Garmin Custom Maps
Download paper and electronic maps onto Garmin outdoor handhelds.
Even with the multitude of handheld mapping products available, sometimes the best map for a specific area or event is in printed or electronic form. For example, you're planning a family hiking trip to a nearby state park, but you're concerned that the trail may not be well marked or easy to follow on the paper map. If only there was a way to put the paper map in your Garmin outdoor handheld.
Introducing 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.
In addition to providing safety and security on the trail, Garmin Custom Maps also offer practicality and convenience in everyday situations. For example, your daughter is off to college in the fall and needs to know her way around campus. The college website provides a detailed electronic map, but she can't use an electronic map while walking around campus. Solution: download the electronic map and create a custom map of the campus on her Garmin outdoor handheld. Navigating campus has never been easier.
Aside from the practical uses that Garmin Custom Maps provide, these customized maps can also be fun and educational. By downloading a map of an area as it once appeared, such as the St. Louis World's Fair map, you can go back in time and explore that area as it once was and as it appears today. Some of the buildings are still standing, so as you explore the fairgrounds, you can see the existing buildings and imagine those that are no longer there.
Whether it be a hiking trail, a college campus or a map from years past, with just a few easy steps you can have custom maps at your fingertips.
Garmin Custom Maps work on both PC and Mac®. To discuss Garmin Custom Maps with others, visit our Garmin Custom Maps developer forums.
Before downloading your custom map, you must install the latest software for your device. Visit http://my.garmin.com for more information.
When creating your custom map, be responsible and only create a custom map from a map that is in the public domain, that you hold the copyright in, or that you have permission to use from the copyright holder.
To discuss custom maps with others, please visit our Garmin Custom Maps developer forums. For a printer-friendly version of these instructions, click here.
Step 1: Save the Map in JPEG Format
Garmin Custom Maps require your map be saved in JPEG format.
- If your map is printed, scan the map at an appropriate resolution¹, and save the image as a JPEG.
- If your map is electronic, such as a PDF, it may require conversion using GIMP or another suitable program to save it as a JPEG.
Step 2: Create an Image Overlay
Using Google™ Earth, locate the approximate area² where your custom map is located.
From the top toolbar, click Add > Image Overlay. The New Image Overload dialog box appears.
Step 3: Link the JPEG
In the New Image Overload dialog box, complete the following tasks:
- Provide a name.
- Set the Link field to the path of the source JPEG to georeference.
- Use the Location tab to adjust the draw order, if necessary. The draw order is used to determine the order in which maps appear (draw) on your device. For example, if the draw order for your custom map is set to 50 or higher, the custom map will draw on top of the Garmin map.
Step 4: Georeference the JPEG
Before closing the New Image Overlay dialog box, you need to adjust (georeference) the JPEG so it matches the satellite imagery beneath the image overlay.
Move the green marks to adjust the corners, edges, center, or rotation of the JPEG. You may need to adjust the transparency of the JPEG so the satellite imagery can be seen beneath the JPEG. Use the Transparency bar near the top of the New Image Overlay dialog box to adjust the transparency.
Click OK to save your custom map.
Step 5: Send Your Custom Map to Your Device
Connect your Garmin outdoor handheld device to your computer.
In Google Earth on the left side of the screen, right click on your custom map.
Click Save Place As.
In the dialog box that appears, find the drive for your connected handheld device and save³ your custom map in the /Garmin/CustomMaps/ directory. Save the file in KMZ format.
Your custom map will appear as part of the map on your Garmin outdoor handheld device.
Disable Your Custom Map
By default, Garmin Custom Maps are enabled on your device.
To disable your custom map on Dakota or Oregon:
Select Setup > Map > Map Information. Deselect the check box for your custom map.
To disable your custom map on Colorado:
Go to the Map page, and select Options > Select Map. Scroll to your custom map and deselect the check box.
¹Oregon and Colorado have a native solution of 155 dpi, and Dakota has a resolution of 110 dpi. Use these resolutions as guidelines in determining your image size.
²The closer the viewing area is to the location and coverage of your JPEG, the easier it will be to georeference.
³The file can also be saved to a microSD card and installed in your Garmin outdoor handheld device.