Garmin GPS systems are great if you don’t know how to find your way to an address but their maps often get outdated in a few years as new infrastructure is developed in your city.
Find the $99 update somewhat of a pinch? Here is a solution for you!
Using this guide you will be able to update your Garmin GPS system to the latest (2011) map data for North America, all you need is a little bit of patience and careful reading.
Garmin Map Update guide for 2012 maps is NOW OUT.
What will you need?
- Garmin City Navigator 2011.30 (torrent) (Method 1) OR 2011.40 Unlocked IMG File (torrent) (Method 2)
- A file archiver/extractor like 7-Zip
- Garmin MapSource v6.15.7 & MapInstall v3.13.2
- Garmin Unlocker (available here)
- A GPS device plugged into your PC
Method 1 (Mapsource Install Instructions)
1) Run the setup file named “CNNANT2011_10Update.msi” in your downloaded city navigator files.
2) Install the Garmin Mapsource software on your computer.
Note: Patch your Mapsource file at this point:
- Navigate to your garmin installation directory (C:/Garmin/)
- Locate the Mapsource.exe file and rename it to MapsourceOLD.exe
- Download this replacement file (mirror), extract the contents and put it in the (C:) directory
Also, remove “mapinstall.exe” from the Garmin folder after installing & patching mapsource and run the installation of mapinstall v3.13.2 provided in the guide.
3) Once the software in step 1 and 2 are installed, run the program named Mapsource from Start > All Programs > Garmin. Mapsource will show you a prompt upon launching it asking to unlock the maps, close this prompt window using the red X on the top right corner.
4) Now click on Utilities > Get Unit ID from the menu bar. The program will take a second and display your device’s unit ID (make sure your GPS is plugged into your computer to get this). Copy this unit # number and write it down elsewhere as a safe measure. Once you have the number written down, close this window.
5) Leave Mapsource running (minimize it) and open the Garmin unlocker you downloaded from the link provided before. Put the Unit ID code you wrote down in step 4 in the top most box of the Garmin unlocker thats says “Enter your Unit ID here”.
6) Next, in the ‘Select Map Product‘ field select the last option of ‘custom maps’and enter 2283 when prompted and hit OK.
7) Now click on the Generate button located on the bottom of the window next to the Exit button. This will give you the unlock code, copy this code and keep it somewhere accessible. You can exit out of the unlocker now, its work is done.
8 ) Go back to the Mapsource window and from the Utilities menu and select Manage Map Products. Now click the ‘Unlock Regions’ Tab and press the ‘Add’ button. Paste the code you got in step 7 into the ‘Add Unlock Region’ dialog box’s first field, the second field is optional. Hit OK and you have unlocked the map product.
Now you can close Mapsource.
Note: Before moving forward, navigate to the Garmin folder on your device. An icon for your device will be under My Computer. In the Garmin folder you will find a file named “gmapprom”. Backup this file and then delete it from the Garmin device. If you cannot find the exact same file name, look for the biggest file in that folder (it can be anywhere from 500 MB – 1GB).
Now launch MapInstall from Programs > Garmin
9) Mapinstall will ask you for the regions on the map you want to install, choose your desired regions, hit next and then press Finish.
Depending on the amount of map data you choose to put on, the maps will transfer to your device between 30 mins – 1 hour. Once completed you will have the new 2011 maps on your GPS system, you can also check the maps version on your device via Settings > Maps > Map Info.
Method 2 (Unlocked IMG Instructions)
Use either Part A or Part B depending on your choice:
Part A – Internal Memory
1. Connect your device to the computer.
2. Go into the Nuvi files and backup the file named “gmapprom.img” to your computer.
3. Delete the “gmapprom.img” file from the device.
4. Copy the unlocked “gmapprom.img” file that you downloaded into the device. If the downloaded file is named something else, rename it to “gmapprom.img” and then put it on your device’s internal memory.
5. Restart your device and check your map info via : Tools>Settings>Map>Map Info.
Part B – SD Card
1. Get a 2GB SD card (NOT SDHC) and format it FAT or FAT32
2. Create a folder on the memory card called “Garmin”
3. Copy the downloaded IMG file into the Garmin folder on your SD card.
4. Make sure the IMG file is named “gmapsupp.img” on the SD card.
5. Insert the SD card into your Garmin GPS, and browse to your map information on your Garmin GPS and you should see the new maps selected. This can be found on the device via : Tools>Settings>Map>Map Info. (Note: The SD card must remain in your device if you want to use the maps.)
Why is the file name important?
This must be done because this is not the primary mapset as it is being used from the SD card. The primary mapset is the one on the GPS’s internal memory.
3D Map & Junction Files (Only works on devices that support this feature)
The 2011.30 3D Map and Junction Data can be found here (3D | JCV)
Simply drop that file onto your device memory or external memory and your data should be loaded.
Enjoy the savings!
By Steve August 5, 2011 - 4:34 pm
Trying to do Meth 2 Part A on Mac 10.5.8. Seems overly simplistic with no mention of needing the “What you will need” for either Garmin MapSource v6.15.7 no longer available & MapInstall v3.13.2 which I downloaded along with the Garmin unlocker. I see the “gmapprom.img” file on the device (NUVI 350) but since I haven’t downloaded a similarly named item from anywhere I’ll not be deleting it. Again, very simple instructions but obviously over my head as things are missing, not needed, etc. I’m stymied.
