GPS Help

[NFLD-Nytro]

I'm having trouble loading some maps onto my GPS, and I really need them for tomorrow morning if possible.

I have an Garmin 276, and Garmin Mapsource topo maps, and for the life of me I can't figure out how to transfer maps onto the GPS. I have Ont maps on there that I need to get off to make room first, but I can't figure out how to do that either. I'm guessing I need to download a program that will allow me to access the GPS from the computer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CaptCaper]

Use mapsource of course. You have to pick the maps you want to load in MS then send it. MS has a tool bar at top that has a map button to activate you then click the areas you want to send. If the MB's are within the allowed memory send it. via usb cable.
You might have to go to the page that shows maps then hit menu. Then a menu should appear then hit map information. In there you can check show Topo.
I use it all the time with my 276C

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

Use mapsource of course. You have to pick the maps you want to load in MS then send it. MS has a tool bar at top that has a map button to activate you then click the areas you want to send. If the MB's are within the allowed memory send it. via usb cable.
You might have to go to the page that shows maps then hit menu. Then a menu should appear then hit map information. In there you can check show Topo.
I use it all the time with my 276C

I can select the maps I want to transfer, but it keeps telling me "The device is not ready".

 

[CaptCaper]

Make sure your USB drivers are up to date by downloading from Garmins site the USB driver updates.
Also what I do when that happens is un plug the usb from the gps then plug it back in and try it.
Make sure that the MS program has USB choosen for the transfer method.

 

[brian126]

I seem to have the best luck by plugging in both ends of the USB wire then turning on the GPS unit. It will take just a few seconds but your computer should pull up the name and serial number of your GPS, then you'll be good to go.

Here is a link to the instruction page I use when uploading maps to my Garmin.
http://gpssledmaps.com/general_info/install.php

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

I seem to have the best luck by plugging in both ends of the USB wire then turning on the GPS unit. It will take just a few seconds but your computer should pull up the name and serial number of your GPS, then you'll be good to go.

Here is a link to the instruction page I use when uploading maps to my Garmin.
http://gpssledmaps.com/general_info/install.php

I can see the name of the GPS and unit number if I go into "Get Unit ID", and I can select UBS unit there, but where I transfer the maps to the gps it doesn't give me the option for USB, just COM1.

I've downloaded driver's off Garmins site.

Brian, I tried your link, but it didn't bring me anywhere.

 

[brian126]

If your GPS name and ID number is showing up in Mapsource I would think that it means that it is communicating with your GPS. You've got me stumped on this one.

 

[Crewchief47]

I wonder if there is an option on the unit itself to turn the data transfer from USB to COM???

 

[Mooseman]

Also try plugging it into a different USB port on the computer. This usually re-installs the device. Another option is to uninstall the device in device manager while plugged in, unplug it, uninstall everything Garmin (Mapsource, drivers) and start over. This would be a last ditch effort.

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

Well, I'm totally stumped. The computer recognizes the GPS, as does mapsource, but when I go to Save To, it only gives me the option of the serial port GPS or the storage card reader. If I pick storage card reader it tells me device is not ready. If I pick serial port gps, it tells me com 1 does not exist.

The GPS unit gives me the option of COMM 1 or COMM 2, but not USB, even though when I connect it to the computer it tells me it's connected by USB.

The problem may have something to do with how the computer is seeing the GPS. It shows up as a Q: drive, which hte computer tells me is inaccessible. I'm at a loss, and I guess I'm going to have to leave without the maps in the GPS. Not a huge deal, as my travelling buddies have the maps, but I like to see where I am when travelling new territory.

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

Success! It was the Mapsource software that needed updating. Once I did that there was nothing to it.

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[CaptCaper]

I was going to say to check MS for updates. I assumed you had the lastest or a version that has usb in it since it's been out a long time but there ya go. Topo has been out a long time so the MS that came with your Topo was old as well. MS has been out for a long time. It has changed so much. My first Garmin was in 1998 so was MS. Transfering Tracks by Comm 1 took so long. They usually have lagged behind other programs for doing things but have made improvements over time. Latest good one was the abiltity to work with Nuvi much better. I had to use Turbocc to edit and control my Nuvi waypoints information.
Also the 275 has been out a long time so make sure yours is up to date as well.

 

[brian126]

Glad to hear that you got it to work!