Use Garmin SD maps on a PC?

Thanks to folks here, all set on loading POIs into new Nuvi 200W.

Next question: I bought a UK SD chip for an upcoming trip. Works fine on
the unit. So far, I haven't been able to open it into MapSource on my
PC, which would be nice to pre-set a bunch of waypoints. Is there any
way to do this?

As a lesser point, I get the impression that I can't copy this card onto
a fresh one as a backup. Is there a work-around? I understand that
Garmin would worry about pirating, but it would be nice for us
legitimate owners. Alternatively, can I load it via my PC into the
200W's spare memory?

Advice appreciated-

Theo

You can upload or download waypoints, but not upload maps to the PC.
You can use the arrow buttons on the top of the mapsource menu to
upload or download to the GPS receiver.

Theo wrote:



When you buy maps preloaded to a SD card, the mapping and the card are
locked to each other by the unique serial number that is embedded in the
SD card. The map on that SD card can be seen on any compatible GPS
receiver but will not work if copied to another SD card or onto a hard
drive on a PC.

The maps are in a *.img file (it may be named gmapsupp.img) and that
file is a format other than is used for viewing mapping on a PC. The
gmapsupp.img file is created during Garmin's manufacturing process and
the card and map file are locked to each other at that time.

When you select maps from a MapSource product and Transfer them to a GPS
receiver or memory card in a GPS receiver, the mapping data you have
selected is compiled or processed in some manner and then transferred to
the card or GPS receiver. Once that file is on the GPS receiver, the
GPS receiver will check the file at startup and you can view and use the
maps as long as all compatibility and unlock requirements are met.

You'll get an error message if the unlock is not valid for that receiver.

And the gmapsupp.img file cannot be viewed with MapSource or any other
application that I am aware of after it is transferred to the GPS
receiver.


That is correct, it will not work on another card.


Not that I have ever heard of.


Again, the map file has to be on that specific SD card to work. You
have probably learned it the hard way but it it generally cheaper to buy
the Garmin mapping on a CD or DVD, install it on a PC, unlock the
installation to your GPS receiver, and upload to you own SD cards. In
that process, when you transfer maps to a receiver or card the
gmapsupp.img file is coded with the Unit I.D. of one specific GPS
receiver and will not work with any other. So it does not matter what
the serial number of the SD is, only the the mapping is in the proper
GPS receiver.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

Jack Erbes wrote:

That's annoying, and seems unnecessary - but of course Garmin is
entitled to protect their IP by any reasonable means. I'd just hoped to
use the UK maps with my (paid-for) MapSource program.


Wow - can't even share expensive add-on maps between my hand-held and
car GPS? Just as glad I didn't buy the full Europe NT mapset. No real
complaint here; I got a bargain on the UK SD card when an on-line vendor
briefly had it on sale for about $80.

Thanks for this thorough and helpful explanation, Jack.

-Theo