Boulders Beach, Simonstown, South Africa. Image by Aaron Young/GPS Travel Maps. ©2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to some frequently asked questions about our GPS maps.

Are your maps compatible with my GPS?

Our maps are compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units. Click here for a sample list of devices compatible with our GPS Maps.

At this time we do not have maps available for any other brand of GPS, but we hope to be able to offer more brand options soon.

I installed my map onto my GPS. Now how do I view it?

(Instructions below are for a Garmin Nuvi. If you have a different model please refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to turn maps on and off as well as how to view maps of a country other than the one in which you are currently located.)

To view a map of a country in which you are NOT currently located please first do the following:

From the main screen of your GPS choose Tools → Settings → Map → Map Info You will now see a list of all maps installed on your GPS. Uncheck all maps except the one you want to view.

To Search for Specific Points of Interest in a country where you are not currently located:

Option 1

  1. At the main screen choose "Where To?."
  2. Now there should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says "Near…" Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose "A Different City." Then select "OK"
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. Choose "Done" when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Hit the arrow button at the bottom of the screen to scroll down until you see an icon for "Browse Map" ("Browse Map" is different than the option to "View Map" from the main screen.)
  7. Select "Browse Map" and you should now see your desired map.

If you don't see road names or other map detail be sure to ZOOM IN. As you do, more map detail, such as road names, will appear.

Option 2

You can also view the map by doing the following:

  1. From the main screen on your GPS choose "View Map." You will see a map of your current location when you do this.
  2. Touch the "-" button several times to zoom out. Zoom out as much as you can.
  3. Then drag your finger across the screen to pan to the country you would like to see. There should be a rectangle around that country if it is the only checked map in the "Map Info" menu.
  4. Touch in the middle of the rectangle then start zooming in. The more you zoom in the more detail you will see on the map. If you can't see roads, keep zooming in.

If you can't see road names, keep zooming in.

To view specific points of interest:

  1. At the main screen choose "Where To?"
  2. There should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says "Near…" Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose "A Different City". Then select "OK".
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. Choose "Done" when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Select whichever fits your needs best. Select "Points of Interest.
  7. You can now select several categories of POIs or spell out a name. For example, if you want to find hotels select "Lodging," restaurants choose "Food," gas stations, choose "Fuel," etc. You can also choose "spell name" and type in the name of the POI you would like to see.
  8. After making your selection you will see a list of hotels, gas stations, or restaurants, etc. relating to whichever category you choose.

Your GPS will automatically show you maps, cities, and POI’s near your current location, so if you want to be able to view a map and search for cities, intersections, and POIs in a country different than the one in which you are currently located remember you must choose the “Near…” option after you select “Where To?”

Once you are actually in the country you would like to view, you can simply select "View Map" from the main screen of your GPS and it will show your current location in that country. Again, if you can't see road names use the + button on the screen to ZOOM IN. As you zoom in more map detail will appear such as road names.

You also will no longer have to use the “Near…” function to search for POI’s once you are actually in the country as your GPS will recognize your location. You will be able to simply select the desired icon from the "Where To?" screen on your GPS.

I am searching for an address and all I get is “No Data Available”

(Instructions below are for a Garmin Nuvi. If you have a different model please refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to turn maps on and off as well as how to view maps and search maps of a country other than the one in which you are currently located.)

First be sure that the map you want to search is the only one turned on on the GPS by doing the following:

From the main screen of your GPS choose Tools → Settings → Map → Map Info You will now see a list of all maps installed on your GPS and/or SD card. Uncheck all maps except the one you want to search.

In most emerging countries there is a lack of a central address system which can make navigation by the "address" more difficult, so we recommend NOT searching with the Address function. However, there are several other ways programmed into your GPS for finding a destination. You can navigate by:

  1. Touching a location on the map
  2. City
  3. POI - POint of Interest
  4. Street Intersection
  5. Latitude and Longitude (Coordinates)
  6. Your own saved waypoints

All of these methods can be found on the "Where to" screen and they are fairly easy to figure out by simply experimenting with your GPS, but if you need more specific help, please refer to your owner’s manual for your GPS. If you still need further assistance you can contact Garmin support; their contact information can be found at http://www.garmin.com/us/support/contact/ You could also send an email to support "at" gpstravelmaps.com and we can provide a more detailed explanation.

Your GPS will automatically show you maps, cities, and POI’s near your current location, so if you want to be able to view a map and search for cities, intersections, and POIs in a country different than the one in which you are currently located you must choose the “Near…” option after you select “Where To?”

