Help w/ maps on C330 SD card

From what I can see on Garmin's web site, I expect what you're trying to do should work.

The c330 manual says "you can purchase additional MapSource map data from Garmin and download the maps to your SD card." The CityNavigator Europe page lists c330 among the recommended models.

Do you have time to work with Garmin before you leave for Europe? (It might take a few days if they need to repair / swap your unit.)

Other C330 users:
-> have you had any success using maps from your SD card?

JM

I've experienced the same problem with loading POI's to an SD card. I tried to call Garmin once, but the CS rep I talked to had to read the instructions for POI Loader for the first time. He didn't even know you could use an SD card!

He attempted to transfer me to a technician and I was told the wait time was 20 minutes. I was calling from work, so I didn't have time/patience to wait.

Unfortunately, Garmin's customer service line is only open Monday through Friday, which is when most people work. Here's the info from their website:

Technical Support
(for all Garmin products
except Apollo aircraft)
- Monday — Friday
- 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Central time (closed holidays)
- 1-800-800-1020
- 1-888-442-7646
or
- (913) 397-8200

I just emailed their tech support with this issue (not recognizing POI's and map updates on the SD card). The website said it could take up to 7 days to receive a reply. I'll post the reply here as soon as I receive it.

If anyone has time to call them during regular business hours and receives a response, I would love to hear what they say.

Thanks,
Ross

Yoda, You can check if you have the same problem. Just startup the C330 unit with a SD card inserted. When you got the screen

where to?
view Map

You press the upper right corner of the screen for 5 seconds. Then the diagnostics screen comes out. If you press the next button then you have the SD Card Test Page. On my unit I always got "No Card". If you can see the correct size of your SD card and the other data, you have a different problem. Luck!

Wow. I didn't know you could go to a diagnostics screen...

Interesting. The "Data Card Test Page" does show a card there. It gives me the size and serial number. So it does look like its detecting the card.

I don't know what the Checksum test is, but it says "fail" on the results.

Thanks for the info. I don't have another card available at the momment, but I will try another card soon.

It is unfortunate that the Garmin website does not offer any help with these problems. I hope that they respond to my email soon. I would encourage you to call and/or email their tech support as well.

I'll keep you informed if I learn anything...

Thanks again,
Ross

Thanks atostes, your info was very helpful.

I just received the response back from Garmin:

"Ross,
Per your email the stp c330 will only allow POI's to be loaded to the unit itself. This is also true with the mapping updates these should be run directly to the unit. The SD card slot is for additional mapping such as Europe maps."

So this confirms that the c330 cannot use POI's loaded on SD cards. As far as the Europe maps, the SD card should work. You should probably get in touch with Garmin/Amazon and have your unit repaired. I hope you will have enough time to get it repaired or replaced before your Europe trip. Trust me, a GPS is very handy in Europe. The unit we had in our rental car was a lifesaver when we visited Scotland recently.

Thanks,
Ross

I agree, a GPS is a wonderfull stuff... But i'm very disappointed with garmin. It's a very very basic quality control task: check the sd card on a unit like the c330, supposed to be expandable via SD card slot. But they miss this step, probably with a lot of units. I live in Brazil, it's going to cost me a lot of money to send the gps to the US and i'll have problems with my customs when they send the unit back.

I just got this back from the horses mouth about our problem with the SD card. With my SD slot on the C330, I am going to put some tape over it so the bugs will not enter. The only use I can see for this slot is to store the new cards people bought and can't use in this device.
Thanks Garmin for the slot. POI-Factory for all the information you could get about its use.
This is what Garmin said to me.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International!

I am sorry but you will need to load POI's in a .csv format to the C330 directly as if they are loaded onto a SD card the C330 will not read the POI's. You can only use an SD card for POI's when you have a unit that will
go into USB mass storage mode. Such as the Nuvi.

Should you have any further questions, please respond to this message and I will be happy to help you!

Thanks Again,
Pete S.
Product Support Specialist
GARMIN International
1200 E. 151st Street
Olathe, KS 66062
Ph: 800-800-1020
Fax: 913-440-5488
http://www.garmin.com

Travlr,
I just got the full coverage City Navigator Europe NT v9 SD card. At first when I plugged it in, I was not able to see the Europe maps nor enter addresses in Europe.

I read the posts here, and tried Test Mode, that told me the card was recognized and I also had checksum failed.

However, I played around more and found the settings I needed under:

Where To/View map screen: Click the wrench (config), then click Map, then click the button "Map Info"

This is where I found my City Select North America and City Navigator Europe v9 are listed.

They had check boxes for each one. When both were checked I could not see the Europe maps. But when I unchecked the North america maps, I was then able to enter European addresses and look at the maps.

Hope this helps, those with international SD cards and c330's.

