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  • 1) GPS MAPS: HOW CAN I SUBMIT DATA TO TRACKS4AFRICA?

    The T4A GPS Maps are built from the collective travel experience of the travelling community. Anyone can join and contribute to the map.

    Please read this helpful T4A Blog Article on how to submit your trip data to T4A

    Please click here to read for more info on the T4A Community, how you can help etc.

    Then see technical info here on how to extract track and trip logs from your GPS in order to submit to T4A:

    Below are the steps to extract the track log from your Garmin GPS unit onto Garmin MapSource and Garmin BaseCamp.

    GARMIN MAPSOURCE

    Connect your GPS to your PC.

    Open Garmin MapSource.

    Click on transfer at the top of your toolbar.

    Select receive from device.

    The following window will open up.

    Tick the boxes of what you would like to receive.

    Click on receive.

    The data will be listed on the left hand.

    Save it to your desktop by going to File > Save As.Save the file in the file format as Mapsource prescribes ie. .gpx format

    You can then send the saved file to Newdata at Tracks4Africa.

    On GARMIN BASECAMP

    Click on Device on the toolbar.

    Select Receive from Device.

    Select the device name to receive data from and click OK.

    The data received from your GPS unit and imported, will then be listed on the left hand side.

    Save it to your desktop by going to File > Save As.Save the file in the file format as BaseCamp prescribes ie. .gdb format

    You can then send the saved file to Newdata at Tracks4Africa.

  • 2) GPS MAPS: HOW DO I UPGRADE MY EXISTING TRACKS4AFRICA MAPS?

  • 3) GPS MAPS: WILL I BE ABLE TO INSTALL MY TRACKS4AFRICA GPS MAPS ON MY WINDOWS OR MACBOOK?

    Tracks4Africa maps are compatible with Windows OS systems and Mac OS. Our maps are provided in both these formats for customers to install on their PCs / Macs.

    Mac users, please note:

    We have found that the OS X Lion 10.07 and Lion 10.7.5 operating systems are incompatible with our maps. In order to install the T4A maps on your system you will need to upgrade to the latest Mac operating system.

  • 4) GPS MAPS: HOW DO I ENABLE MY T4A GPS MAPS ON MY GARMIN GPS DEVICE?

    Depending on what GPS unit you have, it will differ from GPS range to GPS range. (i.e. the procedure you will follow on the Garmin Nuvi will differ from a Garmin Montana etc) Your installed GPS Maps will always be listed under your Map information which is located under your settings / tools option on the GPS.

    Steps on the newer Garmin Nuvi range: (Please note that the older Garmin Nuvi range will work differently to the newer units)

    Switch on your GPS and select Settings on the home page.

                   

    Then select Map & Vehicle on the next page.

    On the next page, scroll down and select myMaps. All your installed GPS Maps will be listed here.

    Enable the map you wish to use on your GPS by selecting the tick box

    Remember that you may only have one map product enabled (ticked) otherwise the GPS won't know which map to use and will give navigation errors.

    Steps on the Garmin Montana range:

    On the home page of the GPS, click on the arrow on the left-hand side of the screen.

    Select Setup on the next page

    Then select Map.

    Click on Map Information and then Select Map.

    Click on the map you wish to enable on your GPS device.

    Select Enable in order to have the GPS map of your choice enabled.

    Remember that you may only have one map product enabled otherwise the GPS will give navigation errors.

     
  • 5) GPS MAPS: CHOOSING A GPS FOR TRACKS4AFRICA MAPS

    Our Tracks4Africa GPS maps are only compatible to Garmin GPS devices.

    Requirements for your GPS to be compatible with our maps:

    • Must be able to read Garmin maps
    • Must be able to receive maps (a SD card slot is not a requirement)
    • Should be able to receive automotive maps from PC /Mac

    The choice of a GPS can be daunting and it is based on a couple of questions (ie. Compiled by T4A Directory, Johann Groenewald: 2015):

    • Will you use it in the car only? Or, would you want to use it for hiking or MTB as well? If so, look for something with replaceable AA batteries and robustness. This is typically your Oregon and GPSMap62 ranges. If you would use it in the car only, look at the Nuvi range. The Nuvi500 is sold as an offroad GPS because it is waterproof, but it really is not necessary to have a waterproof GPS in your car. If the dash is under water you have far more serious problems than a GPS to worry about...
     
    • Do you intend using the GPS on a motorbike? If so, you want something waterproof and purpose built. Look at the garmin Zumo range - Garmin Zumo range is the BMW bike range and comes with glove friendly interface, bluetooth connectivity etc. Our maps will work on these units. A lot of bikers use the Zumo 660, but there are newer models. See the website: http://www.garmin.co.za/motorcycle_gps.php
     
    • Do you intend to record tracks with the GPS? All GPS can record waypoints, but only a few can record your tracks. This is handy if you want trace back on a route you have just driven, but only really necessary in extreme off the road driving. T4A maps are based only on such track recordings so we always encourage users to record their tracks and to submit these to us so we can update the maps with more or better data.
     
