kkuntz01
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Kevin
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2018
- Threads
- 33
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- 1,123
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- 1,168
- Location
- Mount Juliet, TN
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 JLU Rubicon, 2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab
- Thread starter
- #1
So this is a write up I did a few years ago and thought I'd rehash ita for your guys since who doesn't like free stuff. Since originally doing this write up I've learned this seems to work on most Garmin models. For you guys with the factory Garmin NAV with MyGig, if you're savvy enough you I suppose you "might" be able to make this work though I cannot vouch for it. Try it out and post up on your success of failure.
* First and foremost you have to determine if your computer has Garmin's Mapsource program. If you already do, then you're able to skip a few steps. If you don't you'll need to progress to the next step. If you are unsure whether you do or do not follow this pathway. --->Start Menu--->All Programs--->Look for a Garmin folder which should have the Mapsoure icon. If you do not have either, then you will need to move to the next step.
- You\'ll need to down load Garmin's Base Camp software. Click on the following link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4435 You will need to down Garmin's Training Center software in order to download the Mapsource update which will allow you upload topo maps to your Garmin GPS. Click on this link to get the Mapsource update: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209 (In the event you need or want additional information on how to get a free copy of Garmin\'s Mapsource program you can click on this link. http://freegeographytools.com/2007/garmin-mapsource-for-free )
- Now that you have installed Mapsource you are ready to start downloading maps to your computer and upload them to your Garmin GPS. As I eventually learned to do this is not overly difficult but I did need to do some additional reading. To read more on downloading maps to your computer and uploading to your GPS click here: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/
- Once you are ready to begin downloading maps just click on the following link and select the state you wish to download. http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/ Depending on the state you may have multiple options with which to choose. Choose the link for the map and click the download windows link. Doing so should trigger a pop up window asking if you want to run, save or cancel. I would recommend run and let it install.
- Once you have downloaded the map(s) you want open up the Garmin Mapsource program and in the upper left corner there should be a drop down box which will show the which maps you have on your computer. At this point, select which map from the drop down and it will display in the map area in the main part of the screen. Using your mouse, press the left button and drag it over the area of the map you want to highlight. It should light up the grid a yellow color and the box on the left side of the screen will start populating with the various files which comprise the map area you selected. My recommendation would be to do this for all of map area you wish to upload to your GPS. Once you have all the map files set that you want to send to your GPS click the button at the top to "Send to Device" and the process will begin to start uploading your newly acquired maps to your GPS.
Below are a few points I learned along the way that I will share:
* I learned that you cannot update individual topo map files as the new one will over write the previous file.
* Another point I will make is that your GPS is somewhat limited in the amount of on-board memory it does have. I was able to upload 24k topo maps for IL and IN and have a small amount of memory left. If you're decide to go hog wild and download numerous states or areas I would recommend getting an SD card with a few gigabytes of storage on it.
In conclusion I would definitely recommend the above. It's been a few weeks since I got everything situated on my Nuvi350 and so far so good. I've noticed a subtle difference on GPS with additional detail which was not there previously for bodies of water, elevation and so on. If you decide to take advantage of this, good luck and I hope you enjoy. :thankyou:
***Update*** I've had a few different Garmin GPS units since I originally did this write up. Now while not much has changed with installing the maps on the unit, some of the topo maps don't have transparency so they don't overlay over the basemaps like before. Not the end of the world or anything, but you do have to drill down in the settings and shut off the basemaps if you wish to use the topo maps. Currently I've got the maps installed on the Garmin Nuvi2597 with a 16GB microSD card (max supported).
* First and foremost you have to determine if your computer has Garmin's Mapsource program. If you already do, then you're able to skip a few steps. If you don't you'll need to progress to the next step. If you are unsure whether you do or do not follow this pathway. --->Start Menu--->All Programs--->Look for a Garmin folder which should have the Mapsoure icon. If you do not have either, then you will need to move to the next step.
- You\'ll need to down load Garmin's Base Camp software. Click on the following link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4435 You will need to down Garmin's Training Center software in order to download the Mapsource update which will allow you upload topo maps to your Garmin GPS. Click on this link to get the Mapsource update: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209 (In the event you need or want additional information on how to get a free copy of Garmin\'s Mapsource program you can click on this link. http://freegeographytools.com/2007/garmin-mapsource-for-free )
- Now that you have installed Mapsource you are ready to start downloading maps to your computer and upload them to your Garmin GPS. As I eventually learned to do this is not overly difficult but I did need to do some additional reading. To read more on downloading maps to your computer and uploading to your GPS click here: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/
- Once you are ready to begin downloading maps just click on the following link and select the state you wish to download. http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/ Depending on the state you may have multiple options with which to choose. Choose the link for the map and click the download windows link. Doing so should trigger a pop up window asking if you want to run, save or cancel. I would recommend run and let it install.
- Once you have downloaded the map(s) you want open up the Garmin Mapsource program and in the upper left corner there should be a drop down box which will show the which maps you have on your computer. At this point, select which map from the drop down and it will display in the map area in the main part of the screen. Using your mouse, press the left button and drag it over the area of the map you want to highlight. It should light up the grid a yellow color and the box on the left side of the screen will start populating with the various files which comprise the map area you selected. My recommendation would be to do this for all of map area you wish to upload to your GPS. Once you have all the map files set that you want to send to your GPS click the button at the top to "Send to Device" and the process will begin to start uploading your newly acquired maps to your GPS.
Below are a few points I learned along the way that I will share:
* I learned that you cannot update individual topo map files as the new one will over write the previous file.
* Another point I will make is that your GPS is somewhat limited in the amount of on-board memory it does have. I was able to upload 24k topo maps for IL and IN and have a small amount of memory left. If you're decide to go hog wild and download numerous states or areas I would recommend getting an SD card with a few gigabytes of storage on it.
In conclusion I would definitely recommend the above. It's been a few weeks since I got everything situated on my Nuvi350 and so far so good. I've noticed a subtle difference on GPS with additional detail which was not there previously for bodies of water, elevation and so on. If you decide to take advantage of this, good luck and I hope you enjoy. :thankyou:
***Update*** I've had a few different Garmin GPS units since I originally did this write up. Now while not much has changed with installing the maps on the unit, some of the topo maps don't have transparency so they don't overlay over the basemaps like before. Not the end of the world or anything, but you do have to drill down in the settings and shut off the basemaps if you wish to use the topo maps. Currently I've got the maps installed on the Garmin Nuvi2597 with a 16GB microSD card (max supported).
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