Christmas Nuvi 1450

I am new to the GPS. However, today I returned a NUVI 1350 and
purchased a 1450. It seemed to have the capability for European
GPSing.

I have not yet even plugged the unit into anything. Would it be a
good idea to use the USB and plug into my computer initially and get
things working using the computer? Nor do I have a mini-SD card yet.

Obviously, any tips and clues would be most appreciated.
cordially
Mahl

Mahlon Wagner wrote:


And the 1350 doesn't?


Firstly, that's a microSD card. You might get the wrong thing if
you ask for "mini-SD".

You are unlikely to need a microSD card unless you want to use
alternative maps. Then you can switch between maps within the
"Tools" / "Settings" / "Map" / "Info" menu.

I'm an active contributor to www.openstreetmap.org and use OSM
routable maps rather than the Garmin maps. In fact, I bought the
Nuvi as a validation tool for OSM maps.

I had my Nuvi 1350 plugged into the PC when I did the on-line
registration, and it seemed that the Nuvi's ID got read and used
automatically in the registration process.

John

John Henderson wrote:

Looking on Garmin web site, at the comparison between the two, only
difference is the size and $130 from what I can see.

On 27 Dec 2009 20:49:05 GMT, John Henderson


Many thanks for the help. I just checked and the maps for Giessen
Germany (OSM)are extremely good. How would one use them in my GPS?

From what I read--on the Garmin site, their maps of Europe weren't
available for the 1350. But were available for the 1350T model.

Thanks again.
Mahl

Mahlon Wagner wrote:


The general site for downloading OSM maps in Garmin format is:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

I assuming you want routable maps (ones which can get you from A
to B because they contain all the interconnection information),
so you need to specifically look for these routable versions.

You'll need to create a top-level folder/directory on the
microSD card named "Garmin". In there, you'll need a map file
called "gmapsupp.img".

If you download an individual map, it may already be called that.
Otherwise it'll be called something like "63240001.img" or
"63240002.img". You can simply rename it to "gmapsupp.img". and
it should work.

If you want to combine two or more maps, you'll need a software
tool to do that. It will produce a composite "gmapsupp.img".

You'll want something simpler than the "mkgmap" program I use,
and other people will be a better source of info on what's
available. I've used "img2gps" with Windows before, but the
hosting domain seems to have expired.

Just ask specific questions when you get stuck.


The Garmin format is universal. All the OSM (Garmin format) maps
I've tried work on my handheld 76CSx, my Nuvi 1350, and a large
range of Garmin mapping GPSs (both in-car and handhelds)
belonging to family and friends.

John