Micro SD cards vs software downloads for GPS

[beretta]

Just got a new Garmin Oregon for Christmas! Im looking to get the LOTW chip as well as a topo map for Wyoming. What are the pros and cons of the micro SD card vs the downloadable software? I know you can only run one SD card at a time...so why would you get an SD card vs the Download?

Is it possible to redownload it? I was thinking the only reason a guy wouldn't want to use the download is because of memory issues....could you delete it when you dont need it and re download it when you need it again when you're ready to use it? for example, my wyoming topo would only be used for a week out of the year....

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[MN Mike]

I downloaded some of the western states to a sd card this fall for a friend that was going to Colorado Elk hunting, this topo map covered Colorado and Utah if I am not mistaken and the data downloaded was bigger than the internal memory in his Garmin Nuvi 255w, it was around 1.5 GB if I remember right, we put it on a 2 GB MicroSD card and it worked great.

Probably 2 advantages to putting it on OR getting a MicroSD card, you will have more data capacity than what the internal memory of your GPS device offers AND, if you ever get rid of your current gps or add another one, you can use that MicroSD in that one too, granted that it would be another Garmin device, if it takes a full sized SD card like the Nuvi 255w did, you can get an adapter that will convert your MicroSD to a full sized SD card. IF you're downloading data to a SD card, I would stick with the MicroSD's just because that seems to be the most popular for GPS devices these days.

Mike

[Ed Carlson]

I would spring for the full Garmin Topo USA DVD, that away you can download the packets you need, when you need them, plus have the DVD to use on your computer.

[BobT]

If your GPS supports cards and you use the downloadable software, my guess is that you can preprogram your own cards with data that you want.

For example, you might want to create a card you use for deer hunting with only the data necessary for the area you hunt or you may program different cards with map data, tracks, waypoints, etc. for different fishing areas.

Software gives you the ability to preview the area of interest on your home PC in the warmth of your home at your leisure. With my MN Lakemaster I'm able to browse the lake contours of my favorite lakes, mark waypoints of areas I want to explore, make tracks and routes to navigate to the lake and once on the lake, and then download the data to my GPS before I leave.

I would suspect that the software gives you more flexibility.

[Kirsch]

A MicroSD card pre-loaded map is designed to work in the GPS. It is simple and easy and the reason companies like LakeMaster has sold as many units as they have.

GPS software solutions have been around as long as GPS units. They can be incredibly powerful but for the majority of sportsman, they would rather have something easy that works. There isn't a 100% answer to your question because it depends on the software. Many GPS software programs only allow viewing of the map on the PC and uploading and downloading of waypoint and trails and NOT the actual map itself. If it is a PC software solution that DOES allow a map (not just point and trail) upload, then the only main difference is the software may require a bit more technical knowledge than simply inserting your own card.

You mention a Wyoming topo map and I know you have a question on WYTRAX in another forum. WYTRAX for Garmin comes as a preloaded microSD/SD card or a mapsource version. The MapSource version currently is a transfer program only, so you could transfer it to your own card as you mention. The memory card option is easier to update and there are no uploads, downloads, installs or anything, so I highly recommend people consider going the memory card route.