Free routable maps for Garmin

 

As from time to time there are questions about maps for different world regions I would like to start topic about getting them legally.

There are two links to places where you can get legal, free maps for Garmin GPS. They are routable, so can be used to drive when on vacations. Coverage can differ sometimes, as often there are non commercial projects created by users.

Links:
1. http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
2. http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Downloa...

Moderator. If you agree maybe it will be good idea to pinup this topic so it will not get lost over time. And once we get list of reliable free maps to transfer it into FAQ topic.

Users. Please post only new links to other map sites or opinions about used maps. Don't post "thank you" posts, because they will only make harder finding content.

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A quick Note for the above Links..

If your running Microsoft IE and you click on the link, The page will take forever to load. Try using a differnt browser for these links to load faster!

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Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

IE9

bobkz wrote:

If your running Microsoft IE and you click on the link, The page will take forever to load. Try using a differnt browser for these links to load faster!

IE9 loads both quickly.

Yes

This should be pinned.

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Drivesmart 66, Nuvi 2595LMT (Died), Nuvi 1490T (Died), Nuvi 260 (Died), GPSMAP 195

for me as well

CraigW wrote:
bobkz wrote:

If your running Microsoft IE and you click on the link, The page will take forever to load. Try using a differnt browser for these links to load faster!

IE9 loads both quickly.

No problem here, other than clicking on the link takes you off the POI site instead of opening a new window.

.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Mouse

soberbyker wrote:

No problem here, other than clicking on the link takes you off the POI site instead of opening a new window.

.

If you have a scroll wheel mouse, instead of left clicking on the link, actually press down on the wheel itself. It will open up the link in a new tab.

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Garmin Nuvi 2450

And if you don't have a scroll wheel...

jfossy wrote:
soberbyker wrote:

No problem here, other than clicking on the link takes you off the POI site instead of opening a new window.

.

If you have a scroll wheel mouse, instead of left clicking on the link, actually press down on the wheel itself. It will open up the link in a new tab.

Another method is to right-click on the link, and from the pop-up menu select "Open in new tab".

cool...cool...

Nice to see things can be loaded for free.

Thanks

I already knew about those methods, but unless you know ahead of time the link will take you off site the easiest way is to just left click the link.

Personally I think all links should open in a new window the normal way, by left clicking on the link.

Sometimes I don't realize I left the site to visit a link and close the window. Now I have to re-open and re-navagate back to where I was. POI Factory's web icon stays behind making you think you're still on the POI site.

Felix Krull wrote:
jfossy wrote:
soberbyker wrote:

No problem here, other than clicking on the link takes you off the POI site instead of opening a new window.

.

If you have a scroll wheel mouse, instead of left clicking on the link, actually press down on the wheel itself. It will open up the link in a new tab.

Another method is to right-click on the link, and from the pop-up menu select "Open in new tab".

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

I agree...

allbizz wrote:

Nice to see things can be loaded for free.

I agree... too bad that there isn't more of this "free" content out there...

I have a Garmin c340 and it

I have a Garmin c340 and it has served me well. Has anyone tried these maps on an older Garmin?

Also, can I back up my present map so I can revert if there are problems with the free map?

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Re-CAL-culating... "Some people will believe anything they read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln

I

I believe the C340 has it's maps preinstalled on the device. If so, you can place other maps on an SD card and they would not effect the preinstalled maps. To use them you may need to deselect the preinstalled maps and I'm not sure how that's done on the c340. On a Nuvi it's just a matter of tapping a checkbox in a list of available maps.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

older devices

If older unit is using same data format this maps should be working with it. I'm not sure if and when Garmin did any changes to format of their maps.

Term "routable map" means that device can trace route form point A to point B but ONLY IF device supports this function. Some older off-road handheld devices don't have routing option, but if they can read map format you still can use this maps with them.

And if you are loading maps that overlap with coverage you can have problems with routing. One solution is to deactivate one of this maps in menu. Other option is to reload new map witch will cover all area that is need.

Thanks

I may give these a try.

@schwert

You welcome. If you use any of this maps share on this topic details. Like which maps were you using and in what region, how accurate they were, how well routing worked and possible problems you had. This way it will be possible for people who are going on vacation to save money on buying Garmin maps for one time use.

This Is On My Bucket List

Or GPS List...

Thanks for posting this - I saw it when you posted it, but have been busy with High School graduations, kids birthdays (all three of mine are now in their teens) sending one off to camp, starting another one at college (she's starting summer classes to get a jump on it) and so on...

As soon as I can get on this, I'll also be trying open source mapping out and will see how it goes.

Thanks again!

--
And now, back to your regularly scheduled forum - already in progress . . .

Doh!

Doh!

