2012.40

[Coolie]

Is it me, is this whole situation of trying to instal new map updates far to complex and difficult on Garmin products.

I got my 660 last year, and purchased the lifetime updater for the maps too. Clearly this lifetime stuff is a real winner for Garmin, given its nearly impossible to use.

i'm be missing something, but i can now download a new maps set............... which doesn't fit on the device! is it only me who thinks thats all a bit odd!

Still the good news, 2days of trying to install the maps, part of the maps, some of the maps, delete files not required, searching Ukgser and Zumoforum, making multiple 4/5gb downloads.

I'm starting to think its easier to stick with the maps loaded when it was shipped, and just let the device become outdated overtime!

Before i give up, any tips on sort this problem without spending another 10hrs trying!!?? Ta

 

[Bumpkin]

I discussed this via email with a CS person at Garmin a couple of weeks ago. There is, apparently, going to be an addition to the map update process shortly which will give the option to install mapping onto an SD card. This should solve the space limitations that we're all now up against. She did add that this will only be available for certain models in their range but I don't imagine that they would dump on Zumo owners who have paid premium prices for their GPSs.

 

[Coolie]

Thanks, thats helpful to understand.

I'm trying to install just Western Europe now, but even that looks to be massive - around 4.9gb, compared to 4gb ava on the unit. I've decide to download just to the mac, and see if i can split the map somehow before uploading. i'm just worried about getting the maps out of sync between the gps & the computer and therefore end up in a bigger mess.

If it can't work it, then i'll wait for the development you mentioned.

cheers

 

[Sleepy]

I have a 660, and downloaded all of the latest European maps ok, after deleting all the unnecessary stuff from the unit (none English voices and text).

On my old 550, which also suffered from lack of memory, it was quite easy (once explained) to put some mapping into the units memory, and the rest onto a SD card, it worked perfectly well.

Can this not be done with the 660?

 

[Coolie]

I have a 660, and downloaded all of the latest European maps ok, after deleting all the unnecessary stuff from the unit (none English voices and text).

On my old 550, which also suffered from lack of memory, it was quite easy (once explained) to put some mapping into the units memory, and the rest onto a SD card, it worked perfectly well.

Can this not be done with the 660?

Thats interesting Sleepy, i've followed a remove all the files not required instruction set, so languages, voices, help files etc ect, and still no joy in getting these maps loaded. It currently shows 1.4gb free, but refused to take new maps.

They really need to make this process much simpler, i'm pretty good on IT, but this far too difficult, and the various applications and download processes are too fragmented. Seems its grown too complex as a solution - which don't work.

See what this 4hrs download brings!

 

[Bumpkin]

It currently shows 1.4gb free, but refused to take new maps.

On a 660 that's not right. You must have some supplementary mapping on there as well. What is reporting 1.4GB free? The updater or MapInstall?

As Sleepy sleepy says 2012.40 will fit onto a 660 but only just and after a clear out of superfluous files such as foreign voices.

Garmins store the mapping in two different files and it's important to understand how these work and why. Both of these will be in the /Garmin/ folder on the internal memory of your 660:

GMAPPROM.IMG - this is the primary mapping and officially can only be written to the GPS by the updater. By primary mapping I mean the mapping that the unit came with and any subsequent update to the same. Probably in your case City Navigator Europe.

GMAPSUPP.IMG - this is the supplementary mapping and can be loaded onto your GPS using Mapsource (PC only) or MapInstall (PC and Mac). Supplementary mapping can be any compatible mapping product, either from Garmin or elsewhere (such as openstreetmap). It's intended for loading, for example, mapping for a trip to a location out of the area covered by your primary mapping or for loading non road mapping data such as Garmin TOPO (topographical) or Garmin BlueChart (marine mapping). What some users do is experiment with either Mapinstall or Mapsource and wind up duplicating their primary mapping in the process consuming memory in big chunks.

Having plugged in via USB have a look in the Garmin folder on the internal memory of your 660 and see if you can see either of the above files. If there's a GMAPSUPP.IMG copy this to your computer and then delete the one on the GPS (now empty the trash on your Mac). You might want to try the on-line updater as it should now have just enough room. It might help to then move GMAP3D.IMG to your SD card, into a folder called /Garmin/, this will provide some 'elbow room' on the internal storage.

