Can Mapsource store map on computer?

One of the options when you download new maps is to store on computer along with installing on device.

If you create waypoints, routes, etc using Mapsource, you can save them on the PC and also transfer them to the GPS.

Yes it can, on flash drives and SD cards but not on the hard drive.

I have "saved" to a regular flash drive while no Garmin units were connected to my computer.

Mapsource created a "Garmin" folder on the flash drive which had two files inside: gmapsupp.img (map) and *******.gma(unlock code).

Later I copied the Garmin folder from the flash drive to a SD card.

The map on the SD worked in my 285W (which the map is registered for). It will not work on another Garmin I have that does not have unlock codes for the map that Mapsource used.

I have also transferred directly to an SD card that was in the 285W's card slot, and to an SD card in a card reader.

I have not been able to transfer to the hard drives on my computer (there is no choice to do so in Mapsource).

Note: Do not use File-Save, use Transfer-Send To Device.

Ok, I have been able to use Mapsource to transfer a map to the SDHC card within the Nuvi.

When the Nuvi is connected to laptop via USB there are two drive letters. One for the Nuvi internal memory and one vor the Nuvi's SDHC card (if one is inserted).

After this is finished, I remove the SDHC card and put it into my laptop. Then I use Windows Explorer to copy the SDHC card's garmin folder to a folder on my computer.

This is much faster than leaving the SDHC card in the Nuvi and copying the files from the Nuvi's SDHC drive letter.

I would imagine that this is useful for people with inadequate internal memory for a Map update.

Mapsource can be used to combine several maps into one image file. However, it seems Mapsource can not read an image file. It needs the "Garmin City Navigator" directory.

There is software called GMAPtool which can convert an image file into the "garmin city navigator" directory format, but I am not certain if it works with the latest version of MapSource.

One should be able to install the map update on the computer - and not on the Nuvi. Then use Mapsource to store the map on the Nuvi's SDHC card.

My model does not have Land Assist nor Junction View. But it would be nice if storing the map onto the SDHC card in this manner will result in the fullsize jcv file. However, I do not know if Mapsource even gets involved with the junction view file.

This was my first time using MapSource to create an image file. It took me quite a while to figure out how to quickly select an entire map or parts of a map.