Thread: Unlock map (to move from one Garmin device to another)

You cannot use BaseCamp or other software to 'trim' an already compiled IMG file. You can load the map data to your PC via GarminExpress and use MapInstall to send a reduced size IMG to an SD card, unlock it with gimgunlock and then transfer it to your 205. However with latest firmware loaded, your nuvi 205 can see IMG files of up to 4GB (with old fw the size limit was 2GB). So just use a 4GB SD card for your 205 and it can use the entire North American map. Best not to put unofficial unlocked maps in it's internal memory anyway, if the IMG is corrupt it could 'brick' the nuvi . On a media card it doesn't matter, remove the card and the device behaves normally. Post again if you need more info.

BTW, because nuvi 205 doesn't have additional protection over GMA an older version of the unlocker should have worked unless the one you found was the very first one limited to the ability to unlock IMGs up to 2GB in which case it wouldn't have worked at all with an IMG over 2GB. It's more likely your original attempt was slightly corrupted in some minor way, check the IMG in GMapTool ('Details' or 'Info' tabs) if you can be bothered now:

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I've been getting success on the 205, but the procedure totally failed on the 350NA. The only procedure that worked on BOTH units is unlocking the official file with the more modern version of gimgunlock and putting as gmapprom on the internal memory. I suspect the over 2GB file issues with some units, but the trick I found is you can put a 1GB dummy file on the 55LM unit and then they offer you the option to download a trimmed map via Garmin Express for your region, which you can then unlock and have available for the sub-2GB units. This way you don't have to worry about using an SD card.

But what's this I hear about bad maps bricking the unit? In my experience the maps just don't get detected or don't work right if they're bad.