[oakarkut]

Hi all. In Turkey someone sells an unused nav V, and says that only asian maps are loaded on the instrument. Can (or how can) I download maps of other continents, countries maps. Tia.

 

[oakarkut]

Ps: I mean, if I buy it.

 

[Freedomrider1776]

In the Garmin Express application/software, you connect the GPS to that software.

 

[virkdoc]

You can buy maps on ebay and the seller will send you a file with instructions and you can download them.
Also Europe maps should be available on the Garmin website

 

[Toter]

The Garmin units are set up for a particular region of maps, ie, North America, Europe, Asia, etc. You can purchase another regions maps from Garmin ($$), but it is a one time load and will not be updateable. I went through this when I accidentally purchased a Garmin from a European supplier, and actually needed North America maps. I would not go there.

 

[Bluebird]

The Garmin units are set up for a particular region of maps, ie, North America, Europe, Asia, etc. You can purchase another regions maps from Garmin ($$), but it is a one time load and will not be updateable. I went through this when I accidentally purchased a Garmin from a European supplier, and actually needed North America maps. I would not go there.

I can verify this, and same conclusion. I brought mine from Europe, bought North America and was able to update only during the first year. Would never go this route again.

 

[Bluebird]

You could try to install the OpenMaps files for a specific area. It's free, so could be worth a try:

BBBike extracts OpenStreetMap (OSM, Garmin, Shapefile etc.)

Free OpenStreetMap exports from Planet.osm in OSM, PBF, Garmin, Osmand, mapsforge, Organic Maps, SVG, GeoJSON, SQLite, Esri shapefile or mbtiles format as rectangle or polygon

garmin.bbbike.org

 

[Jamieslife]

Hi all. In Turkey someone sells an unused nav V

So first, I agree with all the cautionary responses.

There are sometimes the price may be so low that it's worth a gamble knowing you may end up discarding the unit if the gamble doesn't work. Below is an option if you decide the gamble.

I've been running numerous Garmin units for years including NAVs 5 & 6. I map long distance journey and routinely change maps. I'm sure there are other ways but this is how I do it.

I use Garmin BaseCamp (just lost a few BC haters. ). Currently planning a South America run and found the Garmin compatible open source, Open Map Chest website. I'm impressed. There there appear to be maps of much of the world. They update the maps often. Explained simply, I download the OMC Garmin version file to my computer import the map into BC and create the tracks, add my waypoint/POI, breakdown trip into sections/lists and otherwise organize the trip. FYI, in BC you have to select/switch to the map you want to use. I currently have four maps loaded in BC (North, Central, South America and SA Topo)

Then connect the NAV device via USB. There is some archiving and management of files on the NAV in windows explorer before using BC to push the new map (full or partial) to the attached NAV. Finally I'll export the trip (full or partial) gpx to the attached NAV.

I will add that over the years I have become extremely computer savvy so this may not be for the faint of heart, LOL. Happy to go into specifics if you need. Good luck whatever direction you go.