Ok folks, I'm revving up for a big trip and i am a total novice and highly reluctant user of satnavs but also i see the absolute necessity of their use at times. I purchased a Zumo 390lm and used it a couple of times. My question is : Is this unit dated now or is it flawed in any way..?? I have scrolled back 12 pages (July 2010) finding only one post relating to a 390LM. I realise i have now immersed myself into probably one of the biggest and complex thread related topics on HU but have to move forward and bring myself to some kind of level of understanding GPS travel.

I would greatly appreciate tips on a 'first line approach' to storing maps, data storage on devices and in general how not to clog up a device but have world mapping info on back-up on a hard drive or PC.

MEZ

You purchased a good and reliable device, easy to use but it comes with a learning curve. The LM means life time map update for either Europe or North America, depending where you bought it. It’s by no mean a world wide map.

Good thing about it is the memory card slot in which you can insert micro SD cards with parts of the world you’re actually riding. I suggest you get familiar with OSM later on if not already. The greatest difficulty is reading the bloody boring instruction manual and working it out by trial. The menu and internal software navigation is actually easier than expected... once you know how to use it.

Make sure to get a Touratech or equivalent lockable holder and the (pricey) wire connection to a 1-2 amp power source and you’re good to go. Youtube is your friend, as well as the zumo forum, and us on the HUBB of course. Ride on!

Hello Squire, allow me to now allocate you as my official 'Garmin Guru' and IT guide. If you choose to accept i would greatly appreciate it if you can help me gain some knowledge while I'm away for the next two weeks with work.

So far i have followed your info and gone to OSM site, i have built around ten maps so far of the world ( excluding Africa to date ) using the grid system and downloaded them. They are sitting there in a file along with my 'Basecamp' and 'Mapsource' downloads. I have bought my Garmin with me and a USB plug in hard-drive.

Ok, whilst writing this i have been flicking through the posts following on from 'colebatch' and my brain is getting fuddled somewhat by all the advice. As per usual i get 'brick walled' by a simple issue. This time it's which correct file to download from OSM from there list. I assumed when i looked at the options that it was the 'osm generic windows.exe' file that stated 'map installer for Basecamp/Mapsource on the windows' blah blah etc etc and continued to download.
Since reading some of the posts which mentioned 'zipped' files i now feel i may have downloaded the wrong files. Having said that a few of the maps didn't have the 'osm generic windows.exe' file showing in the options and then i downloaded the 'zipped' file and have a mix waiting for the next stage.
I have opened my Mapsource several times and as per 'colebatch' said in stage 6 they should appear in the map drop down selector at the top, i cant even see this drop down selector....!!! (does he mean the box to the side which gives 'maps, waypoints, routes,tracks'..???
Here below are a couple of screenshots of the OSM file options they sent.

So receiving these maps from OMS in .exe windows format and .img zip, can someone explain to an IT clown like me what's the one i need...??? I want to store several maps at a time on say a 4G sd card. I've downloaded mapsource and basecamp and some .exe format maps and a couple of .img zip file maps. Colebatch states .img .
I'm gonna scroll right through this thread looking for anyone else who is hopeless and check for answers but please feel free anyone to chip in please..!!

So damn frustrating...!!!!

I abandoned the use of Garmin products a few years ago, preferring the easy life of OSM mounted on a smart phone.

Nevertheless, from my memory of those days of frustration with the Garmin products you need to download the .img files, and you certainly don't need .exe files.
The .img files may come to you via zipping - I don't recall that bit, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is the case. Just unzip them to find the .img files.

__________________
Dave

MEZ ... I’m back online, quite a busy period currently.

While flattered with the Garmin Guru title, thank you, I’m by no mean an expert but I’ve learned my way with the various options.

1st - Unfortunately you need to forget the idea of having all the maps loaded to the SD card and/orto the device with the hope of activating the one you need.

2nd - The files you need to download to your computer — one at the time, critically import@nt — are the ones named osm_generic_gmapsupp.zip so let’s say you’re downloading from the OSM website all the tiles for Morocco to constitute your own map of the country, you have to download that .zip file, unzip it, locate the file named gmapsupp.img and save it immediately on your computer in a foder for your map of Morocco.

Do not change the name. This is where most have problems using OSM maps : The GARMIN device will normally only be able to read the OSM file having that gmapsupp.img name. No idea why!?!

3rd - Get as many OSM maps you need (a proportionate PAYPAL gift to these guys is usually welcome). Each time repeat the download and file storing process indicated above in paragraph 2, store these files each time under the name gmapsupp.img but in a different folder having the name of the area or country the map covers.

