Maps for Garmin based on OpenStreetMap
Known issues
Garmin maps format is not public, so map generation process (done with mkgmap) is based in reverse engineering. As format has not been completely deciphered yet, there's still a number of problems affecting the maps. They have the advantage that data on them are most probably more up to date than commercial ones, although in some areas coverage is lower. Another great advantage is that anyone can complete or correct missing or wrong data. Below there is a list of known issues regarding the use of the maps.
- Address search: in order to find a given street using 'Search by address' option of the GPS it is necessary to type the name of the street exactly as it is on the map, e.g. 'Calle de los Derechos Humanos' (Human Rights Street). It may be a problem for languages like Spanish or French, in which the name of the way is preceded by the type of way: Avenida de América, Paseo de la Castellana, etc. as it will be difficult to know how the name of a street is in the map: it may be Calle Derechos Humanos, C/ de los Derechos Humanos, Avenida América, etc.
To avoid this, some changes are introduced that let you omit the type of way and also particles before the main part of the name. For the examples above, typing “Derechos Humanos”, “América” or “Castellana” will be enough. Some irrelevant words common at the end of street names, like Avenue, Street, Road (English), Strasse, Weg (German), kalea, bidea (Basque), etc. are also removed. - Roundabouts exit number: if a way entering a roundabout shares a node with an exiting way, that exit is not taken into account for the 'Take exit # to the right' instruction, although on screen it is correctly displayed. In fact, it is caused by errors in the data used to generate the map, and must be fixed on OpenStreetMap data.
- Advanced functions: some advanced functions, such as lane indication, on screen speed limit display, crossing search, etc. don't work.
- Topographic maps on MapSource: contour lines behavior in MapSource is quite variable, some times they are displayed and some times they are not, without a known motive, just showing the number that indicates the height but not the line. However, although they are not seen, they are there and can be used, for example, to calculate a route profile (Edit menu->Route Properties->Show Profile...). On BaseCamp and QLandkarte GT this problem doesn't occur.
If you detect any other problem in the maps, other than those due to errors or lacks in OpenStreetMap data, please use the comments at the en of this page to report it.
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Comments (57)
Topic: Problems
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Marco (Germany)
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Unfortunately on a Garmin GPS device the OSM maps of Chile and Argentina do not work together. When only one of the above maps is installed everything works well, if both are installed only the Chilean map is displayed and Argentina is white without any information.
Admin:
Be aware that not all Garmin models are able to display more than one map, that's a limitation they have, not a problem of the maps. Alternatively, you can register and download South Ameria map, which contains all countries in a single map.
ReplyPermalinkFlag0025th November 2019 8:58pm
Hi, I have inherited an old NUVI 1300 and instead of the gmapsupp file it has a (hidden) gmapprom file. Is it possible to get even an old gmapprom file please? I suspect the map in the satnav is quite possibly 10 years old, so anything three years old or less would be a step forward! Many thanks, Mike
Admin:
Hello. You can install an updated gmapsupp.img file, keeping your old gmaprom if you wish. I use a 12 years old nuvi 300 regularly, with updated maps.
21st August 2019 6:28pm
Hi, please check Philippine map, i cannot see the details of the loaded map using installer file under the column "File to install on Qlandkarte GT, MapSource/BaseCamp"
But using the installer under "File to install on gps/navigator device" column is fine.
But using the installer under "File to install on gps/navigator device" column is fine.
Admin:
Do you mean when you send map from your PC to GPS? If so, it's a problem of BaseCamp. Versions from 4.7 fail to send maps correctly.
8th March 2019 12:07pm
Why no Irish Maps 
Admin:
You have British Isles map. If you want Ireland alone map, you can sponsor it.
9th February 2019 10:07am
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