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Garmin Mapping FAQs

Looking to buy a Garmin sat nav, recreational map or BlueChart map? Want to find a answer to a question that's not answered on our website garmin map pages or trouble shooting page? This page will help. Look through the list of questions below that customers and visitors have asked. Got a question that's not been anserwed? Then please complete our online form below and we'll answer and add it to our FAQs.

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The Questions

Q.I am trying to decide whether to replace my old Garmin Montana 600 with the new 700 or the zumo xt2. Can you load Garmin topo pro maps onto the zumo? I would like to use my previously purchased Spanish pro maps on the unit and also will look to buy the UK 1:25000 is maps.

Q. I can see that you sell the latest City Navigator maps on SD card. Can you please advise if these are updatable as roads gradually change? If there are included updates, for how long can you get them?

Q. Trying to work out whether to buy sd card based g3 vision charts for my gpsmap 86i or downloads - is there a difference in the price of updates?

Q. I am a seakayaker and like to have both Topo and Bluechart maps on the device. I use the Bluecharts for navigation but once we reach our destination I use the Topo maps to find a cove to land in and camp. My old GPS was a Garmin GPSMAP 72CSX. I bought Bluechart and Topo maps on DVD then used Mapsource to install them on one micro SD card intalled in the GPS. This allowed me to switch maps on the water without having to open the device and swap cards. Can you help?

Q. I have a Garman GPSMAP 4012, it hasn't got any local BlueCharts built in and so I bought a Garman VEU706 chart on SD card which covers some of the inland waterways in Ireland. I believe I can buy a update that will include the latest charts. My problem is the GPS MAP 4012 has only got one SD card slot how will this work with two SD cards i.e. The VEU706 and the updated card?

Q. Do you sell the Garmin mapping 'BirdsEye Select Great Britain PLUS' or 'BirdsEye Select Great Britain'? If so, what's the difference between these and the TOPO PRO maps (apart from the latter being whole of UK and the BirdsEye being 25,000 sq km / 3,000 sq km respectively)? I would like to use my Montana 680t to create 'tracks' (in Basecamp) to follow using Byways / Unclassified County Roads / ORPAs.

Q. I have a Kenwood GVN60 satnav in my car which runs on Garmin software. Is there a map upgrade that I can buy?

Q. Is the Garmin City Navigator compatible with the Garmin Edge 1030? I cannot see this model listed in the compatibility section.

Q. I have Garmin nuvi 2445 with Western Europe map. Additionally would like to have Baltic states coverage for my nuvi 2445. Is it possible?

Q. Do you have maps for caravanning to suit my device Garmin nuvi 2519?

Q. I have a Garmin 650T I have GB 1-25 map micro sd. I'm going on holiday to France. I like to do Geocaching and looking for map on micro sd to go into my device I will be staying near Caen in Normandy. Do you do this product?

Q. I have a Garmin nuvi 3710. Will the North America sd card fit and work on this satnav?

Q. This is a strange question. My previous sat nav in my Mercedes used to say please turn left on its voice. I have updated the car and the newer version doesn't say this anymore. Is there a setting that can make the new sat nav do this?

Q. Your website is very useful, the FAQs very helpful and the note about checking the publication date of any SD card on internet very very useful. I just have a few querstions...

Q. I received delivery of the Yorkshire dales map. I ordered, or so I thought, a micro SD card to fit my Garmin Edge 1000 device. The card you have sent will not fit the device. Could you please advise how we can swap the SD card for the correct size?

Q. Do you sell compatible UK TOPO maps for hiking for use with my Garmin GPSMAP 60CS? No SD card slot on this device.

Q. We have a Garmin edge touring plus and have been emailed pre planned routes for a cycling holiday in Sri Lanka. Could you please provide us with information as to how we download these onto our Garmin device?

Q. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 4010 and want to know whether it is compatible with the EU723L Southern Europe BlueChart?

Q. I wanted to know if the Garmin City Maps Sd cars would be compatible in a Mercedes A-Class 2017?

Q. Is there any difference between this SD card and the ones sold in the States? If I buy from you and have a problem with the card while in the UK/Ireland, will I be able to get a replacement right away? I will not be able to tell if it works until I am actually in the UK.

Q. Approach roads to new Mersey Gateway Bridge are nearing completion. Is it too soon to instal updated maps?

Q. I have a Garmin 2408 nuvi with version 5.4 loaded. If I buy one of your maps for England/Ireland does the postcode etc still work? Also do I still get directions using roadside points?