To Search for POI’s in a country where you are not currently located use the following steps:

  1. At the main screen choose "Where To?"
  2. There should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says "Near…" Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose "A Different City". Then select "OK".
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. Choose "Done" when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Select whichever fits your needs best. Select "Points of Interest.
  7. You can now select several categories of POIs or spell out a name. For example, if you want to find hotels select "Lodging," restaurants choose "Food," gas stations, choose "Fuel," etc. You can also choose "spell name" and type in the name of the POI you would like to see.
  8. After making your selection you will see a list of hotels, gas stations, or restaurants, etc. relating to whichever category you choose.

The map won’t install to my computer and/or GPS

Most of the time the problems that occur with installation are related to computer issues or a skipped step of the instructions. We suggest referring to the instructions on our website at GPSTravelMaps - Instructions and be sure that you have followed each step precisely. Be sure that you have installed Garmin Basecamp software to your computer. Then follow the instructions for installing the map to BaseCamp on your computer. Finally, follow the instructions for transferring your map from BaseCamp to your GPS. If BaseCamp is not functioning as it should, then you can also use Garmin MapSource, which is an older Garmin software that will still transfer the map to your device.

If you still encounter difficulties send an email to support "at" gpstravelmaps.com. Provide us with as much information as possible about the issues you experienced so that we can best determine the cause of the issues.  Also include which step of the download process you were able to complete. We will gladly do all that we can to get your map installed successfully.

If you would like to talk to a support staff member over the phone you can call 1 (877) 477-8833. Or email us your phone number and a convenient time for a phone call and we will call you.

You could also upgrade your purchase to an SD Card version of the map for an extra $20.00 plus S&H. The SD card can be delivered to you in as little as 3 days within the USA and 5 days internationally. To use your map with the SD card you simply insert the card into your GPS, then turn on your GPS. To upgrade to an SD Card go to our website GPSTravelMaps.com, find the map you purchased, and select the option on the right of the screen for “SD Card Upgrade.” You will then be able to enter mailing and payment information.

The map did not work. There was data missing and/or it routed incorrectly.

Please send an email to support "at" gpstravelmaps.com and include your name and which map you purchased. Then describe in as much detail as possible the problems you experienced. If you felt there was data missing on the map or if it routed incorrectly it would be extremely helpful if you could name specific areas in which you found the map lacking. You can even send us your tracks; instructions to do so can be found at Sending Tracks.

Please try to be as detailed and specific as possible when explaining the problems that occurred. This will help us to determine whether the issues were caused by the map itself, the GPS device, or other factors. It also helps us to improve our maps.

Often navigation difficulties arise from the fact that navigating in countries outside of North America requires using different functions on the GPS than when navigating within North America. Most emerging countries do not have a central address system which makes navigating by address very difficult as the address function on the GPS is designed for navigating within central address systems like those in North America. We have a page on our website with tips for navigating with your GPS: GPS Tips  The information here may help to explain some of the problems you faced.

I received the SD card but it is too big to fit in my GPS

What you received is a microSD card in an adapter. The adapter makes a microSD card big enough to fit in units that require standard size SD cards. The adapter also helps to protect the microSD card during mailing.

Since your GPS takes microSD cards, simply slide the microSD card out of the adapter and you will find that it is the correct size for your GPS.

Below are photos that may help to explain what you received. One picture is of the microSD card in the adapter and the other is of the microSD card by itself.

SD Card Micro SD

What’s the difference in buying the digital download or buying the map on SD card?

If you purchase the digital download you will receive an email with a link for downloading the map to your computer. Then you would download it from your computer to your GPS using Garmin Basecamp software. Download instructions can be found at our website at Instructions

If you purchase the map on SD card you would receive an SD card in the mail. It would take 3-5 days within the US or 5-10 days internationally to be mailed to you. Once you received the SD card you would simply insert it into your GPS. Then you turn on the unit and your map is ready to use.

How can I mark a location on my GPS so I can navigate to it later? *

You can mark a location by saving it as a waypoint on your map by doing the following:

  1. Find the location you would like to save on the map. Touch that point on the screen so that the arrow is on it.
  2. Select "Save".
  3. Type in a name for the point you are saving.
  4. Your waypoint has been saved in favorites.
  5. To view it select "Back".
  6. Scroll up until you see the heart icon for "Favorites." Select "Favorites".
  7. Select "All Favorites".
  8. Find the waypoint you wish to navigate to. (You can scroll through the list or you can select "Spell" and type in the name of the waypoint).
  9. Select the waypoint and select "Go" Your GPS will now navigate you to your waypoint.

