FREE Topographical Maps For Garmin Nuvi GPS

fishshooter · Nov 19, 2009

Rep sent G96R! These work on other Garmis GPS as well. I loaded up my Etrex that I use hunting and hiking with a TOPO map of the state, it is more detailed than the one that cost me almost $100 from Mapsource!

Bushknight · Nov 20, 2009

what is the site that you got the maps for the us from I am coming for a vacation next summer and it would be a great help when traveling

Ghost96Romeo · Nov 20, 2009

fishshooter said: ↑

Rep sent G96R! These work on other Garmis GPS as well. I loaded up my Etrex that I use hunting and hiking with a TOPO map of the state, it is more detailed than the one that cost me almost $100 from Mapsource!
Click to expand...

You got it buddy! Thank the mods for making this a sticky!

Ghost96Romeo · Nov 20, 2009

Bushknight said: ↑

what is the site that you got the maps for the us from I am coming for a vacation next summer and it would be a great help when traveling
Click to expand...

This one.
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/

Bushknight · Nov 21, 2009

thanks

05TacomaCO · May 21, 2010

worked for my etrex. thanks ghost96romeo

ST77 · May 25, 2010

Ghost96Romeo[OP] said: ↑

I don't accept that......

Just comment saying that the new Topo map you just loaded works most awesomeist of all the maps and profess your love........
Click to expand...

I still havn't downloaded this damn thing .... I will have to do it tonight when I get home to my Home PC!

11BSSG · Nov 1, 2010

Just did this also! I registered my Garmin Nuvi and got a free update from Garmin, so it was nice to not have to pay 70$ for the update. I am stoked to see the topo as well. This well be helpful! (I also hardwired the GPS in the truck today!)

csjumper2003 · May 21, 2011

Ghost96Romeo[OP] initial post: ↑

In this day and age I don't know many who would shy away from free stuff. If you are the owner (proud or not) of a Garmin Nuvi GPS the tips and links below will help download and install topographical or city map updates onto your GPS.

* First and foremost you have to determine if your computer has Garmin's Mapsource program. If you already do, then you're able to skip a few steps. If you don't you'll need to progress to the next step. If you are unsure whether you do or do not follow this pathway. --->Start Menu--->All Programs--->Look for a Garmin folder which should have the Mapsource icon. If you do not have either, then you will need to move to the next step.

- Step 1-
You'll need to download Garmin's Training Center software. Cut and paste the following link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-04 You will need to down Garmin's Training Center software in order to download the Mapsource update which will allow you upload topo maps to your Garmin GPS.

-Step 2-
Cut and paste this link to get the Mapsource update: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209(In the event you need or want additional information on how to get a free copy of Garmin's Mapsource program you can cut and paste this link. http://freegeographytools.com/2007/garmin-mapsource-for-free
Now that you have installed Mapsource you are ready to start downloading maps to your computer and upload them to your Garmin GPS. As I eventually learned to do this is not overly difficult but If you have questions, here's some additional reading. To read more on downloading maps to your computer and uploading to your GPS cut and paste this link: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/

-Step 3-
Once you are ready to begin downloading maps just cut and paste the following link and select the state you wish to download. This also works for updating existing city maps.
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/
Depending on the state you may have multiple options with which to choose. Choose the link for the map and click the download windows link. Doing so should trigger a pop up window asking if you want to run, save or cancel. I would recommend run and let it install.

-Step 4-
- Once you have downloaded the map(s) you want open up the Garmin Mapsource program and in the upper left corner there should be a drop down box which will show the which maps you have on your computer. At this point, select which map from the drop down and it will display in the map area in the main part of the screen. Using your mouse, press the left button and drag it over the area of the map you want to highlight (there is a highlight button you need to push first). It should light up the grid a yellow color and the box on the left side of the screen will start populating with the various files which comprise the map area you selected.

My recommendation would be to do this for all of map area you wish to upload to your GPS. Once you have all the map files set that you want to send to your GPS click the button at the top to "Send to Device" and the process will begin to start uploading your newly acquired maps to your GPS.

Below are a few points I learned along the way that I will share:
* I learned that you cannot update or individual topo map files as the new one will over write the previous file.
* Another point I will make is that your GPS is somewhat limited in the amount of onboard memory it does have. I was able to upload 24k topo maps for TX and city map update and have a small amount of memory left. If you're decide to go hog wild and download numerous states or areas I would recommend getting an SD card with a few gigabytes of storage on it.

It's been a few days since I got everything situated on my Nuvi350 and so far so good. I've noticed a subtle difference on GPS with additional detail which was not there previously for bodies of water, elevation and so on. If you decide to take advantage of this, good luck and I hope you enjoy.
Click to expand...

Will this work for other garmin gps systems such as kenwood k500 the garmin gps for kenwood double dins

meeestirg · May 21, 2011

subbed

Gabassman · Oct 2, 2011

Im Downloading this right now. Maps are AWESOME. I just hope is works on my NUVI 260 I hope its not too old.

oldblue1968chevy · Jan 26, 2013

I downloaded the maps I wanted, but I cant get them into the drop down bar...

I gave up any ideas?

Poindexter · Apr 3, 2015

Well crap. I drove "off" the road today getting to my logging area in the state forest. No problem I thought to myself, I'll just grab an SD card for my garmin Nuvi 2797, find that thread on tacoworld and go to town.

