Outdoor Recreation Archive

fēnix 5 Series Fenix 5x bought in US but used in Europe

Fenix 5x bought in US but used in Europe

Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi,

due to a upcoming business trip I thought of buying a Fenix 5x in the US. However, I'm primarily using it in Europe as I live there. I'm sure the watch will come with US maps which are of little use. Can I easily exchange this to other ones (Europe), i.e. delete US and upload another one? Are there other troubles to be expected?

Many thanks in advance and best regards,

Steffen

0 sis651 over 7 years ago

If you can find the Europe maps from someone, you can use I think. But they may be DRM protected and that won't work then, I don't know exactly.

However, you always have the option to install OpenStreetMap maps. They may have less detail or data depending on the country but they're always growing and on countries like Germany they may be much better than Garmin maps...

0 ikim1967 over 7 years ago

A lot of people seem to use the talky toaster maps - https://talkytoaster.me.uk/

When I was in the UK and France I grabbed maps from here - http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

0 SUSSAMB over 7 years ago

Some of the TT maps you have to pay for, but there are plenty of free OSM maps on which the TT maps are based. The openstreetmap link above will give you a good start.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks for all the immediate input, very much appreciated! I'm aware of free maps, but I'm afraid the Fenix 5x and part of its memory will always be blocked by the initial US map. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to delete the initial data and then replace it subsequently with other maps?

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Yes. Unused preinstalled maps (img files) can be removed.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi GPS-Maniak (and of course all others too),

thanks!! Since you note the "unused", you mean I should not even try out the watch first, but delete it right away? Or can I do that later too?
Could you give some brief advice how to delete the initial map, i.e. with the cable attached to the PC and delete all maps that are installed? Or is there a de-installation routine?

Thanks a bunch!!

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I apologise for my English. :-(

Unused = unnecessary in Europe. It is possible to remove them at any moment.
There is no procedure of the uninstallation. After making the backup copy of files from the watch on a computer, it is possible to remove files from the Garmin folder: gmapprom.img, gmapprom1.img etc. It is necessary to leave: gmapbmap.img, gmaptez.img

Attention: the Watch is supporting altitude data (DEM) from the map. Useful function in the hill walking. Maps free of charge (OSM) don't often have of DEM, therefore the purchase of the watch in Europe can be advantageous.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Nice, thanks!! I thought of buying the official Topoactive Europe map from Garmin, this should have the DEM functionality then too, I reckon.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Yes. Garmin maps have DEM. DEM works in the background, so you can use OSM and DEM will be available from the Garmin map.

0 ikim1967 over 7 years ago

Make sure you copy the maps off before deleting them, in case you need to put them back at some point.