How does watch come preloaded with my region's map?

Hi all...

I noticed that the map that's loaded on my Fenix 5x is the one for my region (Pacific - I'm in California).

I imagine that it knew this after it checked my GPS location.

However, I would suppose that, when a new watch is activated, it has to contain maps for all regions (or at least the same country the user is in); yet it only shows my region's map as being loaded.

Does anyone know what happened to the other maps? Were they deleted when the watch was activated? Are they still in the watch, but Garmin Express can't see them? Or are devices pre-loaded with regional maps, and those devices are only sold in a known region?

- Tim

0 Volker over 7 years ago

No, there are different versions of maps on the devices:

for the usa, there are (only) maps for the usa region preloaded
for europe, there are (only) maps for the european region preloaded.

0 tinkertoy over 7 years ago

No, there are different versions of maps on the devices:

for the usa, there are (only) maps for the usa region preloaded
for europe, there are (only) maps for the european region preloaded.

Thanks! Makes sense. I do wonder why Garmin Express says I only have "Pacific" loaded, tho'.

- Tim

0 MarkB905 over 7 years ago

Thanks! Makes sense. I do wonder why Garmin Express says I only have "Pacific" loaded, tho'.

- Tim

I asked Garmin the same thing, this is what I got:

The fenix 5X comes with many CourseView (golf) maps, a TOPO map and a cycling map. The TOPO and cycling maps are determined by the region the watch was manufactured to be sold in. For the serial number you provided, I show that it is the U.S. Version.

The only map that is included in the watch that is updateable is the cycling map. If the cycling map you have is for the U.S., it will not have detail for Canada and any updates released for this map will not include detail for Canada. At this time, there is no Canada version of the fenix 5X.

You can check the mapping you have on the watch itself under an activity. I have included steps for this below should you want to ensure what mapping you have preloaded in the device.
Press and hold the middle left Menu button
Scroll down and select Settings
Select Activities & Apps
Select a GPS-enabled activity like a Run or Hike
Select [Activity] Settings
Select Map
Select Configure Maps
If you are needing a map for Canada, there are options available that are compatible with the 5X depending on the type of mapping that is needed.