Raster maps in Garmin GPS receivers. Raster KMZ maps in GPS navigator KMZ maps for garmin


The Custom Maps format is currently not relevant; it is much more efficient to use JNX. It is enough to crack the firmware and save the maps in JNX format using the MAPC2MAPC program described below.
Information about Garmin vector and raster map formats.

As you know, the latest models of Garmin navigators (Oregon, Dakota, 62, Colorado, 78, Edge 800) support downloading raster maps in KMZ format. Let's try to figure out what it is and what it is eaten with.

Technical description

The KMZ container is a zip archive containing:

  1. One or more map fragments in JPEG format.
  2. KML file describing this map in XML format:
    • Fragment names;
    • Parallels/meridians on which the sides of the fragments lie;
    • Angles of rotation of fragments;
    • Rendering priority: indicates the location of the raster relative to the available vector maps.

Thus, each KMZ contains a map consisting of several fragments in JPEG format and a file for the navigator with their description.

At the moment, there are the following restrictions on loading raster maps:

  • An unlimited number of KMZ containers (that is, individual cards) are allowed.
  • Each map fragment (JPEG) must be no more than 1 megapixel in size (i.e. 1024x1024, 512x2048, etc.) and weigh no more than 3 MB. The larger map must be broken down into smaller ones.
  • In total, no more than 100 fragments can be loaded into the device in all containers, and their total weight should not exceed 32 MB.
  • All file names cannot include Cyrillic.

Looking ahead, I will say that all these restrictions lead to the impossibility of having more than 12 standard General Staff sheets in the device at a time. These restrictions are purely software, but there is another format - JNX - which allows you to load a much larger number of maps with much wider capabilities. However, using JNX requires unauthorized intervention in the device firmware, so we’ll leave this issue for another time.

Creating maps

Preparation

All methods of downloading raster maps imply that you have at least the original map in picture format. Where can I get it?

  1. If you have maps in the "drawing + .map" format - everything is fine.
  2. If you have maps in OZF2 format, use OziMapTrans (free) to extract a map of the "drawing + .map" type.
  3. If you want to load satellite images or, for example, Yandex maps into your navigator, use SAS Planet (free, Russian). Working with it is very simple: select the desired area of ​​the desired map, first download it at the required scale (if you want to add a “hybrid” layer, download it separately), and then glue it into a huge JPEG, not forgetting to check the MAP box.
    By the way, SAS Planet allows you to immediately collect KMZ for Garmin, but at the moment it does it crookedly - you have to manually set how many fragments to split the picture into, plus a separate KMZ is created for each fragment, which is stupid and inconvenient.

The hard way

This loading method is offered by Garmin itself and is described in some detail. Briefly:

  1. You take Photoshop and compress/cut the existing map into pieces no larger than 1000x1000 pixels in size, and be sure to save it in JPEG.
  2. You put each piece on Google Earth and drag, stretch, and rotate it with your hands (!!!) for the best possible overlay (which won’t happen anyway) on the satellite photo. It is useful to make the piece translucent. If the satellite photo in this place is of poor quality, that’s your problem.
  3. Choose the drawing order:
    • 0-49 - the raster map will be shown below the vector one.
    • 50-100 - the raster map will be shown above the vector one, but under waypoints, roads, height and depth lines.
    • The higher order card is drawn above the lower order card.
  4. Repeat pp. 2-3 for all pieces. A standard sheet of the General Staff is 9 pieces, and a satellite photo is up to 100 or more.
  5. Save everything together in KMZ.

In my experience, if you reduce a GS sheet so that there are 4 pieces, then processing the sheet takes no more than 40 minutes. We actually perform the binding manually, ignoring the existing one, and in a far from the most convenient way.

The easy way

The idea is that you use specialized software to create KMZ as simplified as possible. This method requires a map reference - a MAP file or similar. I use the program MAPC2MAPC, which will be discussed below. Let me make a reservation right away that the program is paid (10 GBP), but the unpaid version is fully functional (it just craps red crosses on the map), plus you can download old versions for free.

So, the features of this program include:

  • Trimming the map into a rectangle;
  • Gluing cards together;
  • Selecting the fragment size in pixels;
  • Selecting the compression level;
  • Selecting the fragments that we will include in the resulting KMZ;
  • Selecting the rendering level;
  • Map scaling;
  • The simplest way to adjust the brightness of the map (it’s more efficient to edit the image in Photoshop to your liking);
  • Saving a simple snapshot with a picture, as well as KMZ or JNX.

