GPSMAP 66i SD Card issues

I was trying to load the 24k maps from Garmin Express to a 32gb card. The card previously had the same map file that I used for my 66st. Garmin switched the file on my account to my 66i so I could re download and use on my new device. Prior to download I reformatted the card on a Mac computer to FAT format. I downloaded the map file but the 66i would not read it. Base camp on the computer saw it, but the 66i never did. I reformatted the card several times and re download, but it never took. I then took a brand new never used 32g card and tried again, this time it worked. My concern is, could this be hardware or software? I’m within a return window so torn on what to do. Would hate to get stuck with the next map purchase not being able to download. Also FWIW during the 4 or 5 attempts to get the map loaded, the device drained nearly 30% battery. No way would it get near 35 hours based on what I saw just loading a map. Anyone else have SD card issues?

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0 SUSSAMB over 4 years ago

Problem is formatting, you need to format as FAT32, not FAT. New cards of that size come with FAT32 as default which is why the new card worked.

0 Asphaltman over 4 years ago in reply to SUSSAMB

I was wondering that, but there wasn’t an option for FAT32 on the Mac. Makes me feel a little better about the 66i though. Thanks for your reply.

0 twolpert over 4 years ago

Power drain during map download is not representative of field use for a number of reasons. You need to test in the field with your use case, particularly with regard to LiveTrack interval and paired device use. This has to be a moving test outdoors. Static tests, even outdoors, do not yield representative results.

0 IceBear over 4 years ago

I am having card issues... Whenever I use a card the device freezes transferring imagery to the 66i. I've used a brand new card, formatted on a Mac (MS-DOS = FAT32 for Mac). It transfers slowly and caused Basecamp to hang/freeze. When transferring directly to the 66i it is quick and works flawlessly.

Definitely something strange about how cards are behaving.

0 IceBear over 4 years ago

I noticed today that the 66i only supports 32GB cards. I don't have one that small to test! Certainly the card I was using is 64GB and it wasn't working. Asphaltman what sized card where you using?

0 Volker over 4 years ago in reply to IceBear

Unfortunately most Garmin outdoor handheld are official limited to 32 GB, what is not much today...

0 Asphaltman over 4 years ago in reply to IceBear

Mine was 32 originally, and the one I got working was also 32 but an extreme...which shouldn’t matter. The FAT32 format makes sense, but odd Macs won’t do a FAT32 just Fat. It would also be nice if the 66i could format a card.

0 Volker over 4 years ago in reply to Asphaltman

Perhaps someone can send a suggestion to add the possibility to format a SD card on the device itself to the responsible fw team...So maybe the fw team will add this for an upcoming fw update.

0 SUSSAMB over 4 years ago in reply to IceBear

64Gb cards aren't formatted FAT32 by default, if you format it FAT32 it should work.

0 IceBear over 4 years ago in reply to SUSSAMB

My 64GB card doesn't work even when formatted. 32GB card works fine. Definitely wouldn't suggest anybody try a card bigger than 32GB.