Thread: Make a Garmin compatible datacard?

With standard 512MB Garmin datacards costing around $90 - $100 I wonder is it possible to make a Garmin compatible datacard using conventional MicroSD memory (costing around $3 - $5? If so how?

Originally Posted by Giomen

You do not write the main - how?
We also want to save our money!!! Or you just yap?

Huh? I don't understand your comment. I don't know if or how this is possible - that's why I am asking.

Originally Posted by dasilvarsa

All MicroSd data cards work in Nuvi.
The only restriction is the Size.
I haven't come across a nuvi that cannot use a 2GB MicroSd Card.

Sure, but I am talking about the many Garmin units that can only take proprietary Garmin datacards.

Just found this video, which seems to show a 2GB datacard in use :-)

All MicroSd data cards work in Nuvi.
The only restriction is the Size.
I haven't come across a nuvi that cannot use a 2GB MicroSd Card.

I found this old article which sort of explains it can be done using chips from Smartmedia cards.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I haven't found anything yet based on MicroSD cards.

That video doesn't show-up in my post above for some reason, so here is the link...

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Garmin DataCard is a really simple device. Just standard flash chip on a small printed board. You can buy a low capacity one and replace chips. Or you can find singe-side card and add second chip. I'm not sure how to format datacard, maybe you can do it in Garmin USB card reader?

I think that it could be possible to create passive adapter for XD cards, they seems to be designed like DataCard and have smaller size.

Hi Kanopus,

I think you maybe right about XD cards. The link that I attached earlier shows someone using a SmartMedia card which is wired into a connector. Unfortunately the page referred to earlier in the article which I assume explained how to connect the chip is not available now.

I looked into using SD cards and MicroSD cards but as far as I can see they are serial devices and the SmartMedia card is parallel so that's not a simple swap. XD cards and SmartMedia cards are similar although I haven't looked at the pinout of XD cards yet.

The Garmin datacards are formatted with the Garmin USB card reader (which is also a programmer).

xD-Picture cards look like a good possibility. They seem to be simply Nand flash chips repackaged. See here... [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

So the remaining challenge is the wiring!