Q. Honda Garmin SD navigation, will this update my 2013 maps in my Honda Jazz?

Q. I am interested in buying a couple of City Navigator Garmin maps from you. Can I switch between maps while using the device. To do this will I need to put both maps on the same micro sd card or is it a case of swapping cards if I want to view/use the alternate map?


The Answers

Q. I am trying to decide whether to replace my old Garmin Montana 600 with the new 700 or the zumo xt2. Can you load Garmin topo pro maps onto the zumo? I would like to use my previously purchased Spanish pro maps on the unit and also will look to buy the UK 1:25000 is maps.

A. I can confirm that the Garmin zumo XT2 motorcycle sat nav is compatible with both the Garmin TOPO Spain V7 PRO microSD/SD card and Garmin TOPO Great Britain V3 PRO 1:25K microSD/SD card.

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Q. I can see that you sell the latest City Navigator maps on SD card. Can you please advise if these are updatable as roads gradually change? If there are included updates, for how long can you get them?

A. The Garmin City Navigator maps we sell are all pre-programmed and supplied with the latest* 'here' street-level road map data. The Garmin road maps well sell cannot be updated, they are a one off update.

Garmin tend to release a major update map in August of each year with the map designation for the following year e.g. last year in 2024 Garmin issued new maps from August are in the main designated '2024'. For example Garmin City Navigator NT 2024 Maps of UK and Europe microSD/SD card is now available, we do not expect the '2024' designated map until August 2023.

*Latest data is based on road survey data compiled by 'here' and may be several months old once the data is complied and ready to be issued and used by companies such as Garmin.

Customers wanting the latest maps tend to purchase a new update from us every 3-4 years.

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Q. Trying to work out whether to buy sd card based g3 vision charts for my gpsmap 86i or downloads - is there a difference in the price of updates?

A. We only sell Garmin BlueCharts on SD/microSD card, we do not sell the download version.

The advantage of buying Garmin BlueCharts on SD card are:

1. Easier to install, simply insert SD card into your compatible Garmin device. No lengthy downloads and technical knowhow.
2. Not locked to any one Garmin device or Garmin Express account. If you buy another compatible Garmin device in the future, or a friend wishes to borrow the Garmin BlueChart, simply take the SD card out and insert into another compatible Garmin device. With the download version you cannot do this.
3. All the Garmin BlueCharts we sell come with a 12 month new chart guarantee.

Finally, you mention about buying a Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision. While this will work in the Garmin GPSMAP 86i, you will NOT see any of the premium features found on the Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision such as aerial photos of ports/harbours. To view and use Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision charts you need to use it with a Garmin chartplotter.

For use with the Garmin handheld marine range Garmin BlueChart g3 charts are recommended (non Vision versions). You can view the full range of Garmin BlueChart g3 charts that you can buy from ActiveGPS.

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Q. I am a seakayaker and like to have both Topo and Bluechart maps on the device. I use the Bluecharts for navigation but once we reach our destination I use the Topo maps to find a cove to land in and camp. My old GPS was a Garmin GPSMAP 72CSX. I bought Bluechart and Topo maps on DVD then used Mapsource to install them on one micro SD card intalled in the GPS. This allowed me to switch maps on the water without having to open the device and swap cards.

I bought the Garmin GPSMAP 66sr and the Garmin TOPO Great Britain V3 PRO 1:25K on microSD card direct from Garmin but have found their customer support a bit unhelpful in that they do not answer your questions directly but copy and paste a generic answer which does not answer the question!

Anyway my friend with the GPSMAP 64S has both Bluechart (G2 in his case) and Topo Maps (GB Discoverer 1:50k in his case) on micro SD cards but he has been unable to get the GPS to work with both maps at once. He has to open the GPS and switch cards which as you can imagine is not practical aboard a sea kayak. He has tried to find a way to copy one or both maps either into the GPS memory or onto a larger card without success as the maps are locked to the card.

He has suggested I buy the G3 Bluechart as a download and copy it directly into the GPS memory. He also suggested that if I sent you my Garmin TOPO micro USB card you might be able to create a single card with the Bluechart that I purchase from you?? (I had intended buying other UK Bluechart regions not all at once, though I would be prepared to do so to get the right solution.) Can you advise?