Well sort of. The Alaska topo from gpsfiledepot is a collection of .IMG files. When I browse to them inside map source and try to open one it comes up with an error that .IMG is not a valid file type.

When I browse to the same files from my start button Winders wants to burn them to a CDROM, but I threw in a blank CDR and "the selected disc image file isn't valid".

I feel like a new dad who doesn't know how to change a diaper... tech support invited.

knayrb · Apr 7, 2015

My experience with gpsfiledepot maps is that they have a setup file included. This will load it to Basecamp (modern version of Mapsource). Attach your device to the computer and then from Basecamp you tell it to copy the map to the device. Now I don't know if this works for a Nuvi attached to Basecamp. It for sure works on my Montana 650t.

I have a 3790LMT which is licensed for an update every quarter. If I plug in the 3790 to the computer and use the Garmin Express program to download to the computer only, the City Navigator file is unlocked and can be used in Basecamp without the device attached. I have done this on 3 computers.

My question is how do I chose a map on the Nuvi if I load a gpsfiledepot or my garmin 24K topo to the device? Do I have to have either one or the other loaded? On my Montana 650t I have like 20 maps installed and can enable/disable which ones I want.

One other trick. On my Montana 650t it comes hard coded with a 100K topo map of north america. I found the files on the device and copied them to a dedicated 4GB USB drive. Basecamp now thinks the USB is my Montana 650t and allows me to use the 100K topo without the GPSr plugged in.

(Long post, sorry)

Pirhett · Mar 8, 2016

Im having tourble, my mac says it won't open it or something like that :/

88seriesiii · May 3, 2021

I will be trying these tonight for My Garmin handheld and Nuvi's Thanks you!

VTCAL · May 19, 2021

knayrb said: ↑

My experience with gpsfiledepot maps is that they have a setup file included. This will load it to Basecamp (modern version of Mapsource). Attach your device to the computer and then from Basecamp you tell it to copy the map to the device. Now I don't know if this works for a Nuvi attached to Basecamp. It for sure works on my Montana 650t.

I have a 3790LMT which is licensed for an update every quarter. If I plug in the 3790 to the computer and use the Garmin Express program to download to the computer only, the City Navigator file is unlocked and can be used in Basecamp without the device attached. I have done this on 3 computers.

My question is how do I chose a map on the Nuvi if I load a gpsfiledepot or my garmin 24K topo to the device? Do I have to have either one or the other loaded? On my Montana 650t I have like 20 maps installed and can enable/disable which ones I want.

One other trick. On my Montana 650t it comes hard coded with a 100K topo map of north america. I found the files on the device and copied them to a dedicated 4GB USB drive. Basecamp now thinks the USB is my Montana 650t and allows me to use the 100K topo without the GPSr plugged in.

(Long post, sorry)
Click to expand...

I also wish to load several map files on to the Nuvi micro SD card. Then just select the appropriate map as I wish while "moving about the country" .

As the maps are all named the same, that appears difficult to a novice like myself.

Open to suggestions ;-)

Chuy · Jan 30, 2022

Open Street Maps used to be an excellent source of free maps for Garmin devices. They have routable color map downloads. They currently have server issues; once they resolve them, take a look at them.

http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

FREE Topographical Maps For Garmin Nuvi GPS

#41
fishshooter Well-Known Member

#42
Bushknight Member

#43
Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#44
Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#45
Bushknight Member

#46
05TacomaCO T800

#47
ST77 Wandering doesn't mean you're lost

#48
11BSSG Well-Known Member

#49
csjumper2003 Jumper's Leds Vendor

#50
meeestirg Well-Known Member

#51
Gabassman Drive it like a 4WD

#52
oldblue1968chevy Well-Known Member

#53
Poindexter Well-Known Member

#54
knayrb Well-Known Member

#55
Pirhett Instagram @pirhett_ship

#56
88seriesiii Well-Known Member

#57
VTCAL Well-Known Member

#58
Chuy Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

*FREE* Topographical Maps For Garmin Nuvi GPS

#41 fishshooter Well-Known Member

#42 Bushknight Member

#43 Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#44 Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#45 Bushknight Member

#46 05TacomaCO T800

#47 ST77 Wandering doesn't mean you're lost

#48 11BSSG Well-Known Member

#49 csjumper2003 Jumper's Leds Vendor

#50 meeestirg Well-Known Member

#51 Gabassman Drive it like a 4WD

#52 oldblue1968chevy Well-Known Member

#53 Poindexter Well-Known Member

#54 knayrb Well-Known Member

#55 Pirhett Instagram @pirhett_ship

#56 88seriesiii Well-Known Member

#57 VTCAL Well-Known Member

#58 Chuy Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: Technical Chat

FREE Topographical Maps For Garmin Nuvi GPS

#41
fishshooter Well-Known Member

#42
Bushknight Member

#43
Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#44
Ghost96Romeo [OP] What is the Search Tab for????

#45
Bushknight Member

#46
05TacomaCO T800

#47
ST77 Wandering doesn't mean you're lost

#48
11BSSG Well-Known Member

#49
csjumper2003 Jumper's Leds Vendor

#50
meeestirg Well-Known Member

#51
Gabassman Drive it like a 4WD

#52
oldblue1968chevy Well-Known Member

#53
Poindexter Well-Known Member

#54
knayrb Well-Known Member

#55
Pirhett Instagram @pirhett_ship

#56
88seriesiii Well-Known Member

#57
VTCAL Well-Known Member

#58
Chuy Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in