I love Garmin’s BaseCamp software, for many reasons: it allows you to store all your maps, Points of Interest and edit routes! Its simple, and easy to operate, apart from one bit.. It comes with a super basic map as standard and it’s pretty much useless as it is!
However It’s not a problem if you know how to fix it, and here it is – a quick guide on how to install additional map layers to your BaseCamp!
Downloads
1. If you don’t have Garmin BaseCamp, it can be downloaded for free from Garmin > HERE < Don’t forget to Install it.
2. Free Maps can be downloaded From freizeitkarte-osm.de > HERE < Under Meniu > Maps, pick the Countries map, pick the Language and download! Note: Don’t get mixed up between Maps and Languages! And make sure to download for “Microsoft Windows”, thats says “GMAP Install Archive (full) for Garmin BaseCamp”
Installation
Installing maps is also simple and to keep everything in one place I would suggest checking where Basecamp was Installed (Right Click on the Icon on the Desktop, select Properties, and field “Start in”. In my case
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\BaseCamp\”
copy and paste that on the notepad, delete “” and change the last bit \BaseCamp\ to \MapInstall\Maps. In my case it will look like that:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\MapInstall\Maps
Copy that.
1. Now head to where your map was downloaded, right click and press “Extract all” on the Compressed (zipped) folder, pick the location where it will be easy to find (Desktop), and press Extract, or simply double click on the folder and simply Drag & Drop the content where ever you want it.
2. Right Click on the Application file “GMAP_installer” and select “Run as Administrator”.
3. At this point you have to agree to install software from the Unknown publisher and might be given only one option “Don’t Run”, click on “More info” and press Run anyway.
4. You might be asked by windows “if you sure” you want to do that.
5. If you agree then press YES, and Installation process will begin. Press Next, I Agree (Read Terms and conditions)
6. Next window will ask to set the Destination Folder, so paste what was copied before (In my case C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\MapInstall\Maps ), Press “Next“ again.
7. Black screen will appear and the normal progress bar, wait till it’s finished.
8. Once finished, press Finish and you are done!
9. Open BaseCamp, at the top once pressed on the meniu Maps, you should see your new map!
10. Delete downloads and extracted files off the Desktop, or wherever they were extracted, and enjoy your new maps!
