Comments on: Tips on Garmin Custom Maps — Random Stuff

By: gian paolo Saliola

gian paolo Saliola — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:54:05 +0000

Recently OkMap freeware software (www.okmap.org) include a feature to generate automatically compatible Garmin custom maps (kmz format).
The map calibration is sophisticated because OkMap uses different type of projection and several datums.
This new feature includes map tiling from and to different image file formats (including from ECW map files).
It’s possible select KML extensions 2.2 (if GPS supports them), the JPEG quality, KML transparency, draw order, image scaling, ecc..
You can select the tiles to generate in output.
This feature support also “not north oriented maps”.
OkMap include a Google maps server to download maps from Google, OpenStreetMap, MyTopo, DOCQ, ecc..
These two features combined together may be very useful.

By: Garmin Custom Maps Officially Available on Oregon, Dakota and Colorado - GPSFix

Garmin Custom Maps Officially Available on Oregon, Dakota and Colorado - GPSFix — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:31:08 +0000

[...] Custom Maps on your Garmin device see our original post, or check out some of our Custom Maps tips here, here and [...]

By: Episode 125 – Garmin support for custom raster maps « Goecaching Podcast

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:50:08 +0000

[...] Ep. 101: James BridgerCache from TrypCyclones StoryGeocaching.com offline PQ forum postGPSFix.comGPSFix.com Tips and tricks for custom imagesCreating Garmin Custom Maps in Five Easy Steps from Garmin BlogsGPSTracklog Imagery sources for [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:13:20 +0000

To get your Garmin to boot up you need to connect it to you computer in USB mass storage mode while holding down the power button for 30 seconds. That will force it into USB mass storage mode so you can delete your map.

You should first try one of the samples known to work. If that works then you know your GPS is setup properly. Then you can debug why the KMZ you are using doesn’t work properly.

By: Timo

Timo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:53:19 +0000

Hi, I didnt try a KMZ from the forums.garmin.com. But did look there and a few people also had the same problem. I did install the beta software properly, then created the folder CustomMaps. Unfortunately, now my Garmin wont boot up, It says Loading waypoints, tracks etc. My file (2 files) were 300k so dont think I am overloading the memory. So not sure what to do now…any suggestions. And also a useful lesson for others…

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:11:10 +0000

Timo, Do you have the Draw Order set to something non-zero?

What is the source of the KMZ file? If you have made it have you tried a KMZ file from forums.garmin.com first just make sure it works?

By: Timo

Timo — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:12:49 +0000

Okay so this maybe a silly question, but though I created a directory Garmin/CustomMaps the KMZ files dont appear on the Map SetUp Menu / Map Information nor are they shown on the GPS..??
What am i doing wrong???

By: Andy Bryant

Andy Bryant — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:02:46 +0000

Hi blog.sancho.hu – see this thread on Garmin’s forums
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=2691

Then vote for these 2 features to be added to maptiler:-
http://maptiler.uservoice.com/pages/10188-maptiler-todo/suggestions/345064-provide-an-export-options-to-garmin-custom-maps?ref=title
http://maptiler.uservoice.com/pages/10188-maptiler-todo/suggestions/125890-oziexplorer-formats-as-input?ref=title

By: blog.sancho.hu

blog.sancho.hu — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:03:30 +0000

Thank you very much for your writing! I read it regularly. I usually translate your blogs to my Hungarian friends. Respect!

I have a question:

How could I convert the Ozi Explorer’s .MAP files to .KMZ files?

By: Kaylin

Kaylin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:50:29 +0000

Ok thanks. That’s what I was going to end up doing anyway, it just would have been nice if there was an easier way to do it. There’s not a whole lot of data available up here in Canada like there is in the States.