In general, once the settings have been made, it is enough to load the MAP, crop the map to taste, select the desired fragments (if we don’t need the entire map) and start the conversion. You can watch video instructions for creating KMZ in Mapc2mapc.

Advice: if you set the fragment size to 1200x870 pixels, then the General Staff sheet will take not 9, but 8 - accordingly, more sheets will fit into memory. In addition, unnecessary parts of the map (large water areas) can be excluded from processing - thereby also saving space.

In addition, if the path to the map includes Russian characters, the program will complain about it. The path is to hell with it, but the name of the map should be written in Latin, like the link to the picture in the MAP. You can fix this manually, or you can use the same OziMapTrans.

Loading maps

The easiest way to download is to manually drop them into the \Garmin\CustomMaps folder on the device or on a memory card. But if there were mistakes during conversion, then the device will either start cursing when starting up, or simply will not show the card.

Therefore, a more reliable way is to use the program from Garmin Basecamp (free, Russian). She can do a lot, in particular, load and unload all information from the device, except for branded cards. It is enough to import the KMZ we created and send it to our device or to a memory card, then everything will be done by itself.

Result

Ultimately, our General Staff sheet is converted into a KMZ file, consisting of 8 fragments and weighing 1.6 MB (quality “4”, i.e. 80%). It is not difficult to calculate that the device’s memory will contain 12 sheets, and if we remove unnecessary fragments, then even more. This is enough to cover an area of ​​at least 50x50 km with 500-meter lines, and 200x200 km with 2-kilometer lines.

At the same time, a maximum-scale satellite photograph measuring 5x10 km takes up almost all the available memory (about 80 fragments, about 25 MB), so if we want to load particularly large raster volumes, we will have to use JNX. Information on this format is available on GPS-Forum.

Memory cards with loaded raster maps can be changed, so if you need to cover a very large area (that does not fit into memory), then it will be convenient to keep the main (vector) maps in the device’s memory, and insert cards with raster maps as needed, since a MicroSD card costs only from 170 rub. Just remember that the Garmin memory card connector is quite flimsy.

Here is the result of all our actions: a map from Candida, converted by me for uploading to Garmin. The file can be downloaded and opened in Google Earth (transparency is set in the conversion settings, the map is normal in the device itself). Website of the map author: bikeadventure.spb.ru.

Here is an example of the General Staff 500m lying under the vector, as it looks on the GPSMap 62s screen.

And this is a satellite photo of the maximum scale:

The “cloudiness” of the maps is due to the source data - naturally, if desired, they can be sharpened and made brighter/more contrast.

Here I will write in more detail about how to upload raster maps of the JNX format to the Garmin navigator.
Recently I helped my friends reflash the Garmin Etrex 20, so I’ll write it down from fresh memory.

How to reflash Garmin to work with BirdsEye

Attention! Remember that the law does not allow “the implementation without permission... of actions aimed at removing restrictions on the use of works or objects of related rights”!
  1. You need a navigator that supports Garmin's BirdsEye technology, which allows you to link satellite images to a map. Initially, this is a paid thing. BE is supported by almost all modern travel navigators from Garmin - Etrex 20 and 30, Oregon, Dakota, GPSMap 62, 64, 78, Colorado and others . To use this technology without restrictions, you need to reflash the navigator with the “correct” patched firmware.
  2. We connect the navigator via USB to the computer. We turn it on if it doesn’t turn on itself.
  3. We go to the offsite and download the utility, which will then download the latest firmware version for your device - WebUpdater.
  4. Let's launch the utility. It identifies the device and downloads the firmware. We do not disconnect the wire!
  5. A file called GUPDATE.GCD appears on the internal memory in the main Garmin folder - this is the new official firmware
  6. Copy the file to your hard drive.
  7. Download the FirmwarePatcher29 patcher program, for example, from here.
  8. We launch the program and patch the file with the firmware saved on the hard drive. It seems that this program should change the firmware number to the one you specify to it, but I couldn’t do it. However, the point is not important. Although the "original" and "patched" numbers are the same, everything works for me. On two devices exactly.
  9. The output is the file GUPDATE_Patched.GCD. We replace the firmware file on the navigator with this file.
  10. We delete all files from the BirdsEye folder (I don’t know why this is necessary, but the original instructions say so).
  11. After this, disconnect the navigator from the computer.
  12. We turn on the navigator and wait for it to update the firmware. 5-7 minutes is normal. Make sure the device's batteries are fresh. In case of failures (and in general for installing such firmware) you will lose the warranty from garmin...
  13. After the update, we connect the navigator to the computer again to load the maps.
  14. We copy the maps to the Garmin/Birdseye folder, either on the internal memory or on a memory card. If there is no such directory, create it. How to make cards - read below.
  15. Disconnect the navigator from the computer.
  16. Turn on the navigator. Go to the map settings, disable all unnecessary maps (such as Navitel, etc.), leaving only jnx. If this is not done, they may intersect/overlap.
  17. We are happy with the new cards :)
  18. I have not yet been able to use different types of jnx maps for one area, i.e. for example, separately satellite, separately the General Staff. The navigator includes either all jnx maps or none. This is a little sad.

