How to load & view a map on Garmin etrex Vista HCx?

[shera]

Sorry if this more of a Garmin than TF question but Garmin support pages are unclear and support staff completely unhelpful when the questions turn to loading non-Garmin maps. I found some clues on the Open Street Map help page for this Garmin model but have still been unable to make the map loading work.

So I can import/export tracks between TF and the Garmin. I used the "Export Current View" function to put correlating map data on the SD card and put the map(s) in the "Garmin\CustomMaps" directory. I tried loading both as a .kmz and as a .jpg file but I can't view either on the Garmin. I can see the track I loaded from TF but no map image. There is a Map Setup: Information screen, where it seems like I should be able to select a particular map from available files, but there are no files shown. In USB Mass Storage mode I can see the directory from my computer and both files are there.

Am I missing something? Or am I expecting functionality that is lacking in this device? Thanks in advance for any guidance y'all can offer this GPS newbie.

stb

[ScottMorris]

Hi there,

VistaHCx is your GPS?  Unfortunately that GPS doesn't support the custom map feature. 

The unit doesn't have enough horsepower to resize/draw the raster imagery, so it's a no go.

Scott

[shera]

Well that is unfortunate. At least I bought the thing from a return-friendly retailer.

So if I might trouble you for one more bit of advice, what models with this capability might give a budget-minded person the best bang for the buck? The short term goal is for navigation on the Great Divide Mt. Bike Route so I'm guessing more than entry level memory may be needed for the maps if not the tracks. Trying to contain the costs on this excursion but relying soley on paper maps makes me skittish.

Thanks!
stb

[ScottMorris]

Here's a killer deal on the Dakota 10:

http://bestgpsdeals.net/garmin-dakota-10-for-169-99/1132/

Perfect budget GPS for what you describe and can load custom maps.  However... for the whole the divide no Garmin units will be able to store enough custom maps to cover the route in full detail.  There is a garmin imposed limit on the size of a custom map.

Soooo... the VistaHCx might suite you just fine, just get some basemaps and the full track on there...