By Deacon August 8, 2011 - 2:28 pm
Do you have to rename the 3d and junction files to a predefined name?
By kent August 12, 2011 - 9:41 pm
kenwood DNX5240(BT) garmin comment faire mise a jour? il a un mémoire interne, Doit je faire par un DVD ou par la sorti USB merci
By TOMyTom August 18, 2011 - 7:27 pm
Hi, I have a in dash CAR GPS (http://www.lightinthebox.com/8.....05253.html)
I need to run my maps from a SD card and there is no way I can plug my GPS to the computer. Any one can suggest me some alternative method, where I can transfer this downloaded maps to SD card and plug it in to the in dash GPS system. Reply will be highly appriciated
By mime January 10, 2012 - 9:47 am
You will need an SD card reader for the PC (Most laptops have one)
By Larry August 19, 2011 - 3:35 pm
Your directions say NOT to use a SDHC Card. BUT, I contacted Garmin and they say a SDHC Card will work. So who is right? I would like to add a SDHC card because of extra memory on it. Thanks
By Haris August 27, 2011 - 4:26 am
Hi,ihave problem i don’t know where i did mistake because when i launch map install to install maps on Garmin Nuvi 1350 it says that mapa are locked,i think i did mistake in step 2 ,i don’t know how to patch Map Source ,can you help me .
By bruce September 19, 2011 - 5:53 pm
none of the steps worked. some of the downloads are no longer available and the links download other things. help please
By Paul October 10, 2011 - 9:11 pm
Thanks for the good guide, but maps and cracks with other settings then english will not recognized. Even img-files will not recognized from garmin mapinstall. For a correct installation i strongly recommend to pack the files as *.gdp- and *.mps -files as they where in the original. Adding of *.img-files can damage a previous used original mapbase – when you bought your gps device new from garmin, the original becomes useless with the method you referred. Your links to sendspace for mapinstall are corrupted.
Thanks
By Paul October 10, 2011 - 9:16 pm
Ever thinked if someone likes to install ANY maps or europe, latin america and asia
as one in the device? With *.img-files that will never work or can you prove a method?
By atam October 23, 2011 - 7:11 am
works like a charm
By korso19 November 16, 2011 - 1:54 pm
Hi, I’ve come across a problem while following your guide. I followed the steps fine until I reach Step number: 8 to unlock the regions and after I add the code I got from the keygen, it tells me “map product not installed”….I haven’t tried going any further with the installation and thought I would ask you for guidance….any help would be greatly appreciated……any ideas?
By Attie November 23, 2011 - 4:48 pm
great it worked for me. I used Mapsettoolkit v1.62 to get my mapID/FID for Africa series SA Streetmaps 2011.3 is 4611 in mapset installed info block. map install says that the maps in locked but use Mapsource to mark the region u want and under transfer tap, to transfer to unit. works perfectly. thanks again
By yesitworks November 29, 2011 - 1:51 am
Works well! Thanks.
By jason December 21, 2011 - 12:36 am
how do you patch something, like where it says patch the mapsource file in method 1?
By HowdyKeith December 31, 2011 - 7:31 pm
Maps .40 worked with my Kenwood DNX9960 on the SD card, tanx.
By HowdyKeith January 8, 2012 - 10:25 pm
OK. So yeah the 2011.40 maps are working much better than the default 2010.10 maps.
What I learned:
To access the SD card in my car stereo I press eject, then reach underneath and press eject again while gently holding the stereo face open. It senses I am holding it and opens the face the rest of the way so i can access the SD Card slot.
I have 2 folders on the SD now, Garmin and JCV. If I were to let’s say create a folder called Vehicles or put a file in the root of the card, the whole card will be ignored and no map updates will show up.
I am using the newer JCV from the 2012 update.
If I unchecked the default 2010.10 Maps, just leaving the newer 2011.40 checked, Lane Assist will not function.
Now what I can’t figure out. Where would I put the newer 3dmap? If I put it in the Garmin folder or the root of the SD card the card will be ignored.
Also, in the Garmin folder are two files, gmapbmap.img and gmaptz.img. If I remove those two files, the SD card is ignored. When I try the single 2012.20 or 2012.30 map by itself or even with the two other older files from 2011 it wouldn’t load. I wonder if there are a different version of those 2 files that would allow the 2012 maps to work for me?
I did since update the firmware of the stereo and have not tried once again to get the 2012 map working alone in the Garmin folder but do you think it might work or are those 2 other files that I don’t have needed?
Thanks Very Much.
By HowdyKeith January 24, 2012 - 12:05 pm
Hi.
I guess these questions don’t need to be answered any more.
While the SD worked for a month or so, now it doesn’t.
The bootup of the unit shows that the card is being loaded, but the maps no longer appear in the info.
Without the card I get a message saying the maps in the unit are over a year old and should be updated by contacting Garmin.
Oh well.
I think I saw on ebay that the sdcard was available, but i am nervous…
Thanks
By HowdyKeith January 28, 2012 - 4:12 pm
And a final happy note.
I had installed the firmware update on my car Nav unit and then i tried the 2012 mapset and low and behold it worked!
So now I move on to posting my questions in the newer 2012 thread…
Thanks!