Display multiple maps at the same time

Aren't Garmin Rails to Trails maps "transparent"? The description says they can be used with Garmin 24k Topo.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=255&pID=89579

Why no multiple map display?

Everyone seems to be asking for multiple .IMG map display in Basecamp. (which ironically is supported on new GPS units like Montana.) ~ A very capable unit I might add!

The only other work around is to import overlays ie: KML (KMZ) files to display them along with the selected map in Basecamp. (If you can get somehow get them into KMZ files in the first place.)

And of course, this is pretty much a one way ticket. Because if you try to export a large imported KMZ (overlay) to a GPX file and place it on a GPS.... It may lock the GPS.

Sure would be nice if export to IMG was supported for GPS recorded data & imported KMZ data! HINT HINT HINT......

.IMG import & removal.....

Why no support for existing .IMG file import/integration & removal?

Specialized maps are sold in the .img format. (And you can of course create them with specialized software too.) ie: Snowmobile maps etc....

Why are there no provisions (tools) for integrating/importing these .IMG maps within Basecamp? (I'd like to be able to see them on more than just the tiny GPS screen. Especially during the planning stages.)

Seems it shouldn't be too difficult to provide an "Add unprotected .IMG file (transparent overlay) to Basecamp" installer/import option which would make these files displayable from within Basecamp.

Also seems like there should be a "Purge/Remove .IMG from Basecamp" option too! (To make it easy to remove "junk" maps you no longer want.)

I know there are third party (non supported) tools for this, but they are unreliable and typically more trouble than they are worth. ~ Especially on a Win-7 64bit system!

Everyone seems to be asking for multiple .IMG map display in Basecamp. (which ironically is supported on new GPS units like Montana.) ~ A very capable unit I might add!

It's not a new thing. "Transparent" vector map overlays have been supported on GPSmap 60CSX GPSrs and earlier units.

It's not a new thing. "Transparent" vector map overlays have been supported on GPSmap 60CSX GPSrs and earlier units.

I knew this was available on other "recent" GPS units too. (just not sure of which ones) From what I've read, the new generation is however much more adept at faster map refreshes (due to hardware) when multiple .IMG files are actively displayed.

Even when BirdsEye and 4 or 5 "transparent" .IMG maps (including the entire 3d NE Garmin topo on top of BirdsEye) are all active at the same time: The Montana is quite responsive providing the zoom level is set at 100 yards or less.

I knew this was available on other "recent" GPS units too.

The 60s are at least 6 years old. (Bought my 60CSX in 2006.) Don't know how long the Rails to Trails products have been available from Garmin, but the mapviewer developers have had a long time to incorporate the overlay feature if they had an interest. I can understand why the developers wouldn't have been interested in supporting third party products, but when they advertise what appear to be transparent products on Garmin's website it would seem to make sense for them to support it.

I would also like to be able to view multiple maps at the same time in Basecamp. From a technical/programming point of view, I don't think this would be a particularly big deal either.

Trakbak, I'm not quite sure what you're saying. It is certainly possible to install third party maps in Basecamp already, IF the creator of the map provides the correct kind of installer, or IF you have the technical knowledge to do this yourself. This isn't a limitation of the Basecamp program, it's a limitation of the map itself.

Also seems like there should be a "Purge/Remove .IMG from Basecamp" option too! (To make it easy to remove "junk" maps you no longer want.)

Once again, this problem is largely related to the map itself. If a third party author does a good job of creating a map, they will also provide an uninstaller to remove it from your system.

Also, Garmin has quietly changed their map format recently. The new "gmap" format does not rely on the Windows registry, it is completely file based.

The Mac version of the Basecamp suite includes a program called "MapManager" that can install or remove any map with about two mouse clicks. Unfortunately Garmin has not provided a Windows version of this program.

However, removing a gmap from a Windows system is as simple as deleting the folder that it's stored in, since the registry is not involved. Once again, it comes back to the map author. It's possible (easy, in fact) to create maps in this new gmap format, which also makes them "universal" in that they will work on both the Mac and PC.

I have been working with others at GPSFileDepot to encourage the use of this new format. My own "Map of New Jersey" is the first example of such a map on that site: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/294/

.....Trakbak, I'm not quite sure what you're saying. It is certainly possible to install third party maps in Basecamp already, IF the creator of the map provides the correct kind of installer, or IF you have the technical knowledge to do this yourself. This isn't a limitation of the Basecamp program, it's a limitation of the map itself.....

No matter which tools I try to use, I am unable to successfully (manually) add maps to Basecamp on this version of Windows..... It's windows 7 Business, 64 bit, and no matter what I do, all the tools fail..... I have tried every technique & tool I can find. At one point I did successfully get a map to show up in the Basecamp list, but the map was empty.

I have imported and built many maps with data sets, using Mapwel. Just can't get them into Basecamp.....

Windows 7 64 bit has registry related issues that create problems with installing maps - the other versions (inlcuding Win 7/32) don't have this glitch). If you want to read a long and very technical discussion of this, see the following thread (I am "Boyd" :)) http://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php/topic,2383.0.html

I have the advanced version of Mapwel myself, but don't really use it anymore. Mapwel .img files are non standard. Img files are actually "containers" that can hold more than one thing inside. With Mapwel, each .img file has a .typ file embedded in it. Inside the Mapwel program, go to Help > Contents > Troubleshoot and scroll down to the bottom, "How to use IMG file from Mapwel with MapsetToolkit" if you haven't already done so.

If you can install your map on a machine not running Win7/64, you could easily use that machine to convert it to .gmap format. It will then be as simple as just copying that file folder to your Win 7/64 machine and it should work. You might also have a look at this handy utility: http://www.javawa.nl/gmtk_en.html

But really, I think all this tech info is going beyond what's appropriate for Garmin's forums. I suggest you join in the fun over at GPSfileDepot to discuss mapmaking issues.