FREE Non Commercial GPS Map - Garmin

cdohrman

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Subscribed
Apr 7, 2012
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Bangkok/Singapore
Guys, if you want the latest map from OSM go to --- Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap and select the 'single' country you want to put on you Garmin. In case of multi-country / multi-tile selection, choose a map type in the first section, ('new style' works nice with GPSmap 60CS on the bike, but not so well with the car Nuvi Garmins in night view), do not make a single country selection, tick the 'manual tile selection in the third segment, select the tiles (one by one or simply click and keep pulling opening a square you want to cover), key-in you e-mail address in the fourth section and click 'build map'. You will receive two e-mails, one with acknowledgement of your 'build' request, a second some time later with a link to the various download options for your 'personal selection map'. In fact there are only two links really interesting, the maps installation '.exe' file for Garmin 'Mapsource' or ' Basecamp' on your Windows/Mac computer so you can plan your trip in all details and upload then everything in one scoop to your device, or a single '.zip' file with the 'gmapsupp.img' embedded. Extract the gmapsupp.img file and copy it into the /garmin/ folder on the SD card in your Garmin Unit. Do not change the name, it has to be named 'gmapsupp.img' Next time you switch on your Garmin, the Garmin OS should recognise the new map on the SD card, initialising it, indexing it and show it on your display. It works on the 60CS and should also work in the same way on the newer models. An alternative approach, which takes more time but might be a saver option is to use Mapsource or Basecamp and 'upload' the map from the PC to your unit. Reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions.
upload_2016-6-20_12-3-54.png


With regard to OSMAnt+, well I used it but was never happy with the performance on my Android, overwhelming amount of options & features and far too slow. So I did some search what is new, or old and improved and come across an old but recently very much improved "MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps". It works with OSM maps for free and works simply perfectly via Bluetooth with my helmet communicator. Even in the jungles in Cambodia a calm voice will tell you where to turn right and left. Very smooth, very reliable, it never crashed. and you can design your multi way point routes on the unit quite easy.

However, my favourite 'offline' Android navigator is 'Here' (formerly Nokia), it simply works online & offline (including smart routing according to traffic situation if you are online) unfortunately it does not cover countries like Laos or Cambodia (yet) but Thailand and Vietnam. Bluetooth support works great so a nice voice is telling you early and repeatedly when you have to turn and how far the turn is away and what is the next turn and so on including traffic cameras. Maps update happens automatically in the background. Disadvantage, no multi-way point support, only one destination and it give you some options how to get there, but that's it is, but it does its job well.
 
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DavidFL

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Staff member
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Jan 16, 2003
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Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Guys, if you want the latest map from OSM go to --- Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap and select the 'single' country you want to put on you Garmin. In case of multi-country / multi-tile selection, choose a map type in the first section, ('new style' works nice with GPSmap 60CS on the bike, but not so well with the car Nuvi Garmins in night view), do not make a single country selection, tick the 'manual tile selection in the third segment, select the tiles (one by one or simply click and keep pulling opening a square you want to cover), key-in you e-mail address in the fourth section and click 'build map'. You will receive two e-mails, one with acknowledgement of your 'build' request, a second some time later with a link to the various download options for your 'personal selection map'. In fact there are only two links really interesting, the maps installation '.exe' file for Garmin 'Mapsource' or ' Basecamp' on your Windows/Mac computer so you can plan your trip in all details and upload then everything in one scoop to your device, or a single '.zip' file with the 'gmapsupp.img' embedded. Extract the gmapsupp.img file and copy it into the /garmin/ folder on the SD card in your Garmin Unit. Do not change the name, it has to be named 'gmapsupp.img' Next time you switch on your Garmin, the Garmin OS should recognise the new map on the SD card, initialising it, indexing it and show it on your display. It works on the 60CS and should also work in the same way on the newer models. An alternative approach, which takes more time but might be a saver option is to use Mapsource or Basecamp and 'upload' the map from the PC to your unit. Reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions.
View attachment 956

With regard to OSMAnt+, well I used it but was never happy with the performance on my Android, overwhelming amount of options & features and far too slow. So I did some search what is new, or old and improved and come across an old but recently very much improved "MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps". It works with OSM maps for free and works simply perfectly via Bluetooth with my helmet communicator. Even in the jungles in Cambodia a calm voice will tell you where to turn right and left. Very smooth, very reliable, it never crashed. and you can design your multi way point routes on the unit quite easy.

However, my favourite 'offline' Android navigator is 'Here' (formerly Nokia), it simply works online & offline (including smart routing according to traffic situation if you are online) unfortunately it does not cover countries like Laos or Cambodia (yet) but Thailand and Vietnam. Bluetooth support works great so a nice voice is telling you early and repeatedly when you have to turn and how far the turn is away and what is the next turn and so on including traffic cameras. Maps update happens automatically in the background. Disadvantage, no multi-way point support, only one destination and it give you some options how to get there, but that's it is, but it does its job well.

Good tips. Many thanks.
 

Big_Dave

Ol'Timer
Apr 21, 2016
124
59
28
Malaysia
l could use some help with this guys. I have done everything as described but my GPS....admittedly a POS old Garmin Nuvi car GPS....wont recognise the map. I have DL it both to the SD card, which I cant even find scrolling thru the menu.....and directly to the GPS itself. Nothing. When I start up and go to "Change Country" and type in Laos or Thailand, no matches found. WTF am I doing wrong?
 