I have searched both Garmin and other GPS support forums but no one seems to have found a solution apart from buying cheap cloned maps from torrent websites or EBay which I am not prepared to do.

I would be most grateful for your help as I am keen to replicate the functionality of my 2005 GPSMap 76CSX!

A. Unfortunately, what you are trying to achieve isn’t possible with the Garmin GPSMAP 64 and GPSMAP 66 series. Unlike in the past, none of the current Garmin map titles are supplied on DVD so you cannot use a PC to transfer the maps you require onto the units internal memory. The current Garmin map series are either available direct from Garmin as download or from a retailers such as ourselves on pre-programmed SD/micro SD card.

Furthermore, the Garmin BlueChart titles require specially formatted blank SD cards from Garmin for the BlueChart data to be transferred onto.

As you would imagine with copyright infringement, none of the Garmin map titles can be transferred to another SD card or PC. We have heard of customers corrupting the data, so would strongly recommend you don’t try this.

Your best bet would be to purchase the TOPO GB map as a download from Garmin and load to the Garmin GPSMAP 66s memory and then purchase Garmin BlueChart g3 titles as and when you require them for coastal waters around the UK/Europe.

Other than that suggestion, you will need to insert each map title on SD/microSD card into your Garmin GPSMAP 66s as and when you require them.

Sorry there is no ideal or perfect fix to resolve the issue you are facing.

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Q. I have a Garman GPSMAP 4012, it hasn't got any local BlueCharts built in and so I bought a Garman VEU706 chart on SD card which covers some of the inland waterways in Ireland. I believe I can buy a update that will include the latest charts. My problem is the GPS MAP 4012 has only got one SD card slot how will this work with two SD cards i.e. The VEU706 and the updated card?

A. The Garmin BlueChart g3 update card will ONLY update preloaded charts on a chartplotter. These preloaded or preinstalled BlueCharts would have been supplied by Garmin at the time of purchase of the chartplotter e.g. GPSMAP 4012. If your Garmin chartplotter does not contain any preloaded BlueCharts then unfortunately you will be not unable to update the charts.

You cannot update an SD card with an SD card.

You will therefore need to buy outright a new Garmin BlueChart g3 title with the coverage you require.

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Q. Do you sell the Garmin mapping 'BirdsEye Select Great Britain PLUS' or 'BirdsEye Select Great Britain'? If so, what's the difference between these and the TOPO PRO maps (apart from the latter being whole of UK and the BirdsEye being 25,000 sq km / 3,000 sq km respectively)? I would like to use my Montana 680t to create 'tracks' (in Basecamp) to follow using Byways / Unclassified County Roads / ORPAs.

A. We used to sell the BirdsEye maps via ActiveGPS website, that was until Garmin made them download only directly via their website.

We therefore no longer sell them or have any knowledge for the new titles and how they compare to the TOPO PRO 1:25K map that we sell. I would recommend that you enquire with Garmin.

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Q. I have a Kenwood GVN60 satnav in my car which runs on Garmin software. Is there a map upgrade that I can buy?

A. I would recommend that you contact kenwood.co.uk. While we sell Garmin maps, none are not compatible with any of the Kenwood sat nav range.

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Q. Is the Garmin City Navigator compatible with the Garmin Edge 1030? I cannot see this model listed in the compatibility section.

A. The Garmin Edge series is designed to work with the Garmin Europe Cycle map. The Garmin Edge 1030 is not a satnav and therefore is not suitable to work with City Navigator mapping. You will need to use Cycle Europe Map instead. 

Unfortunately, your Edge 1030 won’t work with any of the City Navigator mapping titles.

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Q. I have Garmin nuvi 2445 with Western Europe map. Additionally would like to have Baltic states coverage for my nuvi 2445. Is it possible?

A. The Baltic states are included on the Garmin City Navigator NTU Maps of Europe microSD/SD card.

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Q. Do you have maps for caravanning to suit my device Garmin nuvi 2519?

A. Unfortunately not, you would need to purchase a dedicated Garmin caravan sat nav for that purpose.

You can view the full range caravan and motorhome sat navs online here. You can also compare the range here.

 

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Q. I have a Garmin 650T I have GB 1-25 map micro sd. I'm going on holiday to France. I like to do Geocaching and looking for map on micro sd to go into my device I will be staying near Caen in Normandy. Do you do this product?

