Garmin GPS62s. GB Discoverer 1:25k for the Lake District & BaseCamp

This might be something to ask Garmin UK.

My experience with a 450 and GB Landranger 1:50000 was that originally the map had to be unlocked and could not be used with another unit. However when my map failed to load Garmin replaced the map but the new one failed to load as well. Garmin then replaced the unit and the new map loaded OK in the new unit but did not require unlocking. So not sure whether the map could be used in another device as I do not have a way of testing this. My understanding is that the map is locked to the unit but I do not see how that can be when both my map and unit were replaced.

For the rest of it, the situation is this. When I plug my Oregon 450 into my laptop Basecamp automatically loads the entire OS GB map. Alternatively you can copy the 3 files on the SD card to a memory stick and Basecamp will load the entire map from the stick. I can take the memory stick to my girlfriends house and plug it into her laptop and Basecamp loads the entire map. Very useful.

What you cannot do is copy the SD card as the copy will not work. What Garmin said I could do when I asked about backing up is that the files can be backed up to the computer or elsewhere and reloaded onto the "original" card only if for instance you accidentally wiped the files. This concurs with the fact that the memory stick works, but if you damaged the original card I think you are in a world of you know what.

So you need to ask Garmin ( and so do I ) what would happen if you bought a new unit, could you use the very expensive map! Do let me know what they say!

Hope this helps.

John.

Many thanks for that reply John. I had rather assumed that the phrase "These maps do not need to be unlocked to your device which allows you to move the card to multiple units if desired." suggested that at least you would be able to use the microSD card in any Garmin GPS and that it would be loaded into BaseCamp when the GPS was connected up but perhaps not?

As you say, I really do need to ask Garmin. Sadly however, it seems that they are not hugely responsive and I had hoped that either they monitored this forum (and would answer) or that someone else might have some practical experience. Paying out £130 for a map that can't be backed up or moved to a replacement device seems like quite a hit.

I currently use MemoryMap v5 on my laptop but it would be nice if I could load the same 1:25k map on both my GPS62s and my laptop. I guess that the answer may be to go for something like the Memory-Map Adventurer next time :(

If you buy the map pre-installed from Garmin on a card you can put it in any Garmin device and the map will work, the map is locked to the card, not to any device. You'll also be able to read it in Basecamp. Hope that helps :)

This is the quote from the Garmin UK website

"To view and use the maps on this card, you must have a Garmin device with a microSD/SD card slot. Maps on microSD/SD cards cannot be copied or viewed on a computer.
This product may be unlocked and used on 1 compatible device. If you want to use this same map on subsequent units, you must purchase a new map for each device.
Reduced price map updates are not available for these cards. If you want to update the maps, you must purchase a new card that includes the latest map data.
The microSD/SD card package includes a microSD card and an SD card adapter."

That suggests to me that OS maps are locked to the unit. Notice though the quote says you cannot view on a computer? Basecamp does display them :)

Strange, as this is also quoted:

Pre-programmed datacards: Pre-programmed datacards are immediately ready to use out of the box. Simply unpack the card and insert it into your compatible GPS device. These maps do not need to be unlocked to your device which allows you to move the card to multiple units if desired.

I've used Garmins for many years and have never known a map supplied on a card to be locked to a unit. It's the major advantage of buying the card, and I'd be surprised if Garmin have changed it, course Garmin are often full of surprises :)

It's equally possible that this particular map series is different to all the rest so I guess the only safe recourse is to get it from Garmin or someone that has one of these maps.

If it is true I'm glad I use the maps (free) from www.talkytoaster.info :D

I will email Garmin and ask them. If the restriction applies it is probably Ordnance Survey rather than Garmin applying it. I quite like the talkytoaster maps and have used them in the past, as you say they are free as well.

Many thanks for that SUSSAMB & JG777, the TalkyToaster site looks interesting, I'll look into it.

I will also have a look at OpenStreetMap and if it is possible, I would be more than happy to contribute anything I can based on my Lake District ramblings.

Well good news on the maps. I asked Garmin and they replied. Here is the quote.

"Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.

Thank you for your email i will be happy to help. If your using maps which were supplied on a pre loaded SD card these maps will be plug and play. The mapping data will be locked to the SD card which means you can use that one card in any compatible Garmin hand held GPS.

If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know. Alternatively you can search for a solution here: http://www.garmin.com/support
Kind regards,
Craig Davis
Garmin Europe "

In fairness to Garmin they have always responded to email questions.

John

Thought that was the case ... wonder though why the web site quote that you found implies differently?

Have you checked the cost of buying Birdseye Select credits to cover a similar area? With Birdseye you can pick which areas you want and buy more credit later to add extra coverage. The maps are downloaded to the PC and transfered to your GPS so you can use them on the PC without having the GPS connected. You can only load them to one registered GPS at a time (I'm not sure if there is a facility to de-register them from one unit to reload them to a new unit). If your 62s came with the full GB OS 50k card then you can leave that in and load the Birdseye mapping to the internal memory so no need to swap cards (and not lose one!). So if you wander off the edge of the OS 25k Birdseye map you've still got the 50k map to work from!

The Memory Map Adventurer 3500 has a nice screen to read the map and the refresh rate as you scroll the map is much faster than the Garmins - but otherwise it's an awful unit to use and dosen't have most of the functions of the Garmins (no compass, very basic track log/trip computer, etc., etc.) and it will only run from it's inbuilt battery- not AAs.