How to make JNX maps in SAS Planet program

  1. Download the latest version of SAS Planet from the official website (the program is free)
  2. Select the desired card from the menu. For example: General Staff >> Topographic map (Routes.ru) or Yandex >> Satellite.
  3. You study at what scales (designation in the lower left corner with the letter z, like z12) what quality and detail the map is. Sometimes, when you zoom in, the image of the previous layer simply enlarges, and sometimes a more detailed map appears.
  4. If you need a map of a specific scale (for example, a map of the General Staff), then everything is easy.
    Select the desired area, then select the “Export” tab, “JNX raster map for Garmin” format.
    In the Map tab, select the type of map you need. In the Scale field, you need to set the one on which the map looks the best (see point 3). In the Scale field - scale on the navigator, at which this layer will be appear. I recommend immediately setting it to 80 km. Such a “monoscale” map on a navigator will look the same as on a computer, and will behave the same when zoomed in/out.
    Click Start - and that’s it, the map is ready.
    Important nuance! Sas Planet exports the map only from already loaded map titles (i.e., cache). Therefore, before exporting, a map of this area at the required scale (which is z) must be loaded into the cache. This is done either by viewing it (the map), I repeat - on the required scale. Or select - Load tab - select the map, scale, click Start and load it into the cache. Then we do Export.
  1. If you want the map itself to change as the scale on the navigator changes (two-kilometer -> kilometer -> five-hundred-meter), this will take a little more time.
  2. We select the desired map and look at it at different scales. The scale at which cards are changed must be written down on a piece of paper.
    For example, in the Topokart of Routes.ru the shift is as follows: z9 - z11 - z12 (kilometer atlas) - z13 (like the 500-meter General Staff) - z14 (250-meter "new General Staff"). Note: different areas may have a different set of layers, i.e. You won't find 250 or 500 meters everywhere.
  3. Like the previous time, we need to load the scales we need into the cache. The more scales you want to load and the larger the area, the larger the cache and ultimately the map will weigh!
  4. Select again and select Export, JNX format for Garmin.
    Everything is almost the same, but now we form the layers of our future map from different map scales in Sas Planet. The bottom line: each scale on the navigator (it is indicated in the "Scale" field) will have its own scale from the program.
    It is difficult to unambiguously give a selection of scales. It all depends on the availability and quality of cards. For example, when exporting Topographic Maps to JNX of the regions of the Central Federal District, I use the following “grid”:
    Topographic map - 11 - 80 km (i.e., when the scale on the navigator is “80 km” and larger, a map from scale 11 will be displayed; up to a scale of “2 km”)
    Topographic map - 12 - 2 km (when switching to a scale of “2 km”, scale 12 will be displayed)
    Topographic map - 13 - "800 m"
    Topographic map - 14 - "300 m"
  5. The map is ready to be copied into the navigator.

Recently, a huge number of maps have appeared on the World Wide Web, which, unfortunately, some sites want to sell. Our store contains only unique information products. Only here you can download a map of the Sverdlovsk region for free in just one click. We cannot hide from users what has long been in the public domain. For example, here you can find Garmin topo maps for free. A navigator is a fairly expensive purchase, so it may be that there is not enough money for maps. In any case, when you purchase such a device, you win, but for now you can use the free cards that are presented in this section.

