Free Garmin Compatible Topo Maps for Handheld GPS Units

am_a_knight

am_a_knight

Member
I found a website that has free topo maps for Garmin handheld GPS units. I have tried them in my GPS unit and found that these maps are better than what Garmin sells. The web site is

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

These are 1:24,000 scale maps that have land status shaded for Indian Resrvations, USFS, BLM, and NPS Lands. There are topo maps available for every state and for several countries. The CD that comes in the box with a Garmin GPS unit has a Mapsource program on it that can be used to install these free topo maps. More detailed instructions on how to do it are also found at that website. The topo map for the State of AZ is especially nice since it has been updated recently and shows new city streets for 2009.

Hope this helps! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Thanks for sharing/posting.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Now, all I have to do is learn how to use it... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks for posting this info. I'm sure other some PM members will appreciate this as much as I do. It'll save us a bunch of money.
I hope one day to be able to help other PM members in some similar way.
 
am a knight....what model garmin are you using?
and.....any idea what's the "minimum" garmin model that can utilize these maps? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
thanx a bunch for the post /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
The maps I downloaded from the site look exactly like the garmin topo maps I already have when I open the topo software. Do the actually look different when you put them on the Garmin?

-BANDIT
 
Quote:
am a knight....what model garmin are you using?
and.....any idea what's the "minimum" garmin model that can utilize these maps? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
thanx a bunch for the post /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif



I use a Garmin e-trex Legend HCx with a 2GB micro SD card for loading the maps. Just about any mapping handheld Garmin will utilize these maps. The minimum model should have about 24MB of memory. For example, the whole state of AZ requires about 100MB of memory and portions of the state could be installed in GPS units with less memory.
 
Quote:
The maps I downloaded from the site look exactly like the garmin topo maps I already have when I open the topo software. Do the actually look different when you put them on the Garmin?

-BANDIT



The maps will display the same after being installed.
 
Quote:
That's great. Once I figure out how to use my GPS, I'll get it. Thanks.



Here are some suggested property settings to try in your GPS unit to make it more user friendly with free Garmin Compatible Topo Maps installed.


MAIN MENU
SETUP:
System:
GPS: NORMAL
WAAS: ENABLED
Battery Type: WHATEVER YOU USE
Text Language: ENGLISH
External Power Lost: TURN OFF
Proximity Alarms: OFF

Display:
Display Mode: DAYTIME
Daytime Color Scheme: DIAMOND
Nighttime Color Scheme: DIAMOND
Backup Light Timeout: STAYS ON
Backup Light Level: 50%

Tones:
Message Beep: TONE 3
Key Beep: OFF
Power Beep: Tone 4
Turn Warning (Early): OFF
Turn Warning (Final): OFF

Page Sequence:
MAP
COMPASS
ACTIVE ROUTE
MAIN MENU
FIND


Routing:
Guidance Method: OFF ROAD
Follow Road Method: PROMPTED
Next Turn Popup: OFF

Follow Road Options:
Off Route Recalculation: AUTO
Calculation Method: BETTER ROUTE
Calculate Routes for: CAR
Avoid: U-TURNS


Units:
Position Format: hdddº mm.mmm’ (aircraft navigation)
Position format: UTM/UPS (For metric coordinates)
Map Datum: NAD 83
Distance/Speed: STATUTE
Elevation: FEET
Depth: FEET

Heading:
Display: DEGREES
North Reference: TRUE

Marine:
Anchor Drag Alarm: OFF
Off Course Alarm: OFF
Speed Filter: AUTO

MAP:
Data Fields: MAP ONLY
Guidance Text: NEVER SHOW
Setup Map:
General
Orientation: TRACK UP
Below: 30 miles
Auto Zoom: ON
Detail: MORE
Lock On Road: OFF

Tracks
Saved Tracks: 5 miles
Track Log: 30 miles
Track Points: 10,000
Go To Line: BEARING

Points
Map Points: AUTO
User Waypoints: 5 miles
Street Label: 1.2 miles
Land Cover: AUTO

Text
Map Points: SMALL
User Waypoints: LARGE
Street Label: SMALL
Land Cover: SMALL

Information
None to select



Marine
Marine Colors: OFF
Spot Soundings: ON
Light Sectors: AUTO
Symbol: AUTO


TRACKS:
Track Log:
(Select) OFF
Turn ON track log function when you want to record your path. Turn OFF track log function when done then SAVE it before you CLEAR the track log.
Setup
(check box blank) Wrap when Full
Recording Method: TIME
Interval: 00hrs 00 min 15sec
Color: Choose a Red Line
Data Card Setup:
(check box blank) Log track to data card

COMPASS:
Menu:
(Select) Bearing Pointer
(Select) Show 4 data fields
Change Data Fields to:
Waypoint at Next
Heading
Time to Next
Distance to Next
 
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