Help. Loading NW Topo Maps on the Rino 650 SD Card

[dscubame]

I have over 8 hours in to trying to load the NW Topo maps on to the Rino SD card and getting the maps to work.

Does someone have step by step directions.  I have seen various directions from websites that describe the process but I don't understand them and cannot get it to work.

I need loading maps on SD Card for Rino 650 for Dummies.

At this point I am at a total loss and now repeating steps in multiple that I have already done.

Its the GPS File Depot map.

[hogslayer]

I have the same exact setup.  It is a pain in the ass to figure out.  Do you have a MAC or PC?  you need to install Garmin Map manager.  Then unlock the map that you downloaded.  Then you need to download Mapinstall and open it and plug your Rhino into your computer and it will show up as a device.  Then you can choose the map to be installed.  This is what i had to do.  But i have a MAC so it might be a little different.

[dscubame]

I have the same exact setup.  It is a pain in the ass to figure out.  Do you have a MAC or PC?  you need to install Garmin Map manager.  Then unlock the map that you downloaded.  Then you need to download Mapinstall and open it and plug your Rhino into your computer and it will show up as a device.  Then you can choose the map to be installed.  This is what i had to do.  But i have a MAC so it might be a little different.

Hogslayer I would more than appreciate your help.  More than you know.

I have a PC
I will go install Garmin Map manager right now.

[Bob33]

Garmin Map Manager is for Macs only. For Windows PCs you need Basecamp or Mapsource.

[dscubame]

I downloaded MapSource.  Now I am downloading the NWTopo maps for the 10th time.

[dscubame]

Currently the Garmin Map install is successfully installing the NWTopo maps on the SD Card in the Rino.  I have gone down this road before.......

Next step?

[dscubame]

Garmin MapInstall has loaded the maps on the SD Card and I can see it there.  Now on the Rino when I go SETUP, MAP, SELECT MAP it is not an option.  What the heck?

[Bob33]

I have some ideas. Will post later.

[dscubame]

I have some ideas. Will post later.

Thank you very much.

[Bob33]

I have seen instances recently where non-Garmin maps will not display when loaded to an SD card. What you're experienced (the map is loaded but does not display) is what I've experienced on occasion.

I've not isolated the cause. I have a sneaking suspicion that it's intentional on Garmin's part to limit users to Garmin provided maps, but I have nothing to support that yet.

Here's what you can try: copy the applicable .img file(s) from the SD card to the internal memory of the GPS.

Open a file explorer (Windows explorer), and you should see both the GPS unit itself, and the SD card. Both have a folder named "Garmin". Map files are denoted as .img files.

Find the .img map file on the SD card that you want, and copy it to the Garmin folder on the unit. If you didn't name the file, it will typically upload with a default name of "gmapsupp.img".

Look at my screen print, and you'll see that I have a lot of .img files loaded to the Garmin folder on the GPS itself.

The limitation is that internal memory can only hold a limited amount of maps, but this may at least temporarily provide you with a solution.

Let me know if this works out for you, or if you have any questions.

[dscubame]

Thank you very much.  That looks like it may be a good work around.  I am going to leave the office now and try what you described first thing in the a.m.  I very much appreciate the work you put into explaining this possible solution.  I will report back tomorrow.  Thank you.

[dscubame]

Thanks Bob for the advice.  I did the above and made good progress as the maps now show on the Rino map select screen anyhow.  But still to topo or the like and it looks the same even after disabling the maps it came with preloaded.  So in any event I am not willing to put any more time into this.  Easily over 10 hours on this and I will just buy the Garmin Maps. 

Garmin is a real POS for pulling this kind of crap.  Another member on here was going to load some maps on this and Garmin a year or so ago locked down the software.  He contacted Garmin and asked about this and Garmin said yes they locked them up for a single device.  He asked what about if he has multiple devices or for a wife, kid, etc. and Garmin said that is just the way it is now.  I have a couple Rino's now and sucks I will pay the hundred plus dollars for there map but only be able to use it on one of mine.

Oh well I cannot mentally put any more effort in this.  Thanks for your time and help.  Much appreciated.

[Larry S.]

I consider myself a technical Neanderthal and usually have trouble with things as simple as finding the menu on my Oregon 450 t GPS unit. Several weeks ago, I tried to upgrade my hunting washington maps and spent eight of the most frustrating hours of my life going between the purchased download to my Apple computer (no problem there) and getting the download moved to my Oregon 450t. Finally (after resorting to language I only used when at sea or while screwing up a docking maneuver), I called Garmin Technical support, spoke with an Apple techie there and, after only a few minutes with him, found that I didn't have anywhere near enough memory on my Sim card let alone the internal memory itself.

I went to the local Walgreens, bought a card with the largest memory capacity I could find, called the same tech at Garmin, and had everything done in 5 minutes. Not saying this could be the same problem you're experiencing, but a quick call to Garmin couldn't hurt.

Larry S.

[dscubame]

Thanks Larry.  Really good to know Garmin technical help was useful, I did wonder that.  I may go back and re-visit this in the near future.  For now I think I will look at ebay or craigslist and try to find a pre 2013 Garmin map CD.  I understand pre 2013 Garmin does not have a lock on how many devices the CD can be downloaded too.

Thank you.

Dan