lkh128

I am a newbie to GPS systems. I recently purchased the Garmin Nuvi 350 with preloaded US and Canadian maps. I plan to use the unit abroad and have found some Garmin compatible maps for the places I intend to visit. I have saved these maps in a SD card. How do I use these maps? Do I simply copy these maps into the unit's main memory in the Garmin directory where the US and Canada maps reside? How will the unit determine which map to load? Is this automatically done depending on where I am?

Would value any assistance. Thank you.

Keith

As far as I know, you can only use the Garmin Mapsource maps. Never heard of any "Garmin Compatible" maps.

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lkh128

Hi Keith,

As I classified myself, I am a newbie at this.

My device came with two img files. I figure those are the files that contain the maps. In particular, I have the gmapbamp.img and gmapprom.img files in my unit. I am planning on visiting Malaysia and Singapore and I found the map for those two countries - a gmapsupp.img file that can be downloaded from: Malsingmaps.com - Downloads.

So the question I have is, how do I make use of that map when I am there? Do I copy that file into the Garmin directory in the Nuvi 350? If I copy that file into that directory where the gmapbmap.img and gmapprom.img files are located I will have three img files in that directory. How will the Nuvi 350 know which map to load when I start it up?

I would appreciate any assistance that you give. Thank you for your kind assistance.

Max

On that website they discuss loading their maps to work with Garmin's Mapsource application below:

Garmin: MapSource Updates & Downloads

It sounds like you would install Garmin mapsource and then follow the directions on that site to bring those maps into it.

Once those maps are in Mapsource, you'd need to plugin your datacard to a reader attached to your system. Tell mapsource to send the data to the unit (in this case a drive letter) and it will build the maps there.

From there, toss that datacard into your Nuvi 350. I believe you can turn maps on and off in the System -> Navigation menu. Find the maps that talk about CityNavigatorNTv8 and press the checkbox to turn them 'off'. The checkbox in the Malsingmaps should still be checked - and when you leave that screen the malsingmaps should be working.

I haven't a Nuvi 350, or those maps..but I can probably get my hands on both to test if you run into issues. Keep us posted.

lkh128

Thank you Max. I downloaded the Malsingmaps, followed their instructions and had the maps copied onto a SD card and then placed the SD card into the Nuvi 350. I powered it up, went to Settings, Map, Map Info and I can see that all the checkboxes have been turned on for the Malaysia and Singapore maps too. I presume that means they will run when I am in Malaysia and Singapore. Meanwhile, since I am still here in the US, I unchecked those maps and leave the CityNavigatorNTv8 checked.

Will let you know if I run into any issues.

Again, thank you.

Max

Cool, and good luck

p.s. You should be able to 'browse' the map there, just turn off the US map and go back to main screen --> view map. Touch the center of the screen (I think) and it will let you set a waypoint. Click the 'show map' button in that screen, and then it should take you to a full screen zoomable map with a little arrow there. You 'drag' the arrow with your finger, so it's probably easiest to zoom all the way out - move over to Malaysia, then + to zoom back in and see if you can see details at the street level :thumb;

lkh128

Hi Max,

I tried turning off the US map, then went back to view map but somehow I still ended up with the US map. May be I have to turn if and all the other maps off first, reboot it and then turn on the Malaysia and Singapore maps. I will give that a go and see if it works. I have also downloaded Mapsource. I believe it is some sort of map editing software. Will I be able to view the Malaysia and Singapore maps on it. Just curious to see how detailed those maps are.

Thanks for your help.

Max

Hmm...I am actually thinking this may have everything to do with the basemap - I thought the Nuvi's had an international one but now that I think about it - it's most likely the America's basemap(?).

I'll have to play with the nuvi later on tonight and see what I can do with this...sorry I can't help out much from here (work).