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  1. #1
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    ? Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...

    First post here. I recently bought a used 2005 Honda Goldwing, which came with Garmin GPSMAP 376C GPS.

    It's old and in need of map updates but, Not willing to spend money on an outdated, albeit a good GPS, when I already have 2 newer Nuvi's with 2015 maps installed.

    Problem #1: This unit DON'T use SD card. Came with a proprietary Garmin data card, a maximum available 512Mb card(the ONLY good news).

    Problem #2: Maps preloaded are from 2008, one general and one "deluxe" map sets. Took it San Diego few weeks ago and found out that Chula Vista city streets didn't exist(?) in 2008? Unit was COMPLETELY lost!

    Problem #3: Being that it's "old technology", new NT maps will not load due to data card size limitation of 512Mb.

    Problem #4: Most of the maps I got are in ".img" format, which I can copy and paste into the newer model's files but, can't on THIS model. It's internal system files are NOT accessible or even showing up on "My Computer" on my P.C like others do.

    I managed, with help of MANY post searches on this site, to update the map to 2011.10 then to 2012.20 version, in segments for my areas of travel.

    The ONLY reason I managed to do so, is because the map files I found is in the newer ".gmap" format which I unlocked using info from this site and are useable with Garmin mapsource.

    Here lies my issues. I do have several newer maps, latest being 2015, in ".img" files, which can not be used, even if they are unlocked ".img" files, with mapsource...it will NOT recognize any of the map files.

    So, I seek the wisdom of posters, here for guidance in "how to", so that I can create the latest 2015 map in several segments as I need them, to be installed in this unit.

    Right now, I have the 2012 map installed, broken up into 4 segments; South Western US, North Western US, South Eastern US and North Eastern US. Each segment will fit on this 512Mb data card. Other segments will be loaded into my Notebook PC to take with me when we go on trips and may go out of that area which is loaded in the unit.

    I always take a backup Nuvi285WT, just in case, mounted directly in front of me...Don't really trust this older unit 100% since the issues in San Diego where it didn't know where we were.

    Thanks for any and all assistance provided.

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  3. #2
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    Good night
    I have a 276C, but i think the update process is similar for the 376C.
    First of all, you need to update your 376C to the latest firmware available; you can find the firmware update on Garmin site; download it and then execute the file, following the instructions; the unit must be conected by USB to your PC.
    After this operation, your 376C is ready to receive recent NT maps, using Mapsource; you need this software to compile the maps and send them directly to your unit.

  4. #3
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
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    Neil's Avatar
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    @kodiakbare
    jmmt is correct that the 276C & 376C are similar. In fact they are identical other than 276C lacks SiriusXM Weather & Radio capability.

    They both certainly are NT map capable. Therefore, i guess when you say 'Problem #3: Being that it's "old technology", new NT maps will not load due to data card size limitation of 512Mb' you mean only that it's impossible to load a full CNNT NA due to the limitation of the data card's size. You could get a NAND upgrade but that would only increase the capacity to 2GB and all NA's now well over that with latest maps anyway. Look here if interested: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [post#25].

    Quote Originally Posted by alexisf View Post
    Thanks vm guys! I actually saw this video [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
    which apparently I can have a 2g memory.. I will keep you posted with any developments.



    Thanks again!
    Otherwise, do as suggested and load a partial NA but using MapInstall not MapSource because MS can cause routing errors when compiling image files from large modern CNNT gmap folders.

    See [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] generally for map unlocking and compiling tips.

    I think your plotter only has a limited internal flash memory anyway so there's maybe no way to flash detail maps to it as there is for other GPSMAP units as explained here [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and here [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and Page 4 here [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for more info on region flashing of detail maps in 'old-style' devices. You could try dumping some regions as explained there to see what its got available on internal memory but that's probably not very helpful and i reckon you've only got gmapsupp.img on the card available in region 10 [0x0A] however that would allow you to flash images small enough to fit on your datacard without using MI or a datacard reader.
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  5. #4
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    Thanks for a quick reply. This unit is already up to date with Software Version 5.00 installed and audio package 2.00

    I have've used the mapsource to upload segmented maps which I created out of City Navigator North America NT 2011.10.gmap file & Garmin City Navigator North America NT 2012.20.gmap file.

