Nuvi 200 and map frustrations

**richardm** · 2008/03/11, 01:59 PM

Hi guys

I am new to gps's and quite clueless so bear with me please.
I got my Nuvi 200 and it came with 'African Series v1.5' maps on a SD card in the box. All was hunky-dory until I wanted to get t4a maps loaded on.
So, problem #1: My gps didn't come with mapsource software. I ended up trying to install the upgrades (as I heard you can) but then it tunes you that no previous versions have been installed. Then, on my my home PC, I managed to gypo the installation and got mapsource there. Is there no other way to get the software?
Problem #2: I installed t4a for Botswana and Western Cape (Routable) on my PC and loaded them onto the gps with mapsource and then saw that my African Series maps were gone. Not on PC, gps or SD card. Can't see them in the list of maps on the unit. Is this reversable or must I buy the maps again?
Any help will be greatly appreciated

**kvorster** · 2008/03/11, 08:41 PM

Getting a Garmin GPS to work properly can be a mission, which is why it is better to buy it from a knowledgeable dealer rather than from just any old shop. I suggest that you either get to know someone who knows his/her way around Garmins, or else get to a "proper" Garmin dealer to sort things out. Do not despair: the thing does actually work (although the SA map you mention is in serious need of an upgrade - it simply contains too many errors to be acceptable). Just get everything properly registered etc. Ever heard of Kevin Bolton ... ?

**LandJero** · 2008/03/11, 08:46 PM

Cant help because Im even dumber than You. Glad it didnt happen to me yet because Im still struggling to get my t4a maps onto my nuvi200w but cant get it loaded to my gps. So I will stop trying immediatly till I get someone who knows what they are doing. Hope You come right and if You get it right let me know how
Thanks

Landjero

**SimonB** · 2008/03/11, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by kvorster

Getting a Garmin GPS to work properly can be a mission, which is why it is better to buy it from a knowledgeable dealer rather than from just any old shop

It needn't be if people make the effort to properly read the documentation...

Originally Posted by kvorster

(although the SA map you mention is in serious need of an upgrade - it simply contains too many errors to be acceptable).

Can you perhaps enlighten us to these? What in your opinion is a better alternative?

**Ashley** · 2008/03/11, 09:13 PM

Would love to try and help but don't know much about the Nuvi200 , I can only surmise what has happened and that is this , when you loaded t4a it must have prompted overwrite existing maps and then when you said yes it transferred T4a and out took out the other mapset . If all else fails phone Avnic the garmin suppliers. You must have a legal copy of African Series Mapset and you must unlock it first before you can load it back onto your GPS.Mapsource must also be provided.

Like Simon says , when all else fails read the instructions. Don't be put off , post more questions and we will try to help.

**SimonB** · 2008/03/11, 09:20 PM

As Ashley says - your maps have might have been overwritten. However, I'm not that au fait with the Nuvi's but it might just be a matter of deselecting the T4A mapset. Remember T4A is not a transparent map and usually sits on top of SAS... deselect T4A and your SAS might just pop back...

EDIT - I see you now it's not amongst the list of maps on the unit - so your mapset is probably toast

This is my one problem with buying maps (or any other software for devices such as PDA's) which have been preloaded onto expansion cards... it's such a mission to recover from a problem.

To me, it's far more sensible to buy a CD/DVD version and load the stuff you need when you want.

**richardm** · 2008/03/12, 04:18 PM

Hi again
I managed to solve the problem. I had to buy an Africa Series DVD which has the software and then, with my gps's serial number etc, I could register the component of the maps so that I could put them back on the gps. phew

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what seems to happen: when you transfer the maps (using mapsource) to the gps's SD card, it clears whatever's there and only puts on the maps that were in the current mapsource file. Thus, if you want to chop and change maps on the gps you have to have everything on the PC, select what you want and transfer it.
Anyway, got it sorted. Thanks for the help !

**SimonB** · 2008/03/12, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by richardm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what seems to happen: when you transfer the maps (using mapsource) to the gps's SD card, it clears whatever's there and only puts on the maps that were in the current mapsource file.

Yes this is true.

What you can do, if your SD card is big enough, is select all the maps in one whole shooting match, then transfer them all at once, so you never have to work with them again until you upgrade.

Then you only work with the waypoints, and routes (you don't have tracks), so this will save time. If you have hassles due to the big mapsets, then refer to the useful tips sticky.