any idea why this doesn't get overwritten by the install process? isn't that what's meant to happen?
The update overwrites the GMAPSUPP.IMG file but only if you run the web updater to write to your GPS. The GMAPSUPP.IMG file is intended for supplementary mapping in addition to your std. City Nav Europe (or whatever region is home). This supplementary mapping might be City Nav for another part of the World your're visiting, say the US. Or it could be topographical maps etc. That's how it was designed back in the day when they developed the first NT PNDs (StreetPilot 2720 and Quest II). The older StreetPilot and earlier just used one mapping file, life was simpler in those days...
i have a card in the unit i could write to with Map Install. at least it seems like i can write to it.
You can do it this way, ensure that you have enough room on your card for the mapping you want to load. It will write the GMAPSUPP.IMG file to a folder called Garmin. If running a Zumo 550 ensure that you have the latest firmware otherwise it can't deal with IMG files bigger than 2GB. Writing to the card in a card reader will be quicker that if you have the card in the unit, especially the case with the 550.
i have this nagging anal-ness that make me want it on the unit memory though.
You can do it this way as well. Write the mapping you want to a spare SD card, CF card or even a USB memory stick. This will create the GMAPSUPP.IMG file as above, in a folder called Garmin. Simply rename this to GMAPPROM.IMG and move it to the Garmin folder on your GPS. Best to maybe copy the existing GMAPSUPP.IMG file to your computer as a backup until you're sure everything is OK.
City Navigator Europe now won't fit onto the Zumo660 if you don't make a little extra room.
Remove any surplus voice files from the Garmin/Voices folder, you should only need the UK_English ones. Web Updater will offer to reinstall these next time around, make sure you only update the ones you have left on. If there's a GMAPSUPP.IMG file on the unit memory move that to the Garmin folder on the SD card (if there isn't such a folder create one) or delete it.
The above should allow you to just squeeze on 2012.40 the official way using Web Updater.
Next time around you'll need to build a custom map-set using MapInstall.
When building the mapping on your computer rather than running the official update the Junction View (those images of upcoming junctions you get on the 660) will no longer work, according to Garmin it's version specific. In the States they release this file separately for each mapping update, I've asked Garmin UK but quite frankly they're useless when it comes to this sort of thing. There may well be one for Europe 2012.40 out there on the net, haven't looked for it in earnest yet. The upshot of this is that you can delete the
xxxxxxxx.JCV file in the JCV.
xxxxxxxx will be a number sequence. This file is pretty big and will claim back a lot of space. You don't need to do this this time around.
I'm not sure if the 3D buildings file is version specific but, by default, that lives in the Garmin folder on the unit. This can be moved to the Garmin folder on the SD card. I would recommend that you do this for 2012.40, it'll give you more space on the internal memory for routes, tracklogs etc.
All the above should clear enough room on a 660 to fit all of City Nav Europe on for quite a few years to come albeit without Junction View.
i suppose i really want to make it work as intended and avoid all this mucking about next time.
Given the current size of City Nav Europe and the fact that it grows quite a bit with each iteration you'll be having to build the mapping and manually installing from now on.
i will try your suggestion of moving the file.
Try having a clear out and doing the official on-line (tedious) install, as above, first. That way you'll retain Junction View.
Sorry, rushed my earlier post as was due in a meeting...
the mapping on the mac appears to be fully unlocked. i can zoom right in and get detail.
There are two levels of unlock. One allows use on your computer, the other is GPS device specific. On the PC mapping doen via the on-line update is fully unlocked, that's why you have to plug in your Garmin.