• Topo Maps For Garmin Vista Hcx
• Garmin Topo Maps Download

1. Deep foliage, nor canyons faze the rugged eTrex Vista HCx. Its high-sensitivity receiver holds a GPS signal in the toughest environments. Similar to the Vista Cx, this handheld navigator also has a bright.
2. Jan 19, 2021 No, Garmin does not list any mapping products for the Garmin Vista HCx. The Garmin Vista HCx is a discontinued model. We would recommend upgrading to a new GPS. You may wish to contact Garmin Support for assistance. 1-800-800-1020: Back To Top.

The good news is that if you own a Garmin GPS device, there’s a way to get free Garmin GPS maps. And in most cases, the free maps are much better than the expensive Garmin maps. I’m a big fan of Garmin GPS devices, but I always found it disappointing that they charged extra for maps. Garmin doesn’t publicize it, but most of their GPS units are setup to take any maps in the correct format. Here’s how to get and install these free hiking maps in an easy, step-by-step process.

In retrospect, I think the price for Garmin maps is too high. There are some as good, or better, alternatives available at no cost online. This product is overpriced for what it is. I would recommend other software. – Garmin Map Review on Amazon

Why These Free Maps?

So let me start by saying there are a lot of ways to get free Garmin GPS maps, and a lot of different methods to install them. You could create whole websites devoted to the subject, and people have (see below). This article focuses on installing my favorite free Garmin GPS maps for hiking in the USA, using OpenStreetMaps. If these don’t work for you, try exploring the other map services that I have listed below.

You can also create your own highly-customized maps and download them to your Garmin device.

OpenStreetMaps are the Wikipedia of maps. The public contributes to, confirms, and edits the data on the map. This curation goes for hiking trails too. The maps are regularly updated, and over the last few years have seemed the most accurate in my experience. You can even become a contributor if you like.

The free hiking maps that I’m recommending are great because:

• They are good topographic maps with elevation contours.
• They have a large number of hiking trails on them.
• They are “routable,” which means that you can use free tools like Garmin Basecamp to automatically create routes and tracks that you can follow (without having to plot each point of the trail yourself).
• The colors and detail work well for me. That is, they look good on the device.
• USA regions are packaged together.

ExpertGPS gives you the peace-of-mind that your Garmin eTrex Legend HCx data is always safe. Making Maps from your Garmin eTrex Legend HCx Data Real 1:24000 USGS Topo Maps. View your Garmin eTrex Legend HCx waypoints, routes, and tracks over USGS topo maps and aerial photos. These are actual 1:24000 scale topographic maps from the US Geological. Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products. No, Garmin does not list any mapping products for the Garmin Vista HCx. The Garmin Vista HCx is a discontinued model. We would recommend upgrading to a new GPS. You may wish to contact Garmin Support for assistance. 1-800-800-1020: Back To Top.

Video Instructions

If you are on Windows, there are some special instructions below.

Which Garmin GPS devices do the maps work with?

First off, the Garmin unit you have might have maps already. You probably know this, but if you’re shopping for a GPS, go to the Garmin website page for the unit. If it maps come with the unit, it will say it has “preloaded topo maps.”

If you already have a unit and want to find out if these free maps work, go to the unit’s page on the Garmin website, and then check out the “specs” section. There is a line for “ability to add maps,” if you have a check there, you’re good to go.

Downloading the Free Garmin GPS Maps

The first thing you’re going to want to do is visit the GMapTool website, specifically the USA OSM Topo Routable page.

Then pick the region you want, and download the appropriate map package (link way at the bottom of the page). The files are pretty big. The download might take a while.

Installing the Free Maps on Your Computer

The instructions are different for Mac and PC. The map website has a link for installation instructions, click on that. My instructions cover the installation on a Mac, but I have some general that fill in the gaps for installing on Windows below .

For the Mac, you’ll need three (free) programs to install the maps. You can download and install these programs while you wait for your maps to download.

That’s it. The maps are on your computer. If you’re not already using the free Garmin Basecamp tool, I highly recommend getting it. It will allow you to browse maps, create tracks, and is invaluable in planning hikes.

Installing the Free Maps on Your Garmin GPS

Once your map is downloaded and installed, you’re all set to install them on your GPS unit.

Installing on GPS Devices With MTP Mode

Garmin added a connection mode called MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) to transfer files, which makes the Garmin appear as a “media device.” And of course, Apple doesn’t support it. Most Garmin devices allow you to switch the USB mode to “mass-storage” and you should find that in the settings and give it a try. Make sure the device firmware is updated to get the latest settings. Once in “mass-storage” mode, you should be able to follow the steps laid out earlier.

If you’re stuck in MTP mode, I’ve found a solution. It’s not the most graceful one in the world, but it works (confirmed on a Fenix 5x Plus).

