Garmin Custom Maps

Here is a Garmin article that might get you started:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=UcO3cFueS12IwCnizrJjeA

In general, Garmin automotive products (Drive series, nuvi, RV, etc,) don't support Custom maps. Maps on these devices are restricted to the proprietary Garmin .img format.

Here are the devices that support the custom map format: (https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=xbQGSy1tl95uO4ZmONdQZ8

I created and downloaded a few crude maps to my old Garmin GPS V based on nautical charts but haven't done it recently.

I found this site to be very helpful with the project back then but the process may have changed:

https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

If I read your question correctly, I've downloaded and installed non-Garmin maps before, but have never created a map.

The USDA Forest Service offers Garmin-compatible MVUM maps that worked fine for me in AZ. I do note that this link has an appendix listing models compatible with the custom map and for automotive devices, I see the nuvi and Zumo models but conspicuously absent are the Drives, RVs, Dezls, etc.:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd576782....

Other maps can be found at GPS File Depot, etc.:

https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/1/

Then there's the OSM maps:

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Downlo...

Thank you for that because it confirms that my Garmin Zumo XT will accept Custom Maps.

All I really want is bicycle trails on my Garmin Zumo XT, so I not really looking to create Custom Maps. I see there is a CyclOSM, which is a bicycle-oriented map built on top of OpenStreetMap.

https://www.cyclosm.org/#map=12/52.3727/4.8937/cyclosm

I was also looking at BBBike Extract Service.

What confuses me on that one is it shows:

Garmin Cycle (Latin 1) and

Garmin Cycle (UTF-8)

I am not sure which of those I should use for my Garmin Zumo XT.

https://extract3.bbbike.org

I know it's more convenient to have a pre made map showing all bike related trails but like you, I haven't had much luck finding one.

Out of frustration, I started making my own using Basecamp and Google earth. EPE is also good if you can get it to work. The bike trail files I posted in the POI download section are examples.

I use Traillink.com to find a suitable trail and make a KMZ file in Google earth of the route. I then import it into Basecamp and create a track. You can add whatever waypoints you like, such as parking lots, bathrooms, etc.

Load the finished file into any Garmin GPSr and you're good to go. Having a good topo map helps. The only down side is the downloaded tracks are not routable unless they follow roads.

Traillink.com also allows their maps to be downloaded to a GPS but it requires a paid subscription.

I contacted https://ridewithgps.com and got this.

Interesting.

Your request (#149997) has been solved. To reopen this request, reply to this email or click the link below:
http://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/requests/149997

Al, Jun 8, 2023, 08:05 PDT:
Hello Jim,

Al here, thanks for reaching out.

Garmin has their Zumo devices locked for transferring only through Basecamp, so you cannot do a direct file import into that device using the wireless transfer methods that work with other Garmin devices. However, you can export a GPX and then put it on Basecamp (see more here: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=rokwvJHZs08qQ8kK2gHAi6) and then have it available for use on your device.

You can export a route on Ride with GPS as a GPX file using these steps:

1. View route on the website

2. Click More> Export as File (See screenshot: https://s3.amazonaws.com/rwgps/screenshots/1413713May26.png)

3. Select GPX Track

If you have any additional questions, let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Take care,

Al

Jim, Jun 7, 2023, 15:35 PDT:
Does Ride With GPS work with the Garmin Zumo XT motorcycle GPS?

Custom maps, but have downloaded, to a Garmin eTrex series, some topo maps from here:
https://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/usa-osm-topo-routable
https://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/installation

Someone just told me this morning that some bike trails are on the Garmin Topo maps. I really haven't used them in the past. So, I checked and I have TopoActive PS NA (Canada/Alaska, US and Middle America).

I did try them on my morning bike ride and the local bike trail was on these. Now I am wondering what additional information, if any, that the Garmin Cycle maps have.