Installing map to PC

[sussamb]

Note a device doesn't have to be plugged in to install the map to your PC. If the device is listed in Express that is sufficient.

[jfheath]

Quite right - thankyou.
It just has to be plugged in to register the device in the first place.
I'll correct my post above.

[electro_handyman]

I also noticed this weekend as I worked with GE, when Express updates, the history of previously connected devices is erased.
Last week after I updated to 7.4.1. on my desktop, my 550 and sp2820 were no longer listed. I connected and re-registered my 550, then connected my XT, registered it and proceeded with downloading updates. Later in the week GE updated to 7.4.2. and the device listings were empty once again.
Just an observation.

[sussamb]

I've not seen that, Express remembers all 9 of my devices.

[Peobody]

I'm confused. The problem is that Express will install to the device but the option is gone to install to the PC so please help me understand how Express still fits into getting the map to the PC.

Edit: I also don't understand the references to using Express without a device connected. It doesn't appear to be able do anything without one.

Edit 2: I dawned on me that I may not be clear that my goal is to get the map copied from the device to the PC for use by BaseCamp.

[MSTOCK27370]

I'm confused. The problem is that Express will install to the device but the option is gone to install to the PC so please help me understand how Express still fits into getting the map to the PC.

Edit: I also don't understand the references to using Express without a device connected. It doesn't appear to be able do anything without one.

Edit 2: I dawned on me that I may not be clear that my goal is to get the map copied from the device to the PC for use by BaseCamp.

The option for Express to install to the computer is ONLY gone for XT devices. Other Zumo and Nuvi devices will allow Express to show the install on computer option.

Again, with a different device (not a Zumo XT) registered to Express, it will show install options, including install to the computer.

The posts by other users just above are trying to show an alternative, allowing you to install the maps on your computer from the Garmin cloud. Someone suggested you can copy files, or a folder, from the XT to the computer - I don't own an XT so I don't know.

I have never seen the behavior of Express "forgetting" the devices that were added to it. There is a Devices folder in Program Data - Garmin - Core Services. Each time I have updated my Express version, it takes a moment for it to find all of my devices, but they are all listed without requiring me to physically attach them. JUST A GUESS - all of my devices are registered with Garmin, so PERHAPS the program is checking for registered devices.

[Peobody]

The posts by other users just above are trying to show an alternative, allowing you to install the maps on your computer from the Garmin cloud. Someone suggested you can copy files, or a folder, from the XT to the computer - I don't own an XT so I don't know.

This would be great if I knew what files to copy to the PC and how to tell BaseCamp to use them. Interestingly, the device shows numerous maps installed but when I use a file explorer on the PC to navigate to the devices file system I can only find one map file (.img). It resides in the \Map directory along with several tiny .gma and .unl files. The filename of the .img tells me that it's the map that I need in BaseCamp but AFAIK BaseCamp can't use a .img file.

I don't have access to an older model GPS to try that route.

Dazed and confused in Charlotte, NC.

[sussamb]

BaseCamp can use a .img file but it must be on a removeable drive, so a sd card, memory stick or virtual drive. BaseCamp will then read the file from there.

Note Garmin map files on recent devices can be in numerous places depending on the device. The main map file will be in the hidden .system folder, and will be named gmapprom.img

There may be another one in the Map folder, and possibly some on the sd card, if one is installed.

[Peobody]

BaseCamp can use a .img file but it must be on a removeable drive, so a sd card, memory stick or virtual drive. BaseCamp will then read the file from there.

Cool! How do you tell BaseCamp to use that map file?

[sussamb]

It just will and will be selectable in the maps list in BaseCamp.