• Get your maps from here: http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl
• The site will send you an email with a download link.
• Download the ZIP file that is described as “Compressed file that contains a single image that can be placed directly onto the SD-card of the GPS.”
• Unzip the file. You should have a file with a “.img” extension.
• Now we need to connect the Garmin to the computer. Download the free Android File Transfer program from Google. Install it on your machine as per the instructions.
• If you have Garmin Express running, make sure it’s not running and you have disabled any “automatically launch when device is connected” settings.
• Plug in your Garmin to the computer and launch the Android File Transfer program. You should see a screen like this:
  
• Simply drag the “.img” file that you downloaded into the Garmin folder. You might want to rename the “.img” file to make sure it doesn’t whack any maps already on there.

Microsoft word contractor bid templatedownload free apps. That’s it. Go to your map settings and turn the OSM map on and off.

Tips for Windows Installation

The directions on GMapTool site aren’t very descriptive for Windows. Here are some tips from fellow hiker Dave T. on how to install the free maps on Windows.

• Run the “bat” file as described on the GMapTool site.
• Open Garmin Basecamp to ensure that the maps have been installed.
• Use the free Garmin MapInstall program to send the maps to your device. OR you can also install them directly from Basecamp. Right click on the internal storage and selected install maps (thanks to John S for the tip).
• Or use the maps at garmin.openstreetmap.nl, Download your map first. This will create a single “img” file for each map you download. Then copy that map file to your Garmin (the drive if you have a micro SD card, not the device) in the “Garmin” folder (which you must create first if it doesn’t already exist).

If These Free Garmin GPS Maps Don’t Work For You

Download free comic book creator programs. There are other free maps for your Garmin GPS, and again, they might have different instructions for installation. Check the website where the maps are offered for directions on how to install them.

• GPSFileDepot is a great resource that’s frequently updated. I recommend trying this site before any others.
• OpenStreetMap.nl is good if you want to grab.a smaller, more specific map.
• OpenSeaMap offers nautical charts.

If you’re having trouble finding the GMAP folder, this tip has helped some folks (thanks to Liz S!).

Some Final Thoughts

I recommend planning your hike and creating a GPX file beforehand. Most Garmin GPS units are too small for anything more than impromptu navigation planning. I have a tutorial on how to plan a hiking route for your Garmin GPS here.

And I could use your help. I don’t download these maps every day, so if these directions don’t seem up to date, please contact me and let me know. I’ll update the directions here accordingly.

Lastly, a note if you’re having tech issues. Unfortunately, I can’t help everyone who emails me. I recommend posting your question online in the Garmin Reddit, the Garmin Forums, or in a Garmin group on Facebook. That’s probably you’re quickest path to success.

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Topo Maps For Garmin Vista Hcx

