dav

I hadn't realized that SD cards and SDHC cards used different file formats (FAT16 vs FAT32) and are therefore imcompatible.

Pretty stupid naming if you ask me, how many consumers will know that when buying an SD card?

Anyway, it appears that Garmin units can use only regular SD cards that max out at 2Gb.

Does anyone know any different? I'd really prefer to have fewer, higher capacity cards than a box full of little ones. This is for MP3 use, not maps.

Max

As I understand most devices that will take SD 2gb will also take SDHC 4gb for some reason. I believe the unofficial ruling from Garmin is that you can use the 4gb cards in their units.

FWIW I am using a Fat32 formatted microSD in a unit now and it works just fine.

Max

I should add in my Motorola Q I can use an SD 2gb, or SDHC 4gb, but not SDHC 8gb...go figure.

dav

That's good to know about the 4Gb ones working. The fewer to carry around, the better.

I just stopped by the local drug store on the way home, just in case they had some memory cards.

SanDisk 1Gb for 9.99. Amazing how electronics prices keep falling while the products keep getting better!

Max

isn't that nice sometimes I remember paying 60$ or so for my 1gb SD card, then about 45 days later, one night (@ Woot : One Day, One Deal (SM)) seeing some 'generic' SD 4gb going for 25$. I bought that one too just to keep my average $$ per GB lower


OH and I have heard reports of people using 8gb SDHC's in the newer Garmins without problems or modifications

I am not sure if you're a member, but I was @ Costco yesterday and they had Sandisk 4gb SDHC's for 40$ with a 8$ rebate (instant) I think. Not too bad for no shipping/in-hand purchase. I chose to get a 2gb microSD instead, but might swap it out for a 4gb sdhc now, not sure.

dav

Yeah, I saw those at Costco a couple days ago, but didn't buy them until I had checked HERE whether they were compatible.

I think I'll let someone else try them first. I currently have no need for SD cards except for the Garmin, so if the 8Gb ones didn't work, I wouldn't have any other use for them.

One thing I wonder, has anyone actually filled up these larger cards? I can remember when Windows was struggling with larger drives that at one point you could put in larger drives, but it would in fact not allow you to use anything above a certain limit.

Max

Windows is ok, I've used 8gb and larger flash devices with a usb interface without problems.
(as long as it isn't 98 )

Just noticed the 4gb SDHC is only 30$ @ Costco with the coupon (officially). I might pick one up

dav

I don't recall your age, Max.

Did you ever actually use Windows 3.1 or 95? There have been no disk size issues since 98 was released. And with 98 it isn't a size issue, it is a USB issue.

Let us know if you can use the 4Gb with your garmin, please!

Max

Old enough that I was really excited when Dos 5.0 came out

Yeah I misspoke a little but you get the gist of it

I'll let you know when I make the voyage - but actually just noticed on www.newegg.com they have a few sdhc microsd's in 4gb that are 35$ which include the adapter and might be the ticket

I'll let you know if I cough up the change on it for certain.

dav

Finally found this on the Garmin support site:

NUVI MODEL MAX SD CARD

2xx Series . . . 2GB
350 . . . . . . . 2GB
360 and 370. . 4GB
6xx Series . . . 4GB

Last modified on: 06/11/2007

Doesn't mention the 7xx series, but I would assume they are at least as much as the 6xx series.

Max

Now I wonder if that means card support for SDHC or they just listed those (and tested them with those sizes) because it was the largest feasible addressable memory size at that time

I bet you can put an 8g in the 7xx without an issue

dav

Really, really hard to say until it's been tried.

I bet you are right, but do I want to bet the price of an 8Gb chip? Not sure...

edited to add: I was just looking on the Garmin site, and realized that the NT in City Nav NT means FAT32 as opposed to FAT16 to be compatible with WinNT (not NTFS) format.

This should mean that any device that can handle City Nav NT should be able to handle any FAT32 SD card.

Maybe I'll take the gamble and get me a big SD chip after all...