*How To Install Garmin Maps Into Basecamp or GPS* We dive into the kind of maps you can load onto your Garmin GPS device and Basecamp. There are 2 types of maps: paid vs free. Paid Maps: You can go and buy the various mapping products from Garmin, including the subscription service called Birdseye Imagery where you can choose between satellite or topo images. Loading these maps onto your device is fairly easy via Basecamp Watch this video on Birdseye Garmin GPSMAP 62 - How To Prepare for a Hike - BirdsEye Imagery - Basecamp However for hiking, topo images may be a better option than the satellie simply because they do not provide the detail we'd want. Also depending on your area, you may have low-res satellite images. Birdseye Topo is much more useful for hiking, but the main disadvantage is not knowing how old these maps are based on your area. Luckily, there is an easier & free method to get the same type of map. Free Maps: Making a Garmin Custom Map using Google Earth is a good option which can take a few minutes to build. In our example, we've used the same data source to grab the latest published topo maps, cut a slice and made the KML file to import into Basecamp Watch this video on Garmin Custom Maps How to Create a Garmin Custom Map The disadvantage is that Custom Maps are picky and you might have to tweak your KML file to get the results that you want. The other free option is to simply search for "Free Garmin Maps". A number of sites like GPSfiledepot.com and others will have repositories with submitted maps. Depending on your area this might be a useful resource. If you are in Canada, there is the Ibycus Topo product, where the same government data source was used to grab the GIS (shapefiles) data instead of the raster images and produced Garmin maps using free tools. The advantage is that these are vector maps and will behave like the Garmin products like City Navigator or Garmin Topo. Meaning that you can zoom in tight and not have pixel distortion like the Garmin Custom Map or Birdseye Topo. Another Free option which is to use the Garmin Openstreetmap (garmin.openstreetmap.nl/) . This is a free service that compiles garmin maps from openstreetmap.org Depending on your area, the detail might be lacking, however being an open source project, anybody including yourself can contribute to the map in a few clicks. Installing maps on our device is straight forward, take the img files and frop them into a folder named "Garmin" on your SD card. You can drop the file in the Garmin folder on the device, but there are limitation and you'll have to rename your file gmapsupp.img By placing your .img files on a SD card, you can rename them making it easier to manage. Also you can swap the card and insert into Garmin models. #outdoors #hiking #geocaching

Fantastic tutorial Jim! I'm just about to purchase a Garmin 62s myself and that's how I happened onto your tutorial. Other than the device actually working, my biggest concern was with map options and this video answered all my questions. Please keep up the great work!

*How To Install Garmin Maps on Basecamp or SD Card* #yearinreview2013 We dive into the kind of maps you can load onto your Garmin GPS device and Basecamp. There are 2 types of maps: paid vs free. Paid Maps: You can go and buy the various mapping products from Garmin, including the subscription service called Birdseye Imagery where you can choose between satellite or topo images. Loading these maps onto your device is fairly easy via Basecamp Watch this video on Birdseye www.youtube.com/watch?annotati... However for hiking, topo images may be a better option than the satellie simply because they do not provide the detail we'd want. Also depending on your area, you may have low-res satellite images. Birdseye Topo is much more useful for hiking, but the main disadvantage is not knowing how old these maps are based on your area. Luckily, there is an easier & free method to get the same type of map. Free Maps: Making a Garmin Custom Map using Google Earth is a good option which can take a few minutes to build. In our example, we've used the same data source to grab the latest published topo maps, cut a slice and made the KML file to import into Basecamp Watch this video on Garmin Custom Maps www.youtube.com/watch?annotati... The disadvantage is that Custom Maps are picky and you might have to tweak your KML file to get the results that you want. The other free option is to simply search for "Free Garmin Maps". A number of sites like gpsfiledepot.com/ and other sites will have repositories with submitted maps. Depending on your area this might be a useful resource. If you are in Canada, there is the Ibycus Topo product (www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/) , where the same government data source was used to grab the GIS (shapefiles) data instead of the raster images and produced Garmin maps using free tools. The advantage is that these are vector maps and will behave like the Garmin products like City Navigator or Garmin Topo. Meaning that you can zoom in tight and not have pixel distortion like the Garmin Custom Map or Birdseye Topo. Another Free option which is to use the Garmin Openstreetmap (garmin.openstreetmap.nl/) . This is a free service that compiles garmin maps from openstreetmap.org Depending on your area, the detail might be lacking, however being an open source project, anybody including yourself can contribute to the map in a few clicks. Installing maps on our device is straight forward, take the img files and frop them into a folder named "Garmin" on your SD card. You can drop the file in the Garmin folder on the device, but there are limitation and you'll have to rename your file gmapsupp.img By placing your .img files on a SD card, you can rename them making it easier to manage. Also you can swap the card and insert into Garmin models. #outdoors #hiking

Helps a lot! Spent bunch of time trying to figure it out. Little did I know it was just dragging it into internal storage lol. Thanks

This is terrific, Jim. Basecamp is something of a mystery to me, but your videos are helping me come to grips with it. Thanks for posting.

