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How do I install a purchased topographic map to my eTrex Vista HCx using Map Install? My device isn't compatible with Garmin Express.

I would like to purchase the TopoActive North America map to install on my eTrex Vista, but there is a disclaimer on the product page that Garmin Express - which does not work with my device - is required to do so. Why are there seemingly no topo maps available that can be installed via Map Installer, or even Base Camp 2D, which does work with the eTrex Vista HCx? Am I missing something?

  • What do you mean with G-connect? The Edge 500 has no Bluetooth support, so it cannot communicate with the Connect or Explore apps on your smartphone. Express can upload your data to the Connect website.

    Express should recognize the Edge and find its device number, but in order to do that the file Garmindevice.xml needs to be present on the Edge (in the folder named Garmin). Are there any files on your Edge? Does it support other languages than English?

    Why do you need a special installation of Windows 10?

  • Peter, I'm glad that someone else on here disagrees with the corporate practice of enforced obsolescence of perfectly functional technology. My eTrex works just fine; I just want to put a new topo map on it, and there is nothing preventing Garmin from enabling the download of their maps to older devices, aside from the intent to compel people to buy new ones (which not everyone can afford). 

  • Older eTrexes like the Vista use a different communication protocol than newer ones, Express doesn’t support that old protocol. But even if it did, the map couldn’t be installed on the eTrex, simply because it is too big. Maximum file size is 4 GB, and the older models support only one map file. Current maps are bigger than that, and are split in several files.

    However, the TopoActive is based on OpenStreetMap. There are plenty sites where you can download other, OSM based maps.

    Please stop whining.

  • Hello, thank you very much for your encouragement! Our economies need circular in order to save sources, and at least save our little blue globulus! Now!  

    Garmin, lets talk about it.

    Horizons broadening regards Peter 

  • Ah, you let me recognize, the only thing I know is that I don't know.

    F. e. Garmin Connect is for bluetooth connection, and I thought it's for everything, updating, maploading a. s. o.. Yes, this XML file is present, and 13 folders too. There are a.o. Debugging, empty, Settings, Workouts. And yes, its multilingual. And, at least, I thought Win 10 were the base os for today's communication btw soft- and hardware, which I would accept of garmin.

    Thank you very much for giving me tutorials!

    Empowering wishes from Rendsburg Germany Peter 

  • As you've been told a few times now the solution is to use 3rd party maps, there are numerous providers of 3rd party maps for Garmin hand held devices. As this thread is getting complicated as there are two different issues I'm closing it, try http://www.poi-factory.com/ if you need help with 3rd party maps.

    if you have further queries please open your own thread, thanks.