Load map from SD card into Nuvi.

 

So I'm going to get a nuvi 360 with a 4GB sandisk SD card soon. I know that you can put JPEG images and mp3 musics into the card, but can you also put map .IMG files into the card and get it to load into the nuvi?
Because I'm planning to update to the NT 2009 map but also would like to keep the old map as well.

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iconman wrote:

...can you also put map .IMG files into the card and get it to load into the nuvi?
Because I'm planning to update to the NT 2009 map but also would like to keep the old map as well.

Yes, you can.

Make a copy of your current GMAPPROM.IMG (containing the V2008 maps), as GMAPSUPP.IMG on an SD card.

Create a file called GMAPSUPP.UNL on the card using notepad and enter the 25 digit unlock code for the V2008 maps (omitting any dashes). If you currently have a GMAPPROM.UNL on the Nüvi, you can just copy/rename that.

When you've done your upgrade, if you go to the MAP | Info screen, with the card inserted, you should see both versions in the list of maps.

Make sure that only one of them is selected at a time!

--
------------------------ Phil Hornby, Stockport, England ----------------------               http://GeePeeEx.com - Garmin POI Creation made easy           »      

Sorry for asking but if you

Sorry for asking but if you wouldn't mind going into a bit more detail as I want to understand what are the function of these files.

Wait so I copy my current GMAPPROM.IMG into an sd card, it'll automatically turn into GMAPSUPP.IMG or do I need to rename it? Thus GMAPPROM.IMG is use to load directly within the nuvi internal memory, while GMAPSUPP.UNL can only be load via SD?

For the second part I can just open notepad, enter the 25 digit unlock code and then save it as "GMAPSUPP.UNL"? Also there are no GMAPSUPP.UNL in my unit only have GMAPPROM.UNL file. What is the different between these two? Thanks your help is really appreciated.

Use Mapsource to transfer the new maps to SD card

I think a better way is to use Mapsource (which is automatically included in your 2009NT update) and unlock the maps and then send them to the SD card. I would use a SD card reader with the SD card, since the nuvi still is USB1.0 and transferring the maps to the SD card reader will be much faster.

What GMAPROM.UNL file?

Okay, I can copy my current GMAPPROM.IMG into an sd card and rename it as GMAPSUPP.IMG...no problem.

For the second part....I don't find a GMAPPROM.UNL file. There is a GUPDATE.GCD and a gmapprom.sum, but neither seem to contain a key. My 260 came with the 2008 NT map preinstalled so I don't have a 25 digit unlock key to use in notepad to make a UNL file. Everything works great so I assume the unit must be unlocked smile

I want to put the 2008 maps on an SD card as a form of backup before installing the 2009 upgrade I got on DVD from Garmin today (free upgrade, $10 shipping....ouch)

Help!

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Just create the UNL file on your computer with a text editor (Notepad) and your 25 digit unlock code.

Still confused...

Motorcycle Mama, thanks, I saw the part about creating the UNL file with Notepad. I wouldn't have any problem creating it using Notepad, just don't know the 25 digit unlock code. The 260 came with the 2008 preloaded, I registered it on the Garmin site, and qualified for the 2009 update. Ordered the update on DVD and simply want to put 2008 maps on SD card. Still not sure how to do this without the UNL file or any documentation with the 2008 unlock code. Just call me confused sad

Unlock codes and things....

iconman wrote:

Wait so I copy my current GMAPPROM.IMG into an sd card, it'll automatically turn into GMAPSUPP.IMG or do I need to rename it? Thus GMAPPROM.IMG is use to load directly within the nuvi internal memory, while GMAPSUPP.UNL can only be load via SD?

You need to rename the file yourself.

The *.UNL are unlock files, that are read once and don't need to remain after that. The *.IMG files are actual maps. GMAPPROM.IMG (and GMAPPROM1) can only exist on the Nüvi, whereas GMAPSUPP.IMG can exist on either/both the Nüvi and the SD card. The .UNL filename needs to match the .IMG file it is unlocking.

iconman wrote:

For the second part I can just open notepad, enter the 25 digit unlock code and then save it as "GMAPSUPP.UNL"?

Yes

Then, FreddyP wrote:

...just don't know the 25 digit unlock code. The 260 came with the 2008 preloaded, I registered it on the Garmin site, and qualified for the 2009 update.

If you go to arrow http://my.garmin.com

then "MyMaps" | "Manage Maps"

It should show you the Unlock Code (at the bottom, where it says 'Maps installed on this device').

--
------------------------ Phil Hornby, Stockport, England ----------------------               http://GeePeeEx.com - Garmin POI Creation made easy           »      

You have to do this prior to

Installing the 2009 update, maybe even prior to downloading or ordering the disk....

I just checked and my map is now listed as 2009NT

--
It is terrible to speak well and be wrong. -Sophocles snɥɔnıɥdoɐ aka ʎɹɐƃ

If you haven't already updated your unit..

Look in the file: GarminDevice.xml in the garmin folder, the unlock code and lots of other info is there... I backed up my unit when I first got it so I had a copy of that file for the 2008NT

--
It is terrible to speak well and be wrong. -Sophocles snɥɔnıɥdoɐ aka ʎɹɐƃ

Hornbyp -- thank you, thank

Hornbyp -- thank you, thank you. I simply overlooked the obvious . Totally spaced out the Garmin site and my account information. Copied the 2008 map information to hard drive (renamed to GMAPSUPP.IMG), used Notepad to make the GMAPSUPP.UNL file, and will create the SD card later today. Guess we'll see how all this works after the 2009 upgrade too!

Can you rename GMAPPROM.IMG

Can you rename GMAPPROM.IMG to GMAPSUPP.IMG in the nuvi and the map still work? Thanks for helping me, all of the informations are very helpful. can't wait to get my nuvi 360.