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nuvi 250 --> 1250T --> 265T Lost my 1250T

Other Tab

You can also hold down the Ctrl key and click on the link. This will open up a new window.

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Larry - Nuvi 680, Nuvi 1690, Nuvi 2797LMT

Thanks for the Info. Works

Thanks for the Info. Works OK.

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DOEFUND

Latest Version

I did some searching and found for pre-built IMG files and found http://www.osmmaps.com/united-states.html. I downloaded the latest through a Torrent and it clocks in at around 3.5GB uncompressed. There is more detail and it is more up-to-date than the Garmin maps. They release an update once a month and June should be out soon.

I may try running these maps on my 765T this Summer going up to Canada as they already incorporate a major change on NY-17/I-86 that Garmin does not yet have.

--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.

I've

I've played with both the US and the Canada maps from that site. They seem pretty detailed but the problem I found was that they would produce some weird routes on occasion.

We live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and these maps don't seem to know much about the BC Ferries system, that is pretty much the only way off this island. It does know about the US owned ferries from the island to Washington and Alaska State so for any destination I put in on the Canadian mainland, it routes me to Washington and then back to Canada or on a 15 hour ferry ride on an Alaska ferry to the far north of British Columbia so I can then drive back down 1500Km to any destination outside the Vancouver area.

At least were we live, I'm sticking with the Garmin maps.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

card size

I'm downloading it now but it is slow.
What size card do I need to buy to fit the map after unziping it?

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Garmin 38 - Magellan Gold - Garmin Yellow eTrex - Nuvi 260 - Nuvi 2460LMT - Google Nexus 7 - Toyota Entune NAV

I am using IE, and it loads fine

I use IE, and it loads fin.

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Unless you are the lead sled dog, the view never changes. I is retard... every day is Saturday! I still use the Garmin 3590 LMT even tho I upgraded to the Garmin 61 LMT. Bigger screen is not always better in my opinion.

SD Card Size

flaco wrote:

I'm downloading it now but it is slow.
What size card do I need to buy to fit the map after unziping it?

You would need AT LEAST a 4GB SD card.
The unzipped file is almost 3.5GB.

I am not impressed with the map, for such a large map I find the Garmin maps better.

For being more detailed I'm not so sure.
I clicked on "Where Am I" (I was home) and the map only showed the name of my street and no address like the Garmins

Looked at the POI's and they are severely lacking,
most that were displayed were quite a distnace from my house whereas the Garmins showed some less than a half mile away.

I will stick with the Garmin maps like t923347 stated.

I suppose they would be OK if you had a unit without lifetime map updates and had an old map. Just be aware of the reduction of POI's. Don't try putting on SD card for any 6xx series GPS's since they can't read maps over 2GB. I believe the same holds true for Street Pilots.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

got one

muell9k wrote:

I suppose they would be OK if you had a unit without lifetime map updates and had an old map.

I have an old 260 with 2008 map, just want to take it for spin and see if it is worth using it.

Since it doesn't matter how old the map is to alert for RLC it is always in the car and comes on with the ignition switch.

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Garmin 38 - Magellan Gold - Garmin Yellow eTrex - Nuvi 260 - Nuvi 2460LMT - Google Nexus 7 - Toyota Entune NAV

Free is always nice

this is a good idea. Now I have to know how to work with this.

Give It A Try

flaco wrote:

I have an old 260 with 2008 map, just want to take it for spin and see if it is worth using it.

The price is right so no harm in trying, if it doesn't please you simply delete it from your SD card.

Make sure to uncheck the 2008 map on the 260.

I did play with it a little before deleting and found it did calculate the same route as the Garmin map, the speed calculation appeared to be the same.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Trying It

I downloaded it via uTorrent and I am in the process of testing it. At 3.5GB for just the United States, I have to wonder what it has versus the Garmin maps which are considerably smaller and include all of North America.

I put the file on a 4GB SD card and it loads fine. It will be interesting to see how it behaves along side my 3D and JCV files. If previous posts are any indication, I may stick with the Garmin maps as they are paid for. As I noted earlier, the main advantage the OSM maps have right now is they are correct for a new bypass on NY-17/I-86 in Parksville, NY. Garmin has not yet incorporated NAVTEQ's updates for that area.

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I support the right to keep and arm bears.

IMO

Aardvark wrote:

I downloaded it via uTorrent and I am in the process of testing it. At 3.5GB for just the United States, I have to wonder what it has versus the Garmin maps which are considerably smaller and include all of North America.

IMO, the file size difference will be mainly due to the better data compression on the Garmin maps. The maps on the Nuvi are called City Navigator North America NT, and I believe the NT denotes a new (at the time) compression system that Garmin uses.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Definition Of NT in Garmin Maps

t923347 wrote:

IMO, the file size difference will be mainly due to the better data compression on the Garmin maps. The maps on the Nuvi are called City Navigator North America NT, and I believe the NT denotes a new (at the time) compression system that Garmin uses.

