Garmin Topo US 100K

[Tom7227]

I just bought a garmin 78s and the Topo US 100K as recommended by the staff at Cabela's. These are my first Garmin products. I am stunned at the lack of any detailed instruction manual with these items. I can't seem to get anything going with the mapping software, and so I can't download any detailed maps onto the rig itself. I managed to figure it out in the past with my Lowrance and Magellan products so I'm not a total rookie when it comes to this stuff - but I am perhaps too old to figure it out on the fly.

Any suggestions? I went to the garmin HSOforum and seem to strike out when it comes to operating manuals for this unit and the software.

Thanks for any help.

Tom

[herefish101]

Are you sure you went to Garmins home page, or did you go to their online factory outlet. I just went to their home page and did a search for 78s, I found a ton of information on that unit and on the topo software as well. If I was you i'd check my browser history to check if you went to the correct web site. Good luck. I'v been interested in this unit so please repost as to how you like it.

[bobbymalone]

never had a problem with garmin's HSOforum. I needed to consult the manual last week and I found it, downloaded it, and was reading it in less than 3 minutes.

[MN Mike]

3 minutes!?!?! THATS FAST!

Even faster..... google ' garmin 78s manual ' and the first link should be right to where you need to be on Garmins site, scan thru the documents there and you will see the owners manual, should be about the 3rd document down.

Not sure how they do it now in the 78's but on most Garmins, you have to get to the MAP Data area, there you should see any map data loaded IN the Garmin or installed via a MicroSD chip, simply checkmark what data you would like to see and it loads it, the GPS will continue to use that data until you change it down the road.

Mike

[croixflats]

Did you download mapsource and the top0 onto your computer then hook up the gps to the computer via usb. When you open up mapsource on the computer click on transfer on the menu or icons and select transmit to device a menu should come up on what you want to send.

I believe ounce map source is downloaded any new software is automatically routed to map source for one easy location. In the middle of the map source page there is a bar where you can choose what program you want to run.

Let us know how the 78s is it sure is an intriguing unit. I have the 76 and love it and thinking of up grading.

I am really curious on the scrolling speed. Garmin rep tells me nothing out there tat compares to the scrolling update speed.

[Tom7227]

I'm still not having much success. I downloaded the entire DVD onto my computer, bought the mini-SD card, powered up the rig and attached it to the computer via a USB port. I can't find any reference to 'transfer". Support at Garmin said I needed to use an icon that looked like the state of Minnesota, but none of them look like that. Perhaps the GPS 78s isn't compatible with the Topo U.S. 100K, or something. Very frustrating.

[croixflats]

I'm not sure how to copy and paste a screen shot so here is a link to what you should be seeing as for The veiw of mapsource. http://garmin-mapsource.software.informer.com/screenshot/83001/

Is this similar to what you get when you open mapsource on the computer. Did you also down load the software that came with the GPS unit, that would be Mapsource software. Both the Mapsource software and the Topo software have to be downloaded. Mapsource should be downloaded first.

Hope you dont mind you might have done these steps but I'm trying to cover all the bases so we can get this figured out.

[Tom7227]

That is not the screen that I get when I open the software, which is called "base camp". I did not get a CD with the gps itself. I have been writing back and forth with Garmin Support and they have led me to the same place you did, but that's not what I have on the screen. I am close to removing the software and starting over again, although I don't see that solving anything.

Thanks for your help.

[bigbad401]

On my TOPO disk mapsource was included. The basecamp software is a free download from Garmin. Make sure you have mapsource on your computer and it will be able to transfer maps to you GPS unit. I have not used basecamp, so I am not able to comment on that.

[Tom7227]

Garmin support has sent me links to two different pieces of software. I'm starting to think that there was supposed to be a CD in the package that I got with the 78s. When I was at the C store in Rogers it was the 'floor' model and the clerks said it had only been in the showcase for 15 minutes cause they were selling them that fast. Time will tell if these downloads are enough to get me going.

Thanks all for the help.

[croixflats]

Tom if the links dont get you the mapsource software you need let me know and I can loan you mine to down load. WhiteBear is not to far away be no problem.

