Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
16
Site Support / Re: trouble trying to install maps to base camp
« on: March 08, 2022, 04:33:08 PM »
You will need to provide a lot more info for anyone to help.
1. Link to the map, or at least a clue as to where to find it
2. What are the "issues"? What did you do and what happened?
2. Computer/operating system (such as Windows 10, MacOS Catalina, etc)
1. Link to the map, or at least a clue as to where to find it
2. What are the "issues"? What did you do and what happened?
2. Computer/operating system (such as Windows 10, MacOS Catalina, etc)
17
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Instructions for making a custom map for Garmin GPS
« on: February 26, 2022, 10:45:30 AM »I agree about the term "Custom Map". Maybe we need to call them "Personal Maps" or something.
IMO, they are simply "Garmin-compatible maps".
FWIW, what MapManager does on the Mac is trivial. It simply copies the files to the correct directory. On MacOS, when you install MapManager it will cause folders that have a .gmap or .gmapi extension to appear as "packages" in the Finder instead of folders and MapManager will open when you double-click them. But in reality, they're just folders full of all the map files - same as Windows.
18
Using The Maps/Garmin Software / Re: Instructions for making a custom map for Garmin GPS
« on: February 25, 2022, 09:23:54 AM »
Sorry, just skimmed through quickly. Note that the free trial of Globalmapper is actually very limited. It will only allow you to export one or two files, then puts up a message that you need to purchase for further data exports. So it's probably not very useful for real projects unless you buy it. I ran into this recently when deciding whether to upgrade my old version. FWIW, I did upgrade to Globalmapper v23 and it's a big improvement over my almost 10-year-old version.
Also, I would not call this a "custom map" tutorial, that term has a very specific meaning for Garmin. It refers to raster imagery in .kmz files. I know that GPSFileDepot calls any map that isn't a Garmin product a "custom map", but I guess that's because the site hasn't been updated for so long. Ever since about 2008 Garmin has defined "custom maps" as user-created .kmz files.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=cVuMqGHWaM7wTFWMkPNLN9
Also, I would not call this a "custom map" tutorial, that term has a very specific meaning for Garmin. It refers to raster imagery in .kmz files. I know that GPSFileDepot calls any map that isn't a Garmin product a "custom map", but I guess that's because the site hasn't been updated for so long. Ever since about 2008 Garmin has defined "custom maps" as user-created .kmz files.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=cVuMqGHWaM7wTFWMkPNLN9
19
GPSr Units / Re: How to update maps on Nuvi1350?
« on: February 18, 2022, 09:09:48 AM »
Hi. Yes, GPSReview just went away without warning. Same thing happened before with GPSPassion, the other site that covered this sort of thing.
Sounds like you need to contact Garmin support. As you said, your device included lifetime map updates so it's not unreasonable to ask Garmin for help. But they will probably tell you to use Garmin Express, which would also be my suggestion. The fact that you "don't like it" is not a very good excuse IMO.
Anyway, the forums here are for discussion of maps at GPSFileDepot, not Garmin's commercial products. You might try this site, some of the people from GPSReview may still be active there although I do not participate.
http://www.poi-factory.com/forum/12
Sounds like you need to contact Garmin support. As you said, your device included lifetime map updates so it's not unreasonable to ask Garmin for help. But they will probably tell you to use Garmin Express, which would also be my suggestion. The fact that you "don't like it" is not a very good excuse IMO.
Anyway, the forums here are for discussion of maps at GPSFileDepot, not Garmin's commercial products. You might try this site, some of the people from GPSReview may still be active there although I do not participate.
http://www.poi-factory.com/forum/12
20
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.
21
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
22
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.
23
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".
24
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.
25
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.
26
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!!!
27
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.
28
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.
29
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.
30
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.
Support GPSFileDepot
Contact Us
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Share on FaceBook