There are plenty of files you can take off your garmins (read delete or simply copy to a safe medium if you are unsure) to free up space.
But on the other hand, why not simply use up to 32GB micro sd cards?
That's quite a lot of mapping.
If you brick your unit, you're on your own! Usual caveats apply.

Thats what I did, but given how cheap memory is now Garmin could have installed enough to take the pre loaded maps.

Now its been moved on the SD card, garmin express wont update it. Always greatfun trying to deal with garmins little issues with software

@ Thewarden
I am a bit confused as I have just checked my 700- see pic below- Windows reports a total capacity of 14.3 GB

I have Garmins' City Navigator installed on its internal memory as well as other maps too and huge numbers of extra files (POI's, images , fGles etc) and still have over 5GB free (although I do not recommend maxing out internal memory)
but I did remove the garmin open topo map the unit came with the unit as useless. I have better ones.

If you are talking about City Nav, it is now split into two map sets since it is too large- One part is 2.567 GB and the other is 2.408GB ( rounded up)
My 700 did not come with CN included and I had to purchase it so my version cannot be updated. (if I want a new version I have to buy yet another one; it has been a long while since you could buy a lifetime update of the product map subscription separately )
If your unit came with CN pre-installed as a package deal, my understanding is that you should be able to update it.
May do a '700 tidy-up'?

Suggestion but working on the assumption that you may also have Garmin open topo as well as C.N in your internal memory:
Save a copy of the Garmin Topo active map elsewhere ( micro sd if you still want to use it) and remove it from the internal memory
Take out your micro sd card.
PLug your 700 into your PC
Clean up not needed files
Start Garmin Express and chose the option to reinstall the map which I have to assume came with the unit.
Job's a good one

Yes I agree- a faster processor and larger memory would have been nice considering their costs. but hey...

we're going off topic a bit but still useful

My 700i has the same memory. Preinstalled maps are CN Europe, Topo Active Europe, Timezone Map and the Worldwide DEM.

First time I plugged it in it needed a firmware and map update. TopoActive is now 3 parts of around 2.5GB each. CN is 2 parts are 5.75GB. After moving CN from the internal memory as there wasn't enough space for the update, there is 4.5GB free. The 2 CN sections are 2.8 and 3.2GB.

IMHO Garmin should have given us a bigger internal memory on the unit.

Now my CN is in the sd card, its due an update, but Garmin Express crashes when you try to view the sd card or install the update. This seems to be a common issue with Express. I suspect if I remove my osm maps from the sd card the install will work, just haven't tried it yet

head scratching moments....
Garmin express will install new maps on the micro sd when it 'sees' that the internal memory is full.
Map updates are controlled by the serial number of your unit so it knows if you're allowed one so to speak.

One option may and I do say may, be to copy of the entire 700 internal memory and keep that safe somewhere
Then
delete the CN maps and open topo maps ONLY

Then Fill the memory with large videos so you only have say 3GB left or less.

Then put a new max 32GB micro sd card in and try for a map update.

In theory, Express will see that it cannot proceed installing to the internal memory and ask to install on the micro sd instead.

If successful, [ it *should* work ] post up but DO copy the entire internal memory of the 700 FIRST so that you may go back where you started from.
Usual caveats when dealing with 'not necessarily procedural' solutions!

p.s
I just spotted that a software update is available for the 700
Version 15.20
I do not know about other variants i.e 700i etc

just compared internal memory spec on 700 and 700i ==> same 16GB
Map segments 15000 - same on both
My initial thought is that you have extra data in the units memory which I cannot fathom (possibly tons of satellite imagery? / IQ apps? )

or that your 700i has over indulged at Xmas and is a fat ba*tard

I have a Montana 600.

Even though it does the job, it's incredibly slow. It is seriously showing it's age.

Scrolling though the map is tedious and frustrating. You won't be doing it "on the fly" unless you stop and take your time.

However, it's absolutely perfect for navigating to pre-set way points or following pre-planned routes.

And you can't deny that it's rugged, waterproof and has it's own battery. You can also use it for hiking. My Montana saved me when I joined a few people to go Mushroom picking in the Yukon (Morrell not magic). We went with a guide who turned out to be an idiot.

We walked for a hours into the bush and when it came to returning home, we were totally lost in the thick woodland and rugged landscape. The guide didn't have a clue.

Luckily, I took my Montana with me and I set a waypoint to where we parked. If I didn't have that with me, I'm pretty sure we'd be still rotting in the bush. A distant memory of a Grisley Bear's picnic.


However.. There is a reason that the majority of people just use smart phones to navigate. They are leagues ahead in usability and performance.

There are even plenty of large waterproof smart phones that are dash mountable and maps that work 100% offline. Which Google maps does not even if it says it does.

I will continue to use my Montana. However if it were lost or broken, I would not miss it and certaintly not replace it.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted
Here are the corrections Garmin made in the latest 15.20 update.

How-to link here
Note the manage maps option

So @Thewarden- don't keep us in suspense!do tell how you are getting on with the fix.
Have you run an update on your 700i?

In simple terms yes

But it wasnt simple!
700i and Garmin Express were both up to date. But when I tried to update the maps GE gave an error. If I tried to enter Manage Maps it shut down and restarted.

I had worked out things ran ok if I removed the SD card. So the problem lies there. I tried removing all my OSM maps but no success with that. Then removed CN and made a bit of progress.

But it would give a message saying I needed more spare memory on the internal memory to install onto the SD card even though I have about 4.5GB. If I ignored that then it would stop around 25% complete. I found if I restarted it again then the progress would go a bit further until eventually it says I'm all up to date.

Just copying my OSM maps back onto the SD card and then I will see if the install worked.

humm- scratching of head continues!
I still cannot work out what is taking up all your units' internal memory. Bizarre

Maybe using a new, higher class micro sd may work better if you think the fault lies there.

Oh the irony....

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

The OP was Davey Bee re- satnav problems which I solved -
Then followed by some which Thewarden is currently experiencing and where I am also trying to help solve.

So yes Ted, I am very comfortable with what you call 'irony' -
Perhaps you'd like to chime in with satnav specific information to help?
No? didn't think so you luddite

All updated and working. The issues with Garmin EXpress are widely reported with no real solution from Garmin. It would be nice if the software worked as designed.

My internal memory is just the standard files, preoaded maps (less CN) which account for 8.8GB. My gpx files are only 50mb

Good. Happy for you.
The only issue I'v experience with Garmin Express is when someone at Garmin placed a software update belonging to a different sat nav causing...a brick.
That was over a year ago. Not seen any issues with Express since.

I'll say no more 'cuz Ted's lurking...