You might like to know that the latest (free) unit software update will now support micro SD cards up to 4 GB but not the high capacity type.
I have spoken to Garmin who have confirmed this.

That's good to know. Thanks, Bertrand.

you're welcome Stephano- Just a reminder that the micro SD card must be a standard one and not the high speed high capacity one
Another Garmin mystery as to why but it will not work with one of those latest (class 4? class 6?) types

Thanks for the tip!

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I recently found that the Brasil Tracksource ( Principal ) updates get the 60Cx confused. It constantly goes into the calculating mode with multiple map updates on the card. For some reason the Garmin software dont overwrite the existing map.. Solution: Remove the card and format it on the pc, reinstall and download the latest map update via the USB cable. Eureka works just like a new out of the box unit. Great detail maps of all Brasil ... Free too

Hello Everyone

You may very well have been asked similar questions, and honestly I probably will ask a similar question a thousand times.

To be completely honest, this GPS thing confuses the hell out of me.

I really can’t understand it, actually I have had GPS, Navigation systems provided for me in Lorries that I have driven around Europe and can’t really use them, because I can’t really understand them.

So I don’t use them preferring to use a map book and I ended up only ever using them; for instance when I was in Berlin to find the delivery address. However to get from Spain to Berlin I used an old fashioned paper map book.

I know - I know a technophobe, amazingly enough and even more insanely, I owned a Computer shop, but GPS does me in.

So people I would like some SIMPLE advice on GPS / Navigation systems for Turkey, Iran, Pakistan & India.

Again I think that I mainly will use it for traversing cities & urban conurbations.

However if I could get my head around it a little it probably would mean that I don’t need to carry loads of paper maps.

I have read somewhere on here I think that maps for GPS systems last 1 year! Is that correct and if so, and I stay in India for 2 years, can I just pay another years fee to who ever I buy it from? Do the maps that I originally bought and loaded onto the navigation system still work; is it that you can’t up date them after a year?

Do you know if the maps for these systems ( which system / make / model would be best ) are good, up to date and actually navigate you correctly around cities in these countries?

I have heard from motorbike people that Garmin are the best for motorbikes?

Very, Very much appreciative for Simple responses.

Thanks

Roger

Cheers for that Bertrand, I was about to buy some micro cards.

But I’m getting a little confused as someone on one of my posts (link below) told me with the latest version of firmware you could use 4GB and 6GB cards???? (I’ve updated to software version 4.00)

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ring-lat-39889

A standard micro SD card (NOT High Capacity!!) has a max size of 2GB I’m lead to believe. This is because they use older computer technology that imposes limitations, they store information in 16bit format (FAT16- File Allocation Table).

Micro SDHC cards use 32bit format (FAT32) which basically allows great much more information compared to 16bit, a natural progression. (I’ve had this compatibility problem and couldn’t download info from a micro SDHC card to my portable hard drive, Archos AV100, normal micro SD cards works fine)

I’m not sure if Garmin can tweak the firmware (software) to allow 32bit cards, the hardware maybe only designed to be compatible with 16bit…?

More thinking and questions required.....:confused1:

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Don’t believe everything you hear! People love to tell a good story...

You're welcome Duck
I spoke to Garmin about the 60CSX and this is what they told me:

Although the 60CSX's are virtually the same there is a micro difference in the earlier an later models-

This results in some being able to interpret up to 4Gb and others up to 6GB

The earlier models
they could not tell me which serials number corresponded to which and could only look up specific ones)
you can load your own maps up to 2GB and the unit will read them
OR you can buy pre-recorded micro SD card from Garmin and provided you have the latest firmware update, the unit will read up to 4GB

For the later models
As long as you have the latest firmware update, the unit can read up to 6GB but they tell me this has not been tested by them. I understand these units can read the higher capacity micro SD cards and therein lies the difference between the two.

To check your which unit you have, you can call Garmin on 0808 238 0000 and they will look up your unit's serial number and tell you.

Hope this helps.

footnote:
2GB of mapping is a lot!

Perhaps it would be better if you started a new thread

Cheers for the update and phone number Bertrand

I’ve just spoken to a guy at Garmin and I think there maybe a little confusion in our thinking but we’re getting somewhere. I’ll try to explain it trying not to make too technical so everyone can follow it.

I asked about earlier and later models of the 60csx Garmin said the hardware of interest (physical electronics) is the same and has not changed over the years. This is good and means firmware changes will work across all the 60csx’s.

[Firmware is low level software that talks directly to electronic components and to the high level software running on the GPS enabling hardware and software to communicate, the high level software calculates for your position etc that is displayed, the operating system of the unit.]

Bertrand: This earlier and later model differences seems not to affect the size of memory card used with the firmware update to V4.00 downloaded from the Garmin website. I’m not saying they are 100% the same hardware and I’m sure they may have made changes for various reasons but as far as I can understand everyone should be able to upgrade to the new firmware and use 4GB SDHC cards.

Like Bertrand said it should also read 6GB SDHC cards but they haven’t tested it. The guy at Garmin said you can use SD or SDHC memory cards with the new firmware.

He said normal 4GB SD cards are available but they are difficult to find!! 2GB SD cards are more the max norm. Any help from people on this would be welcome!!!

Agreed Bertrand 2GB is a lot of mapping. The reason I’ve been chasing this is because I’m off around Africa this year and I’ll be storing the daily GPX file (a great 60csx feature I didn’t know about) on the external micro SD card. This makes the 60csx an easy to use data logger so after the trip I’ve got the GPS route with time&date info, making sure my camera time&date is synchronised to the GPS then the time&date of photos gives me a GPS location, perfect for long trips away and maybe use with Google Earth. Check out one of my links to my thread above for more info one this but logging at one point per second on 1GB is about 105days worth!!!! I reckon all I’ll need is maybe a 2GB card per map, 14maps from Tracks4Africa so 14 x 2GB cards.

Comments

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Don’t believe everything you hear! People love to tell a good story...

mmmmm confused am I not! interesting stuff Duck-
seems Garmin has more than one answer (loud smack on head!)
well there seems to be only one thing for it- can anyone mail me a 4 or 6GB micro card to test? I only have the 2GB standard ones
( I promise to send it back!)


Not sure why you'll need so many sd cards...
A friend told me tracks for Africa to be around 68MB
Smellybiker Central is 124MB

So which Garmin story do you believe???? Reckon I’ll be doing my own test for larger cards to be safe!!

Hmmmm, I beat you’re going to tell me you can load multiple maps on a SD card and load what ever one you want from some menu….. Would it be (Main Menu > Setup > Map) by any chance???

I haven’t unzipped all the T4A maps yet so not sure what the sizes are when loaded. Guess I’ll not need 14 SD cards!! (must think before engaging mouth! haahahaaaa)

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Don’t believe everything you hear! People love to tell a good story...

1- yes you can load different maps at one time- you just select them from the drop down menu of maps in Map Source and select the tiles you want

On the gps , from the map menu you can tick or untick those you do not want- TIP => then turn off gps and turn on again and it will work faster as the non ticked map have not been loaded .

2- testing larger cards - well in the absence of one, I'll 'Duck' out (sorry!) and stay with the 2GB cards - personally speaking, I have a few so it's not an issue for me.