To my knowledge there is simply no way of having the device use the map file if it’s not named gmapsupp.img The problem is all of them bare the same name so it won’t work if you load them altogether, that simple. This means you’ll have to find a practical way of transfering the gmapsupp.img file of the country you’re travelling onto the SD card each time you don’t need the previous one anymore. This is easier than one thinks.

4th - Do yourself a favor and forget about maploader etc. Connect your devise with the SD card installed. Open the file explorer and locate both (A) the gmapsupp.img file you want to use; and B) the «*GARMIN*» file on the SD card installed on the ZUMO device connected to your computer. Be careful to select the « GARMIN*» file from the SD card and NOT the file with the same name «*GARMIN*» which should also appear on your device. Look specifically on the SD card.

Now simply drag and drop the map file gmapsupp.img you want to install (A) to the destination folder «*GARMIN*» on your SD card, et voilà, job done. Disconnect properly, meaning eject both the device and the SD card from the computer, Restart your device and it should be ready to use.

That said, expect the computer to tel you something «*A file with the name gmapsupp.img already exists in the folder, do you want to replace it?*» Of course you do. It is a difficulty having to juggle with this but if your files are well organized in advance it should not be a problem. so simply copy all these country maps to a larger USB key and carry it you along with a cable and you’ll be able to interc(ange maps as you go from almost any computer you’ll find on the way.

Just remember not to create maps that are too large to manage for the device. Small is beautiful. Later you’ll have to manage possibly corrupted OSM files that freeze the GPS device. There are tricks to reboot the 390.

Please do let me know if you are successful getting the map installed that way. Good luck MEZ!

At the risk of upsetting the guru above and for the benefit of others:

You CAN have many OSM map images in either your sat navs own memory ( if there is enough room) or on an micro SD card if your Garmin supports it.)

The sd card must be formatted FAT32 and you need to create a folder called Garmin in the root of the sd card.

You CAN have SUB folders to the Garmin one on the micro sd card for orher folders such as POI, GPX etc.

ALL map image files MUST be kept in the folder named Garmin (whether in sat nav memory or sd card.)

You CAN rename the OSM map images- it is just a procedure to follow to do so and you will different software to do it properly.
There is a shortcut though to avoid overwriting the gmapsupp.img- Just rename the map files gmapsupp1.img, gmapsupp2.img and so on.
Do not change the file extension. The .img is for the benefit of the computer and satnav.

Downloading the .exe file - once run - will install the map in Basecamp only.
You will have to use Basecamp to send the map (or maps) to your Zumo via usb connection ( if you want that map in your Zumo)

OR this much simpler method since OSM maps are updated so often is to chose the single map image.
You can choose to download the single map image which you also place in the Garmin folder ( best to save sat nav limited memory to put maps etc on the micro sd card ). You can keep copies of your .img files on separate storage media in case of memory card corruption; that happens and if out on the road with limited/none or costly internet it can be a nuisance and time consuming.

BTW, if that micro sd card is then placed in a card reader and into your computer, Basecamp will load it.
This is the simplest and quickest method AND enables to you to correctly rename the OSM maps before pkacing in Zumo.

You cannot have two maps covering the SAME area simultaneously enabled -( well, you can but expect chaos!)
but you CAN have them in the same Garmin folder. ( i.e one could be topo and another road).

Map size - it is not just about map sizes but the number of map tiles each map contains. There are limits.

And the reboot 'trick' for your Zumo is just pressing the power button for 10seconds to reset your device.

Thank you for your previous kind comments Mez. Telephone support will continue :0) for awhile to make sure your confidence grows and you are good to go.

Are you having fun yet? Life's a

And I thought I had figured a way to deal with it all... a rookie really! Thank you Bertrand for this very informative post.

You reached out to help another - that is what counts!
But with garmin....just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...
Their state-of-the-art latest GPSmap 276 CX....with the compass set to CDI, the minimum off-track calculation it is capable of is....0.25 of a mile or 0.25 Km.....Same as it was...over TEN YEARS AGO....sheesh!....
Try hitting a harbour entrance in poor viz with that level of (in) accuracy.... GRRRRRRR!

Squire, Walkabout and Bertrand,

Can't thank you all enough, nothing beats the spirit of travellers alike and also biker brotherhood...!!!

Basically Bertrand stepped in and offered me some phone counselling, it worked to a degree but poor wifi meant i was raising my voice to compensate but we all know it doesn't

I've just about regained my voice back so Bertrand we can have a natter when I'm home

Good work internet and HU......