Garmin sent me the CD of City Navigator NT North America v8 when I requested it. BTW, I have a c330. I created a map set using MapSource and sent it to the c330 with a new 512mb card inserted. It went through the motions, "Sending map set" then "The data was successfully sent".

I have no idea how to get the GPS to 'read' the SD card. The only file on the card is J:/GARMIN/gmapsupp.img. It's my understanding that the file should be *.gbd.

However, when I save the map set to my computer from MapSource, the file is *.gbd. I copied this file to the SD card but the GPS still will NOT (apparently) recognize it. I'm beat. Any ideas?

The .img is the proper file. That's the map file but why it won't pick it up I have no idea.

Thanks for that. I'll keep trying to find out what I have done wrong, or haven't done at all.

My experience with SD cards is that to forget it.
The smart alternative is to rent an SD card of Europe (or wherever you are travelling). Check out Christian.Senechal@raytech.ca to do this. Cost about $100 CDN a month. A damm good deal.

As far as loading SD maps, Garmin has a strange setup. If you are using mapsource Europe- you are limited to the amount of information (about 700 MB) you can transfer - you certainly cannot transfer the entire map of Europe. Another unusual item, if you have a preloaded sytem (such as maps of europe), if you use mapsource to plot a new route, no one can load it onto their GPS- Garmin units will not load specialized route- they will be deleted. NO one can change the built in maps.

I loaded my SD card with tunes from my wifes' Ipod- however, in order to browse them, I have to erase any MP3 folders on my nuvi main drive - then when I hit browse, it will read the SD card. and i could select what i want to hear. Other than using that slot for maps, This is the only use for an SD card on that unit.

I would also erase that stupid asudible book crap - more of an aggrevation thna anything else.

I also beleive that one cannot copy or load SD cards because of some protection. The great thing about these SD cards is that one does not need any unlock codes and you could buy them, ue them , and later sell tham at will on ebay.

Good luck

Hi,
does anyone knows if is possible to load a City Navigator map located at SD Card to a GPS unit wihout card slot using a Card reader connected to PC using Mapsource ?

I asked about that because my GPS is a 60C and it does not have slot reader, but I need a City Navigator that I found only in SD card version.. I think to buy it and load to GPS thru Mapsource.

Thanks for help
Fabio Amorim

My unit will not turn on anymore have you heard anything like this after that diagnostic screen?

Travlr, what's the software version of your Garmin C330? Thank you.

It's possible the problem is not related to the diagnostic screen. I had similar problems with my c530 and it turned out the battery was low. I did not start when I connected it to my car charger either. The solution was to connect it to my PC (using USB) and left it charging for several hours. After that it worked fine.

I just uploaded POI into my SD and its working fine....

My apologies if this has been gone over before, but I was having issues getting POIs loaded from the SD card. The SD card will actually go in two different ways. One way will not read (obviously), and the other way will. With the cutout portion of the card facing down and the label facing you, put the card in until it clicks.

I am amazed it goes in both ways. I found this out by doing the diagnostics (great tip) and seeing that the card wasn't showing up until I put it in the other way.

Thanks for that imfo on the diagnostic check. It contains a lot of useful imfo, even checking out the speakers and screen colours!

great info there, but I couldnt find a way out -- so I powered off. is there an exit I missed?

Devbala,
I'd like to ask how did you manage to upload POI into your SD card ?
Please spend a minute to explain. By default POI loader does it to the unit. I could not find a way to configure SD or Unit

Thank You

I've tried this as well, with no luck. Another thread stated it could be done, but didn't work for me. I was, however, able to load maps and use them, I've explained this process in other threads. Suffice it to say, I used a card reader/writer to accomplish this. If you can load POI's, it would be against everything Garmin puts out on the unit. Are we all talking Street Pilot c330 here????

I did manage to upload POI to the SD card as suggested by poi-factory admin by running Garmin POI-loader and SD card attached to the card-reader.The file type is gpi. However, C330 does not see poi on SD card. It seems like yes, one can load poi on SD, but it is useless cause C330 does not see poi on SD card.

Am I correct ?

Thanks

Yes, this is correct. You need to load them to the unit itself.

Thank You, Motorcycle Mama.
I wish Garmin would clearly stated that in C330 manual. I aslo suggest that poi-factory admin should clarify their comment that poi after being uploaded into SD are useless in C330

garmin does not support custom POI'S from third party website. that's why many don't know how to use the poi loader program it's pretty easy. find the poi from some random website, purchase it if need be. save it to your computer. use POI loader to find it and send to unit. also, for all you knuckleheads- Itunes places music in an MP4 format, needed to be converted to MP3's to have an MP3 player read it.

I'm not admin but the statement on the C330 model page reads pretty clear.

c330 and SD card

As far as the original post and admin reply, please note the date, 11/11/06. We were all learning a lot back then.
There has been a "related link" added as of 1/31/07 to the original post.