You can write the mapping from your Mac using Mapinstall, this will create a new GMAPSUPP.IMG file. You will need to copy and delete the existing GMAPPROM.IMG file first. However, Junction View will now cease to work.

 

[Coolie]

thanks for this info

i'd started the process of using the map updater software on-line instead of computer based app for lifetime map update. Finally got Western Europe downloaded, installed and working. Not planning to go further than that coverage anyhow.

I'd read on the Zumoforum that the LifeTime map update program wasn't without problems and bugs (might be a mac version thing?), and the online version worked first time and allowed the map selection to be cut down before starting the process.

I'll look out for the new software version with an option to install different bits of the map on the SD card.

Currently got approx 750mb free after the clean up process and installing only Western Europe - so device should plenty of process space for quick calcs and storage of routes etc.

Hope others don't have the struggle i've experienced!

 

[Bumpkin]

Currently got approx 750mb free after the clean up process and installing only Western Europe - so device should plenty of process space for quick calcs and storage of routes etc.

That's plenty, having used one of their regions is the way to go at the moment so long as you don't envisage going beyond it's boundaries.

Maybe they've revised what's available in this respect recently, the first time I looked (was a couple of years ago) the regions on offer didn't suit my needs at the time. That was for my StreetPilot 2720. I wound up making a custom mapset for that.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Hate to say this, but I have just downloaded 2012.40 onto my Mac & Zumo 660- appears to be just fine, but not road tested as yet.
All fitted on Zumo OK, and went very smoothly - just takes forever though.
Used Lifetime Updater direct from the desktop of my Mac Mini, but I did back up my old maps first, just in case !

 

[GSTourer]

I am far from a 'computer expert' but wouldn't you think that when Garmin produced the Zumo 550/660 they might have thought that mapping will get MUCH bigger and therefore require a hard drive that could cope with it........ at least for a while.

I think it is a bit of a cheek to have to save part of the maps only (as I did on my 550) on the unit, or part on the unit and part on a card. It isn't as if these things are cheap is it?

I would be pretty p***ed if my Macbook pro had been unable to be updated come subsequent software releases because the hard drive was full. Or am I missing something?

 

[Bryn]

A couple of things puzzling my tiny mind on the 660

Paid online for the lifetime updater last night... it loaded ok.... the unit shows 2012.40 loaded....

First of all... and it may be nothing to do with the update... went out and the gps doesn't show minor roads... is it the case I just need to zoom in a bit .... I turned down a country lane and the screen was blank except for the bike

Secondly.... I can't see the 2012 maps showing on road trip... just the 2010 ones, and I'm fecked if I know how to get the new maps installed to show...and I have tried to understand the posts above.... but.....

Any advice gratefully accepted

 

[Roger Chatterton]

A couple of things puzzling my tiny mind on the 660

Paid online for the lifetime updater last night... it loaded ok.... the unit shows 2012.40 loaded....

First of all... and it may be nothing to do with the update... went out and the gps doesn't show minor roads... is it the case I just need to zoom in a bit .... I turned down a country lane and the screen was blank except for the bike

Secondly.... I can't see the 2012 maps showing on road trip... just the 2010 ones, and I'm fecked if I know how to get the new maps installed to show...and I have tried to understand the posts above.... but.....

Any advice gratefully accepted

Firstly -
Road Trip is the biggest pile of crap of all software ever, so dump Road Trip, and use Base Camp! Base Camp is far far better, faster, more responsive, and easier to use. Then just check under the Maps menu, and tick for 2012.40.

Your problem of not showing minor roads ( both on the Zumo and in Base Camp), is, I suspect, a matter of the maps not have been "Unlocked".
Unlocking should solve the problem.

I'm no expert Bryn, but just passing on what I have learnt the hard way with Garmin; their Zumo 660 is a great device, but Garmin can be a real PITA regarding software and upgrades.
Having said that, my 2012.40 upgrade went very smoothly, via "Lifetime Upgrader" ...probably the first time for such a smooth download etc., but boy does it take a while, even on a reasonably fast Broadband link.
I made sure that I downloaded to both the Mac and the Zumo, which it did without a hitch.