A. I'm presuming you have either the Garmin Oregon 650t or Garmin Montana 650t? If that is the case, the Garmin TOPO map you require is the Garmin TOPO France North West v5 PRO microSD/SD card.

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Q. I have a Garmin nuvi 3710. Will the North America sd card fit and work on this satnav?

A. Yes, the Garmin City Navigator NT Maps of North America microSD/SD card available to buy here will work within your Garmin nuvi 3710.

Due to the age of the nuvi 3710 it is strongly recommended that you download and install the latest Garmin firmware. You can find further map installation tips here.

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Q. This is a strange question. My previous sat nav in my Mercedes used to say please turn left on its voice. I have updated the car and the newer version doesn't
say this anymore. Is there a setting that can make the new sat nav do this?

A. I'm afraid we do not know the answer to your question. You will need to speak to Mercedes and/or the seller who sold you the update to understand and learn more.

While we sell sat nav maps, we only sell them for portable/plug-and-play sat navs such as Garmin. We do not sell sat nav maps for built in systems.

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Q. Your website is very useful, the FAQs very helpful and the note about checking the publication date of any SD card on internet very, very useful. I just have a few querstions...

I intend ordering from you a City Navigator NT North America SD card to use in my Garmin nuvi 2599 LMT-D with Europe 45 preloaded

Could you confirm the following (my understanding from your FAQs):

The SD card provides the data for the Garmin device to display. The device controls the display format.

If the Garmin device (Nuvi 2599 LMT-D) displays the premium lane assist and junction view then it will do so with the new SD card (which is what I want).

If the Garmin device (Nuvi 205W, which is my old one) does not display the premium view it will not do so with the new card.

However the card can be moved between the two Garmins if either device breaks.

This is an advantage to SD cards, rather than downloading maps onto the device from the Garmin site which ties the map to the device.

Also I should update the Europe map before inserting the new SD to avoid any risk of the SD card being affected in the update.

Fnally to confirm the new SD card is being read by the Garmin Nuvi 2599 I need to look in settings as the map will only be active when in the US.

A. You have interpreted our information correctly. The Garmin City Navigator map series delivers map data only. It will not add features that a Garmin sat nav did not already have.

You will be able to use the map in either your nuvi 2599 or nuvi 205W. Just not at the same time as the map SD card cannot be copied.

Your current European maps will be preloaded onto your sat navs hard drive, whereas the new North America map is on SD card. I would recommend updating the European maps first, but this shouldn't be an issue. Not unless an SD card is required, because you run out of hard drive space? For downloads and updates I would recommend you speak directly to Garmin UK. We are not Garmin and we do not provide map updates or Garmin maps via downloads.

You'll be able to check the North America map on SD card is loaded successfully in your Garmin nuvi 2599 or nuvi 205 sat nav here in the UK, before you travel. You'll be able to a) see the map listed in your nuvi's map menu and b) search an address in the US/Canada. You just won't be able to programme a route. Not until the sat nav recognises via GPS satalelite that you are in the USA/Canada.

The Garmin City Navigator maps of North America SD/microSD card can be purchased securely online here.

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Q. I received delivery of the Yorkshire dales map. I ordered, or so I thought, a micro SD card to fit my Garmin Edge 1000 device. The card you have sent will not fit the device. Could you please advise how we can swap the SD card for the correct size?

A. The micro SD card is inside the larger SD card adapter. Garmin usually pack a small white booklet within the sealed black packet. Page 2 shows how to remove the micro SD card. At the Yorkshire Dales map page, in the section titled ‘How to install’, we include a link to our map installation page which will also answer your question: https://www.activegps.co.uk/garmin-maps-install.htm please see section titled ‘Locating the microSD card’.

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Q. Do you sell compatible UK TOPO maps for hiking for use with my Garmin GPSMAP 60CS? No SD card slot on this device.

A. Unfortunately, the Garmin TOPO maps that are compatible with the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS were discontinued by Garmin a number of years ago. Alongside a range of SD cards, Garmin also released a DVD of all of Great Britain. The DVD could be transferred from a compatible PC directly via USB cable to the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS. The Garmin part number I believe was 010-10730-00. You could do an internet of eBay search of the old map?

The latest range of Garmin TOPO and Ordnance Survey (GB Discoverer) maps that we sell are not compatible with the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS.

To use the latest range of Garmin TOPO and GB Discoverer maps you would need to buy a Garmin handheld device from the latest range.

