Geocaching Australia

Garmin Custom Maps — a free and simple process that transforms paper and electronic maps into downloadable maps for your compatible outdoor handheld device.
Garmin Custom Maps are created using Garmin map drawing technology to georeference map images and effectively download a printed or electronic map.


http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/u ... custommaps

I tried this process last night and now have a paper map image on my Dakota 20
Useful
It only works with JPG images at this stage
Keep the image size to < 3Mb or the GPS won't recognise it

Don't forget you cannot breach copyright.

The calibration process is achieved by superimposing the image over Google earth
and then adjusting the image to fit.
A slow and cumbersome process though.
Hopefully the calibration process will be automated in the future

Kevin

Was just playing with this.
It's certainly a handy feature!
Pity the map size has to be so small, If I could jam in a whole 22k map at a good resolutions I'd be even happier

Garmin are certainly doing some great things with these units, and it doesn't look like they are slowing down on the development front!

Something else coming in a few days it seems....satellite imagery by way of a $30/year subscription.

http://www.gpsfix.net/garmin-announces- ... scription/

I vote for poor satellite imagery of anywhere outside of the US.

mm

Derringer wrote: snip Garmin Custom Maps — a free and simple process snip...


..Hopefully the calibration process will be automated in the future..

Kevin

This was briefly discussed way back in October 09

http://forum.geocaching.com.au/viewtopi ... 12&t=13373

Since we're back on the subject ..Below is a good resourse for information on making custom maps including a number of programs that allow you to create them from existing claibrated maps (eg OziExplorer format).

http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/Custom+Maps

GlobalMapper is the possibly pick of the bunch (though it costs money) as it can import a wide range of calibrated map formats and then export them directly to the Garmin custom maps directory in a flash.

Cheers
Greg

Reminds me, I am off to Vic next weekend so better update the shonkymaps coverage in the 60CSx. But it would be nice to be able to put streetmaps from other sources in there with a conversion utility. Will have to have a play.

richary wrote:Reminds me, I am off to Vic next weekend so better update the shonkymaps coverage in the 60CSx. But it would be nice to be able to put streetmaps from other sources in there with a conversion utility. Will have to have a play.

Hi - the "custom maps" referred to in this thread only work with Oregon, Colorados and Dakotas. If you want free street maps for your 60 series try OSM

http://www.osmaustralia.org/garmin.php

Cheers
Greg

its a wonder there is no library on these custom maps eg a tourist map overlay for various areas around the country

I have been playing with Garmin Custom maps using Mobile Atlas Creator. I tested the custom map with Google maps as a base (as I know it so well) and exported the map to the Garmin KMZ file type.

I have transferred the maps onto the Garmin Dakota 20 and I can view them but the quality is terrible . Zooming in just makes the images pizelated and they take forever to load

I am assuming in have done something wrong when creating the maps but i am unsure.

has anyone else had similar issues with Custom Mpas?

Shael6636 wrote: I have transferred the maps onto the Garmin Dakota 20 and I can view them but the quality is terrible . Zooming in just makes the images pizelated and they take forever to load
has anyone else had similar issues with Custom Maps?

yep image quality on the Dakota 20 is not all that good for me too, but it would depend on how far you zoom right? as I assume it hasn't got multiple layers it would have to digitally zoom in/out

Hmm Multiple Layers,

The map I created does have the different zoom levels (i used Mobile Map Atlas), but different layers....That i am not sure of. I might need to play some more i think.