Map Install Having problem of the download being extremely slow. I have approx 150MB of maps on the SD card. Today I selected 4 areas in the Chicago area to download to the ique. That would bring the total storage to 195MB of data per MapInstall. I have a 256K card. The process of the preparation of the install (building indexes ect.) took in excess on 8 mins.

If you insert the SD card into your TomTom device, and you can see it ... as one of the maps on your device ( when you go to Menu ... Change Map ... etc. ). ... try selecting that map, and if it doesn't tell you it is not available or not activated, then you can use it. Otherwise, you need an activation code to activate the map.

If the map on the SD card is a LifeTime map, you can simply connect your device to the tomtom website (using the HOME software), and it will let you know you have an update (of that map) to download and install. Otherwise, you have to subscribe (i.e. pay) for an update of the map.

The problem with trying to put the full map of Europe on the 250 is that it doesn't have enough storage space. You can download the complete map however to your computer. The option to download again is available for approx 30 days. When it's on your computer you can select which maps you want to install to the satnav and install the complete map, if you want, to an SD card. You need a 4 Gb SD card to hold the complete map. To download the map again, to your computer, log into myGarmin. Click on the myMaps tab at the top of the screen. There you'll see the map you downloaded. Under the map name you'll see the word "Details" in blue. Click on "Details" and it will take you to a screen where you have the option to download the map again. When you go to download the map it will by default select your satnav as the destination. Change it to your computer so you get the whole map and you can add or remove maps whenever you want.

You can get more details of how to download the map to your computer at http://www.fixya.com/support/r5628920-update_garmin_satnav_maps

The map takes approx 3 Gb of storage space so you need a 4 Gb memory card. When you download the map to your computer run it and install part of the map to your satnav. After this click the start button (bottom left of your computer screen) and find the menu folder "Garmin". In the Garmin folder you'll find "Mapinstall" With the memory card in your satnav, and the satnav connected to your computer run mapinstall being sure to select the memory card as the destination. (It will be by default your satnav not your memory card). When the installation is complete the satnav will automatically switch to the map on your memory card when needed. You'll find detailed instructions of how to prepare the memory card and install the map on it at http://www.fixya.com/support/r5628920-update_garmin_satnav_maps

If you have the map downloaded from the garmin website to your computer you could remove it and replace it later. However a better option might be to download the map of Europe to your computer and install it to a micro SD card. A 4 Gb card would hold the map of Europe and you don't risk losing your North America map. You can get details of how to set up the map on your micro SD card at http://www.fixya.com/support/r5628920-update_garmin_satnav_maps
While this link is mainly about how to update your maps it has a section on setting up maps on an SD/Micro SD card also.

When you go to download the map by default it tries to download it to the satnav i.e. not the SD card. When the website recognises the satnav it shows it in a drop box with a drop-down arrow. Click the drop-down arrow and it should give you the option to download the map to your computer. Download it to the hard drive.

After it's downloaded it may begin the install automatically. If not click the START button on your computer and go to GARMIN. In the garmin menu click MAPINSTALL to begin the installation.

When the install program finds your satnav and you get the option to install the map there again click on the drop-down arrow and select the drive letter of the SD card. This will be different to the drive letter for your satnav. The map will then be installed to your SD card.

Before you begin to install to the SD card you should know that it can be very hard to get get the 200W, and other satnavs of the same age, to run the map from SD cards. It will install to it without problem but when you try to operate the satnav then it cannot load the map and will close down again unless you remove the SD card. I recently had this problem with a garmin nuvi 760 and contacted garmin about it. They told me the problem is that 4 Gb SD cards are SDHC which operate differently from SD. They said to get a class 2 SDHC card. (You can identify the class by the small figure on the card. It will be either 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10). Before you install the map format the card. Also use webinstaller to check that you have the latest version of operating software on your satnav.

Format the SD card with "Panasonic SD Formatter" available from http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/sd/download/sd_formatter20.html
rather than the standard windows format function. Select the fast format option and be sure you have selected the drive letter of your SDHC card as it will format your hard drive just as easily if you select it by accident or your satnav.

To update your software you can download webupdater from http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-27
Connect your satnav to the computer and run the program. It will search for any updates to your software.
Class 2 SDHC cards are available on ebay if you can't find one in the shops.
After failing to get mine to work on a class 4 SDHC 4Gb card I followed their instructions and it worked for me. Hope it works for you too.

To install the map on an SD card you first need to download it to your computer. When you're setting up the download the website normally selects your satnav as the destination. There's a drop down arrow and when you click it you find an option to "update map on the satnav and the computer". Select this option. If the satnav can't take the full map you'll need to select the part to download to the satnav. The full map should download to your computer.
After the download is finished click START on your computer and then ALL PROGRAMS. Click on GARMIN and then on MAPINSTALL. The mapinstall program will also select your satnav as the location for installing the map. When it does click on the drop down arrow and select the drive letter of the SD card. This will install it to the SD card. Note it can take 3 to 4 hours to install depending on the map size. Don't interrupt it while it's installing or you could destroy your satnav.

Go to www.garmin.com If you haven't registered your sat nav you'll have to do that first and connect the satnav to your computer. You'll have to buy the map I'm afraid as there are no free maps for garmin satnavs. The full map of Europe is around 4 Gigabytes and will not all fit on your satnav even if you replace your home map so I would suggest just buying a map of the area of europe you want e.g. western europe and install it on an SD card. You'll have to install some of the map onto the satnav before you can install the rest of it onto the SD card i.e. select one country, so be sure you have some free space on the satnav. It takes about 3 hours to install not to mention the time to download so maybe it'd be easier to just buy a satnav with a map of europe on it.

(Untried)
For C330 owners that want to have both Canada and US 2008 map update on their GPS this is what you have to do.

Must have:
1 - Street pilot C330
2 - 512mb SD card
3 - SD card reader of some form (some cameras will suffice)
4 - Garmin 2008 Map Update North America

What to DO:

1 - connect the GPS to the computer
2 - Insert the Map update disk
3 - Install the Lower 48 states, United States
(Reason - the C330 has around 1000mb of memory and the "US 48 states" map uses around 900mb" while Canada uses 400mb...which is why you will need that 512mb SD card later)

4 - Once the GPS is updated with the US map. Browse the Map update disk contents. This can be done with going to "My Computer" right click on your CD/DVD drive and click on "Explore"

5 - Open the folder called "img"

6 - Copy the file called "gmappromU.img" file is around 430mb. (This is the map file for Canada)

7 - Insert your SD card into your card reader and connect it to your computer. A window should pop up. If not you should see it on your "My Computer"

8 - Once you have navigated your way into the SD card directory. Create a folder on the SD card named "garmin" (no caps)

9 - Go into your newly created "garmin" folder right click and paste the "gmappromU.img" file. (This may take upto 20 to 30 mins)

10 - Once the process is complete, Rename the "gmappromU.img" file to --> "gmapsupp.img" (watch for spelling, no caps at all)

11 - Remove the SD card, Turn off your GPS, Insert SD card into GPS.

12 - Turn on GPS, let it load, and there you have it, the FULL North America Map.

When you are searching a state or province (depending where you are located) it will give you an option which map to use, Canada/Alaska or the lower 48 US states. Select your map and you are set to Go.

I am not able to look at the map, as it always direct me back to my home. How can I solve the problem ?