matthnatow

Hi everyone, I own a Garmin Nuvi 350, and I would like to know how to download maps from mapsource or another mapping program onto my unit if this is even possible. I was planning to make maps of ranch areas and possibly some marine maps. Can I do this with this unit? How?
Thank you

dav

Basically, what you want is an advanced function in a simplified device.

The nüvi line is intended for regular consumers who will put it in their car and get directions and Points-of-Interest.

You can load maps Garmin supplies. That is pretty much it.

Having said that, if you buy maps from Garmin then you can certainly use Mapsource to load them to your GPS.

matthnatow

thanks for the heads-up, i didnt think my unit was exactly built for that, but now i know. thanks!

Max

When you say "make maps" do you mean actually practicing cartography of an area with features, or making waypoints of certain locations and things within an already mapped area?

Dav gave you the right answers I'm just trying to find out if there is another way to accomplish what your goal is



..yes, I am still jealous of your fine riverwalk, too

matthnatow

I guess what I mean is... I want to load a map into my gps that would have waypoints, boundries, with labels, and things like that. I got really confused because Garmin talks highly about MapSource, and my unit didn't even come with a CD, but now I know why!

PS, unlike most residents of San Antonio, I actually go to the riverwalk often.

dav

matthtanow,

You should contact Garmin customer support. They will provide you with the CD for the map that comes with the nüvi.

Sometimes free, sometimes $15 + s/h (total $21) depending on who you get and how much you whine.

You can then use Mapsource with that map.

matthnatow

So... if I get the program, what would I be able to do with it? Could I edit the existing map and add waypoints and things of that sort?

dav

What you can do is, probably, frustrate yourself further.

I've used Mapsource to create routes, since the screen is larger it is easier for me to work with.

Then when I uploaded it to my nüvi, the nüvi decided it was smarter than Mapsource and automatically recalculated the route that I had gone to great pains to make fit my needs. Had to do it all over on the nüvi anyway.

You can load points of interest directly to the nüvi, too.

This is why Garmin does not simply include the map DVD with the nüvis. There does not appear to be much you CAN do with it.

You can make subset maps of specific areas if you want. But since it is simply a subset of the map you already have on your unit, why would you want to do that? Back when GPSr units had small amounts of memory they invented this method of allowing lots of small maps. But the nüvi has the entire US. The whole Mapsource concept is outmoded for the nüvi models.

Max

waypoints -
your own boundary lines, or edits to the map graphics -

There are some different ways to mark things on the screen (tracks, trackback, saved tracks, etc) but I don't think the Nuvi supports anything more than one active track so I will shut up.


I loved the riverwalk in my time there , but yeah it seems like it's mostly a tourist trap . S.A. was a pretty hospitable place for the most part, one of the few places in Texas I've spent much time in. We're done our work there for awhile, but I'll harass you the next time I am coming to town. I'd love to have a locals perspective on things

matthnatow

Thanks for all the help guys, I think I will just stick with the "high tech" nuvi...