Garmin maps - selection
 

In my way of learning. I have access to and installed different maps.
To tray out and see if there is any difference.

For Europe. I have Garmin's pre installed maps and OSM.
For South America I bought a map on memory card.
And also downloaded OSM. With and without Topo info.

When I use Base Camp. I can pick the map I want to use.
For searching and calculating.

But for the Garmin Zumo itself. I have not found how I can control what map to use. So I do not know what map the Garmin device is using. When I have two maps covering the same country.

Is there a way that can control and/or know what map to use ?
That I have not found. Or is this something that is not supposed to happen ?
That you install 2 maps that covers a common area.

Hello Erik:

You can toggle the usage of different mapsets on and off by going into the "Settings" menu of the GPS device and toggling the check marks beside the loaded maps there.

For example, on my Zumo 590, you select "Settings", then "Maps & Vehicle", then scroll down to "MyMaps", and you will see what is loaded there... you then select or deselect as you wish.

But, having said that, there are a few complexities and considerations that are not documented in the owner manual for the device.

1) Region of World: Garmin GPS devices are configured differently at the factory depending on what region of the world they are intended for. I am aware of both "Americas" (North America) and "Atlantic" (Europe & North Africa) configurations. There may also be Asian, Australia, and South America configurations, although I don't know about this for sure.

The region of world setup affects the built-in basemap that the device uses. This basemap is used at very wide zoom angles and also for depiction of topography. So if you have an Atlantic (European) unit and are using it in the Americas with an American mapset, you won't have the full functionality of a European unit. Some very wide views won't present well, and some topographical shading might not be present. The basemap is burned into memory of the unit at the factory and cannot be changed or toggled on or off.

2) Maps on internal memory vs. maps on chip: To the extent that it is possible, try to store your maps on the internal memory of the device, rather than on the little chip that can be inserted. This will result in slightly faster boot-up and slightly faster map redraw.

3) Turn off unused maps: Turn off - or don't load at all - maps for regions that you are not using. In other words, if you are in Europe and you have a chip with Morocco maps installed, either deselect the Morocco maps or just remove the chip. This will improve performance. On most devices, you can remove the chip and attach it to the inside of the battery door with Scotch tape - this ensures you don't lose the chip.

4) Route Planning: If you are doing route planning on BaseCamp and transferring the routes to your device, be very alert to note what map is being displayed on BaseCamp when you are creating the route, and be sure to have that map (and that map only) active on your GPS when you go to ride the route. Otherwise, the route will be recalculated by the device when you load it and will differ from the route you created.

5) Map Versions (of the same map): Because you are using BaseCamp to create routes, I strongly suggest that you delete from your computer any old or out of date versions of Garmin maps that you have downloaded. This will eliminate the risk that you have (for example) a 2021.1 version active on your computer and a 2021.2 version active on your device, which will result in route recalculation on your device when you load the route to ride it. You accomplish this deletion from the Control Panel of your computer (Programs & Services).

Michael

Maps on Garmin
 

Hi,
I looked in the Garmin in the menu as you described.
It is not so easy to compare the device and base camp.

1)
I have a European Garmin.
In Base camp I have one Garmin map for Europe.
That Garmin express keeps up to date. Both for the device and for Base Camps

In Base camp this shows as one map
In the GPS is shows as two maps. North and south.
Easy to map the maps :)

I am happy with the Garmin maps. So I use them.

2)
I have so far loaded extra maps on the SD card.
If I screw up something. I can replace the card. And I do not destroy the device. Even it goes a little bit slower. I might use internal memory later

x)
South America. That is were I try to install extra maps.
(I have plans to travel in SA. And want to use my Garmin also there)
First a map from a memory card that I bought.
One map in Base camp and one map in the device.
(At least that as far as I can understand)
Easy to understand.

Than I have tried with OSM
a) One site where I could click a lot of small regions. So I covered the area that I wanted (Argentina, Chile and Bolivia)
(I can't find the link now. But after selection all regions. The building of the file was placed in a queue. And I could download it later)

b) One site that had SA divided in 4 regions. North, West, South and Brasil

https://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/s...-topo-routable

c) One site with a specific map for Colombia. For test purpose.

https://alternativaslibres.org/en/downloads.php#Europe

I can see these listed in Base Camp.
But than it becomes tricky.
In the device, I see a list of 50-100 regions. Instead of maps on the level visible in Base Camp. When I look direct at the device.
When using the Windows File Manager. I see in total 151 files. Most of them has only a number as file name. Only the SA map that I bought is a large file with a name

Compare to USA. If Base Camp shows a US map and the device shows 50 states and other regions.

===
But now when I know more.

I assume that OSM maps are built up of a lot of maps from small regions.
And the device shows all regions. And it is hard to track each region to a specific download. And to turn on/off means to click all these regions.

And I have no idea if the device uses the SA map, the Country map or the region map. (All are activated)
And I can't find any way to uninstall maps.

I am happy that I have used the SD card. When my experiments are done. I can delete everything with file manager. Or mount a new card and start from scratch. Easier than trying to uninstall. I works. One small step at a time. But it is not easy. And takes time.
But I like my Garmin, when it comes to navigation And a Zumo device is not cheap. So there is only one way. To learn and to get it working
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It is excellent with this type of forum. Where we can share experiences all our try and error.
Thanks
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I have attached 3 files of map lists

1) Device
2) Base camp
3) windows File manager

Try to match !!