I can't buy Garmin maps?

According to https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/foretrex-401/prod30026.html, the Foretrex 401 doesn't take maps. So it may unofficially support maps like my Fenix, but Garmin won't sell you maps for it.

According to https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/foretrex-401/prod30026.html, the Foretrex 401 doesn't take maps. So it may unofficially support maps like my Fenix, but Garmin won't sell you maps for it.

So basically this is false advertisement. It says on the same page this:

BaseCamp™ lets you view and organize your maps, waypoints, routes, and tracks and send them to your device. It displays topographic map data in 2-D or 3-D on your computer, including contour lines and elevation profiles.

How can I use basecamp to plan my maps, waypoints, routes or tracking data if I don't even know where I am on the map? I'm going to call these people Monday and really complain on this. I should be able to get a topo map, map my route, set my waypoints, then put it on the foretrex and go there. Albeit I won't have a pretty map, but I should know where I am heading to and what waypoint because I put it on the software.

BaseCamp does let you organize maps etc.. There's nothing false about that statement, and I use BaseCamp frequently to do things like that. I can then transfer that to one of my Garmin devices that does accept maps/tracks/waypoints (Edge 800, Edge 705, Nuvi 755T, 60CSx), which doesn't include my Fenix. On my Fenix, I use the OSM maps that have been specially tailored to it, and I'm happy that Garmin has unintentionally allowed that to happen. I didn't know about that when I bought it.

You can complain, but I was able to find out in a minute that your Foretrex doesn't do maps, so they're not keeping it a secret. They sell handhelds (and others) that do accept/display maps.

You can get/use free maps on base camp (without using a device).

garmin.openstreetmap.nl

(The above site provides installers for base amp but I've never used them.)

I use software that emulates a removable memory card to hold the maps.

www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html/

The issue is that maps like City Navigator are tied to specific device and can only be used with that device. Installation of the maps requires having the device connected to the computer to obtain the device ID for registration purposes. Since your device doesn't support maps, you probably would not be allowed to complete installation and therefore not be able to see/use the maps.

Maps like the 100k topo and 24k topo were not tied to a specific device in the past (I am not sure if this is true) and you may or may not be allowed to download them, but you could certainly get the DVD version which is a better choice for these maps as they are not updated frequently and you are better protected from computer failures/upgrades.

As others have pointed out, there are free maps that will work with BaseCamp. I suspect Garmin's intent with fitness devices is for owners to make use of Garmin Connect. I believe it is a free web based service and uses Google Maps or something else for planning/reviewing activities and allows storage of data (I do not know if the data is stored on local computer or is cloud based). I believe there is a forum for Garmin Connect where you should be able to obtain better information on the application.

Maps like the 100k topo and 24k topo were not tied to a specific device in the past...

It depends ;) I think any map purchased in the download format is locked to the device it was purchased for. TOPO US 100K v5 is locked in all formats (DVD/download/pre-programmed card). To my knowledge TOPO US 24K maps on DVD aren't locked (mine aren't). As you said older TOPO's weren't either.

Why I bought a City Navigator North America NT (micro)SD card

Sorry for not having any updates. I contacted Garmin, and they stated that to install the maps, I'd have to buy the dvds since downloading them isn't possible unless you have a compatible device.

However, after researching the heck out of it, I figured out you can use Google Earth and simply make waypoints and tracks that way. You simply export it, then import it again into basecamp then transfer it to your gps. This is good enough for me at this time since I can see the parks and places I want to go on the map.

BaseCamp does let you organize maps etc.. There's nothing false about that statement, and I use BaseCamp frequently to do things like that. I can then transfer that to one of my Garmin devices that does accept maps/tracks/waypoints (Edge 800, Edge 705, Nuvi 755T, 60CSx), which doesn't include my Fenix. On my Fenix, I use the OSM maps that have been specially tailored to it, and I'm happy that Garmin has unintentionally allowed that to happen. I didn't know about that when I bought it.

You can complain, but I was able to find out in a minute that your Foretrex doesn't do maps, so they're not keeping it a secret. They sell handhelds (and others) that do accept/display maps.

Sure basecamp lets you organize maps, but the advertisement states that you can DOWNLOAD & INSTALL new maps, which is a false statement because you cannot actually download maps from their store. You have to buy the dvd from them and then install it that way. So perhaps it's not really "totally" false advertisement but it is a major hassle to do this. The default map that comes with Basecamp is not adequate enough to use.

I have found an alternative way for me to plot points accurately on the map and transfer it to the gps device.

It is not a mapping GPS. Perhaps their page is a little confusing, but come on. Take some responsibility yourself for not researching what you are buying.

Maybe you are best to simply return the GPS and buy one that does what you want.....

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/foretrex-401/prod30026.html

Maps & Memory:
Basemap No
Preloaded maps no
Ability to add maps No
Built-in memory no
Accepts data cards no