I have a Garmin 64S GPS unit that I'd like to get a topographic basemap layer onto, so I'm not wandering with a blank screen while getting to my field sites for my research.
I'm using ArcMap 10.3.1, and I have a USGS topographic map that I'd like to download onto my GPS unit.
I've tried using Basecamp and Map Tiler software to get this topo onto my GPS via ArcMap, and I've also tried directly sticking it into a "CustomMaps" folder, but nothing has worked.
My GPS unit, which has the most recent software update, only accepts JPEGs for custom maps, which I've attempted to import to no avail.
I've called Garmin Customer Service, and they wanted me to georeference the .jpg via Google Earth, save it as a .kmz file, and then import it onto the GPS. Again, my GPS doesn't recognize .kmz files. I'm working with a GIS specialist, and we're both scratching our heads currently on how to do this.
Is it possible to take a topo from ArcMap and transfer it onto a GPS unit, or is that impossible?
Best Answer
Yes it is possible to create a custom basemap for a Garmin unit. It isn't straightforward or well documented. It definitely isn't supported by Garmin. There are a few ways of doing it, but the steps I used involve these software:
GPSMapEdit - import shapefiles into a Polish Map format file http://geopainting.com/
Cgpsmapper - convert the Polish Map Format file into Garmin IMG format http://www.cgpsmapper.com/
MapSetToolKit - Install the Garmin IMG format into the registry so that it's visible in BaseCamp https://sites.google.com/site/cypherman1/
BaseCamp - Garmin's software for loading maps onto a GPS receiver http://www.garmin.com/
NSIS - optional program to install the map on other people's computers. http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page
There is a decent site that has good resources on making these basemaps. GPS File Depot https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/