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Using big size maps

Some maps, such as the one of whole Europe or United States of America, exceed the size admited by the installer (2 GB) or even memory cards (4 GB), so installation, and specially transfer to GPS device, requires several steps that are detailed below.

Installing maps on the computer:

  • Linux: process is quite similar to the one described at Using the maps. The only difference is that downloaded file is a zip file and after uncompressing it you get several files called MapData_Country-X.zip. If you have wine installed on your system, you can then run the installer (file OpenStreetMap_Country.exe). Otherwise, you'll need to also uncompress files MapData_Country-X.zip.

    Uncompressed files Linux

  • Windows: first step is uncompressing downloaded file. Any unzipping tool can be used, but some users have reported problems when using Windows built-in unzipping tool. In case of problems, it is recommended to use 7-zip to uncompress zip files.

    After uncompressing you'll have something like this:

    Uncompressed files Windows

    Next you just have to run the installer (file OpenStreetMap_Country.exe) and follow wizard steps.

    Installer

  • Mac: the process is the same as described at Using the maps.

Sending maps to GPS:

Memory cards file system has a limit regarding maximum file size allowed. This limit is 4 GB, so it is not possible to install whole Europe map in a single file. So it is necessary to select which parts of the map you want to have in your device and send them to the GPS without exceeding that limit. In the following section the way to accomplish this is described, using free Garmin software MapSource or BaseCamp (MapInstall). If our device is able to read several maps at the same time (see FAQ), after transferring one part of the map we can rename the file created in our device and repeat process to send a new area.

  • MapSource: once the map is installed, start MapSource and activate the map:

    Activate OSM map MapSource

    Next you must select tiles you want to send to device, using MapSource Map tool. Check total size of all tiles doesn't exceed 4 GB:

    Select tiles MapSource

    Finally, mapset must be sent to device:

    Send mapset

  • BaseCamp: along with BaseCamp another program called MapInstall is installed. That's the one we'll use to send maps to device. Open MapInstall and activate Europe map, as shown in the image below:

    Activate OSM map BaseCamp

    Next you must select the tiles you want to send to the device by left clicking on them (right click to deselect), having into account that total size is lower than 4 GB (or the free space in the memory card):

    Select tiles BaseCamp

    Once tiles are selected, click Continue button and finally click Install.

You can leave your comments on this page below:

Comments (21)

Topic: Big Maps
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4/5 (4)
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JOSEPH FOODSON (delaware, US)
yes is all good.
23rd October 2021 8:20am
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Tim Holland (Stroud, UK)
Im trying to add parts of europe maps as above using mapsource, but I can't see the option to create it on a memory card in my Garmin Nuvi as a gmapsupp.img. When I try and upload it it sees the Nuvi but not the additional card. Am I missing something?
Admin:
When you connect device to the computer it must detect both the nuvi unit and the card. Make sure they are both shown under "My computer". Alternatively, you can send gmapsupp.img to device (rename original gmapsupp.img first) and then move to SD card.
2nd September 2021 10:58am
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Tim Holland (Stroud, UK)
Got it.. theres a drop down on the "send to device" popup that lets me select the external card. Thanks!
3rd September 2021 9:16am
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Charles Allen (BuckeyeLake, US)
I don't find the download for the United States map
21st October 2020 1:03am
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Larry Butler (Newtown Square, US)
Is it possible to create a .img file from part of a map without using MapSource? I'm having a hard time following the instructions, but it seems that MapSource is required.
22nd January 2020 1:12am
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