How to check storage capacity on GPS memory card

[peregrina2000]

Ok, I admit it, I am spoiled. I spent about 5 minutes hunting around on the internet to try to answer my own question, but then just decided to be lazy and post here.

I am going to bring a GPS for a couple of off-camino alternatives this year and have just gotten a lot of help installing topological maps of France, Portugal, and newer ones of Spain on the memory card of my Dakota garmin.

The memory card is 16gb. I think I must still have space left, but I am unable to find out how to check for that.

It occurs to me that maybe I have to plug the card into a computer to get a reading, but I am just not sure.

I have a lot of tracks loaded onto that card as well (Chemin d'Arles, Camino Torres, Ruta del Mar, and a few others I don't plan to walk this year), so I could always delete them and then reinstall later. But I would prefer to avoid that.

Any help? Thanks, buen camino, Laurie

 

[dougfitz]

Plugging it into a computer is the way I check what space is left. I haven't found another way of doing that.

 

[peregrina2000]

Plugging it into a computer is the way I check what space is left. I haven't found another way of doing that.

Thanks, Doug, can you be a bit more specific on how I would go about plugging it into the computer? The chip reader on my computer is for a bigger card than the mini chip I have in my Garmin, I have discovered.

 

[dougfitz]

I connect the GPS itself using USB cable. Clearly you have to have one with the right connectors - Garmin tend to use the mini-USB connector, slightly larger than the micro-USB which now seems to be used in most phones.

The alternative is to find someone who has a SD etc card converter. This is a little adapter the same size as a standard SD card into which the smaller card can be plugged. I have one on my desk from Verbatim, but other chip makers will also make them. It is called a micro-SD Adapter.

 

[peregrina2000]

I connect the GPS itself using USB cable. Clearly you have to have one with the right connectors - Garmin tend to use the mini-USB connector, slightly larger than the micro-USB which now seems to be used in most phones.

The alternative is to find someone who has a SD etc card converter. This is a little adapter the same size as a standard SD card into which the smaller card can be plugged. I have one on my desk from Verbatim, but other chip makers will also make them. It is called a micro-SD Adapter.

Thanks Doug. I have a cable to connect the Garmin to the computer, which is how I get tracks from wikiloc to basecamp to my gps. Would you indulge me some more and tell me what to do once the Garmin is connected? I guess I don't need to apologize for being so dense since you are well aware of my tech levels. Muchas gracias, Laurie

 

[Bradypus]

This page might be helpful if your model is similar to the one being used. The used/remaining capacity shows up as a long green bar in this example:
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/

 

[spursfan]

I think this is what Doug means when he talks about a card converter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006T9B6R2/?tag=casaivar02-20
You can then use Windows Explorer to read the card

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you are using a microSD card then carrying one or both of the gizmos described on this webpage would be useful. Both are small and lightweight. https://www.sandisk.com/home/memory-cards/memory-card-readers/mobile-mate-duo-reader-writer

The microSD card is inserted at the bottom of the adapter card and then the adapter is inserted into anything that takes a regular SD card. Likewise the microSD card is inserted into the USB device and then that is used as a flash drive / thumb drive.

My camera takes a regular SD card but my tablet takes only the microSD card. I use the adapter to move pictures back and forth.

Often when you buy a microSD card you get the adapter in the same package.

 

[IngridF]

Is the process similar to uploading maps to a smartphone? Tx

 

[peregrina2000]

Is the process similar to uploading maps to a smartphone? Tx

Hi, Ingrid, I feel foolish even attempting to answer you. But... if you are asking about uploading maps to a GPS, I think there's a difference between loading the big country map and loading a specific "track". I can do the latter by myself, but getting the big topo maps onto the GPS required one helper in Belgium, one in Sweden, and one standing here in Illinois next to me. I am very lucky to have such good friends with a lot of patience.

To load specific tracks onto the GPS I need a few steps. First, download the tracks from wikiloc, making sure that the number of points has been compressed to 500 or fewer. Then import the downloaded tracks from my computer into the basecamp program. Then export the tracks in basecamp to my gps. There is a way to go directly from wikiloc to GPS but I tried that a few times and failed, so I went back to my old plodding multi-step routine.

Having never uploaded maps to my smartphone, I can't do the comparison for you, sorry.

 

[peregrina2000]

This page might be helpful if your model is similar to the one being used. The used/remaining capacity shows up as a long green bar in this example:
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/

The scre

This page might be helpful if your model is similar to the one being used. The used/remaining capacity shows up as a long green bar in this example:
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/

Hi, bradypus, Thanks for that. I got as far as step one, however. Nothing happens when I right click on my memory card. Then, I thought I would try to use the "install maps" option to see how much space was left. But I can't get into that process because the computer tells me that all of the maps on basecamp have already been installed on my GPS so there is nothing left to install.

It's never easy when it comes to me and technology. Having absolutely no instincts to fall back on makes it even harder.

 

[Bradypus]

I don't use the things myself so I've no firsthand knowledge. A hypothetical thought occurs though. If you have any maps installed which you no longer use could you delete them from the handset? Then run through the "install maps" process again. The installer would then have a job to do that might get you past that stop screen. Just a guess. Probably your best bet is to wait for @dougfitz to drop by and scatter a few pearls though.

