Garmin 76Cx/CSx/60Cx/CSX and a 2GB Micro SD Card
Objective: Load approximately 1.86MB of maps on a 2GB Micro SD Card from two MapSource programs, US TOPO, and City Navigator v8.
Steps:
In my case I have an older version of US TOPO, which I have updated numerous times at the Garmin MapSource update page.
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209The current update does not work with old Microsoft systems such as Windows 98SE, ME, and others. It will work with XP and Vista. If you have one of the older operating systems select the following link for legacy systems:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3313I recommend that you also install the “Patch.” I kept have having a problem switching from the US Top West CD to the East CD. The problem went away when I installed the “Patch.” You will find the Patch on the right side of the download page.
When I installed US TOPO, I installed MapSource from disc #1. When I run the program I need to have the appropriate disc in the CD drive. US TOPO does not have an unlock code. I repeat that it is important to have the latest software updates downloaded to your computer. If you have not updated MapSource, you will run into problems when trying to transfer data.
You can use the drop down to select maps of the West, East, Alaska, and Hawaii. You will need to put the appropriate CD in the drive.
You should also insure that the latest updates have been installed on your GPS unit.
City Navigator v8 comes on a DVD with a certificate with an Unlock Code good for two GPS units. It will not operated on a standard CD player. You can load the entire City Navigator DVD on to your hard drive. City Navigator v8 comes with two unlock codes. You will need the unlock code when you plan on transferring City Navigator maps the first time. In my case I used my two unlock codes on two of my Garmin GPS units.
Quote from Garmin website:
Q. I just purchased a new MapSource City Navigator or BlueChart and cannot find the coupon code. How do I find it?A. The newest versions of our MapSource mapping products are shipping in a new clamshell package design. The coupon code that is sent with the MapSource product is placed between the two cardboard pieces of the packaging. The entire clamshell package will need to be opened to access the coupon code.
Q. What is the largest size microSD card that I can use in my X-series GPS unit?A. At this time, the 2 GB cards are the largest microSD cards that can be used for the X-series GPS units. However, the X-series GPS units are not compatible with the San Disk Ultra II cards and we do not recommend using the Ultra II micro SD cards with any of the X units.
Q. Why would I need?or want to?be made aware of future software updates to my registered GPS unit? A. When Garmin has collected sufficient changes to the operating system of your registered product to warrant an update, these changes will be incorporated into a file that you can download from our website. These changes may include changes to existing features or the addition of new features. Not all changes will be visible to the user, such as a change that improves the calculation of an existing data field, but these changes can often enhance the overall performance of your unit.
Once you have the MapSource products loaded you can select the one you want from the product drop down on the upper left side of the tool bar.
If you have the latest updates to MapSource you will have the USB drivers on your computer for Garmin software. To check go to Help in the tool bar. Once you click on it you will get a drop down. Select “About MapSource.” Take a look at the product information. I should note that a CD with Trip and Waypoint Manager should have come with your City Navigator DVD. Be sure and load it to get you USB drives, just in case they did not get picked up with the latest MapSource update.
The Test: I recommend that you a short test before selecting all the maps you want to store on your 2GB Micro SD card. This will save you time if you have problems with your USB drivers, or with the unlock code. The first test is to see if MapSource recognizes your Garmin GPS. First you need to select two or three maps from US TOPO and a couple of maps from City Navigator.
Caution: If you have already created waypoints, tracks, and routes on you GPS you will want to download them and save them to a file.
Connect the provided USB cable to your computer, and then to your GPS, power up the GPS. In this case we will select the send to device icon. If your GPS does not show up, click the find device box. It should show up. If your GPS is powered up and does not show up the most likely problem is the USB drivers. Hopefully you have better options. The better option has a faster transfer rate then the USB method of transfer. Most new towers have a 9-in-1 or greater card read on the face of the tower. Or in the case of my laptop it has a SD card reader on the side. Place your Micro SD card into the SD adapter that came with the card. Insert the SD adapter into the slot labeled MMC/SD/Mobile on your computer. Labeling may very, but the key is SD.
Your computer now treats your Micro SD card as another storage device and assigns it a letter. On my tower it is drive (g). If you are loading data on a Garmin 60x series or 76x series GPS unit you can also use the old 4-pin to serial port cable. Many new computers come with out a serial port because the USB transfer rate is faster. To load maps by way of the Serial Port on a 2 GB card will take excess of twenty hours. If you do it by USB pack a good lunch, and have something to occupy your time. And remember your computer is going to be tied up. If you do it using the card reader it will take a few hours.
