3/10/2019 Garmin Maps | Cloning Method: Install a Map Update Directly to the SD Card.

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Garmin Maps | Cloning Method: Install A Map Update

Directly To The SD Card.
 
Submitted by alandb on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 10:10pm. Garmin

Important note for CN NA 2020.10 1/30/19: This

procedure has been successfully tested with the CN NA 2020.10 map
update using Garmin Express 6.11.1.0 (PC version).

Important note for nuvi 3xx, 6xx and 5000: Cloning is not
recommended for these models. While the cloning method will work
and the devices support larger SD cards, they are limited to a map
file size of 2 GB. If you use cloning on these models, you must take
precautions to keep each map file smaller than 2 GB.

For questions, comments or general discussion about the cloning

method, please post in the Cloning Method Discussion Thread.

Garmin Express and GarminMapUpdater include methods for installing

maps to a SD card for most but not all devices. The cloning procedure
described in this FAQ will work for most Garmin devices. It is especially
useful for those models that the Garmin programs do not support map
installation to SD, namely the nuvi 3xx, 5x0, 6xx, 8x0, 8x5 and 5000 series
(and perhaps others).

For all devices there are advantages to using the cloning method. These
include:

1. You can perform the map update process without a ecting your
device. If something goes wrong with the update, you still have a
working GPS with the old map.
2. The map install process will be faster. This is because it installs
through your computer's card reader which is a much faster device
than the USB port of your Garmin device.
3. If you keep multiple map versions on separate SD cards, you can
easily test the new map and revert back to a previous version with
simple card swapping. SD cards are cheap. Keep your old map SD
card until you are sure the new map is OK.

The detailed procedure given in the next section is written specifically for
the older Garmin nuvi and zumo devices including the following model
series.

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nuvi: 2x0, 2x5, 3xx, 465, 5xx, 6xx, 7x0, 7x5, 8x0, 8x5, 5000
zumo: 450, 500, 550, 660

For newer nuvi, dezl, rv and zumo model series, see the notes section at
the end of the FAQ.

Procedure for older devices without a .System folder:

1. Before using this procedure, do yourself a favor and make a

complete backup of your device.
2. Before using this procedure, make sure you have the latest device
so ware installed on your unit. If your unit so ware is back
leveled, the map updater will attempt to apply a so ware update
before updating the map. The so ware update will fail on the
cloned device and the map update will not complete. Use Garmin
Express or Garmin WebUpdater to update your device so ware
before proceeding.
3. Start with a clean (freshly formatted) 4 GB or larger SD or micro SD
card (8 GB is recommended). Format the card as FAT32 using the
format function of your computer. Note: If your computer does not
have a SD card reader, you can use a USB thumb drive as a
substitute. When the map update procedure is finished, simply copy
all the updated files from the thumb drive over to the device's SD
card.
4. Create folder \Garmin on the SD card. Copy the file
garmindevice.xml from \Garmin folder of your device into the
\Garmin folder of the SD card.
5. **** nuvi 8x0 and 8x5 model series only **** Copy the the folder
Asr and its contents from the \Garmin folder of the device to the
\Garmin folder of the SD card.
6. Leave the SD card in the computer's card reader and safely
remove/eject/unplug your Garmin device from the computer.
7. Install and run Garmin Express or Garmin MapUpdater.
GarminMapUpdater can be downloaded here: GarminMapUpdater
for PC or GarminMapUpdater for Mac. Note: Garmin recommends
Express but many users prefer MapUpdater. Some older computers
can not run Garmin Express and must use MapUpdater.
8. Express or MapUpdater should recognize your configured SD card
in the card reader as your Garmin device. Proceed with the map
update as normal. When you get to the screen with the “Install
Options” button in the lower le corner, press that and select your
desired option for map region. Also select either “Install to device
only” or “Install to device and computer” as desired. Note: On
Garmin Express you will find this under "Advanced Options".
9. When Express or MapUpdater is finished, you should have 3 map
files in the \Garmin folder of the SD card: gmapprom.img,
gmapprom.gma and gmapprom.unl. Rename these files to
gmapsupp.img, gmapsupp.gma and gmapsupp.unl. Note: there
may be other files on the SD card as well. These files are discussed in
the remaining steps below.
10. **** nuvi 8x0 and 8x5 model series only **** Plug your nuvi back
into the computer, and move the updated Asr folder from the
\Garmin folder of the SD card to the \Garmin folder of the nuvi,
completely replacing the original Asr folder. Note: you will need to
delete the original Asr folder from the device, then copy the ASR
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folder from the SD card back to the device. You can delete the Asr
folder and files from the SD card a er copying them back to internal
storage.
11. **** nuvi 2x5, 465,7x5 and zumo 660 model series only **** Look
for file gmaptz.img in the \Garmin folder of the SD card. If it is
present, plug your nuvi back into the computer and copy or move
this file to the \Garmin folder of the device, replacing the existing
file with the new file. If file gmaptz.img is not present on the SD
card, ignore this step.
12. **** nuvi 7x5 and zumo 660 model series only **** In the \Garmin
folder of the SD card, you will see an additional map file
GMAP3D.img. You will also see the JCV folder which contains the
new junction view file. These files can remain on the SD card and
do not need to be moved to the device.
13. **** nuvi 8x5 model series only **** In the \Garmin folder of the
SD card, you will see the JCV folder which contains the new
junction view file. This file can remain on the SD card and does not
need to be moved to the device. Note: If you intend to download the
large JCV file as a separate step, do so now. Copy the large JCV file
into this folder and delete the smaller JCV file that came with the
map.
14. Safely remove/eject the SD card and your Garmin device from your
computer. Insert the updated SD card in your Garmin, boot up the
GPS and check Map Info to verify that you are running with the
new maps.