• I found a recent thread ('File name already exists' http://forums.gpsreview.net/discussion/13557/x/p1/) that appears to describe my problem. The suggested solution is to use MapSource to combine both maps and load them together. But I don't see how to do that in my case. I loaded the topo with BaseCamp, and the CityXplorer was load directly from the Garmin website. Is there a way to get both of these onto my eTrex Vista HCx?
• I don't think you can use that technique with City Xplorer maps (from what I've read, have not tried myself). As I understand it, these maps don't work with mapsource, but can only install directly on the GPS or card. I believe you are just downloading a file image which can only be installed directly to an SD card. So I'm pretty sure you will need to buy a separate, smaller micro SD card and put the maps on it, then switch to that card when you want to use them.
  Actually the thread you linked to is out of date now as well. Garmin has revised the Oregon firmware to allow multiple maps with any name you like (and evidently this change was made just to support downloaded products like CityXplorer). So you would be able to install this map along with others on the Oregon series. Unfortunately they are not supporting this on the older models like yours however.
  You could call or write Garmin support to confirm this, but I suspect you're out of luck here.. sorry.
• I was about to post my map problems but saw piecat's post and thought it might be appropriate for me to post here. I have a Vista HCx with 4GB SDHC card. Yesterday I downloaded some free Texas Topo maps from GPSFileDepot and all went well. They showed up on my receiver. Today I downloaded the entire state of NM Topo maps from the same source. They all showed up on my receiver, but my TX Topo's are gone; I only have the basemap when viewing Texas. I just went ahead and deleted the free maps, I figure it might be easier to start over after getting some advice from this forum. I would like to load maps into my receiver from different states and be able to use them all. How do I combine the FREE maps in MapSource, or is this just not going to happen? I figure my problem is different only because I am using free Topo maps. ADDED LATER: Maybe I am trying to load too many segments? Is a segment the same as a download?
• As you found out, when you load one map it automatically wipes out the old map on the Etrex, unless you change the file name of the original map. Of course the original map won't be recognized if you change its file name. However, if I remember correctly, when you are selecting areas you can select areas from multiple Mapsource Maps. For istance I can select the New England area in the Ibycus map and then also select the New England, or other area in the Magellan Topo 100k maps and they will all get loaded onto the SD card in one map file as long as you have enough room and don't violate the maximum segement rule. This also works for city navigator too, as long as the GPS is the one that city navigator is locked to. You then need to know how to turn on and off the various maps in the Etrex menu system.
• Marc's right. You need to select all the segments from all the different maps, then send them all to the GPS at the same time. In mapsource, use the View > Switch to Product menu to choose the different maps, then pick the parts you want. They will be added to the list of map segments in the left-hand pane.
  You will still be limited to 2025 segments, but that's quite a lot.
• Is this possible with Topo 24K and City Navigator? My understanding is that sending 2 maps to the GPS at the same time must be done using MapSource, but my Topo 24K DVD came with BaseCamp. I have a copy of MapSource that came with the Vista HCx, but I cannot figure out how to load the Topo 24K maps into MapSource. They work fine with BaseCamp.
• I'm not familiar with basecamp, but I know one way to get maps into Mapsend is to download them from your GPS. Have you checked when you load the 24k maps onto your PC if Mapsend lists them?
• Mapsource.. :D
  You could try that (if I'm understandiing what Marc says). Load the 24k map into your GPS with BaseCamp, then run mapsource, select Receive from Device and select maps. Maybe it will let you copy whatever maps are loaded. Then again, maybe not. I don't think this will work with City Navigator, for example.
  But have you checked to see if the 24k topo is already available in Mapsource (as a result of installing it in Basecamp)? I'm a little surprised that they don't save the maps in a common location.
  If none of this works, you may have to ask Garmin if it's possible to do what you want. IMO, this is just another problem of these older Garmin models and another reason why it's worth giving serious consideration to the Oregon and Dakota series. The software for the 60csx and eTrex models seems forever locked into a 1990's mindset. Garmin could address this with a firmware update, but I doubt that they ever will.
• If I can't manage to combine free topo maps of different states onto one SD card, I guess I could get a few micro SD cards and put a state on each card. Feasible?
• Should not be a problem combining the free topo maps using mapsource. Sure, you could also use separate cards, but swapping them might be a pain. Not familiar with your model, but on other handhelds you have to remove the batteries and fiddle with a little metal cover, etc.
• My problem is figuring out how to combine them in MapSource in layman's terms. Remember, I am not computer literate. If someone says: change the file name to blah blah, and combine the maps, or something similar, I wonder 'How do I do that?'
• Install the maps by following the instructions. Most of them have installers. In mapsource use the View > Switch to Product menu to choose the map you want. Use the map tool (looks like a polygon) to select the area of the map desired. You will see a list of segments appear on the Map Tab on the left.
  Now go back to View > Switch to Product and select the next map desired. Repeat this until you have selected all the segments of all the maps you want. You should see them all listed in the mapset on the left.
  Connect the gps and use Transfer > Send to Device to put the maps on your gps.
• Thank you Boyd and Marc for all your help. I'm learning a lot about how to install maps on the Vista.
  The CityXplorer map is small (single city) and downloads directly to the GPS. I couldn't combine it into a single image with topos and convinced Garmin to accept a return for refund on the CityXplorer map.
  But here are a few things I discovered that did work. These may be old news to most of you.
  1. My Topo24 DVD came with BaseCamp and I used it to send all the segments for OR & WA to the Vista. This took about 3 hours.
  2. I used the 'USB Mass Storage' interface mode to copy gmapsupp.img from the Vista to my PC. This also took about 3 hours.
  3. MapSource (which came with the Vista HCx) doesn't show my Topo24 maps, but they do show up in MapInstall (which is in the MapSource programs folder), and I successfully used MapInstall to send the two Topo24 segments adjacent to my location to the Vista. This was very quick because there were only two segments, and as expected it overwrote the rest of OR & WA.
  4. I transferred the microSDHC card to my MP3 player (Sanza Fuze) and used it to copy the saved gmapsupp.img of OR & WA from my PC to the card. This took only 6 minutes, and the maps showed up fine when I put the card back in the Vista. The MP3 added an empty Music folder on the card but this didn't bother the Vista.
  In the future I think I could probably use MapInstall to send a combined image of Topo24 & CityNavigator maps to the Vista, but I haven't tried this. I don't have a CityNavigator DVD and am not ready to buy one yet.
  It would be nice if MapInstall could send the map image directly to a PC file. I haven't discovered how to do that and don't know if it's possible.
• You can send the map from MapSource/MapInstall directly to the microSD card if you plug in the card in a card reader and connect the card reader to the computer. It is immensely faster to install the maps this way.
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Garmin Topo Maps Download