How To (map update from a card)

I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Normally if you install the map to the SD card, you would just insert the SD card in your nuvi and operate the map from there. But if you want to move the map from the SD card to internal storage, you have to do it using a computer, and that involves the copy operation over the slow USB. There are no file management functions (copy/delete/move) on the nuvi menu system.

I believe what you are asking, instead of downloading the updates map directly to the Nuvi, downlaod to the SD card, then copy from the SD card to the internal memory.

If anything, that method would be far slower, copying from a USB SD card will always be slower than copying from a hard drive to the Nuvi.

I want to put the SD card (with the new map) in the GPS and INSTALL the new map to the GPS. Cut out the USB entirely.

If you have a card reader on your computer you load the map onto the SD (is that what you did?) then put the SD into your GPS. Then in settings choose that map.

Am I close?

No, that doesn't install the map to the GPS. The GPS merely uses the map on the card. I want the map installed to the GPS.

Ahhh (I think) You want to put it on the SD then transfer it to the internal GPS storage. Have you tried to copy/paste? Not sure if that's going work, maybe wait for a better answer.

I use a card reader,install a map to an SD card directly from the garmin and the card his inside the unit it will take about 45 minutes,but if you get an SD card reader they cost about $10.00 from walmart. and you put the SD card inside the card reader it only take 7 minutes I done it myself. Then remove the SD from the card reader and insert on the GPS and that is done.

Thanks for the suggestion

I'm not sure this is worth the effort. I suggest that you would notice little difference in performance just using the maps directly from the SD card.

I think he is trying to avoid the longer download time with a USB and going to the SD card (via card reader)then transferring from the SD to the internal GPS storage.

OP, if I understand you correctly, then what you want to do cannot currently be done. The maps have to be compiled first from the map segments, which requires more processing power than what is available to the GPS receiver.

Now, there are tricks to outputting the finished map to a hard drive for eventual transfer to a SD/MicroSD card, but those tricks won't help with installing the map to the device.

Ok, Strephon, that's what I was looking for. It takes me 10 minutes to download the update, but an hour or more to install the update to the unit via USB. I was looking to put the source directly on a SD card, then insert to GPS and install from there. Looks like you can't do that. Nor does just copying the updated renamed maps from the SD card into the storage on the GPS.

USB technology needs a lot of work.

You're likely limited to USB 2.0 speeds, since the much faster USB 3.0 ports are only now coming out. USB 2.0 is far faster than USB 1.1 however. So they are working on it, but it takes time for the technology to become widespread. Personally, I don't expect to see Garmin devices using USB 3.0 ports any time in the near future.

Hi everyone,

I have an older nuvi 265w with outdated maps. The memory size of this thing as you may know is not that large, so I have added a 4gb sd card. I downloaded the 2014.20 maps and saved them into Garmin folder in the SD card. My Garmin still when booting still shows me a message that my maps need to be updated, however when I check settings it shows both maps (old and new one). Also when I connect it with Garmin Express it also tells me I need to update maps. So are the maps updates installed or I am still using the old ones?

But 2014.40 is available today and that may be what you are seeing. However, You say 2014.20 and there has been 2014.13 available for about three months. So, yes, you need to upgrade.

Oh, i just saw it. Thanks! will try that.