Once you have tested the new map and are satisfied that everything is
OK, you should delete the file \Garmin\GarminDevice.xml from the SD
card. If you don't do this, the SD card will continue to show up in Garmin
programs as a device and it will be di icult to distinguish the SD card
from the real Garmin.

Notes for newer Garmin devices with a \.System folder:

This section applies only to the newer Garmin models that store maps
and other files in a hidden \.system folder rather than the \Garmin folder
like the older models. These include the following models:

nuvi: 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx

zumo: 220, 350, 390, 395, 595, 665
dezl and rv
all models in the Drive series

Important note: If you have a nuvi in the 3xxx series that supports
the 3-D terrain view, make sure you have a backup of the
\.system\gmapdem.img file before you install the map update.
Some versions of Garmin Map Updater incorrectly delete this file or
download it with an incorrect name. You may need to manually
restore or rename the file a er the map update.

Although the specific steps are not detailed in this FAQ, the cloning
method can be adapted to the newer Garmin model series devices. To
use this procedure on these devices, you must first set your computer to
expose the hidden \.system folder. If your device operates in MTP mode
(Media Transport Protocol), change it from MTP to Mass Storage mode

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before you continue. Note: Most of the newer devices operate in MTP
mode by default.

Now, follow steps 1-8 of the above procedure to download and install the
map and other map related files directly to the SD card.

The map files will end up on the SD card in folder \.system and will be
named gmapprom.img, gmapprom.unl and gmapprom.gma. Create
folder \Map on the SD card and move these three files into it. You can
then rename the files from gmapprom to any name of your choosing, but
keep the .img, .unl and .gma extensions.

If your device has junction views, you will find a JCV folder within the
\.system folder on the SD card. Move the JCV folder and its contents into
the \Garmin folder of the SD card.

There may be some other folders and files that were downloaded into
the \.system folder of the SD card. Depending on your Garmin device,
these files may include such things as the timezone map (gmaptz.img),
voice recognition files or Tra icTrends database. Move these additional
files back to the device's internal storage, replacing the original files and
preserving the folder structure as downloaded to the card. Once you
have moved these files back to the device, the .system folder on the SD
card will be empty and should be deleted.

That will complete the cloning procedure, so you are ready to insert the
SD card back into your Garmin device and test the new map. Once you
are satisfied that the new map and related files are installed and working
correctly, don't forget to delete file \Garmin\GarminDevice.xml from the
SD card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garmin Memory Cards | What is the largest SD (Secure Digital) card

that my nuvi can accept?

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