Did a search on the subject and discovered the NT stands for New Technology. You are correct, the NT allows for more compression. That explains the larger size of the OSMmaps.

Taking that into consideration, Garmin must be doing a good job since I didn't see any noticeable difference in faster speed using the OSMmap when calculating a route.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

2GB limit

Does anyone have a list of which units have the 2GB map limit? I have a 350 and a 1450 LMT and would like to try the OSM maps.

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nuvi 350 nuvi 1450LMT nuvi 2589LMT

It

It really isn't a 2Gb map limit but an internal storage drive which, at 2GB limits what you can place on the device itself. You can place any of the OSM maps on an SD card and they will work on any of the Nuvi's that have only 2GB of internal storage.

For a good list of internal storage sized on various Gamin models, have a look at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/33586

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

There are map limits

My own 660 WILL NOT read a map over 2GB, nor will any 6XX models.

@s4v8
You will have no problem with your 1460LMT but the 350 will not work.

Here is a list of Garmin units that CANNOT read maps over 2GB.
◦nuvi 300 Series
◦nuvi 600 Series
◦nuvi 5000
◦StreetPilot c500 Series
◦OEM Zumo Series

Below is Garmin link showing the information.

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?...

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

With the 3.5 gig map

When you zoom out , it shows a lot more than the US.
I was impressed with that until someone mentioned less POI's. Well.... the price was right. FREE !

My Test Results

I took a 34 mile round trip drive here on Long Island today using the OSM maps. I made the following observations:

1) As expected, JCV does not work as they are tied to the Garmin maps.
2) I was surprised that my custom routes worked. Every time I upgrade the Garmin maps I have to reload the custom routes. Even though the Garmin maps were disabled, the custom routes still worked.
3) There is no speed limit display. The OSM maps do not have speed limit information.
4) The turn directions were not as complete as with the Garmin maps. One of the exits I take is labeled "B4" and the Garmin maps reflect this. The OSM maps simply label it as "ramp". So instead of being told to "take exit B4 on right", I am told to "take ramp".
5) One thing I noticed with the OSM maps and what may be the cause of their larger size is they include quite a bit of topographical data. Power lines, community boundaries, streams, rail lines (I think Garmin has those), etc. all displayed.

I'll definitely keep my Garmin maps but the OSM maps make a good backup, especially where the Garmin maps may be inaccurate. Plus the topographic features can be a bit useful too.

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I support the right to keep and arm bears.

Oregon 550

I installed the OSM on my Oregon 550 and it works well for my purposes. I use my 550 mostly for hiking/geocaching with the Garmin BirdsEye satellite maps, and only occasionally for automotive navigation and routing when traveling to the next hiking or geocaching location.

Sometimes to get my bearings, I need to see road and street names which don't show on the satellite maps. So I temporarily enable the OSM to get a quick map view with street labels, then switch back to the BirdsEye satellite view.

I don't use the street map functions enough to justify the cost of Garmin City Navigator, so the free OSM is a great solution for the occasional routing and street navigation I do with my Oregon.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Hopefully a condensed

Hopefully a condensed version for older models ie 300 series will be made.

Unless

Unless you have some need for the entire US or Canada maps, you can always download these free maps and then use Garmin's MapInstall software to select only areas of either country that you need and would fit on an SD card supported by the 300 series. You could get well over half of the US maps on a 2GB SD card.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Garmin 350

I installed the supplementary map of South America in the SD card a:\Garmin. When I turned it on, it didn't give me a chance to check another map for use.

What am I doing wrong???

TIA.
Fred

You go

You go into Settings - Map - Map Info and untick the City Navigator maps and tick the OSM maps, if the Nuvi has read the card and found them.

I'm not sure where on the SD card the maps have to be in order for the Nuvi to find and use them but I'm pretty sure that on the 350 the file name for the maps MUST be gmapsupp.img before the Nuvi will see them. If your map file isn't that name, rename it and see if it works then.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

reading Instructions

FZbar wrote:

I installed the supplementary map of South America in the SD card a:\Garmin. When I turned it on, it didn't give me a chance to check another map for use.

What am I doing wrong???

TIA.
Fred

6.Turn on your Garmin GPS with the SD-card inserted. Go to Tools -> Settings (the wrench icon) -> Map. Touch the Map Info button and check the box beside the OSM map to enable it. You should also disable the built-in map if areas overlap.

http://www.osmmaps.com/instructions.html

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Garmin 38 - Magellan Gold - Garmin Yellow eTrex - Nuvi 260 - Nuvi 2460LMT - Google Nexus 7 - Toyota Entune NAV

Thanks to you both

I did go into map info & disabled City Navigator for the US & left OSM alone. The problem remains. It doesn't show an additional map for South America although I verified that the gmapsupp.img file was in the subdirectory Garmin on the SD card in the Nuvi 350.