    My issue is that I have several .img files of newer maps, which mapsource don't recognize at all and can't/don't know how to install these maps anywhere.

    Mapinstall software don't recognize these files either, with message indicating that it's got to be 8 character .img name(or something like that). I do have several "gmapprom.img" files and "gmapsupp.img" files, which all contain 8 characters in .img format.

  6. #5
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    I found that info prior to arriving to this forum. Some guy in Russia sells the PCB to replace the one Garmin installed in their data cards, using the same casing. at the cost of @ $150(?), it's NOT worth the price for this GPS when I have 2 newer Nuvi's that works flawlessly AND fully updated AND paid for.

    I can only use the mapinstall if I have the maps to install, partial or otherwise.

    My issues are trying to load\send the .img images to this unit, which I CAN NOT DO, as with the Nuvi's. Nuvi's are simple, just copy and paste the downloaded .img into the Garmin folder and it's up to date.

    At least now, I got the 2012 map installed, instead of the original 2008 that came with this unit. Although it's still 3 years out dated map, better than 7 years outdated map.

    I'll check out the links provided and see if any of them will direct me on "how to" install .img files to this unit so that I can be fully up to date with 2015 .img map file I found.

  7. #6
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
    Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
    Neil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kodiakbare View Post
    I found that info prior to arriving to this forum. Some guy in Russia sells the PCB to replace the one Garmin installed in their data cards, using the same casing. at the cost of @ $150(?), it's NOT worth the price for this GPS when I have 2 newer Nuvi's that works flawlessly AND fully updated AND paid for.
    I think the rouble is down against the greenback lately but it's still going to be over 100 bucks and sure, a lot to pay considering the age of the unit.

    I can only use the mapinstall if I have the maps to install, partial or otherwise.
    You're misunderstanding how MI works i'm sure. It uses gmap folder data to COMPILE images and load them onto the unit in the correct place, in your case the datacard's Garmin folder. It cannot send .img files which have previously been made as you seem to want to do. With MI [as with MS] you can select as few or as many map tiles as you want from the PC installed map [gmap folder] to keep the resultant image small enough to fit on your datacard.

    My issues are trying to load\send the .img images to this unit, which I CAN NOT DO, as with the Nuvi's. Nuvi's are simple, just copy and paste the downloaded .img into the Garmin folder and it's up to date.
    ....................
    I'll check out the links provided and see if any of them will direct me on "how to" install .img files to this unit so that I can be fully up to date with 2015 .img map file I found.
    Read the first of those other linked threads, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], scroll down. However, if you insist on sending already compiled gmapsupp.img to the unit then read the other threads [links in P#4 above]. It can be done, but it's easier to use MapInstall imo. The latest map is 2016.10: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
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  8. #7
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    You're correct... I am able to install segments of maps from .gmap folder: Western US, Central and Eastern US. Because of the limited memory space, I can only install one of these regions, which is fine for my purpose. I'll transfer others on my notebook and take with me when we travel on our bike.

    Yes, you are also correct in the statement that I DON'T understand how this .img works.

    My assumption was, since I'm able to copy and paste .img files to my Nuvi and have the map updated, I could also do it with gpsmap 376C...

    Assume= "ASS"-"U"- "ME", I was thought in Military. I'm finding out that if I do install these .img files, I will not have the ability to address search, which this unit DON'T have any way.

    So, I'll just have to wait til I find a .gmap files to download, so that I can use it to update this unit to newer map. Since my Nuvi's are current with 2015, I have no real need for those outdated .img files taking up disc space in my PC...although I have 2.5Gb in 4HDD's...Thanks guys, appreciate your assistance.