Hope this helps your problems - do post back either way !! or !
Best
Roger

 

[Bryn]

Firstly -
Road Trip is the biggest pile of crap of all software ever, so dump Road Trip, and use Base Camp! Base Camp is far far better, faster, more responsive, and easier to use. Then just check under the Maps menu, and tick for 2012.40.

Your problem of not showing minor roads ( both on the Zumo and in Base Camp), is, I suspect, a matter of the maps not have been "Unlocked".
Unlocking should solve the problem.

I'm no expert Bryn, but just passing on what I have learnt the hard way with Garmin; their Zumo 660 is a great device, but Garmin can be a real PITA regarding software and upgrades.
Having said that, my 2012.40 upgrade went very smoothly, via "Lifetime Upgrader" ...probably the first time for such a smooth download etc., but boy does it take a while, even on a reasonably fast Broadband link.
I made sure that I downloaded to both the Mac and the Zumo, which it did without a hitch.

Hope this helps your problems - do post back either way !! or !
Best
Roger

Thanks for that Roger I've actually downloaded basecamp, as it does indeed see the new maps.... is it a case of making sure that next update I click the box to ensure it is downloaded to both the unit and the mac?

I'd kind of got used to planning routes on roadtrip... I'm assuming that basecamp will be similar....

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Hi Bryn
yes, when you next download to your Zumo, ensure that the rather obscure little box is ticked for "download to both device and computer". It takes 3 - 4 hours for me, and does first the Computer, and then the Zumo; however, the download "Progress" bar , in Lifetime Updater is typical of Garmin's lack of understanding of how Mac users expect their software to work, and just rather cryptically divulges that "this download will take sometime " !!!! Dam right - it gives no indication of percentage downloaded etc, so that's the most they say. Cretins !!

I think you'll find BaseCamp far better than Road Trip ( which has hardly seen an update since its original release)- but even Base Camp is tricky in the way it transfers maps from Base CAmp to the Zumo -the upload or whatever button seems not always to work, and it's the only software I've ever used with no "Save" button ......don't ask !

But, it does give a list of waypoints, and these are pretty flexible and can be added or removed, and it's also possible to "capture" sections, a bit like Google maps, and drag to a different road etc.

Again, I'm no expert, but have used it a few times for routes across France , Italy etc, and although time consuming, quite fun to use. Yes, Base Camp is far more friendly , and they do update it from time to time.
Just don't blame me if you get lost in the middle of some god forsaken place......'phone customer support !!!
Cheers Bryn- interested to hear how you get along with BaseCamp -Road Trip hardly even ran on my Intel Mac Mini- hated it.

 

[Bryn]

Hi Bryn
yes, when you next download to your Zumo, ensure that the rather obscure little box is ticked for "download to both device and computer". It takes 3 - 4 hours for me, and does first the Computer, and then the Zumo; however, the download "Progress" bar , in Lifetime Updater is typical of Garmin's lack of understanding of how Mac users expect their software to work, and just rather cryptically divulges that "this download will take sometime " !!!! Dam right - it gives no indication of percentage downloaded etc, so that's the most they say. Cretins !!

I think you'll find BaseCamp far better than Road Trip ( which has hardly seen an update since its original release)- but even Base Camp is tricky in the way it transfers maps from Base CAmp to the Zumo -the upload or whatever button seems not always to work, and it's the only software I've ever used with no "Save" button ......don't ask !

But, it does give a list of waypoints, and these are pretty flexible and can be added or removed, and it's also possible to "capture" sections, a bit like Google maps, and drag to a different road etc.

Again, I'm no expert, but have used it a few times for routes across France , Italy etc, and although time consuming, quite fun to use. Yes, Base Camp is far more friendly , and they do update it from time to time.
Just don't blame me if you get lost in the middle of some god forsaken place......'phone customer support !!!
Cheers Bryn- interested to hear how you get along with BaseCamp -Road Trip hardly even ran on my Intel Mac Mini- hated it.

Thanks again for the advice... I'll delete road trip and then I'll have to sort stuff on base camp... no point cluttering up the dock