Montana 700i or Connect doesn't recognize microSD card in removable storage

Couldn't update TopoActive map from 2020.10 to 2020.20 on new Montana 700i. Errored out on install. Chat with Garmin support indicated that the 2020.20 update was bigger than the available memory left on the device, and that I should buy a memory card and insert to allow the update to have enough space.

Bought a 32GB class 10 Sandisk card. Installed it. Was formatted to FAT32 when inserted, didn't have to do that.

The my maps window on Express has a (1) after City Navigator and Points of Interest and a (0) after Topographical maps in the My Maps tab. The finder on my Mac OS laptop shows the card mounted as a volume as well as the Montana 700i internal memory (both as mass storage). But the Removable Storage tab do NOT show anything. and attempting to download the topoactvice update still errors out.

What to try next? Very frustrated.

0 TIMI01 over 3 years ago

Have you set up a Garmin folder on the SD?

Another problem can be that the SD is too fast. some garmin devices have a problem with it.

Excuse my English. I'm German.

0 Paullygb1 over 3 years ago

Hi I had the same problem went though Garmin support many times kept sending me links and guides but still did not work this has been happening since I owned my unit I was also using Mac OS it would get to 50%then I would get the exact same error message as you I treid it on my sons windows computer and it worked straight away there should be more than enough space on your Montana for the map

0 atlas_cached over 3 years ago

Are you using a MAC?

0 Paullygb1 over 3 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

I was using the Mac for updates but it wouldn’t update both the maps so I downloaded Garmin express to my sons windows pc and it worked straight away with no problems went back to my MacBook and Garmin express said I was up to date

0 atlas_cached over 3 years ago in reply to Paullygb1

Ah, OK, the issue was with the MAC.

I can not tell you how many forum posts there are where people waste days or weeks trying to help someone solve an issue BEFORE finding out the user is on a MAC device, which changes everything......

MAC users never seem to want to mention they are using an operating system with less than a 10% worldwide share....

And this commonly leads to additional frustration for both the person posting the issue and those trying to help.

If, in the future, you remember to mention when you are using a MAC device, you may get better results from those trying to help!