[Tom7227]

Ok, I think I have it running. I have downloaded the Mapsource software and it acts like it is going to download a detailed map onto the unit.

Garmin Support has confirmed that there is not a Mapsource disk that is shipped with the GPS 78s. There isn't a manual either.

I guess I may be overly slow but when you spend $400 an the rig and another $99 for what you were told is the proper software to get the details, I would think it wouldn't take this much time and effort to get things going. This is my fifth GPS so it's not like I'm a rookie at how they function and what it takes to get things running. It's my first Garmin and purchased after the high praise the Garmin products have received on this HSOforum. Right now my comments would only provoke the poor word usage jobbedo.

Again thanks for the help.

Tom

[pulleye16]

If you want a more detailed topo maps for your garmin or other maps, try GPSfiledepot.com and search for some maps. You can get a great 24k topo for garmins with way more elevation and refrence points then the 100k...FREE!

[bigbad401]

If you want a more detailed topo maps for your garmin or other maps, try GPSfiledepot.com and search for some maps. You can get a great 24k topo for garmins with way more elevation and refrence points then the 100k...FREE!

I have done this for maps of Minnesota and they are really nice. The mapsource will send them to your GPS.

[Ed Carlson]

Ok, I think I have it running. I have downloaded the Mapsource software and it acts like it is going to download a detailed map onto the unit.

Garmin Support has confirmed that there is not a Mapsource disk that is shipped with the GPS 78s. There isn't a manual either.

I guess I may be overly slow but when you spend $400 an the rig and another $99 for what you were told is the proper software to get the details, I would think it wouldn't take this much time and effort to get things going. This is my fifth GPS so it's not like I'm a rookie at how they function and what it takes to get things running. It's my first Garmin and purchased after the high praise the Garmin products have received on this HSOforum. Right now my comments would only provoke the poor word usage jobbedo.

Again thanks for the help.

Tom

Go to the Garmin web site, register yourself and start up a free user account, then register your product. Now you can download the Mapsource software for free. You will get a e-mail after registering good for 10% off any Garmin product or mapping.

You will be able to manage your mapping much easier then. And use it with other programs like was mentioned previously.

You will also find updates if available for your unit, also free. Plus other mapping programs like N-Route and BaseCamp.

Word of warning: If you download mapping off "free mapping web sites", be darn sure to virus scan them thoroughly before you open the files. Many of these sites embed data mining and identity theft programs in there free stuff. I run a very good scanning software program "Kaspersky", and it flagged 6 bugs in one download off of the site previously mentioned...so scan everything well first.

[SpecialK]

You will also find updates if available for your unit, also free. Plus other mapping programs like N-Route and BaseCamp.

I am not sure how it is with all Garmin units but the Garmin Nuvi 1300 I bought was given 1 free map update after that you must pay to update the map. Just a heads up.

[Tom7227]

Thanks for the info. I have registered and have the MapSource. I am just really frustrated by the lack of instructions on how to get the unit working. For example SD Fish and Game has all sorts of info about downloading their maps with the PLOTS info and I have spent about 3 hours now trying to get it downloaded. Every other unit I've bought has a bible to go along with it, almost more than you can ingest. This thing has dozens of apps that I doubt I'll ever be able to use. Why do they make it so hard?

For example I just went to the N-Route HSOforum and I am given about 25 options to download. Guys, I want English, I want the US and I want the latest version. Check out the HSOforum and tell me what you think?

[Ed Carlson]

You can access the manual for it on the Garmin site too if you wish. And if your really hung up, call or e-mail Garmin support. They are very good, and will take the time to walk you throug it. There is a extensive troubleshooting Q & A section on the site too, it's also very helpfull.

The Mapsource program is more of a pain for me than any of the Garmin mapping utility's are....so your not alone bud.

Ed

[UMDSportsman]

There is probably a PDF of the Owners Manual on the GPS. Plug it into the computer, Open it like you would any other external drive (flash drive...). On my oregon it is located as follows: Open the Documents folder, then the Files folder, the pdf folder, then open OM_EN.pdf. and it is the English version of the owners manual.