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1
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Couple questions regarding my new GPSmap62s
« on: October 24, 2020, 03:35:41 AM »
Routable maps contain information about the roads that allow the device to calculate turn-by-turn directions from a start to finish point. In other words, your route will choose the best roads to use and guide you on them. Non-routable maps don't have this info and cannot calculate routes, they will only show your position on the screen and a route will just be a straight line from the start to the finish that doesn't follow the roads. Most of the maps on this site are not routable.
Some of the GPS profiles will use this routing information, others will not.
The Worldwide DEM Basemap NR is not routable - "NR" means "Not Routable". This is a very crude map that is included on the GPS and only shows major features. It is not useful for anything except showing some major features when zoomed way out. If you zoom in, you will see how crude and inaccurate it is. DEM means "Digital Elevation Model", this data is used to provide shaded terrain but it is also very crude (low resolution). Garmin's own topo maps have higher resolution DEM data but maps from this site will not have this.
Transparent maps are intended to be enabled at the same time as another map. They will only have selected features, such as trails for example. So when you enable the transparent map, the trails will be added to another map that you are using.
Sorry, not familiar with the maps you mention.
Some of the GPS profiles will use this routing information, others will not.
The Worldwide DEM Basemap NR is not routable - "NR" means "Not Routable". This is a very crude map that is included on the GPS and only shows major features. It is not useful for anything except showing some major features when zoomed way out. If you zoom in, you will see how crude and inaccurate it is. DEM means "Digital Elevation Model", this data is used to provide shaded terrain but it is also very crude (low resolution). Garmin's own topo maps have higher resolution DEM data but maps from this site will not have this.
Transparent maps are intended to be enabled at the same time as another map. They will only have selected features, such as trails for example. So when you enable the transparent map, the trails will be added to another map that you are using.
Sorry, not familiar with the maps you mention.
2
Map Making Support / Re: Garmin .img maps
« on: October 23, 2020, 08:17:25 AM »
Is the data also available as shapefiles? They should work with cgpsmapper and mapwel. Generally speaking, .kml files are for consumer use, shapefiles are for professionals. I have a friend that uses Google Earth heavily and I converted some files for him. Large vector files were a problem and caused Google to crash. In fact, one crash actually wiped out all his Google Earth data and he had to restore from a backup.
I use GlobalMapper from Blue Marble, which makes all of this pretty trivial, but it's expensive pro software. However, they have a free trial version that can be unlocked for a limited amount of time, so if you work quickly then it might be another solution.
I use GlobalMapper from Blue Marble, which makes all of this pretty trivial, but it's expensive pro software. However, they have a free trial version that can be unlocked for a limited amount of time, so if you work quickly then it might be another solution.
4
Map Making Support / Re: Garmin .img maps
« on: October 20, 2020, 06:40:55 AM »
.kmz files are just "containers" that may hold different kinds of data. One thing they can contain is imagery in the form of .jpg or .png files. These may not be converted to Garmin's .img format. However, newer garmin handheld gps unit can directly utilize this kind of .kmz file, but there are some strict limitations. See this.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=cVuMqGHWaM7wTFWMkPNLN9
There is also some software that can assist in making more complex maps of this type
https://www.the-thorns.org.uk/mapping/
https://www.okmap.org/default.aspx
There was also a program called "g-raster" for making this kind of map and the author was a member here. When I looked now, it appears that the website no longer exists however.
.kmz files can also include vector data in the form of points, lines and polygons. These can be converted to Garmin's .img format in various ways. If you can get the data into a .gpx file, then this free program can make a simple map from it
https://www.javawa.nl/imgfromgpx_en.html
For a full-featured (but not free) program, see
https://www.mapwel.net
For a more complicated but comprehensive and free solution, use the tutorials on this site
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-create-garmin-topo-maps---part-1---setup/
OpenStreetMap has their own tools for creating Garmin maps which I think are Java-based. It's been a long time since I looked at those.
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin
But keep in mind, the basic problem is that Garmin considers their .img file format proprietary and technically you are in violation of their license if you try to create this kind of map. However, since they realize that user-contributed maps help them sell their products, Garmin does not really enforce their rights.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=cVuMqGHWaM7wTFWMkPNLN9
There is also some software that can assist in making more complex maps of this type
https://www.the-thorns.org.uk/mapping/
https://www.okmap.org/default.aspx
There was also a program called "g-raster" for making this kind of map and the author was a member here. When I looked now, it appears that the website no longer exists however.
