Hi

I'm purchasing this map. In future, I want to be able to have all my maps (TSM and Garmin) on the same 2GB microSD card. It seems that there are some technical hoops to jump through to do this. Right now I need to know which media to purchase, or does it make any difference?

The technical hoops depend on which Nuvi model you have. Ultimately your maps will be stored in either the GPS internal memory and/or on microSD/SD memory card. You can download to either location from your computer, but you must pay attention to the map file names, memory location, and unlock codes (if required). The media would be a microSD/SD memory card.

Edited November 19, 201015 yr by InterestedObserver

The technical hoops depend on which Nuvi model you have. Ultimately your maps will be stored in either the GPS internal memory and/or on microSD/SD memory card. You can download to either location from your computer, but you must pay attention to the map file names and their location. The media would be a microSD/SD memory card depending which size your GPS accepted.

IO,

Thanks! Mine is Nuvi 1350 which accepts microSD card. The Garmin website sells the map in microSD format or download format (for latter, it downloads to my PC when I do online purchase). So are you saying either format doesn't matter for my purpose? I imagine that if I buy via MicroSD, I can transfer the map to a bigger capacity microSD card (on which I store the TSM map) via my PC. I just want to be sure the anti-piracy controls doesn't prevent me from doing this sort of simple file transfers

Edited November 19, 201015 yr by giibaht

If you purchase the map direct from Garmin on microSD/SD card the map unlock code will be unique to that data card and cannot be transferred. If you purchase the map direct from Garmin via download to your computer/GPS then the unlock code will be unique to your GPS unit. TSM has a similar unlock code associated with the map and GPS unit. I'd get the downloaded map, that way you keep the unlock code tied to your GPS unit. You can then move the map around between internal memory and microSD/SD memory card as required.

Edited November 19, 201015 yr by InterestedObserver

If you purchase the map direct from Garmin on microSD/SD card the map unlock code will be unique to that data card and cannot be transferred. If you purchase the map direct from Garmin via download to your computer/GPS then the unlock code will be unique to your GPS unit. TSM has a similar unlock code associated with the map and GPS unit. I'd get the downloaded map, that way you keep the unlock code tied to your GPS unit. You can then move the map around between internal memory and microSD/SD memory card as required.

OIC... In that case I have another problem... which is that I intend to buy another handheld Garmin (etrex Vista HCX) and I want the maps to be shareable with my Nuvi 1350 (which is for road use). Which is the better option for me then

Then you are going to need generic, unlocked maps. Other posters to this forum can provide details, or search the internet for unlocked pirated maps.

If you purchase the map direct from Garmin on microSD/SD card the map unlock code will be unique to that data card and cannot be transferred. If you purchase the map direct from Garmin via download to your computer/GPS then the unlock code will be unique to your GPS unit. TSM has a similar unlock code associated with the map and GPS unit. I'd get the downloaded map, that way you keep the unlock code tied to your GPS unit. You can then move the map around between internal memory and microSD/SD memory card as required.

OIC... In that case I have another problem... which is that I intend to buy another handheld Garmin (etrex Vista HCX) and I want the maps to be shareable with my Nuvi 1350 (which is for road use). Which is the better option for me then

AFAIK most map sets are licensed only to a single device. Other than piracy, the only solution would be to ask to have the mapsets transferred to another device via the seller.. but many like ERSI won't do it. Their licenses makes them non-transferable. While I've know Garmin to let you transfer licenses.