    IF anyone know of .gmap download, please do direct me to the site, prefer "kickass" or "the pirate bay" but, other reliable sources are also welcomed.

  9. #8
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
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    No need to use a torrent, the latest gmap folder is available in the link for NA 2016.10 immediately above in my previous post. The PC Install is available from Post #1 there, 11 rar parts from ZippyShare can be simultaneously downloaded quickly and safely, then extract the rar files to find 'City Navigator North America NT 2016.10.gmap' unlock that and place it according to your OS [refer to the Maps downloading hints thread again]. Hook up your 376C and choose the parts of the US you want with MI, all quite easy and more importantly it's reliable as you know what you're getting. You don't have to only load large swathes like Western, Central or Eastern US [we're talking about MapInstall, not MapUpdater. You can send just a few tiles if you want or right up to the size limit MI advises is available on your datacard.

    The method you're referring to ['install these .img files'], involves reverse-engineering the img file with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] to make a simple preview map for install to PC for basic use on the PC itself only. It's pointless to then use that 'installed map data' to generate another image. It will not have search functions as you've read, and that's because there's no MDR data in a map installed like that. Forget about it. Another military saying appropriate if you did that: SNAFU. 'Cos that'd be the result.

    About your original assumption that it would be copy/paste like a nuvi to place a map img on the 376C. The two types of device are like apples and oranges comparatively, 'old-school' devices like your plotter don't have a visible file system like modern devices as you know. All data, be that mapping voices or whatever is flashed to various 'regions' of the internal memory. In yours, the only map on the internal memory is the basemap afaik, that's in region 3 [0x03]. The only detail map is on the datacard and although it's removable media it's treated like another 'region', region 10 [0x0A]. Those old units don't have a separate preboot mode like nuvis either, they're perpetually in a kind of pseudo preboot which is why they can be flashed with Updater.exe but not updated via GarminExpress which requires MSM connection.
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  10. #9
    Vip Master Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
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    As a frequent user of a 276C on my MC I would like to inform you that you have the best gps that can be found for MC use. But, as Neil states above, it is not like the Nuvis.
    The Nuvis are good for taking you from one point to another address, the best (fastest/shortest) way while the 276/278/376 can guide you along a preplanned route.
    The best way to do this in my opinion is to plan the route with the PC placing waypoints at junctions that will be passed along the route. Set the waypoint 50-100 meters after the road crossing and use the gps autozoom that will gradually zoom in when you approach and give you a clear view where to go. That is essential when riding MC!
    Once you have learned how to place waypoints in the PC with Mapsource (for this Mapsource is OK) you can control the zooming in/out perfectly, no other gps can do this as good as the 276! No other gps can show the small roads at high zoom out as this gps.
    The bad thing is as said the memorycards but 512MB is what I can live with for a trip over a few days. And I have a Nuvi200 also on the bike for the few occations when I just want to ride to an address, normally it shows a topo map.
    Typ-ing of the CN map with high contrast look (black roads, white background) will also give fantastic readabilty, also in bright sun.

  11. #10
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. Garmin GPSMAP 376C map updating...
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    Excellent spot-on comment Smulan. For what was primarily marketed as a Marine chartplotter the 2/376C units do incredibly good double-duty as Automotive units. The very physically similar portable aviation units GPSMAP2/3/496 can pull triple-duty as both plotter and auto unit too, but i think they lacked the IPX7 water rating of those GPSMAP Chartplotters and SP 2xx0 of around the same era which does make those 2/376C & SP units particularly ideal for biking. Changing the typ to improve contrast is an excellent tip for bikers too. Garmin's philosophy has moved away from such versatile units these days. And yes, no problem to use MS for sending waypoints etc and more user-frendly than BaseCamp for sure. I love MS and rue the day that Garmin stopped its support, but it's just too dangerous for CNNT image compiling now.
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