Maps for multiple Garmins through Express

 

I have 4 Garmins and updating them all takes some time. Is there a way to either, download the map file and have it installed through Garmin Express or have Express do it through a setting that I don't see?

Thank you all, I've got to learn to use BaseCamp. I've tried to but when I export it to device, I can't find it. I have 3 Nuvi's and one Drive GPS

Try

I have found that if I download a map to my first GPS and select the "download to computer" option in GE, map updates on my other units take much less time.

It still takes a while to update all my GPSr's but much less so if I use the same computer to update the other units.

Obviously this won't help if you use WiFi update.

Yep

Express downloads the files to your PC, then assembles them into the file needed for your device. This is only done for the first device, subsequent devices make use of the already downloaded files so will be faster.

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

bdhsfz6 is correct

bdhsfz6 wrote:

I have found that if I download a map to my first GPS and select the "download to computer" option in GE, map updates on my other units take much less time.

It still takes a while to update all my GPSr's but much less so if I use the same computer to update the other units.

Obviously this won't help if you use WiFi update.

bdhsfz6 is correct, as long as you download it to the default directory that appears in the panel. This has been discussed before.

In Garmin Express select the device you want to D/L to.
In the next panel click on "View Details".
Then select "Installation Options". More text appears.
At the bottom, select "Computer and Device"

GE will now download the map to your PC and install it on your Garmin device after the D/L.

Each GPS will still have to be installed using GE as GE still has to D/L the proper license keys for each device. BUT, GE will not D/L the map again as long as it can find the current map in the default directory. If you have older devices that requires you to use MapInstall, then you will still have to use GE to D/L the license keys.

Don't remember if MapInstall has the same options, but if the current map is in the default directory, it can be installed as long as you used GE and selected that device to start the download.

I have a 3597 and a 660. The 660 has a 2 Gb map size limit. But, it will switch from one 2 Gb segment to another. I see that the current map is at 3.78 Gb. Won't be long before I have 3 map segments on the 660.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Just curious?

I'll be updating my old Nuvi 855 and my SD 50.
Would I be better to do the SD50 first? And install to computer and device?

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

SD 50?

Melaqueman wrote:

I'll be updating my old Nuvi 855 and my SD 50.
Would I be better to do the SD50 first? And install to computer and device?

What is a SD50? I'm assuming that it is a SD card. If it's a SD card, then it makes no difference as MapInstall will install the proper indexes for each map segment with that map segment.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Yes.

Melaqueman wrote:

I'll be updating my old Nuvi 855 and my SD 50.
Would I be better to do the SD50 first? And install to computer and device?

I would update the DriveSmart 50 before updating the 855. You will probably do the 855 with cloning? But in any case, I think it is better to do the newer device(s) first.

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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

Note

There is no need to select the Install to PC option, that is only needed if you want to use the map with BaseCamp or MapSource. Files necessary for updates to other devices or for map reinstalls are downloaded automatically.

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Thanks

sussamb wrote:

There is no need to select the Install to PC option, that is only needed if you want to use the map with BaseCamp or MapSource. Files necessary for updates to other devices or for map reinstalls are downloaded automatically.

Thanks, that's what I thought but was too sheepish to suggest. redface

Multiple devices

Gentlemen,
Let me assure you that if you have multiple devices and you DO NOT install the map to the PC, GE will D/L the map to a Temp directory every time you do an install. At the end of each install GE deletes the temp files.

I forgot to D/L to device and PC on this last map (2021.10). I did my 3597 first. I then tried to use MapInstall to install the map to my 660LMT. No go as it couldn't find the map. Since I cannot use GE to install a map to my 660, I selected the 660 icon in GE and install the map to the PC only. GE will install a partial map on the 660, but I want the full map and have to use MapInstall to do that.

I go through this routine every map release and it doesn't matter which device I select as the first device to install on the PC. On the next device install GE will find the map on the PC and it will only D/L the correct keys and any other files, which will save a user lots of time.

Use the Control Panel + Programs and Features to delete the old maps. Never manually delete the map files from the /ProgramData/Garmin/Maps directory as this will leave data keys in the Registry file.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

I do

No I'll never say that again, Laughing out loud!

But I do want the current maps on my computer for various reasons. Such as laying out a route.
If you ask the GPS to set up a route from A to B it may not be the way you want to go, so on the computer I can insert via points for my route to alter it to my liking.

An example twice a year I am on I-75 and I absolutely hate driving through Cincinnati the way the GPS sets up the route. On the computer I chose to use I-275 to completely bypass Cincinnati and create waypoints (vias) for that. I have to create 3 vias because if I don't the stupid thing wants to reroute me back to I-75 asap.

It just seems more complicated to do that in the GPS. I have several more locations similar to that.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Why Not

Melaqueman wrote:

No I'll never say that again, Laughing out loud!

But I do want the current maps on my computer for various reasons. Such as laying out a route.
If you ask the GPS to set up a route from A to B it may not be the way you want to go, so on the computer I can insert via points for my route to alter it to my liking.

An example twice a year I am on I-75 and I absolutely hate driving through Cincinnati the way the GPS sets up the route. On the computer I chose to use I-275 to completely bypass Cincinnati and create waypoints (vias) for that. I have to create 3 vias because if I don't the stupid thing wants to reroute me back to I-75 asap.

It just seems more complicated to do that in the GPS. I have several more locations similar to that.

Providing your GPSr is compatible, you could create & save the routes you want in Basecamp and export them to your GPSr. That way, the routes are saved on your unit and can be recalled any time you need to use them. No vias are required since the route is not calculated by the GPS.