Thread: How to update maps on a street pilot 2720

Ok, you've decided to go with the Garmin NT CN over the OSM but you've not taken in what i wrote in Post #92: "Be sure to get the PC install data not an already compiled *.img file". You've got an IMG file when you need a .GMAP folder which essentially is a PC Install or MapSource version. It's not possible to install an image file to the PC without firstly reverse-engineering it which loses search function and makes it virtually useless for practical purposes if it's then sent as a reduced area map to your device via MapInstall or MapSource.

So either go with the OSM as earlier discussed, or search for an unlocked .gmap / PC Install / MapSource Version of Garmin City Navigator US & MX or North America. Then once installed you can send to your SP the specific tiles you need for your route.

There's a couple of methods to transfer an already compiled IMG file directly to an older device like your SP2720, one of which is discussed exhaustively in this thread, but there's no way the complete .img file you have will fit on your device because it's available space is limited and far less than what's required even by modern map data for US Lower 48 alone.

Re-read every thing written in my answers to your posts before and ask again for clarification if you don't understand fully. I'm happy to help you with this which is totally do-able, but i cannot supply you with the actual map data due to forum rules and Garmin's EULAs.

Originally Posted by Butters

Ok, you've decided to go with the Garmin NT CN over the OSM but you've not taken in what i wrote in Post #92: "Be sure to get the PC install data not an already compiled *.img file". You've got an IMG file when you need a .GMAP folder which essentially is a PC Install or MapSource version. It's not possible to install an image file to the PC without firstly reverse-engineering it which loses search function and makes it virtually useless for practical purposes if it's then sent as a reduced area map to your device via MapInstall or MapSource.

Ohhh geez... You have no idea what I had to go thru to get these .img files and how I had to almost delete half of my laptop to save these things because my hard drive wouldn't fit them... each img was one more than 2,000 MB!!!




Totally my fault... I was under the impression OSM was not good enough from your last post so I insisted on city Navigator. I thought I did so well because I was able to get both NT 2015 and NT 2017 and now you are telling me these files are useless...


Also, it seemed like your instructions were to merely ADD Mexico (about 250 MB) to the unit, which would leave the USA maps outdated to 2008. Not the the worst thing ever, considering how much time I have invested already trying to make this work.

Originally Posted by BBeast

........
Also, it seemed like your instructions were to merely ADD Mexico (about 250 MB) to the unit, which would leave the USA maps outdated to 2008. Not the the worst thing ever, considering how much time I have invested already trying to make this work.

I can sense you're very frustrated and annoyed at your wasted time and effort. It's hard when we put so much into something only to find that it's all for nothing. I have to point out however that not at all did i even vaguely suggest the above about merely adding MX to your current Garmin 2008. In fact, I think you're maybe confusing something I may have written with your own stated inclination to use East US & all MX, also from OSM not Garmin:

Originally Posted by BBeast

......... I am inclined to use OSM to update USA Eastern states in my route and add full Mexico (the img file seems to be only 250 mb, from the OSM website).

Would you be able to just list the steps necessary, including which software, needed for me to update OSM Eastern States + Mexico on my 2720? ............

As you requested I then gave you a "blow-by-blow" to obtain US & MX from OSM to install on PC either fully or partially and then transfer needed tiles to your 2720 via MapInstall.

So here's the bottom line: Unless you can obtain an unlocked and recent Garmin .gmap folder to install to PC you should use OSM. There's little difference in everyday use between OSM and Garmin mapping as i said previously. In fact the latest OSM will be far more up-to-date than the (useless for your SP anyway) Garmin CN 2017.10 gmapsupp.img you've now got which is actually from Q1 2016. The current CN is named 2019.3 for this Q3 2018 because of Garmin's rather quaint and maybe deceptive naming system.

As said by the other member, it's all spelled out how to do this. Both Garmin and OSM PC installs are covered in previous posts, #92 and #97 respectively with additional info in #100. If you need more help on any technicality we can assist for sure, the only thing we cannot help you with is the sourcing and/or unlocking of Garmin map data.

Originally Posted by Butters

So here's the bottom line: Unless you can obtain an unlocked and recent Garmin .gmap folder to install to PC you should use OSM. There's little difference in everyday use between OSM and Garmin mapping as i said previously. In fact the latest OSM will be far more up-to-date than the (useless for your SP anyway) Garmin CN 2017.10 gmapsupp.img you've now got which is actually from Q1 2016.

Yes, I was frustrated with the process and my ignorance dealing with this, by no means frustrated with the help you've been providing.


With that said, I was able to successfully install OSM maps on the computer AND upload it to the GPS!

First downloaded the exe file, installed the OSM .exe file, then tried the MapInstall software. No go here, it detected my GPS unit once connected via USB but it said "no unlocked maps found" and no way out of the opening screen.

Then I tried Mapsource; i had to play with the menus to understand what was going on, it took me a while how to load the Mexican map then send it to the devide.

Checked the GPS unit and yes, the Mexican map is there!


Now I have a follow up question, since my "base" map for the USA is from 2008: would it be hard to try to update the US map as well and replace the City Navigator 2008?? I understand I can't fit the entire USA map on the device.

Thanks again!

BB