fēnix 5 / 16 GB still on 2020.20 Maps

Hi Garmin,

I am on a fēnix 5 (late 2017) with EU maps 2020.20 There is no map update available. I recall that the built-in memory was known to be too small to allow map updates, and hence, map updates had been disabled in Garmin Express in mid-2021 already.

I noticed, that the new flagship models, fēnix 7, have only 16 GB of internal memory as well, thus, I doubt that these will be shipped with maps of 2020, right? ;-)

So, what is the cause for no more providing map updates on the 16 GB-fēnix 5? Is there anything that I could do with this watch to re-enable map updates?

Thanks in advance for providing an answer.

0 rockncrag over 3 years ago

Map update is available for the topo map...but there is a bug or something in express so it fails to download and update it( I have a f5x with this issue) garmin seem reluctant to fix the issue ..

Also did you mean fenix 5 or fenix 5x... I may be wrong but thought only the 5x and certain plus models has map storage....

0 Labbyrun over 2 years ago in reply to rockncrag

Oh nice. I noticed that the TopoActive Map received a surprise-update in Garmin Express. After two years... wow. But only a 2021 version, a year behind schedule. I wonder if we can expect an "update" for the Cycling Map as well.

0 7003514 over 2 years ago

Can't you load maps by connecting the watch in usb mode?

0 Labbyrun over 2 years ago in reply to 7003514

Yes, Garmin compatible free .img map files can be uploaded to the watches' internal memory via USB. But the process is not documented and not widely known. There is no technical reason why Garmin kick their (former) top line watches out of support after five years. Today the current f7X is as much as $1000... and then only five years of support? For that price?