the mapInstall/BaseCamp issue through the SW Engineer pipeline but haven't heard back. I've always been told that Garmin does try and accommodate 3rd party mapping so unless there's been a sea change, I suspect this issue will get fixed. It's the sea change I worry about.

Like you, I have always offered pre-compiled maps on my website. I've been steering customers toward that option and am contemplating temporarily disabling the installer versions until Garmin gets this fixed. Most people have taken it out on me and my products until I explain the situation to them. Just as soon avoid the issue entirely.

Thanks for hosting the older version on this site.   
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: Boyd on June 26, 2018, 02:23:26 PM
Quote from: yogazoo on June 26, 2018, 02:05:00 PMI use gmaptool mostly out of habit, but also to change the MS version in the header to "0" so folks can view their pre-compiled maps in BaseCamp (when GPS is connected to computer). I also like to change the Map Set and Map Name in gmaptool to the same thing. Some units read from these differently and have had occasions where the map name on the GPS was an abbreviated list of the 8 digit numbers from my map tiles (Map Set) despite changing the Map Name.

I have noted that same inconsistent display of map names on different Garmin devices. I believe you can do these same things with Javawa device manager also, with a somewhat simpler user interface: http://www.javawa.nl/jdm_en.html
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: -Oz- on June 29, 2018, 12:27:58 PM
So... since I'll have to convert my maps and add a "pre-compiled" option to the website.  I take it I just build the img file with MapSource and upload that as pre-compiled?
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: Boyd on June 29, 2018, 01:01:28 PM
That's basically what I do. I copy the map file from the gps and name it gmapsupp.img for maximum compatibility. But I also include docs so the download is a zipped folder.
Title: Re: GPSFileDepot Topo Maps Will Not Fully Install on Garmin Montana
Post by: chapple on July 09, 2018, 05:00:55 AM
This worked for me on a different Garmin GPS so it might work for you on the Montana.

Hey! I got it. :) I had both My Trails and mitopo11 on my etrex30 and copied those two files to my laptop then to my GPSMAP 78SC (Garmin directory). I then disabled all maps on the device excep My Trails and mitopo11. I opened a track and WOW there it was on mitopo11!  ;D :)
So...if you have acess to copies of the two files already on a garmin device, you can copy and paste into your GPSMAP 78SC.