Your Instructions for viewing a map and searching for POI’s are for a Garmin Nuvi. I have a different model. How can I view my map and search for points on my GPS?

We have instructions on our website for the Garmin Nuvi as it is the most common model used by our customers. However, the instructions we provide come from the Garmin Nuvi owner’s manual. If your GPS is not a Nuvi you can find instructions for turning maps on and off, viewing them, and searching for points in your owner’s manual.

You can find your owner’s manual online at the Garmin website. You can also contact Garmin Support for further instruction on how to navigate with your GPS. Their support contact information can be found at Contact

Be sure that you are very familiar with how to use all of the navigation functions on your GPS for using it in a foreign country.

I am trying to download the map to my GPS; my GPS is plugged in to my computer, but my computer doesn’t recognize it.

You most likely need to download a new Garmin Driver so your computer will recognize your GPS device. You can download the driver for free from Garmin

When I try to download the map to my Mac I see a .gmapi folder instead of a .gmapi file

If you downloaded Garmin Basecamp from the App Store you are missing Garmin MapInstall and MapManager software necessary to download and view the map. You can download MapInstall and MapManager here or you can reinstall Basecamp from the Garmin website. The download from the website installs Basecamp, MapInstall, and MapManager at the same time whereas the download from the App Store only installs Basecamp.

Once you have Basecamp, MapInstall, and MapManager on your computer you will see a .gmapi file instead of a folder when you download the map and you should be able to continue with the installation process.

How can I get a refund?

As stated in our return policy, refunds are only given if it is determined that there were errors in the map function or with map data. If you feel the problems you experienced were related to errors with the map please send an email to support "at" gpstravelmaps.com and include your name and which map you purchased. Then describe in as much detail as possible the problems you experienced.

If you felt there was data missing on the map or if it routed incorrectly it would be extremely helpful if you could name specific areas in which you found the map lacking. You can even send us your tracks; instructions to do so can be found at Sending Tracks.

You can also refer to the tips for navigating with your GPS that we have on our website at GPS Tips.

If the problems you experienced were related to installing the map we suggest referring to the instructions on our website at GPSTravelMaps Instructions and be sure that you have followed each step precisely. Be sure that you have installed Garmin Basecamp software to your computer. Then follow the instructions for downloading the map to Basecamp on your computer. Finally, follow the instructions for downloading your map from Basecamp to your GPS. Most of the time the problems that occur with installation are related to computer issues or a skipped step of the instructions.

If you still encounter difficulties send an email to support "at" gpstravelmaps.com. Provide us with as much information as possible about the issues you experienced while trying to download or while navigating so that we can best determine the cause of the issues.  Also include which step of the download process you were able to complete. We will gladly do all that we can to get your map installed successfully and working correctly.

If you would like to talk to a support staff member over the phone you can call 1 (877) 477-8833. Or email us your phone number and a convenient time for a phone call and we will call you.

If it is determined that the issues experienced were related to errors in our map we will of course refund your purchase price.

How can I contact GPSTravelMaps.com?

By filling out the form below:

Name:
Email:
Message:

 
 
 

Maps are the property of the GPSTravelMaps.com Inc., Kaart Data LLC and/or their licensed partners.

License agreements apply where applicable. Garmin & Basecamp are trademarks of Garmin International.

Page Contents

Here's an overview of what you'll find on this page. Click on a link to jump to that section. Thanks for checking this out, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!

Compatibility

Compatible with all Garmin units.

Delivery

Digital Download

Digital purchase is provided immediately after payment is complete. Please refer to instructions page for additional information.

SD Memory Card

SD Memory card is shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail service. All shipping and handling charges are included in the price of the map. Please refer to SD Card instructions for additional information.

Update Policy

Updates are free for 4 months after purchase. After 4 months, updates can be purchased using the update links in the above purchase box.

Return Policy

All sales are final. Please review our full return policy for information.

License

Map is licensed under the terms in which it is purchased. Personal consumer license entitles user to use map on one gps device. Commercial license is available upon request, and is applicable to business and fleet management use. Please contact us for more details or refer to our end user license agreement.

Recommended GPS

Our GPS maps run on all Garmin GPS devices. If you're looking for one to get, here's what we recommend based on functionality and value.

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Map data is licensed from Kaart Data LLC. Visit Kaart Data for more information about data licensing.


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