Map will not load (nuvi 660 SD card)

With the SD card in the Nuvi 660, run the map update and tell it to install to the SD card.

If you already done this from another Nuvi, the maps are locked to that particular unit. You can't simply move it to another device.

The only way you could would be to buy the map pre-installed on the SD card, then it is locked to the SD card and can be moved from unit to unit.

thanks for your reply.i downloaded the maps and they say they are unlocked. i installed the same maps on a friends unit and it worked. his unit was allot newer. i ran the map updater software and it does see my nuvi but it is telling me that their is no maps installed on it. i did not erase the original map that was on the unit, should it not see that one?

You may want to review this information and follow all the other links it refers you too. https://goo.gl/vJlrf

shawn305, the nuvi 660 is unable to read files greater than 2GB in size and if your 2017 map is the Garmin City Navigator North America map update for the entire continent, it is over 2GB and will not be read by the nuvi.

Assuming you are using a Garmin numaps One-Time or Lifetime subscription for your 660, the only way to install a full continent update of North America for the 660 is to install part of the map to the nuvi itself (when running Garmin Express, it'll tell you your nuvi doesn't have sufficient space for all of North America and will offer to install a mix of some states and/or provinces). Choose one to be installed:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42542

to the nuvi and be sure to use the optional Garmin Express setting to install the map to the device and computer (not the default device only installation). When done, your computer will have the map on the computer which can be opened with BaseCamp. With the nuvi with a SD card installed attached to the computer, start BaseCamp and use MapInstall to install the portions of North America not in the nuvi and install them to the SD card.

Because the nuvi 6xx series has two issues (the first is insufficient internal storage and the second that files over 2GB can not be read by the nuvi), you must follow this procedure to install all of North America for use in your 660, with part on the map in the nuvi and part in the SD card. Note that the 'clone technique' will cause the full greater than 2GB map file to be installed to the SD card and this will not work.

If you're not using a map update (Garmin numaps One-Time or numaps lifetime purchased for the 660), let us know what you did purchase. If you purchased a new standalone City Navigator North America map download, this is intended for installation to a device that doesn't have an older copy of North America.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Although you may be able to load the 2017 map to the SD card. The maximum size map the 660 will be able to load into the software is 2 Gb. The 2017 map is well over 2 Gb.
You will have to load the lower 48 into the main unit and the rest will have to be loaded onto the SD card.
You wind up with 2 separate maps, but the 660 can handle it.

Edit: MapInstall can do this, but it doesn't always put the correct unlock file on the SD card. I figured it out one time - but I forget what the solution was. Maybe someone here remembers.

This was why I circular filed my 660. I was tired of fighting every time there was a map update to get it to load. I hate that Garmin makes you do that, but I believe this piece of equipment is one of the most important in my vehicle and I don't mind upgrading every few years. I just wish the one I had now would connect to my phone for the link with their app, but I guess a new upgrade is in my future. Since my son will be driving soon, it might be a quick way to convince my wife that I need to upgrade and give him the old one...LOL

As a Nuvi 660 owner, I can confirm that you can load lower 48 onto an SD card....

Here's a brief explanation of how it's done....

First, copy (Not Move--Copy) the /Garmin directory from your 660 onto a blank SD card.

When it comes time for a Map update... Take the SD Card and put it in a Card reader, instead of connecting the 660.... File transfer will be quicker then!

With the Garmin NOT CONNECTED to computer, On the SD card, delete any map files...

Then, use Garmin Express.... It will see the SD card. It will realize there is in-sufficient space on the card (The referred to 2GB limit-- even if you have an empty 16GB SD Card)
And GE will suggest the largest map size to load... Accept that!

When it's done downloading (It will tell you) RE-NAME the files so that it will work off the SD Card... (This naming convention covered many times before)....

Put the SD Card back into the 660.... And Power it up!!!

It will work FINE!!!!

My Tired (And Limping) 660 will continue to get map upgrades from now until it is totally dead in the water..... From hardware failure...

This procedure has worked fine for years!!!!

Jan

@JanJ
I also have a 660 and I can load the lower 48 into my Nuvi main memory - no problem. And it loads fine.

I think that what Shawn305 is trying to do, is to load the entire 2017 map on the SD card and then use it. The 660 will NOT load a map over 2 Gb. From what he describes, the full map starts to load from the SD card and then stops once it hits the 2 Gb limit.

MapInstall will allow you to install the lower 48 into the Nuvi and then install the rest of the map onto the SD card. 2 maps will show up in the map listings on the Nuvi.

However, MapInstall does not put the correct unlock file on the SD card and it won't open the second map. As I said above, I figured it out once before, but did not write the solution down. Maybe someone here remembers the "Trick" or it's been discussed before.

Given that the OP lives in Ontario (I'll assume Canada rather than California ), I agree that the desire is to have all of North America loaded to the nuvi+SD for use with a nuvi 660.

Did you rename the map on the sd card?

Look the SD card map again if is Gmapprom.img rename to Gmapsupp.img.if still does not show up on the sd card,rename it ones more this time just drop the img. just rename it Gmapsupp

Hope it help.

I just tried to install the rest of the map (2017.1 NA) to my SD card. I deleted all the files under the \Garmin directory on the SD card. I then ran MapInstall and selected everything possible, except the lower 48.

This time I did not wind up with 4 or 5 files. I only had the gmapsupp.img file and a .gma file. Both maps loaded with no errors.

So, Shawn305, you need to use the current version of MapInstall to load the lower 48 onto the 660 and then run MapInstall again to select what parts of Canada (or anything else). It will say "No unlocked maps were found for this device.", but select the SD card in the dropdown and then you can load what you want onto the card. Navigating the map that pops up is not standard (using the mouse wheel doesn't work and using the mouse for panning doesn't either).

Be sure to zoom in around Vancouver, the Great Lakes and Montreal to get the small high density areas located there.

Let us know if it works.

Thanks you all for your reply and helpful hints i will give it a try and post me results.

Let us know if anything works or not.