.kmz files can also include vector data in the form of points, lines and polygons. These can be converted to Garmin's .img format in various ways. If you can get the data into a .gpx file, then this free program can make a simple map from it
https://www.javawa.nl/imgfromgpx_en.html
For a full-featured (but not free) program, see
https://www.mapwel.net
For a more complicated but comprehensive and free solution, use the tutorials on this site
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-create-garmin-topo-maps---part-1---setup/
OpenStreetMap has their own tools for creating Garmin maps which I think are Java-based. It's been a long time since I looked at those.
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin
But keep in mind, the basic problem is that Garmin considers their .img file format proprietary and technically you are in violation of their license if you try to create this kind of map. However, since they realize that user-contributed maps help them sell their products, Garmin does not really enforce their rights.
5
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Map installed, .exe run, but I cannot find in Basecamp
« on: October 10, 2020, 02:57:37 AM »I was told that I did not need to do anything other than run the .exe file. No need to import the map, for example, or move files to a particular place.
I was the one who told you that, and it is true. I posted all the suggestions I could think of in your other thread. Have you installed any other maps that work properly in Basecamp? Did you try my suggestion of using Mapsource? If the maps don't work with Mapsource either, then there is something wrong with them.
Why don't you try using Mapsource, Garmin's older software? It is much more straightforward and the tutotial is correct.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-install-mapsource-if-it-didnt-come-with-your-gps/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-mapsource/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/#mapsource
You could also try using GMTK. It is free and very useful for diagnosing map problems.
https://www.javawa.nl/gmtk_en.html
6
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: North Carolina Topo not opening Installer
« on: September 29, 2020, 04:12:57 PM »
The installer is a part of each individual map and different mapmakers may use different installers. I used a custom installer for my own maps, there's an old thread about this.
GPSFileDepot had a template that could be used for installers, but it was created for 32-bit Windows systems and broke on 64-bit Windows (was missing a needed registry key). Every map created with that old installer had problems on Win 64, although it only happened if that was the first map you installed on your computer. It's possible this could be the problem if the map is old. Quite a lot of the old maps have this problem.
If some other program automatically runs when you try to install a map, that might be a cause for concern.
GPSFileDepot had a template that could be used for installers, but it was created for 32-bit Windows systems and broke on 64-bit Windows (was missing a needed registry key). Every map created with that old installer had problems on Win 64, although it only happened if that was the first map you installed on your computer. It's possible this could be the problem if the map is old. Quite a lot of the old maps have this problem.
If some other program automatically runs when you try to install a map, that might be a cause for concern.
7
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Correct file format for Basecamp - etrex20x ?
« on: September 12, 2020, 10:57:45 AM »
One other possible issue... if Basecamp was running when you installed the map, then it will not appear. Completely close Basecamp and open it again if that happens.
8
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Correct file format for Basecamp - etrex20x ?
« on: September 12, 2020, 03:49:31 AM »
You keep searching for files on the computer. That has nothing to do with how to use Garmin maps. Basecamp/Mapinstall should do everything for you. If that is not happening and you don't see the map in the dropdown menu then something must be wrong with the map or the installer. If that doesn't work, try a different map.
You don't "open" or "import" Garmin maps. The installer that you downloaded (.exe file) puts them in the right place for Garmin's software and you don't need to do aything else.
Why don't you try using Mapsource, Garmin's older software? It is much more straightforward and the tutotial is correct.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-install-mapsource-if-it-didnt-come-with-your-gps/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-mapsource/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/#mapsource
You don't "open" or "import" Garmin maps. The installer that you downloaded (.exe file) puts them in the right place for Garmin's software and you don't need to do aything else.
Why don't you try using Mapsource, Garmin's older software? It is much more straightforward and the tutotial is correct.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-install-mapsource-if-it-didnt-come-with-your-gps/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-mapsource/
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/#mapsource
9
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Correct file format for Basecamp - etrex20x ?
« on: September 11, 2020, 10:39:03 AM »
It is not a "disk image". I know that Windows claims it is, but (unfortunately) there are more than one kind of .img file. In this case, .img files are Garmin-format maps. 
Not personally familiar with that map, but unless something is very wrong then Basecamp will "know what to do" with it but you are not looking in the right place. You should not be concerned with .img files and where they are stored, Basecamp handles all of that for you.
This tutorial may be a little out of date, but the basics are all there. You need to choose the map from the drop down menu, as shown in step 3 here
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-garmin-basecamp/
After verifying that the map is there, use this tutorial for installation.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/
Not personally familiar with that map, but unless something is very wrong then Basecamp will "know what to do" with it but you are not looking in the right place. You should not be concerned with .img files and where they are stored, Basecamp handles all of that for you.