Go to gpspassion forums,Read post (Yes maps on sd card are possible)c330.I was able to load Canadian and Alaska map segments on sd card.c330

The C320,330,340 models are capable of reading map info from SD cards such as;

SD data card, City Navigator NT, Europe (preloaded card with full coverage) Garmin Part Number: 010-10680-00

The C320,330,340 cannot and will not read custom poi data from an SD card.

And for the question of... can I use a card reader/writer to write custom poi files to an SD card...?

Yes, you can, but the C320,330, or 340 will still not be able to utilize that custom poi data from an SD card.

So, if I can't load custom POI files from the SD card, and if I can't use it to update maps, so far as I can tell it is only good for loading maps beyond the range of maps included with the C330, and then only if such maps are purchased. In other words my impression after digging through this and related threads is that the SD slot on a C330 is pretty useless within North America... Is this correct, or am I missing something here? The SD slot was a selling point for me on the C330, but apparently only because I mistakenly assumed it would be useful... ????

You ARE correct. I was able to use it to load the new NT2008 Canada & Alaska maps which I had before, but because the update required more memory due to the addition of Poi's (Garmin's) and roads, etc., it wouldn't fit in the c330 memory. Other than, that and as previously mentioned in this thread, there is no use for this slot with current software limitations. Since this unit is being phased out by Garmin, I wouldn't expect any software changes of that type to be forthcoming...

Hi all,
I just got a Street pilot c330.
I am taking a trip to UK (Scotland and Ireland)
actually leaving tomorrow.

My freind has given me the the GARMIN TOPO GREAT BRITAIN V2 UNLOCKED.EXE file.
How do I load it onto my SD card
and how would I use it with my GPS.

Can I copy the files from my PC to the SD card using the GPS unit or do I need some other hardware to copy the files to the SD CARD?

Tnx
Paps

I just loaded my Alaska/Canadian maps using my hp digital camera lol. Here’s the deal. My pc does not have a SD Card Reader. It’s an older model pc but I love it. You see, I loaded the Map Update 2008 DVD selected the United States (as I’m in New York). Once that was done, I installed the MapSource. MapSource is supposed to find my SD Card once my C330 is turned on, but it doesn’t. So I took the SD Card I wanted to load the Alaska/Canadian Maps and just for kicks I put the card into my HP Digital Camera. I hooked up the camera via the USB cable and opened up MapSource. I selected the maps I wanted and MapSource found my HP Camera as a storage device. Lol My maps transferred flawlessly. I’m totally blown away by this. When I place the SD Card in the C330 Slot, it loads the Alaska/Canadian maps. I’m giving myself a trophy lol.

Wow, who what have thunk it. Now I gotta ask myself why I bought a card reader/writer. Good thinking bandaid!!!

Thank you, I really hope it helps others. I would hate to see guys stuck with a unit and think they can't use that empty slot.

In regards to my map install, I used a 512mb SD Card to store the Alaska/Canadian Maps.

I've been waiting for 2 months to receive the free maps from Garmin, that I've been promised. I have a C330 unit and I only require maps for Canada and the U.S states excluding, Alaska and Hawaii. Is it possible to load these onto the C330 with its limited memory? Also, does the updated map erase the existing memory/maps or does it override it/

Thanks for any help.

1. Using the C330, you load the Canadian Map or U.S. Maps directly to the unit and another to your SD Card.
a. Example: You load the Canadian map directly to your C330.
b. After you load the maps directly to your C330. You will be able to install MapSource which will give you the option to load additional maps to your SD Card.
2. When you install the new map directly to your C330, the old maps get erased by the program. It then installs the new maps you have selected.

From what I've been reading in this thread, the SD can only be used for optional maps, and the quote (below) from Garmin's website confirms that. Does anyone know if there is a maximum SD card capacity that can be used with the c330?

Do the POI's get loaded directly into the unit? I haven't tried that yet, but when I bought the c330 I thought they would be loaded onto the SD card.

"Navigate With Ease
StreetPilot c330 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the c330 takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, the c330 accepts custom points of interest (POIs) such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. Traveling abroad? The c330 comes with an SD card slot, making it convenient to add optional maps."

The Custom POIs have to be loaded to the unit. That unit won't read them off the SD card. As indicated in that quote from the Garmin site, the SD card is for optional maps.

Since the 330 doesn't present itself to the computer as a drive, it's impossible to ascertain exactly how much space there is for Custom POIs. Having said that, Custom POIs don't take up a lot of space.

They don't, but I did reach a limit of 20,000+ at one point. Haven't tried to go beyond that since loading NTv2008. Did get me to thinking, however, why not use a 1mb or larger sd card, loading all the maps or a great many, since you can select which ones you want individually, and leave room for more poi's on the unit. h-m-m-m. This could be very interesting...

