Compatible with BaseCamp software for managing data on your GPS and computer, trip planning, playing back routes and tracks, geotagging photos and more; Full state coverage for other states, sold individually. Data may be saved on a microSD/SD card (Recycled microSD cards may be used to program map data). View Details.
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4 Download Mapquest to Garmin Nuvi
The Garmin nuvi is a flexible automotive GPS device that will give you reliable turn-by-turn directions to your destination so you never miss an important meeting with your clients. Garmin nuvi devices that have a micro SD memory card slot are more flexible since the added memory can be used to store MP3 music or audio books for your long road trips. The added memory can also store new maps if you need to take a business trip to Europe, South America or another country to close a deal. Installing new maps is easy to do with Garmin's free Mapinstall software.
1.
Ensure the micro SD memory card is installed in your nuvi. Push it into the slot to make sure it is secured before you plug your device into your computer.
2.
Download and install Garmin's Mapinstall software [see Resource link].
3.
Plug your Garmin nuvi into your computer with the mini USB cable and launch the Mapinstall software.
4.
Select your Garmin nuvi from the list of connected devices the Mapinstall software discovered. This should be only one device, unless you plugged several nuvi devices into your computer.
5.
Select the micro SD card as the install location and click 'Continue.' This will install the maps.
Things Needed
Garmin Mapinstall software
Mini USB cable
Micro SD memory card
Warning
Make sure your micro SD card is always installed in your Garmin nuvi after you load the map files. Otherwise, the maps will not work properly.
References (1)
Resources (3)
About the Author
John Granby began his writing career in 2000 as a founding member of a tech industry website targeted at WAP developers. He has provided in-depth coverage of the wireless industry, served as a speaker at several conferences and authored a book on Bluetooth. Granby earned a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from Purdue University.
Cite this Article
Choose Citation Style
Granby, John. 'How to Download Maps to Micro SD Card for Garmin Device.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/download-maps-micro-sd-card-garmin-device-56099.html. Accessed 16 January 2020.
Granby, John. (n.d.). How to Download Maps to Micro SD Card for Garmin Device. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/download-maps-micro-sd-card-garmin-device-56099.html
Granby, John. 'How to Download Maps to Micro SD Card for Garmin Device' accessed January 16, 2020. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/download-maps-micro-sd-card-garmin-device-56099.html
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14
A common question lately… “Do I need to buy an SD card for my GPS?”. Unfortunately, this question has been prompted by customers who are receiving calls from stores after they place an order for a GPS. The conversation typically starts like this.
“Mr Smith, I noticed you placed an order for an Auto GPS and we are excited to let you know your order will ship soon. But we were wondering if you wanted to include an SD card in your order since your GPS has an SD slot and the card will allow you to use your GPS to the fullest potential.”
When talking about auto GPS devices, the overwhelming majority of GPS users will never need an SD card. Don’t give in to the sales tactic. Even the skimpiest of GPS devices will typically have at least 50 MB to 100 MB of free space left in the internal memory, with many of them offering much more.
Map & App Updates
Maps take up much of the space and while newer map updates are typically larger than the ones they are replacing, it is typically only by a tiny margin. There are some exceptions such as some of the newer TomTom maps are much larger than the older ones due to the inclusion of some additional files necessary to support voice recognition. There are also a few Magellan and Harman Kardon devices that in order to update the application, and SD card is necessary. Those exceptions don’t impact the majority of users, and you can always purchase one later if you find it necessary.
Music
SD Cards can be helpful at times. If you use your GPS as an MP3 player it is often more convenient to load the music onto SD card. And if you frequently switch maps from one country to another it is often easier to put one set of maps on the card so you don’t need to keep replacing the internal memory. Again, that will not be for the majority of users.
POIs
Some people think that because they want to load thousands of custom POI files that they will need an SD card. These POI files don’t actually take up much space. For example I have a custom POI file for 10,000 Starbucks locations that takes up less than 500 KB of space. With most GPS devices having at least 50 MB of free space, you would need to add around 200,000 locations before you might run out of space… and many GPS devices will have more free space available than that.
Do I Need it?
So my general advice is that unless you know for certain you will need an SD card…. you probably won’t need an SD card. And if you do, they are easy and cheap to come by.