Oddvar

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Subscribed
Mar 18, 2013
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Make sure there is a folder called Garmin on the unit or the SD card.
Copy the map into the Garmin folder.
Some older Garmin units want the file name to be GMAPSUPP.IMG
If you already have a map with that name, then use the SD card or get one more SD card.
 

Big_Dave

Ol'Timer
Apr 21, 2016
124
59
28
Malaysia
Make sure there is a folder called Garmin on the unit or the SD card.
Copy the map into the Garmin folder.
Some older Garmin units want the file name to be GMAPSUPP.IMG
If you already have a map with that name, then use the SD card or get one more SD card.

Ok, I have done this....downloaded and saved file to computer. Extracted file to a folder on computer using exactly the same name as was DL from OSM. gmapsupp.img. Copied that folder directly to both the GPS and the SD card. Neither work. There is tons of memory space left. I can connect the GPS and see the files yet they will not inialise, nor can I even see how to access the SD card. WTF am I doing wrong?
 
Aug 13, 2007
125
27
28
Thailand
My older Garmin would only recognize one map at a time. If you haven't tried this already you could copy the original map to your computer to keep as a back up. Then delete the gmapsupp.img file on the gps/SD card and copy the new gmapsupp.img file to it. Also the map may need to be in a folder called Garmin as Oddvar has stated. I kept multiple SD cards with different maps depending on what location I was in or which map I wanted to use on my Zumo 550. My new Zumo 590 will recognize multiple maps which is a good feature.

I think you should be able to rename the OSM map to gmapsupp.img if it's not already labeled as such. I could be wrong on this though so maybe someone could advise better on file names.
 

Oddvar

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Mar 18, 2013
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As Brian said, use different SD cards. Make sure you format them before use.
 
Mar 30, 2010
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Rename your original map. Put an extra letter in the name. Then copy over the osm img file.
 
Mar 30, 2010
2,136
300
83
Ok, I have done this....downloaded and saved file to computer. Extracted file to a folder on computer using exactly the same name as was DL from OSM. gmapsupp.img. Copied that folder directly to both the GPS and the SD card. Neither work. There is tons of memory space left. I can connect the GPS and see the files yet they will not inialise, nor can I even see how to access the SD card. WTF am I doing wrong?
Were you promoted to over write the original file?

If not you mustn't be in the correct directory.
Look for the original file. Rename it and copy the osm file.

At least this way you can confirm the file is being read correctly.

Then get the manual and look up how to have multiple maps
Cheers
Brian
 
Mar 30, 2010
2,136
300
83
Here is the latest map from Open Street Map for Garmin
This selection:- Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Dropbox - gmapsupp.img

Size approx 157MB

if you wish to make your own map..

Planet.osm extracts | BBBike.org

I prefer this one as it lets you move the points to get just the area you want and don't end up with tons of data for countries you are not interested in with the tile option

OSM Example.jpg

Cheers
Brian
 
Aug 7, 2003
365
28
18
Which format is best for Garmin Zumo use, for clarity and ease of use on a motorcycle ? I see they have about 10 formats for Garmin maps.
 
Aug 7, 2003
365
28
18
Perhaps I was not really clear on what I was asking for. On the Planet OSM extract web page , the one that is on your screen shot above , the first choice "FORMAT " drop box, has "Garmin OSM"selected, choosing other formats changes the screen graphics for the down loaded map. Without having to download each map in a different format has anyone used other than the "Garmin OSM" format to see if the map graphics are more user friendly ?
 
Mar 30, 2010
2,136
300
83
Here is the latest map from Open Street Map for Garmin
This selection:- Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Dropbox - gmapsupp.img

Size approx 157MB

if you wish to make your own map..

Planet.osm extracts | BBBike.org

I prefer this one as it lets you move the points to get just the area you want and don't end up with tons of data for countries you are not interested in with the tile option

View attachment 2649
Cheers
Brian


As above..

Latest OSM map for download.. or create your own from the link above

Dropbox - gmapsupp.img


Cheers
Brian
 
Last edited:
Aug 13, 2007
125
27
28
Thailand
Brian_bkk,

When I try to copy this direct to my Zumo 590 it fails to load. When I start the GPS it wants an unlock code?
 

canthai

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Apr 8, 2015
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43
Sorry to be a PITA. Read the post numerous times. My Zumo will only load the map it came with. Put the Nightrider map in the Garmin. Can see it on my laptop. Can see the file in the Garmin. When I start the Garmin it loads the old map. Search of the manual shows no way to display a different map. Do I need to remove the Garmin maps so the Nightrider map is the only one left, and it will display ?
 

Oddvar

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Mar 18, 2013
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Go to settings, map info. Check the box in front of OSM map if installed correctly.
More info earlier on this tread.
 
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canthai

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Apr 8, 2015
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Thanks. Added a Garmin folder, transferred Nightrider into folder, restarted Garmin, went to map info, Nightrider shows. Checked box. Now just wait for the postman with my new armor and will go for a test ride. Your help Appreciated
 
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canthai

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Apr 8, 2015
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Big Thank You to Brian BKK for the link - and to Oddvar for telling me to RTFI ! Just back from my first ride sans Garmin and using OSM. No more 'Driving on Road' descriptions. Works great. And it knows where Singha Park is - which Garmin does not. Now to learn how to post tracks for others.