Loading TOPO 2008 on a nuvi 880

If it was purchased for a different unit it won't work....

The US Topo doesn't use unlock codes.

Did the mapset contain more than 2025 map segments?

Except for the Colorado, I don't think any Garmin unit can access a mapset with more than 2025 map segments.

With the topo maps, this will be about 1GB. Or about half the country.

MM, quite interesting about the 2025 map segments.
My 880 has the CNNA NT2009 preloaded. Today I ordered the disk for the CNNANT2009 so I can load it only on the computer.I also ordered
the World Map most recent version, but do not know if I will be able to load it on the 880, or if I will have to leave it on my computer under MapSource. Would there be any problems with the World Map on the unit?

If in the future I get a Topo US 2008, should I leave it primarily on the computer and only put segments of it on the 880 IF I need them?

What about unlock codes? I didn't realize that the disk of CN I ordered today might come with an unlock code!!! I don't want to mess up the 880, I just want to have the maps on my computer to play with in a format I am more familiar with.
(sigh)

I'm not worried about the stupid mistakes I make; it is the expensive ones that bother me.

Jenny, I note that you are using the microSD card.
Since it is 8gb, I believe that makes it a microSDHC card? High Capacity?

There has been a lot of discussion about the maximum capacity of cards for some units, and whether or not they could accept those with "HC" on them.

I'm wondering if the microSDHC card may not be totally recognized by the 880? Just wondering, and if you have other information on that card which your unit recognizes and plays? I don't have a card now, in fact I cancelled my order from Garmin for a 512mb SD card (not microSD) which they showed as compatible with the 880...I assumed they knew, but common sense won out finally. So now I have a 2gb microSD card (not SDHC) on order from another source. I'd love to be sure the 8gb microSDHC works in the 880 though, so I could load audiobooks and mp3s and jpgs.

How is it working for you?

As others have already noted, Topo 2008 does not use or need unlock codes. Maps created can be used on any (or multiple) Garmin GPS units.

Having said that--and from what I read between the lines in your post--I believe the issue is too many map segments being selected. My nuvi 750 and my eTrex Legend HCX both work fine with Topo USA 2008, but I had to break the USA into 4 separate maps to avoid exceeding the 2025 segment map limit. If you follow my advice, note that you can get by with 1GB SD cards. To meet the 2025 segment limit, I divide the USA into four separate maps on four separate SD cards, then use the card appropriate to where I am. I have Alaska on one map, the western third of the USA on another, then central USA and eastern USA on the other cards. It is possible to keep within the 2025 segment limit and not exceed a 1GB file size and still have some overlap between the three contiguous USA map cards.

Good luck. It is fun to see a nuvi using Topo USA 2008 in hilly, canyon-ey, mountainous terrains, etc.

Jen,

PS--once you do have the maps recognized by your nuvi (see previous posts), remember that the first time you power up the nuvi with a Topo USA SD card, the nuvi will load both your City Navigator and Topo USA, but your nuvi will only display the CN. You will need to go to your Map Info page to deselect City Navigator when you want to use the Topo. ...and to go back to CN from Topo, unselect Topo and reselect CN on Map Info.

PPS--If your computer has a SD reader either built in or as a USB device, you may find that the transfer times of copying a created map to the SD card goes faster that way, rather than have the SD card in the nuvi while creating the map. I suppose there may also be a bit more safety in terms of not corrupting or losing critical nuvi files if you create your Topo maps directly from computer to SD.

PPPS--It may be a personal preference, but for me, I like the nuvi and City Navigator in 3D mode, while I like the Topo in 2D mode. For automobile use, 2D Track Up works for me while at a walking speed with my eTrex, I go with 2D North Up so that the display doesn't keep spinning whenever it thinks I've changed direction.

All,

Your help was perfect. Thank you!

The card I used was a 8GB microSDHC. It works just fine with the nuvi 880.

The trick was to stay below the 2025 segment limit. Wish there was a way to get the entire map loaded, have plenty of space.

thx,
Jen

Yeaaaahhhh!! Now that you've done it, I'll go for a bigger card too.