Transfer the small selection of maps to your card. Install the Micro SD card into your GPS. Remember that you have used your unlock code to unlock for your GPS unit, and it is tied to the serial number of your GPS unit which is located under the battery cover of the 76 series. If you install the Micro SD card into a different unit the City Navigator maps will not show.
Hopefully both US TOPO Maps and City Navigator maps will show on your GPS. If your
unit transferred the maps you are now set to do a full selection.
I believe the 60(C)(X) series and the 76 (C)(X) series of GPS units are ideal for individuals who travel a great deal. I believe that for the US outdoor person or the Canadian outdoor person or emergency responder, that the appropriate TOPO software is a must. The downfall of US TOPO is that it is made up of over 6000 maps. City Navigator map segments are much larger and cover the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. There are 309 maps in the City Navigator package. Garmin operating system is currently limited to approximately 2030 maps. You are going to need to decide which maps you will need.
Realize that you must leave some room on the 2 GB card for operations and should limit your mapset to approximately 1.9GB. The price of 2 GB cards is dropping rapidly and the upgraded MapSource product can handle 2 GB. Having more than one-storage card is practical. I would not purchase cards smaller than 1 GB. I chose to load most of the City Navigator maps. Friends who return from the Gulf Coast after the hurricanes told me that navigating was difficult because all the street signs were gone. They needed a GPS loaded with City Navigator. It would also benefit the rescuer in a boat trying to locate an address.
My selections: Most of the City Navigator Maps covering the United States and Hawaii. US TOPO Maps covering East of the Rocky Mt. States to the Pacific Ocean, and from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. I also selected a large block of US TOPO Maps covering the heart of Alaska. When I started the map transfer I received a pop-up saying I had exceed 2030 maps. The most likely place to reduce maps is US TOPO. I had selected maps for areas that I would never travel. As an example Area 51, and the atomic testing range in Nevada.
The process: Select your maps from City Navigator, and US TOPO. When selecting from US TOPO you may have to switch to different CDs. with your Micro SD card-adapter inserted into your computer or your GPS connected by the USB-Mini USB cable to your computer, select your device. Loading maps from more then one software program will make the process slower then just one source. As an example, MapSource started building the mapset to be transferred to the Micro SD card. I had found some other activity to keep me busy. When I returned to my computer it asked me to load the CD for the Eastern US. A while later it directed me to load the CD for Alaska. After changing the CD, the program went back to building the mapset. I did not need to do anything with City Navigator because it was already full installed on the computer. The map building process took more time than the data transfer required.
After the data transfer occurred, I installed the Micro card in my GPS. I then powered up the unit. At the base of the screen a small scroll bar showed that activity was taking
place. The unit was recognizing the mapset, and the unlock code for City Navigator matched the GPS. City Navigator is designed to prevent the maps from being used on GPS units without an authorized unlock code.
Additional Information: Remember that MapSource software on your GPS has a preference system, in this case #1 City Navigator, #2 US TOPO, and the Base Map is #3. Go to the map page, press the MENU button, select SETUP MAP and a screen will show that has icons across the top. You can scroll across the icons using the rocker. Select the (i) icon. You will get a menu with a number of options. If I were in the woods, I would hide City Navigator, and show US TOPO. Just remember that if you show all products, City Navigator will block out US TOPO if you have maps from both covering the same area.
Why I like the 76 series:
Q. Will my GPS unit float?
A. Currently, Garmin produces eight GPS models that have the ability to float in water. Those units are:
· GPS 72
· GPS 76
· GPSMAP 76
· GPSMAP 76S
· GPSMAP 76C
· GPSMAP 76CS
· GPSMAP 76Cx
· GPSMAP 76CSx
The information provided is from my experience working with a Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx unit. The Garmin GPSMAP 60C(x) series share the same processor. The 76 series and the 60 series are close to the
same size. The major difference is the case. Based on input from other sources the 76 series seems tougher. The word is that heavy impacts like falling off a mountain bike may break the antenna on a 60 series unit. Both series are good units, and it user’s choice. At the time of purchase I made my final choice based on a $100 rebate.
At this writing the largest Micro SD card Garmin gps units will recognize is 2 GB. While the cards can be purchased at many retailers, I recommend watching for them on sale or check out the sellers on
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e/002-1418840-4363236?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Micro+SD+Card&Go.x=14&Go.y=9In earlier posts xr650r, brnchb, and others have contributed information that is helpful on this subject.
Since I wrote the above Garmin has released MapSource Topo USA. Garmin has come out new version of the eTrex series. At the time I am not aware of retailers receiving the new eTrex models. I am waiting for Victor Charlie to buy one and give us a report.
