Garmin 440S Plotter compatible with unlocked G2 Chart?

**gpshacker123** · 7th January 2011, 04:10 PM

Hi, I recently had the chance to copy the G2 chart (010-C073-00 Southeast Caribbean VUS030R) currently being used in a Garmin 720 chart plotter. I copied the whole SD card into my computer. In it there are two (all uppercase) directories: one is called GARMIN and the other is EULA (this last one seems to be empty). In the Garmin directory are the following files:

GarminDevice.xml
GMAPSUPP.GMA
gmapsupp.img
GMAPSUPP.UNL
gupdate.gcd

I am now trying to make the G2 chart work in a Garmin 440S chart plotter from a friend. I have tried to use several of the map unlocking utilities found throughout this forum. So far I tried with "Fast IMG Unlocker v.1.2", and also "Unlock Garmin Maps V3". In both cases I followed the instructions and the process seems to complete without any problems, and the unlocked map is generated without any errors or warnings from the application. The resulting .img file seems to be identical in both cases, so I assume the unlocking process in the end was the same.

So far I tried to run the unlocked map by just creating a "GARMIN" directory in the new SD card, I also tried adding the remaining files that where also included in the original SD, and the empty "EULA" directory. But when I turn on the 440S there is the usual routine of "Loading Maps" but after that none of the G2 features seem to be present in the unit. Furthermore as a secondary test, I loaded the unlocked map file onto a separate micro SD card and placed it into a "GARMIN directory by itself and tested it on my Nuvi 255. Once the Nuvi boots up, I can now see "Fishing Contour" lines over open sea areas. These green lines where not there before, and as I understand are one of the features of the G2 chart.

So it seems the map is indeed unlocked, but somehow the 440S unit is failing to recognize it. I'm new to map unlocking, so if anyone could please give me some pointers of what I might be doing wrong, it would be much appreciated. BTW I just copied the original .img file (locked map) to the SD and plan to test it and see if the 440S complains in any way that the map is locked, so I would know it is actually reading the SD card at boot-up.

**catymag** · 7th January 2011, 05:22 PM

Use Fast IMG unlocker, last version 1.5, to have all the features in your plotter-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
run it on your locked img in a folder of your pc-
Create a Garmin directory in your sd and copy just the unlocked gmapsupp.img into it, no gma no other files-
It should work fine

**gpshacker123** · 7th January 2011, 10:12 PM

Hi, thanks very much for the instructions. Just processed the original .img file through v1.5 unlocker and it went without a hitch. I noticed the the IMG map file name did not change, so I assume this is normal for this release. Will get a chance to hopefully try the SD card tomorrow on the 440S. GPS has to be tested on the boat itself as there is no spare 12v cable to power it up elsewhere.

I also updated the file in my microSD card for the Nuvi 255 but it still only shows the green Fishing Contour lines over open sea. Guess the Nuvi was never designed to handle a G2 chart.

Will let you know the results. Thanks again for your time, and great forum!

**catymag** · 8th January 2011, 03:49 AM

Thanks
you can read here too
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
you can find some more useful infos about this matter.

check also
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I move this thread in discussions section

**gpshacker123** · 12th January 2011, 12:23 PM

Hi, I've tried again but the 440S still does not load the map from the SD card (map is unlocked and copied into a "Garmin" directory inside de card). I know now it is unlocked for sure because I manage to see many marine features in my Nuvi 255 when I copied into a microSD card, and then turn off the default map of the unit (City Navigator NT 2011.3). So it seems to me as the 440S is not reading the SD card at all when it boots. I just downloaded the unit's user manual to check if by any chance there might be some setting or feature that could in any way affect the SD card reading, although it is my understanding that one really only needs to plug in the card with the map and it should load on boot up. I even opened up the 440S to check the connections between the SD slot and the main board, which is a small flex multi-connector and visually seems to be ok. If any one has had any experience with this particular unit and Sd cards, please let me know if I might be doing something wrong. Thanks.

**catymag** · 12th January 2011, 05:55 PM

which size is your sd? do you have the last firmware?
Try with a 2gb sd, not bigger one and update your firmware here

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

You will need a 2 GB SD card. Just run the program you download and it will copy the firmware to the sd card. Insert the sd card into your gps and presto it will update

**gpshacker123** · 13th January 2011, 12:00 AM

Wow, I missed that one. Of course the 4Gb is the problem! We are using a 4Gb card because it was on sale and it was half the price of the 2Gb unit that we initially intended to buy. Much apreciate the tip. Will buy a 2Gb tomorrow and try again. Thanks for the firmware update link. Not sure which version is running now on the 440S but it should be the one that originally came with it so it is high time for an update. Big thanks!

**gpshacker123** · 17th January 2011, 12:24 PM

Ok I'm pleased to announce the the G2 chart worked perfectly with a 2Gb card, but I was not able to make the firmware update. Currently the 440S has v3.0 firmware (2007) on it, and I was using a 1Gb microSD card with an adapter in order to store the file that is generated by the updater. Not sure if this would be the problem, or if there is a specific procedure I need to follow in order for the update to work on the GPS. I was under the impression that I just needed to insert the card with the update, and turn on the unit. Thanks.

**catymag** · 17th January 2011, 03:05 PM

A 2gb sd is recommended, may be this is the problem, but I havent tested , obviously I dont owe this unit, I just found some tips on a boaters forum-

**gpshacker123** · 17th January 2011, 11:10 PM

Ok will try with the 2Gb card for the update. In any case, is there any special operation I need to do for the update to start, besides inserting the card into the unit, and turn it on? Thanks.

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