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1
Site Support / Re: Update Error when modifying Content Description?
« on: January 25, 2022, 11:27:30 AM »
Only problem with that is you can't (AFAIK) delete your own maps. You can request to have them deleted, but the last time I tried, nothing happened. Again, Dan is the only one who can do that.
Anyway, if you submit a new map, I think the old one will also still be here which could be confusing.
Anyway, if you submit a new map, I think the old one will also still be here which could be confusing.
2
Site Support / Re: Update Error when modifying Content Description?
« on: January 24, 2022, 04:38:05 AM »
Right. Like I said, I have updated a number of my own map descriptions recently and had no problems, so not sure why that is happening.
Unfortunately, the only person who could help is "Oz" - Dan Bloomberg, the site owner. He very rarely stops by here anymore, so "it is what it is". The last time he posted here was this comment on January 2. You could try sending him a PM or possibly use the link to report a post.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4928.msg26177#msg26177
Unfortunately, the only person who could help is "Oz" - Dan Bloomberg, the site owner. He very rarely stops by here anymore, so "it is what it is". The last time he posted here was this comment on January 2. You could try sending him a PM or possibly use the link to report a post.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4928.msg26177#msg26177
3
General Discussion / Re: Small Question about Legality
« on: January 20, 2022, 11:57:28 AM »
Garmin obviously doesn't have a problem with the maps on this site, they have lawyers and they would have shut it down long ago if they did. There are other "pirate" sites that contain cracked versions of Garmin's commercial maps, it should be immediately obvious that is not legal.
But you found the applicable part of the SLA
"You agree not to otherwise reproduce, copy, modify, decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or create derivative works of any portion of the Application and Data"
Garmin has never published their .img file format, it is not open source software, it's proprietary. The only reason the maps on this site exist is that somebody "reverse engineered" Garmin's map format. This was (AFAIK) originally done by Stan Kozicki with his cgpsmapper program which was used to create most of the maps on this site. But he decided to cease development a number of years ago. Others created their own tools, such as openstreetmap and mapwel. But all of them are the result of reverse-engineering.
And, as you can see, Garmin forbids reverse-engineering their software. Anyway, this is all a bit silly. Garmin doesn't care if you use GPSFileDepot maps, but they won't help you if you have problems.
But you found the applicable part of the SLA
"You agree not to otherwise reproduce, copy, modify, decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or create derivative works of any portion of the Application and Data"
Garmin has never published their .img file format, it is not open source software, it's proprietary. The only reason the maps on this site exist is that somebody "reverse engineered" Garmin's map format. This was (AFAIK) originally done by Stan Kozicki with his cgpsmapper program which was used to create most of the maps on this site. But he decided to cease development a number of years ago. Others created their own tools, such as openstreetmap and mapwel. But all of them are the result of reverse-engineering.
And, as you can see, Garmin forbids reverse-engineering their software. Anyway, this is all a bit silly. Garmin doesn't care if you use GPSFileDepot maps, but they won't help you if you have problems.
4
General Discussion / Re: Small Question about Legality
« on: January 18, 2022, 07:56:08 AM »
Site policy addresses this here
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/usage.php
There is little or no policing of the site however, so I don't think there's a definitive answer to your question. If you really want to get into the weeds, Garmin's software license specifically states that your are not permitted to create maps in their own format and not permitted to reverse-engineer their software.
By this narrow definition, none of the maps here are "legal". However, Garmin realizes that free maps like this are one reason that people buy their GPS'es, so they tend to "look the other way".
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/usage.php
There is little or no policing of the site however, so I don't think there's a definitive answer to your question. If you really want to get into the weeds, Garmin's software license specifically states that your are not permitted to create maps in their own format and not permitted to reverse-engineer their software.
By this narrow definition, none of the maps here are "legal". However, Garmin realizes that free maps like this are one reason that people buy their GPS'es, so they tend to "look the other way".
5
General Discussion / Re: Adding Maps to Etrex Legend HC
« on: January 18, 2022, 05:12:21 AM »
Choose your map here and download it
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/
Follow this tutorial to install it on your computer in Basecamp
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-garmin-basecamp/
Use this tutorial to send the map to your GPS
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/
It makes no difference whether you install on the device itself or on a card, however you will have more room for installation on a card.
It is not possible to add "all US topo maps" to your GPS because of the limitations of your eTrex. Older devices like yours are, in fact, very limited and it makes no difference how large a memory card you use. Maps are divided into small "segments" which are sometimes called "tiles". IIRC, an old device like your can only accept about 2000 of these tiles. This will limit you to one or two states.
If you really need full US coverage, you could purchase Garmin's US Topo 100k. It was made in a special way that allows you to load the whole US.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/
Follow this tutorial to install it on your computer in Basecamp
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-garmin-basecamp/
Use this tutorial to send the map to your GPS
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/
It makes no difference whether you install on the device itself or on a card, however you will have more room for installation on a card.
