The Edge 520 has no Micro SD slot and not enough internal memory to add a gmapsupp.img file. You can even create custom maps at or download a range of ready-made maps for free at There are detailed instructions available to follow on the internet e.g. Make sure your computer is set to show file extensions. To install the map you simply need to download the map as a gmapsupp.img file and copy it to the microSD card in a folder named Garmin (there is not enough free space in the main memory). You can buy an 8GB SD card for under £4 online – it doesn’t need to be a digital video, high speed SD etc card.

The good news is that maps are easily available: options include purchasing maps on an SD card or via download, from Garmin for £35 (as of November 2018) or Ordinance Survey 1:50k Full Country SD Card for £109.99! The Free map option…Īlternatively, if you have a microSD card with a capacity of 1GB or larger (I found one in an old phone), you can install the incredible and free OpenStreetMap map Newer devices including the 820, 10 have a navigable Europe map factory installed. If you zoom in to the map you see very few details apart from some main A-roads and rivers (compare the images)! On those devices apart from the 520 you can add a detailed map via a micro SD card (see image below). However, if you want to use your Garmin to navigate a route (there are plenty to download from the DV web site!) you’re going to need a better map one with road names and more details! BasemapĪs shipped, the above Garmin units come with a “basemap” installed. If all you ever want to do is record an activity – where you have been, speed and other statistics – then it’s absolutely fine and you can stop reading now!

If you’re a Garmin user (see list above), it’s likely you’re using the device with it’s very basic map. In three years of Garmin ownership, she admitted that she had never seen a decent map with road names on her Garmin! Whilst there, she intended to explore unknown countryside and hills. I recently helped out one Dittons Velo rider to install a map on her Garmin 810 before a trip to Mallorca. This applies to the Garmin Edge 520/705/800/810 GPS devices Maximise the functionality of your Garmin for navigation

Garmin custom maps folder