It's obviously not showing up as a choice to be enabled even when I deselect the US maps. Do I have to reboot or should it show without that?

Just thought of something else. Are there any other files that have to go with the *.img file on the SD card?

Thanks.
Fred

I should

It should not need any additional files.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

I've been

I've been fooling around with my 350 and can't get the maps to appear either but I don't have a 2GB SD card which I believe is the largest that model will support, so it could have something to do with that.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Nuvi 350 Has 2GB Map Raeding Limit

t923347 wrote:

I've been fooling around with my 350 and can't get the maps to appear either but I don't have a 2GB SD card which I believe is the largest that model will support, so it could have something to do with that.

From my previous post on 6/21 in this thread.

There are map limits
My own 660 WILL NOT read a map over 2GB, nor will any 6XX models.

@s4v8
You will have no problem with your 1460LMT but the 350 will not work.

Here is a list of Garmin units that CANNOT read maps over 2GB.
◦nuvi 300 Series
◦nuvi 600 Series
◦nuvi 5000
◦StreetPilot c500 Series
◦OEM Zumo Series

Below is Garmin link showing the information.

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?...

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Nuvi 350

muell9k wrote:
t923347 wrote:

I've been fooling around with my 350 and can't get the maps to appear either but I don't have a 2GB SD card which I believe is the largest that model will support, so it could have something to do with that.

From my previous post on 6/21 in this thread.

There are map limits
My own 660 WILL NOT read a map over 2GB, nor will any 6XX models.

@s4v8
You will have no problem with your 1460LMT but the 350 will not work.

Here is a list of Garmin units that CANNOT read maps over 2GB.
◦nuvi 300 Series
◦nuvi 600 Series
◦nuvi 5000
◦StreetPilot c500 Series
◦OEM Zumo Series

Below is Garmin link showing the information.

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?...

I have a 16 GB SD card for the Nuvi 350 which has worked for several years. Secondly, the map file for South America I copied to the SD card in a subdirectory named "Garmin," is only 324 MB.

So, what other explanation could cause this problem???

BTW, thanks for all the comments & help. Hope we'll finally figure it out.

Fred

THANKS

schwert wrote:

I may give these a try.

Ditto

South America Map

FZbar wrote:

I have a 16 GB SD card for the Nuvi 350 which has worked for several years. Secondly, the map file for South America I copied to the SD card in a subdirectory named "Garmin," is only 324 MB.

Fred,
Where did you get the South America Map, was it from Garmin?
Is this the only map you have on the SD Card?

A proper map of 324MB, put on a working SD card, in the Garmin directory, should work and appear in your map selection.

On the 350 it must be named gmapsupp.img and placed in the Garmin directory on the SD card.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

I believe I did what you said

muell9k wrote:
FZbar wrote:

I have a 16 GB SD card for the Nuvi 350 which has worked for several years. Secondly, the map file for South America I copied to the SD card in a subdirectory named "Garmin," is only 324 MB.

Fred,
Where did you get the South America Map, was it from Garmin?
Is this the only map you have on the SD Card?

A proper map of 324MB, put on a working SD card, in the Garmin directory, should work and appear in your map selection.

On the 350 it must be named gmapsupp.img and placed in the Garmin directory on the SD card.

I thought I got it Right

muell9k wrote:
FZbar wrote:

I have a 16 GB SD card for the Nuvi 350 which has worked for several years. Secondly, the map file for South America I copied to the SD card in a subdirectory named "Garmin," is only 324 MB.

Fred,
Where did you get the South America Map, was it from Garmin?
Is this the only map you have on the SD Card?

A proper map of 324MB, put on a working SD card, in the Garmin directory, should work and appear in your map selection.

On the 350 it must be named gmapsupp.img and placed in the Garmin directory on the SD card.

I got it from:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/All_in_one_Garmin_Map#oth...

It's from the table at that location.

It's the only map on the SD card.

Thoroughly confused!
Fred

Bad Map

FZbar wrote:

I got it from:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/All_in_one_Garmin_Map#oth...

It's from the table at that location.

It's the only map on the SD card.

Thoroughly confused!
Fred

Fred,
I downloaded the South America Map from the link you provided. Installed it on my 660 on an SD card in the Garmin folder with the name gmapsupp.img.

Went to my map Info page and the map was there.
It was titled "basemap" and had a check next to it (active) and beneath it displayed [1] OSM streetmap.

I then went to Where To/Address and the option to select country did not appear. I even tried entering a states name in Brazil but said no matches found.

So it appears it's nothing you did wrong, seems like that particular map is not compatible with the Nuvi.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units
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