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What can you do with the maps?

Maps can be installed on Garmin GPS's, as routable maps that will give you turn by turn instructions to go to a given place (depending on device's specifications). It can also be seen in your computer, where you can calculate your routes, using MapSource or BaseCamp Garmin software, or the open source programs QLandkarte GT or QMapShack. With the topographic maps you can also calculate profiles for your routes.

Viewing the maps in your computer:

Linux: you can use Qlandkarte GT, its sucessor QMapShack or MapEdit++ (the latter is for Windows, but works fine under wine). You can also use MapSource with wine and load maps running the auto-install file (wine OpenStreetMap_*.exe) or copying *.gmap folder into .wine/drive_c/ProgramData/GARMIN/Maps/
Windows: maps can be used with the open source programs Qlandkarte GT, its sucessor QMapShack or MapEdit++ or with Garmin software MapSource or BaseCamp.

In order to load maps in MapSource or BaseCamp, you just have to run the file named «OpenStreetMap_*.exe» and follow wizard steps. It is important not to change installation path (typically C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Maps in Windows 10), otherwise BaseCamp will not be able to read map.
Mac: you will need Garmin programs BaseCamp (to open maps, plan routes, etc.) and MapInstall and MapManager (to send maps to GPS) installed in your system. To see the maps on BaseCamp you must proceed as follows:
- Open the file you have downloaded in a “Finder“ window. Within it, you'll find a folder called “OpenStreetMap Country Type.gmap“.
- In another “Finder“ window, go to “Applications“, right click on “Garmin BaseCamp“ icon and select “Show Package Contents” option.
- “Contents“ folder will show up and, within it, “Resources“ folder. Move “OpenStreetMap Country Type.gmap“ folder into “Resources“. Once done, map will be ready to be used in BaseCamp.

Installing the maps in a GPS:

First of all, download file for GPS of the country you want from Downloads page and unzip it. You'll get a file called gmapsupp.img. The easiest way to have the map in your Garmin device is copying file gmapsupp.img in the external SD/micro SD card of the device, within a folder called «Garmin» (create it if it doesn't exist); in some models gmapsupp.img file must be copied into «Map» folder instead of «Garmin» folder (note «Map» folder may be hidden). This method is also recommeded because in case of any problem with the map, removing the card and restarting device will be enough to solve it. To copy it use a card reader (faster) or connect your device to the computer with a suitable cable, in 'Mass storage' mode (slower).

Once copied, switch on the GPS, go to Settings>Map>Map Info and enable OpenStreetMap map. The way to activate the map varies from one model to other:

nüvi 300:

Entering map setup on nüvi
Under Map Setup, enter Map Info

Legend HCx:

Enabling map on nüvi
Check OpenStreetMap map to activate it

Entering map setup on Legend HCx
Enter Map Setup

Enabling map on Legend HCx
You have to activate each tile

If you don't have an external card, you can use any of the free programs sendMap or Qlandkarte; you can also use MapSource or BaseCamp from Garmin. In the last cases, you first have to load the map in MapSource/BaseCamp as explained above.

Using on Android devices:

If you want to see maps from this site on your Android mobile device, you can use OruxMaps app. For that, follow the steps below:

Download file for GPS of the country you want from Downloads page and unzip it. You'll get a file called gmapsupp.img. You can change the name to something more descriptive, such as MyCountry.img.
Copy that file into OruxMaps maps folder, by default oruxmaps/mapfiles/.
Open OruxMaps app, click on «Switch map» button and select previously saved file.
For a better visualization of maps, it is recommeded to go Global settings->Maps->Garmin maps settings, and uncheck Wpt labels background, Polygon labels background and Line labels background boxes.
Note: these maps are not routable on OruxMaps.

You can leave your comments on this page below:

Comments (84)

Topic: Use

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Lye Khim Choong (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia)

I hv installed the finland map into the garmin folder as directed but cannot find it when I switch to map setting on my garmin device. how do I activate the map then?

Admin:

in some models gmapsupp.img file must be copied into «Map» folder instead of «Garmin» folder (note «Map» folder may be hidden)

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11th July 2024 6:42am

Massimo (Torino, Italy)

I charged some maps on my GPS device Garmin Nuvi 25x5 but some big areas in some maps (for example Georgia and Uzbekistan) are white and with no data. Why?

Admin:

This is most problaby an error during map generation. Please let me know what exact areas are missing, so that I can check and fix the issue.

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14th June 2024 2:39pm

DeparisAchille (monflanquin, France)

Bonjour,
Je suis à l'étranger et je n'ai pas d'accès à un ordinateur. J'essaie de transférer la carte topo de la Guinée directement sur la carte sd de mon gps (montana 600) mais le gps ne reconnaît pas le fichier et la carte ne s'affiche pas. Existe t il une manipulation particulière ?
Merci
Cdlt

Admin:

Vous devez décompresser le fichier téléchargé et copier le fichier gmapsupp.img dans le dossier Garmin de la carte SD.

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22nd March 2024 8:48pm

Robin (Ypsilanti Michigan, US)

How I loaded OpenStreetMaps using my MacBook Pro, then got them onto my Garmin eTrex 22x. 1. Downloaded the zip file for Basecamp, and unzip it, noting where the file is located on your computer. I downloaded OpenStreetMap USA.gmap. 2. Open MapManager, select "File/Install Map" and open the unzipped *.gmap file. 3. Open Basecamp and select "Maps/OSM-US. You will be abl to open the map in Basecamp. 4. Connect your eTrex with the SD card installed to the computer. 5. Open ... Read More