This tutorial may be a little out of date, but the basics are all there. You need to choose the map from the drop down menu, as shown in step 3 here
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-garmin-basecamp/
After verifying that the map is there, use this tutorial for installation.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/
10
GPSr Units / Re: Transferring Lifetime Maps to replacement Garmin Nuvi 1490
« on: September 01, 2020, 03:29:08 AM »
All current Garmin automotive devices include lifetime maps for the region in which they are sold. You cannot transfer an old lifetime map to another GPS. Yor waypoints (aka favorites) can easily be transferred. New Garmin devices no longer use "routes" however, they have something new called "trips". I think they will be converted when transferred, but not sure. Worst case, you can transfer them to Basecamp, then send them to the new GPS where they should automatically be converted.
Free third party maps (such as most of the maps here) can also be easily transferred. Commerical maps that were purchased from Garmin or other companies might be locked to the old GPS and not work on the new unit. It really depends on the specifi map.
This is really the wrong site to ask these questions however, the forums here are primarily for discussion of the free maps available here. I'd suggest starting a thread here for any other questions related to Garmin automotive devices and products.
http://forums.gpsreview.net/categories/garmin-auto-forum-garmin-nuvi-forum
[edit]I see that you have actually purchased a used Nuvi. Theoretically, you will still be able to use lifetime maps on the unit IF it previously had them. You would not be able to transfer your own lifetime maps to it however.
Free third party maps (such as most of the maps here) can also be easily transferred. Commerical maps that were purchased from Garmin or other companies might be locked to the old GPS and not work on the new unit. It really depends on the specifi map.
This is really the wrong site to ask these questions however, the forums here are primarily for discussion of the free maps available here. I'd suggest starting a thread here for any other questions related to Garmin automotive devices and products.
http://forums.gpsreview.net/categories/garmin-auto-forum-garmin-nuvi-forum
[edit]I see that you have actually purchased a used Nuvi. Theoretically, you will still be able to use lifetime maps on the unit IF it previously had them. You would not be able to transfer your own lifetime maps to it however.
11
General Discussion / Re: US OSM Topo Routable Problem
« on: August 23, 2020, 09:48:18 AM »
I believe that is one of Popej's maps. You could try the version on his own website and see if it's better. Did you follow his instructions there?
http://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/usa-osm-topo-routable
He used to stop by here every now and then but hasn't been seen for awhile. You could try using the contact form on his website.
http://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/usa-osm-topo-routable
He used to stop by here every now and then but hasn't been seen for awhile. You could try using the contact form on his website.
12
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Mississippi Topo for Garmin 35 Touch
« on: August 20, 2020, 06:38:55 AM »
From the thread I linked to - you should be able to make the map on the GPS visible in Basecamp using Javawa Device Manager
How large is the map file on the GPS? I'd suggest downloading a different map and see if that works. If so, maybe there's just a problem with the map you downloaded?
do you want to uninstall the map from your computer, but still be able to access it in Basecamp when the GPS is connected, like a "real" Garmin map? GPSFileDepot maps typically can't do that. But that other Javawa program can do this. There is a option called something like "visible in Basecamp" that you can set for each map with that program. https://www.javawa.nl/jdm_en.html
How large is the map file on the GPS? I'd suggest downloading a different map and see if that works. If so, maybe there's just a problem with the map you downloaded?
13
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Mississippi Topo for Garmin 35 Touch
« on: August 20, 2020, 05:41:26 AM »
Some troubleshooting ideas in this thread: https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4765.msg25594#msg25594
14
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: MapInstall 4.2 (May 2018 update) won't install third party maps
« on: August 18, 2020, 06:41:19 AM »
Thanks a lot for looking into this. It's really too bad, but we should all be thankful that Allory provided what Garmin was unwilling to do for so many years. I don't know how big that archive was, but there are other web hosting companies with inexpensive plans that offer unlimited storage.
Personally, I'd be concerned about hosting that amount of Garmin's intellectual property without their permission. I guess Garmin knew the site existed though and chose to just ignore it... sort of like they do with third party maps that use their proprietary format.
Personally, I'd be concerned about hosting that amount of Garmin's intellectual property without their permission. I guess Garmin knew the site existed though and chose to just ignore it... sort of like they do with third party maps that use their proprietary format.
15
General Discussion / Re: Maps to a GPSMAP 66st?
« on: August 17, 2020, 06:50:10 AM »But there is a javawa utility (Device Manager, iirc) that allows you to make it visible again.
See my post above...
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