Garmin Fenix 7 Topoactive Maps
Felicity
I have a new Fenix 7 SS. It came with North America topo maps and it showed other regions I could install. When installing the Europe topo maps my watch got disconnected from Garmin Express. Now I cannot see Europe and other regions anymore in Map Manager. I completely reset and paired the watch to no avail - still cannot see other regions beyond North America. Any idea how I can see other regions again?
Our engineers are currently looking into the TopoActive regional maps not seen as available through either the watch Map Manager and Garmin Express using your computer. I will be updating this thread when the issue has been resolved.
Same issue for me, too on Fenix 7 (standard). (brand new arrived yesterday) Installed 2 maps and the the firmware update. After that both maps were visible on the device (I tested a track for the first and 2nd map) , but only map2 was displayed in Garmin Express. I am missing map1: (Central-Europe) and also missing an Icon to add any map. (I had change region from Europe complete to Europe Central to reduce file size).
After uninstalling both maps, I can not add any map any more. I even tried a firmware reset without success. I saved a copy of the img files, so was able to restore the content on the device. Both maps are displayed again, but I still can not add any new map. There is no message of insufficient memory. I think most users install their continent and forget the map manager. So it may be relevant only for users who use more than one continent.
Maybe, but after even after reset it did not work. I think it has to do something with changing region and fenix 7 license. It is not restricted, so should allow to mix maps. The software may be in a state of pending for doing an update first. Then it would show new maps. For any reason it indicates a pending update. I got a message on the watch of an available update for my 2nd. map, though I had installed it via express one moment before.
I have owned this watch (Fenix 7 small - sapphire solar) for a month and with a clear conscience I can tell you that it is a very good equipment and I am super satisfied. This situation with maps is the first disconvinient, which will hopefully be quickly resolved.
I'm thinking of upgrading my old eTrex to the latest Oregon 750 and cannot decide if to get the standard 750 base maps or pay the extra 40 to get the 750T model which comes with the Topoactive installed.
If anybody has any experience with these please let me know your thoughts. The Oregon will only be used for Geocaching but if I'm going to spend this amount of money then is it worth going that little bit extra to get the 'T'
Go for the TopoActive version. It's OSM based, will be updated on a regular base and the map is routable. And you got the entire European area covered without the hassle of downloading and installing several maps.
ohhh yeah, the flashlight. Truth be told, I almost always have my phone on me when I'm caching, so if I forget my geocaching lantern/flashlight, I've got the flashlight function on my phone. I don't know if having an LED is worth $100 on the price of the unit. But I see that they didn't offer a 700t version, so in my view, it's an extra $150 for the maps. Are the TopoActive maps that much better than any of the free OSM alternatives? Talkytoaster, OpenVelo/OpenMtbMaps, etc. that seem to be freely available for Europe but require a donation for North American maps.
" Cell phones can also be used as a signaling device during the night. Should you find yourself lost and without a flashlight, use your lighted cell phone screen by turning it towards any ground search and rescue or helicopters you hear. "
In what way? That rugged phone has more capability than even the most modern Garmin. A 20 yr old Garmin has a low resolution monochrome screen that can't handle detailed maps because the internal storage is measured in kilobytes. Even today's wifi connected handhelds don't browse the web.
I'm not saying they should. But to suggest that any smartphone, especially a rugged smartphone, doesn't hold a candle to a garmin device I think is incorrect. That rugged smartphone can do everything a garmin device can, plus more.
Ha ha. I've tried several times to find geocaches with just my phone. I mean, how handy can it be? I have the app in it, I can log a found (or not) right there in the field and it fits more comfortably in my hand (and back pocket), but how do I brighten that screen where I can see it!!?? I'm being serious.....
Garmin 'TopoActive' maps route the user based on their selected activity and the ambient topography. The GPSr will actively route the user for activities such as Hiking, Biking, Driving, etc. according to the map topography.
In modern mapping, a topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features. A topographic survey is typically published as a map series, made up of two or more map sheets that combine to form the whole map. A contour line is a line connecting places of equal elevation.
The fact that these maps don't provide visual information about the 3rd dimension (elevation - they probably have DEM data hidden within) is unfortunate. I would rather have the Topo 100k as my basemap than a flat, but routable, map on a hiking handheld device. Are TopoActive maps worth the extra price? Without contour lines, I would say no. I'm sure Garmin adds some extra data over the OSM layer, but OSM maps are free and good enough at that price.
various install progress and then error, I have tried removing Garmin Express, reloading express, removing devices , reloading devices, hardwired my Mac to fiber to make sure maybe it was wifi issues but I run a stable 120mb line up and down so not that.
being that Africa is a 4.8gb file and the largest of the lot, I assumed it was a storage issue, but I have well over 10gb on the 530 open, my understanding is that Garmin deletes the current map, and reinstalls the new updated one, and that the error seems to be that garmin gets a hiccup deleting the original map.
I see the following error message in my iCloud sync. Ive followed the instructions to change the settings and still no luck. I still have 9GB available in my iCloud storage. Not sure why an update could fail (if related) because it cant't be backed up to the cloud.
ps. I got quite close to installing the update the first time I tried before it failed. Every time I try the update it jumps up to 96.7% complete within a couple of seconds and then fails. I will try and delete Garmin express and start from scratch. I will also go into the Mac and fully delete all Garmin files as some files/folders still hang around after uninstalling the app.
we in the same boat, the biggest "success" in other words it loaded the longest before an error was now, when I deleted Garmin Express again, and then followed the YouTube tutorial on how to get rid of all the com.garmin.renu files, both in preferences and cache.
Joh by far the most frustrating and annoying thing ever, wish I could blame Eskom this time, but alas must be something technical I am overlooking. I dont even know if it adds anything useful at this stage, but its annoying seeing one update pending every time I hook up a device
What I do with any map update that's available for any of my Garmin devices, is to first to the install to the local hardrive of the PC, and only then install it to the device itself using either Garmin's Basecamp or MapInstall. MapInstall works easier for me.
When you are in Garmin Express and at the page for the map you wish to update and install, expand the "Installation Options". When asked "Select where you would like to install the files." choose the "Computer Only" option.
Re-installing the Topoactive Africa v6 Maps successfuly didnt resolve the problem. After much frustration realised my garmin express version was out of date, after updating to latest version, then re-installed the Topoactive maps and eureka it worked .... great success!
Im quite happy with the Edge 530, ive had a long line of Garmin GPS devices and wearables, and this is really a great product, but wish they would go tetherless with their products. For instance Apple havent required you to attach your iPhone to a PC/Mac to Activate since the iPhone 4 ... im surprised in this day and age of WiFi and processor speeds, that Garmin still expect you to have a PC/Mac to get the best of your product.
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