Maps not visible in GPSmap64s

[Lugwalker]

In the 'Garmin' folder in my new GPSmap64s I have, as well as the usual folders and files, the following:

 

gmapbmap (Disk image file) 48.6mb

 

Is this a map file?

 

The reason I ask is that there are no maps whatsoever showing on the unit when it's turned on.

 

I can see any track I've stored in the GPX folder, but with no map in the background.

 

Any ideas? Thanks.

[+D&GPowell]

In the 'Garmin' folder in my new GPSmap64s I have, as well as the usual folders and files, the following:

 

gmapbmap (Disk image file) 48.6mb

 

Is this a map file?

 

The reason I ask is that there are no maps whatsoever showing on the unit when it's turned on.

 

I can see any track I've stored in the GPX folder, but with no map in the background.

 

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

 

I believe this is the Garmin Base Map, which is very limited.

Edited May 27, 2016 by D&GPowell

[Lugwalker]

Thank you. However, not even that can be seen. The screen shows no map, basemap or otherwise.

[+HHL]

This is how a basemap (left) and a OSM based Freizeitkarte (topo, routable) looks like:

 

 

More info on maps: Freizeitkarte Startpage

 

Hans

Edited May 27, 2016 by HHL

[Ranger Fox]

Make sure you have a map enabled. I'm going to go off memory here, so the directions might not be completely correct. On the map screen, press the menu button and go to "setup maps". The next menu should have something like "Select Maps" as the option at the bottom. That option should bring you to a list of maps installed on the GPSr. Make sure whatever map you want to use is enabled. (I like the user can enable and disable maps.)

 

If you only have the base map, try zooming out a great deal.

 

You might also want to look at the zoom level/distance settings in the maps setup screen.

 

Is the base map is all you have, you need to add more maps to your GPSr. I recommend OpenStreetMaps as it has been my experience that these maps are more detailed--even in the desert--than Garmin's maps. You also can't beat the price of free. (If you like OpenStreetMaps, consider donating.) I also recommend GPSFileDepot for several other free maps, including topo and trail maps. I've been happy with the set of maps I have.

 

One last thing on maps. Don't go wild and add a ton of maps to the GPSr. I suspect the GPSr can only handle up to twenty or twenty-five map sets in the list. I'm in the US and tried to add topo maps for each state. After I was done adding several states I did care about, the list of maps didn't seem to contain everything I thought I added. As I'd prefer to install maps one time and forget about it, getting the idea there was an upper limit to the number of maps you could install was a little disappointing. (Please note: while I wanted to install a large number of maps, only two or three maps would ever be enabled at a time. I typically keep only OpenStreetMaps and a nation-wide trail map layer enabled. I enable another layer only when I need it, such as a topo layer when hiking in unfamiliar wilderness areas.)

[Lugwalker]

Thanks, Ranger Fox, you have solved my problem. I had indeed disabled the map on my sd card which I needed (Éire & British Isles). Enabling it has brought my screen to life.

 

Thanks also for the advice on managing the appropriate number of maps on the unit, and also for the pointer to OpenStreetMaps and GPSFileDepot.

 

I'm actually using maps constructed using OSM maps and NASA material. Further work has been done on them by the creator of TalkyToaster where any map which you might need can be legitimately had. For example, I got my Éire & British Isles maps for FREE and ALL the Canadian Provinces on two sd cards for about €139. Check out his site: https://talkytoaster.co.uk/