What are Garmin Introductory Maps

This is proprietary software prepared by us. Professional cards, which come for a fee, have a much larger number of options. In order to understand whether they are needed, you need to establish the purpose of your trips. If it's just a trip to nature with your family, then just buy a navigator in our store and download free Garmin topographic maps. If you are engaged in serious multi-day hikes (including ATV hikes), then you will eventually have to buy professional maps.

What else can you find here?

Download free Garmin GPS maps and more. Information here will be gradually updated, we will display maps prepared by us for free use. There are also topographic maps that were scanned a long time ago and have been freely available for more than 10 years. Essentially, everything a beginner needs is here.

The ability to use regular paper maps and satellite images in conjunction with portable Garmin navigators has appeared relatively recently. Until recently, only Magellan GPS receivers could boast of this function. All new portable models of the Oregon, Dakota and Colorado series support this feature, subject to installing the latest updates from the manufacturer’s website. To create and download a raster map, we will need to use software that must be installed on your computer. Let's look at the process of creating and using a raster map using the example of the Garmin Oregon 550 navigator, which we will connect with a cable to the computer to create a folder CustomMaps in the Garmin catalog.

  • Garmin Custom Maps- algorithm for using raster maps and satellite images in Garmin navigators
  • kmz- map file extension
  • CustomMaps- a folder in the Garmin directory, which can be located in the device itself or on external media

Preparing a graphic image

The source for our map can be automobile atlases, paper topographic maps, satellite images, and schematic plans of the area. In principle, any image that can be scanned and linked by coordinates will do. For our example, we will take a satellite image of a part of the city of Ivanovo, the image of which we will record directly from the Google Earth™ program, using the option " save image"from the menu" file".

Linking a graphic file

As you may have guessed, image linking is also carried out using the Google Earth™ program, into which we will load the previously obtained graphic file and simply combine it with the original image using the convenient interface of the program, where in the menu " add"select an option" image overlay". To link scanned maps, you should approximately find the required location on the satellite map and similarly overlay the image. You need to give a name to our map and install drawing order, which serves to determine the advantage of layers in the navigator. If you need to overlay the original map of your navigator with the one you made, you should select a value less than 50, and if you want to completely overlap the installed map of the navigator - more than 50. In the last two pictures you can see the result of this option, where on the left the value is set to 30, and on the right equal to 60.

Sending a file to the navigator

To save the resulting map in your navigator or on external media, you should select your image in the Google Earth™ program, in its sidebar " tags" using the right mouse button. Next select " save location as" and write the resulting map to the navigator or external memory module, where we previously created the folder CustomMaps. Now we can fully enjoy the perfection of the map we received, on which waypoints and routes will look very harmonious.

I would like to add that using the Google Earth™ program to download satellite images is not very convenient, at least not yet. Of course, it would be nice to just select the parts of the satellite map you like and load them directly into the navigator, but for this Garmin has already prepared a separate product called BirdsEye Satellite and Aerial Imagery. More precisely, it is an annual paid subscription, by purchasing which users receive unlimited access to high-detail satellite images for downloading to their

There is some dissonance with tourist navigation in Russia. We have access to the most sophisticated GPS navigators, but we do not have good tourist electronic maps. There is good cartography for the Leningrad and Moscow regions from the official Garmin dealer, but when it comes to remote areas of our vastness, the ordinary tourist has to be content with “Eurasia,” the scale of which leaves much to be desired. That being said, there are good paper maps. Moreover, it is not uncommon among active tourists to find greasy photocopies of “secret military maps” that cannot easily be inserted into a navigator.

In fact, good old OZI allows you to work with raster maps. The program is installed on a device running Windows Mobile, the necessary maps of the required scale are loaded - and off you go. Everything would be fine, but a pocket computer can hardly be considered a reliable travel device. Partly, the problem is solved by an aquapack and homemade external power supply from several batteries wrapped with blue electrical tape. Add to this a homemade bicycle rack made from two planks and a piece of wire, and you will get a super-navigator in the best traditions of domestic Kulibin ones.

I want a civilized solution. In order for the batteries to be inserted into the navigator itself, the case provided moisture protection, and accessories such as mounts and covers could be bought in a store, rather than made at home from scrap materials. We hasten to please you, Garmin has finally taken care of those who, out of necessity or for other reasons, prefer raster maps to vector maps. Garmin touchscreen navigators support downloading raster maps. As a test, we decided to load a raster map into the Garmin Oregon 200 navigator.