I did exactly what Bandaid did..
I played around with my C330 for a while, i was even able to install the USA maps to the SD card Via the GPS, using the "MapInstall" program. But that took long and was quite annoying.

So for my fellow C330 owners that want to have both Canada and US 2008 map update on their GPS this is what you have to do.

Must have:
1 - Street pilot C330 (duh)
2 - 512mb SD card (You can get a bigger card, but why waste more money)
3 - SD card reader (Fellow member said he was able to use his HP camera, which is SD card compatible to read the card.)
4 - Garmin 2008 Map Update North America

What to DO:

1 - connect the GPS to the computer
2 - Insert the Map update disk
3 - Install the Lower 48 states, United States
(Reason - I believe the C330 has around 1000mb of memory and the "US 48 states" map uses around 900mb" while Canada uses 400mb...which is why you will need that 512mb SD card later)

4 - Once the GPS is updated with the US map. Browse the Map update disk contents. This can be done with going to "My Computer" right click on your CD/DVD drive and click on "Explore"

5 - Open the folder called "img"

6 - Copy the file called "gmappromU.img" file is around 430mb. (This is the map file for Canada)

7 - Insert your SD card into your card reader and connect it to your computer. A window should pop up. If not you should see it on your "My Computer"

8 - Once you have navigated your way into the SD card directory. Create a folder on the SD card named "garmin" (no caps)

9 - Go into your newly created "garmin" folder right click and paste the "gmappromU.img" file. (This may take upto 20 to 30 mins)

10 - Once the process is complete, Rename the "gmappromU.img" file to --> "gmapsupp.img" (watch for spelling, no caps at all)

11 - Remove the SD card, Turn off your GPS, Insert SD card into GPS.

12 - Turn on GPS, let it load, and there you have it, the FULL North America Map.

Test it out, when you are searching a state or province (depending where you are located) it will give you an option which map to use, Canada/Alaska or the lower 48 US states. Select your map and you are set to Go.

I hope this helps anyone that might be having problems.

Unfortunately, Garmin saw fit to not allow users to load anything but their map updates into the SD card slot. My solution, I bought a NUVI....

I suppose, I should have bought a Tom Tom, because their newer units allow users to input and correct erroneous information. When you connect your unit to the internet, the info you have input is uploaded. What a smart thing to do....

I asked Garmin about a possible software fix to allow this but they never answered me back. I've found a lot of errors such as closed businesses, businesses that have moved, etc.

Dark's insrtructions worked great. Thanks.

I was looking at the diagnostic screen someone else told about, the very top line says
"Version Information c330 Casio V3 1x1gb"
makes me think that there is some form of a internal memory card with a 1 GB capacity.

Dark - thanks for the walkthrough. I did the opposite though. I already had the Canada maps installed, so I put the lower States on the SD card which is gmappromL.img (I had an old 2GB SD card laying around). Works perfectly.

Do you know what the gmappromA.img file is?

I am supprised that this question commes up again, there is so much info on this site that gives the solution.

i have been trying to follow dark153 instructions like you have canada on my gps download,but i am new at this and from instructions from number 5 to number 10 this is where i need a step by step instuctions on how to do this.
could you help me with this
thanks from tom canada,quebec

Hi,
I am so glad I've finally found this area!
It sure seems like there are many experienced users of the c330 here.

First thing - I didn't know about the diagnostic screen - and even now that I've read about it, I cannot get it to pop up. There is either a band across the top of the screen that says "ready to navigate" or "GPS is off" If I press on the right corner of that band, nothing happens. If I press right below that where the + sign is, again - nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?

I've been very happy with the c330 so far. Before this I had a Garmin unit (back in 2000) that just showed an arrow pointing in the direction you needed to go. At that time, I bought the Mapsource cd for "Europe Roads and Recreation version 4"
We used it quite a bit and it was just enough help to insure we were heading in the right direction.

Now, I am planning a trip to Germany and will be staying in a very small area for a short time.
I'd like to take the map from the CD and put it onto an SD card to take with me.

Tech support at Garmin told me:
"the maps should not be locked so you should be able to load it to your other unit."

My problem is that the CD maps were set up to use a serial port rather than a usb one. I've put the card into the unit and have the unit connected, but I cannot download from the CD to the SD card.
I tried saving the maps I want (only about 1.mb) directly to the card through the computer, but end up with just 2kb in the .mps file.

I even thought that maybe the sd card I was using was too big at 128 mb and so went searching and found an 8mb card to try - but the results were the same.

Is there a way to convert a usb connection to a serial one (sounds like a backwards thing to do!)
Or - is there a way to copy the maps off the CD to the SD card that I'm missing?

how do you like your c330? my dad wants to get one.