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Q. We have a Garmin edge touring plus and have been emailed pre planned routes for a cycling holiday in Sri Lanka. Could you please provide us with information as to how we download these onto our Garmin device? Do we need to purchase a background map of Sri Lanka for the Garmin before we download the routes? We are getting a little confused. Hoping you can help!

A. We don't sell cycling maps for Sri Lanka, all downloadable maps can be purchased via Garmin's website.

I would suggest therefore that you visit/contact Garmin's website and see if a) they sell a downloadable map and b) can assist you further.

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Q. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 4010 and want to know whether it is compatible with the EU723L Southern Europe BlueChart?

A. The three new g2 Vision HD Large cards (including EU723L) require what Garmin call N-map technology and this is only available in chartplotters released post 2013.

The following device models are not compatible with the new Garmin g2 Vision HD Large VEU721L, VEU722L and VEU723L

GPSMap 4x0
GPSmap 5x0/5x1/5x6
GPSMap 7x0
GPSMap 4xxx
GPSMap 5xxx
GPSMap 6xxx
GPSMap 70xx/72xx

So the answer is no, VEU723L is not compatible with your Garmin GPSMAP 4010.

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Q. I wanted to know if the Garmin City Maps Sd cars would be compatible in a Mercedes A-Class 2017?

A. Unfortunately, the Garmin City Navigator maps that we sell are not compatible with built-in Mercedes A-Class 2017 sat nav. For map updates you will need to speak to your local Mercedes dealership.

Garmin City Navigator maps are only compatible with portable dash or windscreen mounted Garmin sat navs e.g. Garmin DriveSmart 61LMT-D.

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Q. Is there any difference between this SD card and the ones sold in the States? If I buy from you and have a problem with the card while in the UK/Ireland, will I be able to get a replacement right away? I will not be able to tell if it works until I am actually in the UK.

A. We sell the very latest Garmin maps.

I cannot say whether the map you could purchase in America would be the very same latest version? You could enquire with the retailer who is selling it?

We have never had a faulty Garmin map SD card, however before leaving the US for the UK you could check the SD card is working correcting. To do this you would simply need to install the SD card and then search out a UK address in your Garmin sat navs on-screen menu.

The UK and Ireland map SD/microSD card that we sell can be purchased online via the following webpage.

We offer installation help and tips for Garmin pre-programmed maps supplied on microSD/SD card here.

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Q. Approach roads to new Mersey Gateway Bridge are nearing completion. Is it too soon to instal updated maps?

A. It can take several months for the cartographers to process raw survey data into actual digital mapping. I would suggest that if you need to see a specific new feature on a map that you contact the manufacturer and ask them.

You don't say which maps you are seeking but Garmin, for example, designate the latest City Navigator maps as 2020.10. Although they call them '2020' the data probably dates back several months (similar to a 2020 road atlas that you may buy for Christmas, but which was printed in the summer).

To avoid disappointment and ask about specific roads you could try calling Garmin Technical Support on 0808 238 0000.

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Q. I have a Garmin 2408 nuvi with version 5.4 loaded. If I buy one of your maps for England/Ireland does the postcode etc still work? Also do I still get directions using roadside points?

A. The Garmin street-level road maps DO NOT delivery features to your Garmin sat nav e.g. post code search, they merely provide mapping.

It is your Garmin sat nav that delivers features. These will not alter when buying and installing Garmin City Navigator NT Maps of UK and Ireland microSD/SD card.

So yes the post code search facility will continue to function, as it does now.

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Q. Honda Garmin SD navigation, will this update my 2013 maps in my Honda Jazz?

A. We regret none of the mapping SD cards we sell are compatible with Honda Garmin SD navigation. You will need to contact your local Honda dealership to purchase compatible maps.

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Q. I am interested in buying a couple of City Navigator Garmin maps from you. Can I switch between maps while using the device. To do this will I need to put both maps on the same micro sd card or is it a case of swapping cards if I want to view/use the alternate map?

A.The City Navigator maps we supply are supplied on pre-programmed SD/microSD Card. These maps cannot be overwritten or added to.

Therefore, it would either be a case of changing SD cards over within your Garmin device. Or if the alternative map you'd like to use is installed on your Garmin devices hard drive, then you can simply switch between the map on the hard drive and SD card by selecting it within the Garmin's on-screen menu.

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This page was last updated on: 7th February 2024

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