 

[dougfitz]

Thanks Doug. I have a cable to connect the Garmin to the computer, which is how I get tracks from wikiloc to basecamp to my gps. Would you indulge me some more and tell me what to do once the Garmin is connected? I guess I don't need to apologize for being so dense since you are well aware of my tech levels. Muchas gracias, Laurie

Once the GPS is connected, two new drives should appear in File Explorer (or Windows Explorer or MyPC - it seems to change names in different versions of Windows). One of these new drives will be the memory on the device itself, and the other the SD card that is inserted. On my system the Garmin is shown as GARMIN (F: ) where the drive letter will generally be the lowest un-allocated letter of the alphabet other than A or B (reserved for those ancient floppy drives) and G or H (reserved for network drives). The card appears as SD16 (I: ) which is a name that I have given it. I am not sure how this will appear if you haven't named the SD card.

To find the remaining space Alt-click on the drive name or letter, and select 'Properties' from the drop down dialog box that appears. An information box will appear. It has several tabs, but the General tab should be displayed initially, and that has the Used/Free space information.

 

[peregrina2000]

Once the GPS is connected, two new drives should appear in File Explorer (or Windows Explorer or MyPC - it seems to change names in different versions of Windows). One of these new drives will be the memory on the device itself, and the other the SD card that is inserted. On my system the Garmin is shown as GARMIN (F: ) where the drive letter will generally be the lowest un-allocated letter of the alphabet other than A or B. The card appears as SD16 (I: ) which is a name that I have given it. I am not sure how this will appear if you haven't named the SD card.

To find the remaining space Alt-click on the drive name or letter, and select 'Properties' from the drop down dialog box that appears. An information box will appear. It has several tabs, but the General tab should be displayed initially, and that has the Used/Free space information.

thanks, Doug, I am afraid this is above my pay grade so I will have to wait till next week when my inhouse expert comes by. I tried what you said and got this screen. And my device is definitely connected to the computer because I´ve just transferred a track to it.

 

[dougfitz]

thanks, Doug, I am afraid this is above my pay grade so I will have to wait till next week when my inhouse expert comes by. I tried what you said and got this screen. And my device is definitely connected to the computer because I´ve just transferred a track to it.

See if there is a list of drives under a heading My PC or This PC further down the screen. The Garmin and SD card should appear there. I am not sure what is appearing under the Quick access list that you appear to be using.

 

[jmcarp]

I don't know about your Garmin GPS, but most devices that use or allow use of SD cards or mini/micro SD cards have a setting in their menu structure called storage or something similar that will show you the capacity of both the internal (built-in) memory and external (plug-in chip) memory both as the total capacity and the amount of that memory being used. Otherwise, the other suggestions of checking it on a computer by inserting the card directly into a slot on the computer (with or without and adapter where necessary) or by connecting the device to the computer using a USB cable are your best bet.

 

[movinmaggie]

Ok, I admit it, I am spoiled. I spent about 5 minutes hunting around on the internet to try to answer my own question, but then just decided to be lazy and post here.

I am going to bring a GPS for a couple of off-camino alternatives this year and have just gotten a lot of help installing topological maps of France, Portugal, and newer ones of Spain on the memory card of my Dakota garmin.

The memory card is 16gb. I think I must still have space left, but I am unable to find out how to check for that.

It occurs to me that maybe I have to plug the card into a computer to get a reading, but I am just not sure.

I have a lot of tracks loaded onto that card as well (Chemin d'Arles, Camino Torres, Ruta del Mar, and a few others I don't plan to walk this year), so I could always delete them and then reinstall later. But I would prefer to avoid that.

Any help? Thanks, buen camino, Laurie

Laurie, plug the USB into your comp, right click and look for 'Info' then CL click on that. It will tell you what you've used and what space is available, either in GB or MB.

 

[peregrina2000]

See if there is a list of drives under a heading My PC or This PC further down the screen. The Garmin and SD card should appear there. I am not sure what is appearing under the Quick access list that you appear to be using.

Now I get a different screen when I go to This PC and still no luck. No clicking possible. OK, I think I´ve abused your kindness enough, I'll leave it till I find someone here who can help me. Thanks, everyone.

 

[peregrina2000]

Laurie, plug the USB into your comp, right click and look for 'Info' then CL click on that. It will tell you what you've used and what space is available, either in GB or MB.

Hi, Maggie, I was unable to right click -- what do you right click on? The Garmin is connected to a USB port on my computer. Good thing I have a pretty tough skin when it comes to my pitiful computer capabilities, otherwise I'd be a puddle of low self-esteem on the floor.

 

[peregrina2000]

I don't know about your Garmin GPS, but most devices that use or allow use of SD cards or mini/micro SD cards have a setting in their menu structure called storage or something similar that will show you the capacity of both the internal (built-in) memory and external (plug-in chip) memory both as the total capacity and the amount of that memory being used. Otherwise, the other suggestions of checking it on a computer by inserting the card directly into a slot on the computer (with or without and adapter where necessary) or by connecting the device to the computer using a USB cable are your best bet.

That was my first inclination, but there is no setting similar to "settings" on my iphone. The closest is "setup" but that just has settings for the GPS features (like telling it what kind of battery you are using, how much backlight you want, etc.) Thanks for the suggestion, though, I will conquer this at some point, but probably not till my computer friend arrives to save me next week!

 

[movinmaggie]

Oh dear, I keep forgetting I'm once of those oldies who, even though I graduated to a Smartphone before my first walk, I do 90% of my work from an iMac desktop. Yep...it actually sits on my desk. It has a mouse and everything:>). I'm not making light of your dilemma Laurie, I'm just dating and chiding myself a bit here. I do hope by now others, more advanced than I, have helped you solve this. Maggie

 

[Sixwheeler]

Grab the next teenager you see, they'll sort it out in exchange for food.

 

[Bradypus]

Grab the next teenager you see, they'll sort it out in exchange for food.

The old Groucho Marx line: "Why a four-year old child could understand this report! Run out and find me a four-year old child."