It is not possible to add "all US topo maps" to your GPS because of the limitations of your eTrex. Older devices like yours are, in fact, very limited and it makes no difference how large a memory card you use. Maps are divided into small "segments" which are sometimes called "tiles". IIRC, an old device like your can only accept about 2000 of these tiles. This will limit you to one or two states.
If you really need full US coverage, you could purchase Garmin's US Topo 100k. It was made in a special way that allows you to load the whole US.
6
Site Support / Re: Update Error when modifying Content Description?
« on: January 15, 2022, 07:16:34 AM »
Not exactly sure what you're talking about. If I go to my Account/Files and click the Edit button on one of my maps, the "Content" section says
"To link to your download just put [DOWNLOAD] and the system will add the link for you."
So I don't think that section can be directly changed?
Or are you talking about the "Description" box? I have no problems making changes there, and updated quite a few of them recently.
"To link to your download just put [DOWNLOAD] and the system will add the link for you."
So I don't think that section can be directly changed?
Or are you talking about the "Description" box? I have no problems making changes there, and updated quite a few of them recently.
7
General Discussion / Re: GPSReview.net
« on: January 02, 2022, 05:56:50 PM »
That is great! Thanks for the update Dan, and Happy New Year!!! 
8
GPSr Units / Re: Map support for Garmin 66sr
« on: December 24, 2021, 08:01:58 AM »
I assume you are talking about the classic USGS 7.5 minute 1:24000 (24k) maps? You may find some that cover limited areas here, but Garmin has intentionally crippled this kind of map such that third party map-makers can only cover very small areas.
If you want this kind of map, IMO the best option by far is to purchase Garmin's own Birdseye raster topo. They use their own proprietary format that can cover huge areas. It's a subscription but only costs $30/year. However, after you download, the maps will continue to work forever, even if you don't renew the subscription.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/98816
BTW, the USGS discontinued these maps around 2000 and now considers them "historical documents" instead of maps. Personally, I love these old maps, they are what got me interested in making maps myself. But they are really out of date, many of them have not been updated since the 1970's - some are even older.
If you want this kind of map, IMO the best option by far is to purchase Garmin's own Birdseye raster topo. They use their own proprietary format that can cover huge areas. It's a subscription but only costs $30/year. However, after you download, the maps will continue to work forever, even if you don't renew the subscription.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/98816
BTW, the USGS discontinued these maps around 2000 and now considers them "historical documents" instead of maps. Personally, I love these old maps, they are what got me interested in making maps myself. But they are really out of date, many of them have not been updated since the 1970's - some are even older.
9
Map Making Support / Re: Mapwel Update
« on: December 03, 2021, 08:13:02 AM »
Cool! 
I was impressed with what I saw of Mapwel and purchased a license myself. But that was somewhere around 2008 and I haven't touched it for over 10 years. In fact, I no longer make Garmin maps at all.
Enjoy your map making adventure. Wish I could be more positive, but I'd be very surprised if you find anyone else around here who uses Mapwel. Even sadder, I fear for the future of GPSFileDepot, the forums are being over-run by spammers. I report the posts, but obviously nobody is minding the store.
I truly hope that Dan cleans this up, this site has been a terrific resource for Garmin users and he deserves all the credit. But the future doesn't look good.
Let's all hope that I am wrong.
I was impressed with what I saw of Mapwel and purchased a license myself. But that was somewhere around 2008 and I haven't touched it for over 10 years. In fact, I no longer make Garmin maps at all.Enjoy your map making adventure. Wish I could be more positive, but I'd be very surprised if you find anyone else around here who uses Mapwel. Even sadder, I fear for the future of GPSFileDepot, the forums are being over-run by spammers. I report the posts, but obviously nobody is minding the store.
I truly hope that Dan cleans this up, this site has been a terrific resource for Garmin users and he deserves all the credit. But the future doesn't look good.
Let's all hope that I am wrong.
10
General Discussion / Re: GPSReview.net
« on: November 17, 2021, 03:59:22 AM »
Gator, I'm wondering if gpsfiledepot will be the next casualty? It appears that nobody is minding the store and the site has become a playground for spammers, 12 spam posts in this forum alone. I report them but nothing happens. There hasn't been any active moderation on this site for years, but at least my reported posts would eventually be deleted.
Such a shame, let's hope Dan cleans this up.
Such a shame, let's hope Dan cleans this up.
11
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: new jersey topo has no topo lines
« on: November 03, 2021, 07:13:24 AM »
Haha, yes it is very flat down here in The Pines! We have Forked River "Mountain" with a summit less than 200 feet, for example. 
I no longer offer Garmin maps for download, but have quite a lot of South Jersey maps for your phone or computer in a free web app. The 2020 Topo has extreme detail with 5-foot elevation intervals from 1/3 arc-second data.
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/pines2020/0.00/0.00
I used 1/9 arc-second LIDAR elevation data for 2' contours in my older 2017 topo
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/pinesHD/0.00/0.00
If you're really interested in elevation detail, see my shaded terrain from the highest-resolution 1-meter LIDAR
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/lidar2021bw/0.00/0.00
Or in color, with roads, buildings, property lines and other details
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/lidar2021hd/0.00/0.00
There are many others too. And in the next week or two, there will be a major update to the web app.