It’s not the month of May, and the thought of a tourist outing towards Vyborg or Priozersk does not really please the author of the article, who is accustomed to city comfort. For laboratory research, we will limit ourselves to a map of the center of St. Petersburg, found on Google by searching for “Map of St. Petersburg.” Let’s not worry about the fact that the material found is inferior in detail to the maps of the “Roads of Russia.” The task is to get our picture on the device screen, and not a standard vector map.
Source raster map for loading into the navigator How to Load a Raster Map into a Garmin Navigator (Step-by-Step Guide)

0. Navigator software update

Old versions of the software do not allow working with raster maps, so it would be useful to update the device firmware. This is done using the official WebUpdater program. Navigators of the Colorado, Oregon and Dakota series can be safely updated, Russification will not be lost. It is important that the device has sufficiently fresh batteries or charged batteries. The firmware itself begins after the navigator is disconnected from the computer. A lack of power may result in the need to take the device to service.

Navigator software update

1. Preparing the image

Before you can download a map, you need to find it. Let's leave this point on your conscience. The map must be saved in jpeg format. Recommended resolution is 155 DPI for Garmin Colorado and Oregon and 110 DPI for Garmin Dakota.

Save the map file with the desired DPI value

2. Download and install Google Earth

This can be done with . If the program is already installed, go straight to the next step.

Google Earth program

3. Linking the map to the area

For now, your map is clear only to you. The navigator and Google Earth have no idea what kind of picture this is or what part of the globe it is related to. To turn a picture into a card you need to link it. We will look at the Russian version of Google Earth, rightly believing that English speakers can get by with the English download instructions.

The following steps can be performed slightly differently, but it seems to us that this sequence of actions will be quite convenient.

Find in the program that part of the globe whose map you want to load into the device.

Selecting the desired location in Google Earth

Upload an image using the “Add”, “Overlay Image” menu item.

Uploading an image with a map

If you know the approximate coordinates of the map, you can enter them in the window that will open when adding an image. Using the Transparency slider, it will be useful to make the image translucent, this will simplify the binding. Don't close the overlay's properties window, just drag it off the screen.

Overlay Image Properties Window

Using the mouse, place the image on the terrain. The more accurately this procedure is done, the more accurate your map will be. The picture can be enlarged and reduced, rotated (green diamond near one edge) and moved (green cross in the middle of the image).

Adjusting the size and position of the overlaid map

On the left side of the Places panel, you'll see the name of the overlay image. The name you gave when uploading the image. Right-click on it and select “Save location as...”.

Save the linked map to a separate file

When the save image window opens, make sure the file type is .kmz

Actually, this completes the manipulations to prepare the map. All that remains is to load the resulting kmz file into the navigator’s memory. Files with raster maps are loaded into the folder./Garmin/CustomMaps/ onto an SD card or into the internal memory of the device

Now let's see how it looks in the navigator. Our “test” card appeared in the list of cards. It can be disabled like any other card. If you load several raster maps, they will all appear in the list as one.
On the left is a raster map in the list of maps, on the right is a raster map on the navigator screen

Now comes the fun part. Let's see how this map looks on the screen. In addition to the raster map, “Roads of Russia. Topo." We see that both maps are superimposed on each other, you can see the raster map and, at the same time, plot a route using the vector map. Compared to simply “TOPO”, there is some inhibition. If you use only the raster map, turning off all the others, the navigator works very quickly.
On the left is a raster map on the navigator screen, on the right is a raster map with roads from the “Roads of Russia” map superimposed on top. TOPO" and the laid route.

Restrictions

There are some technical restrictions on the size of the map.

  1. The size of the map file should not exceed 32 MB
  2. The raster map in the navigator is stored in the form of tiles - individual fragments of one large image. So, the number of such pieces should not exceed 100, and the resolution of each tile should be no more than 1024x1024 pixels.
  3. If you upload multiple bitmaps, the restrictions remain the same for all images. Those. characteristics are summed up and should not exceed the values ​​​​specified in paragraphs 1 and 2.

The prospects for using raster maps in tourist GPS navigators are quite clear. This way you can put any image into the navigator, be it a top-secret photocopy of military maps or a map of Middle-earth scanned from the flyleaf of an old book. And jokes aside, for the Russian user, tourist GPS navigation has reached a fundamentally new level. Now you can safely go on a hike using only the navigator. Especially if the route is pre-drawn in Google Earth. Happy travels!


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