Wow, thankyou for taking the time to do this.. I was trying to figure out how to install the OSM map to the mac directly , I eventually just double clicked it and it did its own thing. I was still in hard to deal with garmin mode for some reason :)

Judith, I know what you mean. The OSM portion of the video should be straight forward. The other component is knowing that you can layers maps on your etrex just like sheets of paper. So you need to shuffle the map you want to the top.

Thanks Mr.B! I should dive depper into Basecamp, it has come along a lot since it's first release

Thank you for taking the time to put this together. I do have a question, at 4:50, you say "so after you've installed the map.....", but don't show how to do it. So, how would I go about actually installing the map? I'm having troubling getting that to work, or finding any instructions on how to do it. If you could fill in the blank it would be very helpful. Thanks

Thank you thank you! I have been struggling to get my head around the options for the Montana, and I am now a mac user so have been trying to figure this all out on the new platform. This will come in very handy! :)

Direct transfer of files to an SD chip will be massively faster than through a connected USB cable to the etrex device. Much. I tried transferring files directly and it was 30 times faster. Took less than a minute to transfer a map that otherwise would take 30 min. This is also why you should never bother with instructions on how to transfer maps via the internal connection with a device. If it has an SD chip, that means you can plug the chip directly into your computer (or external USB3 reader) and run at USB 3.0 speeds rather than USB 1.0 speeds. Because of that speed differential, you need to focus on instructions on how to manipulate the files directly rather than through an app.

Thanks for showing us how to do this. I must try it. Take care, Bluefin

What a great tutorial. Thanks - saved me a load of time AND expense.

Thank you very much for the post. Incredibly useful, great initiative the OpenStreetMap.

Yes, It was JaVaWa MapConverter, I remember that you need to place all the files in the same folder. I took me a few tries but it did convert.

Thanks Jim - well presented

It works fine to copy to my Garmin!

that's been a challenge myself since I switched to using a mac at home. Glad this will be useful!

Some options are easier than others, but who doesn't like free? :)

I agree Frank!

Very useful. Thanks!

I hope this can help me solve my etrex 10 problems!

This was realy helpfull! Thanks!

glad this was helpful!

Got it, thanks Jim

Very helpfull. Thanks!

Wow good info THANK YOU!!!

I wish instruction context was from the point of view of the computer than specific app. Apps often are updated or changed, computer procedures not. In other words, state the necessary file info: (1) What is the file extension for the maps needed to be compatible with Garmin devices. Usually free maps are available, and I've downloaded them, but have no clue what file type Garmin expects and whether a conversion is needed. (2) What accessory files are needed with those maps (3) How the are the files organized on the Garmin SD chip, folder and subfolder names please?!? (4) As far as I can tell none of the Garmin apps are exactly the same any more, and won't recognize nonGarmin downloaded maps. So basic file instructions are needed, not app instructions.

I'm using basecamp for mac and I needed to convert the img files into Gmapi extensions. I found an application to do the conversion and used garmin map installer to finish the job. I forget the name of the converter app. I'll have to dig it up.

I added TOPO US (i think) to my Garmin 62S. I'm new at basecamp....When I connect my GPS I can view my data with a background of the TOPO but as soon as I disconnect the device it goes away....is there a way I can add it permanently?

I just got the GPSmap 62s and the map that comes with it doesn't show much details (ie only highways). I may need to download some maps but don't know where to start. So far, I downloaded Garmin Express and MapSource which I did (without knowing at the time what purpose each has). Is BaseCamp better than MapSource to download maps? I am right to say that I need to purchase a map, no matter what? If so, which one would be the best for North America all purpose?

I have posted this small video about the same - Garmin Offline Maps in PC BaseCamp India 2014

woot! I think it's a good option.

This looks very confusing. Why can't it be just plug and play and be easy to use.

hei, I have a Garmin GPSmap 276Cx with 64GB SD card, I drag some maps (.img) into SD card but they are never shown in my 276Cx, do you know how to solve it? thanks

You didn't show how to use Base camp and load maps onto the GPS. My buddy wanted me to get this used Etrex 20 working. Came empty. So after a ton of frustration I found out I needed to download Base camp. I found Ibycus Topo 4.0 maps on a torrent and installed. Seems to be installing to the unit through base camp. I find this very confusing,.

I've downloaded the OSM map and extracted it. It has extracted a whole bunch of files in a folder called 'OSM generic routable(GBR_22-08-2015).gmap' How do I install this map into basecamp?

thanks

why does it state that my files are corrupt after i have uploaded them to the Garmin itself?????