I no longer offer Garmin maps for download, but have quite a lot of South Jersey maps for your phone or computer in a free web app. The 2020 Topo has extreme detail with 5-foot elevation intervals from 1/3 arc-second data.https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/pines2020/0.00/0.00
I used 1/9 arc-second LIDAR elevation data for 2' contours in my older 2017 topo
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/pinesHD/0.00/0.00
If you're really interested in elevation detail, see my shaded terrain from the highest-resolution 1-meter LIDAR
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/lidar2021bw/0.00/0.00
Or in color, with roads, buildings, property lines and other details
https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.847862/-74.288747/lidar2021hd/0.00/0.00
There are many others too. And in the next week or two, there will be a major update to the web app.
12
General Discussion / Re: Possible to convert Garmin .img maps for use on Android?
« on: October 29, 2021, 10:22:35 AM »
How would that work? I looked at it awhile back - they also have a web portal - and AFAIK you must own one of the newer (read: expensive) Garmin devices. I think it only allows your compatible Garmin devices (such as the Overlander) to download maps that were included in the purchase but not pre-loaded, such as scanned USGS topo's and digital globe (birdseye) imagery.
How would you use it to access third party .img files stored on your computer (as the OP has requested)? Maybe that's possible, but I never saw anything to suggest that it is.
How would you use it to access third party .img files stored on your computer (as the OP has requested)? Maybe that's possible, but I never saw anything to suggest that it is.
13
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Map 276cx, Basecamp, can not see installed topo map!
« on: October 24, 2021, 07:08:53 AM »
Garmin broke MapInstall a couple years ago such that it would not install old-style maps that depend on the Windows registry. That prevented the majority of maps here at GPSFiledepot from working. However, the current version (which you apparently have) fixed that problem. And Garmin has not used this old format for their own maps for many years anyway, so the bug would not have affected them.
I really can't think of anything that would cause a "real" Garmin map to fail with Basecamp but still work with Mapsource. In the end, this is a problem with a Garmin product so I think you are at their mercy if it doesn't work. As a practical matter, just use Mapsource as they advised. Since it would only be needed when you install one map on your GPS, I don't see why that should be an issue, you could use Basecamp for everything else.
BTW, development work also ceased on Basecamp several years ago, so it has "one foot in the grave" too. Garmin is moving towards using an app, a web portal and the cloud for managing their new devices.
It could also be something specific to the GPSMap276cx, are you using the newest firmware? That has been a very controversial product and has angered/disappointed many of Garmin's most loyal customers. You could try asking some other owners in this long thread:
https://advrider.com/f/threads/garmin-announces-the-new-gpsmap-276cx.1178312/
I really can't think of anything that would cause a "real" Garmin map to fail with Basecamp but still work with Mapsource. In the end, this is a problem with a Garmin product so I think you are at their mercy if it doesn't work. As a practical matter, just use Mapsource as they advised. Since it would only be needed when you install one map on your GPS, I don't see why that should be an issue, you could use Basecamp for everything else.
BTW, development work also ceased on Basecamp several years ago, so it has "one foot in the grave" too. Garmin is moving towards using an app, a web portal and the cloud for managing their new devices.
It could also be something specific to the GPSMap276cx, are you using the newest firmware? That has been a very controversial product and has angered/disappointed many of Garmin's most loyal customers. You could try asking some other owners in this long thread:
https://advrider.com/f/threads/garmin-announces-the-new-gpsmap-276cx.1178312/
14
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: CA-CentralProvTopo Map on Montana
« on: October 14, 2021, 04:34:33 AM »
There's also a limit to the total number of map segments that your GPS can access. When you exceed that limit, some maps (or parts of maps) just won't show up. This is completely unrelated to the size of the files or capacity of your memory card. IIRC, the limit is 4000 segments on the Montana.
I believe that Javawa Device Manager can show you the total number of segments. It's the total number that matters, doesn't matter whether the maps are in internal memory or a card, it's the total of all maps on both. If you have a lot of maps on the GPS, try removing some.
I believe that Javawa Device Manager can show you the total number of segments. It's the total number that matters, doesn't matter whether the maps are in internal memory or a card, it's the total of all maps on both. If you have a lot of maps on the GPS, try removing some.
15
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: CA-CentralProvTopo Map on Montana
« on: October 12, 2021, 03:11:56 PM »I'm not a home now so I'd need to look at one of my gps's but I think there is a setting for internal/external maps.
I never saw a Garmin GPS with such a setting. Just create a Garmin folder on the SD card and put the map inside. The GPS should automatically look for maps in both folders. I also don't think the folder name is case-sensitive, pretty sure that "GARMIN", "Garmin" and "garmin" would all be recognized as map folders by the GPS.
A number of years ago, there were issues with map names that had non-alphabetic characters in them. I recall it in relation to "custom maps" (kmz files) specifically, and the dash character was one of the problems, so a name like CA-Central would not have worked. Most likely, that bug has been fixed, but if nothing else works, try re-naming the map file with only letters.
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