Hi Jim, Do you remember what the converter was? Thanks!

I managed to install the Ibycus Maps on Basecamp, but cannot figure out how to install it on my device. There are hundreds of IMG files and no gmapsupp

Hi, I have just bought an eTrex 20 and have no idea how to download free maps to the SD card. I have watched loads of video's on you tube (mostly yours) but I am not even past the basic's stage. I would preefer not to pay the $'s for the garmin maps and OSM seems to have some suitable maps for Australia but mmmmm I am lost :( J

Hi Jim, Can I go to Google maps, put a route together, and then download the map to my Garmin 62s? Or do I have to somehow import the route I made on Google maps, into base camp, THEN somehow loading into the Garmin.

Title says “How To Install Garmin Maps on Basecamp”, but it doesn’t show you how to install maps to basecamp. 4:49 Thumbs down for having a fake title.

I have the map loaded onto basecamp but how would I get the map to show on a Delorme PN 60. I have tried loading it onto the SD card but it fails to show up on my GPS.

i have a Garmin 60CSx and this technique doesn't seem to work. When I put the .img on the gps it still wouldn't show up when i looked to try and select the map.

Hola me puede ayudar a instalar mapas de chile en gps garmin streetpilot c330 por favor

Thanks for making all these procedures and info available.. AND understandable! I have an Etrex20 and I downloaded the files of the area I wanted to use as per your instructions from the OpenStreetMap site. I want to know if I can take the Eastern Canada topo map that I unwittingly downloaded/installed to my Garmin Root on my Etrex20 and put it into the Garmin folder on my mini sd card. I tried grabbing it and moving it from the root on my Garmin GPS to my Garmin folder on my mini sd card but I get a -42 error. Can someone help....? appreciate... thanx!

hello sir jim. i have a garmin 62s unit with turkish road map and turkish topological map already installed by the garmin turkish distributor. when i setup basecamp it only had the road map in it. i can not have the topo map inserted into basecamp. it is a topoxxx.img file. is there a way to be able to do it, get the topo map into basecamp and use both maps simultaneously...

GARMIN is by far thee worst Map Installation EVER! For 3 days ive followed evryones instructions & still can locate & or load New bought TOP 24k maps I bought to my New Garmin 62stc. I need Step by Step from very beginning, cuz AUTO RUN dose NOT work, so I have to install what ever u recommend one by one till I can finally choose it on my 62stc

Hi, how did you get the Ibycus Topo 4.0 on your Basecamp? I have the file downloaded already but I can't get it to show in my basecamp.

Hi, i have a new empty sd card memory of 4GB and i 'd like to download and install on it a map of Morocco to use it in Garmin nuvi 1300 . i already downloaded a map card .img but i don't know if i have to directly copy it on my sd card or have first to convert it before copying it ,, anyway , i do not know how nor what to do to make my Garmin read a Moroccan map ...Thank you for your help .

Just got 800$ garmin Garmin:Sorry you need to pay again to use the maps fuck off...

Does it matter what the SD card is called? and does the garmin folder in the SD card with the maps have to have a capital G for Garmin or not?

You just droped the file into your device, i did the same and i still cant see the .img file into my device

I am getting errors on my basecamp. I have Windows 7. The latest basecamp ran into problems. Garmin did not test its software sufficiently. I removed it, reinstalled it. Same problem.

i can't download base camp on my mac. says its windows only type deal

i cant figure this stuff out, why cant it be easier

Or Raymond I should say

hi, do you know how to instal the topo maps on base camp for mac? thanks a lot

top-oh not tohpoh.

@Jim Cry man i really hope you reply, i mayb homless soon and for a awhile and im trying to stay safe i have one of these but im having a LOT of issue getting it to read the maps i know its 2020 ad this is old but not a lot out there about it i need maps for cali , oregon and idaho prolly washington im using the gpsfiledepot.com you put up but i donno what to get or how to mak eit work i have discord or email if you are willing to take a small amount of time and give me a bit of know how id really appreciate it ty ether way God bless =3 have a nice day just reply here i can list discord name

You didn't show how you loaded it onto the GPS ya jack hole

Yea I got to give you a thumbs down, not because your video is not informative, but because its tired, Im drinking beer, and I want SIMPLE damn it :P

Don't buy Garmin! My has never been used rough, actually carry it in my first aid kit. Changed the batteries before starting an excursion. opened the back, removed the batteries, the little door and the map chip did the sproing thing, never to be seen again. Garmin says it is from mis-handling and will require replacement, and then the chip is not under warrenty (like the unit is?!?!) Bottom line spend your money on a good cell phone avoid Garmin!

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WATCHING THIS OR DOWNLOADING ANY OF THE MAPS.