    • Do you intend to do city navigation with GPS? i.e. would you be looking for addresses in South Africa cities (they don't exist outside of South Africa)? We call this 'pizza delivery' where a street address is the only thing to go by. If yes, then get (any) GPS loaded with a city map. All Garmin Nuvi's come with this type of map preloaded and it’s the most cost effective way to get such a map. If you buy an Oregon or GPSMap 62 it will not come with a city navigator map preloaded, in which case you have to factor the cost of such map in separately (normally R1000).
     
    • Tracks4Africa will be more than adequate for navigation to places in the cities, i.e. to rerecorded points of interest on the maps. We cover camp sites, fuel, lodging and a very extensive range of other features related to travellers on our maps. The further away you from the cities the better our detail becomes.

    The Garmin Nuvi range can be bought for a very good price. You would be looking at anything from R1200 to R4000 and to be honest, there is not much difference between the entry level units and the more advanced ones. The latest craze is things like lane assist, 3D buildings and other city features. These would hardly be of any use to the overland traveller.

    Also note that the Oregon and GPS Map 62 does not give voice guidance. For some people this is not a problem because they mute the voice guidance in any case, but it could become a deciding factor. The Oregon and GPSMap62 is far superior GPS units for the wilderness navigator, so if you intend any hiking or related type of navigation, I would seriously look at these two units.

     
    • Cost wise - Montana/Overlander/Drive: The Montana is less expensive than the Garmin Overlander, and is very nice GPS to use Tracks4Africa GPS maps on. If you want to go for a cheaper option then look at any entry level Drive unit with a bigger screen.  The routing on all of these work the same and these days they all have track recording functions.
       

    Tracks4Africa Blog articles for more information:

    The right GPS for navigation with Tracks4Africa Maps.

    The Garmin GPSMAP 276 Legend is back

     
  • 6) GPS MAPS: WHICH GPS UNITS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH TRACKS4AFRICA GPS MAPS?

    Our Tracks4Africa GPS maps are only compatible to Garmin GPS devices only.

    Requirements for your GPS to be compatible with our maps:

    • Must be able to read Garmin maps
    • Must be able to receive maps (a SD card slot is not a requirement)
    • Should be able to receive automotive maps from PC /Mac
    We also sell Garmin GPS units and accessories on our online shop - have a look here.

    Examples of Compatible Garmin Devices: (ie. please note there are many more compatible Garmin Devices, these are just a few examples. Some may be outdated. All new Garmin Devices should be compatible with Tracks4Africa Maps).

    • Garmin Aera Range:
      •  We have not been using this specific unit ourselves but that from what we can see it should work as the unit allows you to add maps and it has street navigation.
    • Garmin BMW Motorrad Navigator
    • Garmin Camper 760
    • Garmin Camper 780
    • Garmin Dezl 780LMT-D HGV 6.95" Sat Nav
    • Garmin Drive 40 LMT
    • Garmin DriveAssist™ 51 LMT-S
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 51 LMT-S
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 50 LMT-D
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 55MT-S
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 55
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 66
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 76
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 86
    • Garmin DriveSmart™ 65 LMT-S
    • Garmin Drive 52 LMT-S
    • Garmin Drive 60 LMT
    • Garmin Drive 61 LMT-S
    • Garmin Edge Touring
    • Garmin Edge 1000
    • Garmin eTrex 20 (is a good option, but the screen is a bit small)
    • Garmin eTrex 22x
    • Garmin eTrex 30 (is a good option, but the screen is a bit small)
    • Garmin eTrex 32x
    • Garmin Etrex Touch 25
    • Garmin Etrex Touch 35 (ie. The SD card slot is behind the batteries, inside the compartment)
    • Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar (This device has not been tested - we do think its possible to load our maps to it, but we are unsure if routing will work. You can request a test map from us to try it out)
    • Garmin Fenix 7x - Sapphire Solar Edition (This device has been tested - our maps can be loaded to it and routing also works)
    • Garmin GPSMap 64x
    • Garmin GPSMap 65s
    • Garmin GPSMap 66i
    • Garmin GPSMap 276Cx
    • Old Garmin GPSMap 276C (refer to also to FAQ 'Using T4A GPS Maps on the Old Garmin GPSMap 276C')
    • Garmin inReach Mini Orange
    • Garmin Monterra
    • Garmin NuviCam
    • GARMIN NuviCam LMTHD
    • Garmin Montana 600
    • Garmin Montana 650t
    • Garmin Montana 700
    • Garmin Montana 700i
    • Garmin Montana 750i
    • Garmin Colorado 300
    • Garmin Nüvi 40
    • Garmin Nüvi 40LM
    • Garmin Nüvi 42LM
    • Garmin Nüvi 50
    • Garmin Nüvi 200
    • Garmin Nüvi 205
    • Garmin Nüvi 205W
    • Garmin Nüvi 500
    • Garmin Nüvi 1300
    • Garmin Nüvi 2300
    • Garmin Nüvi 2595
    • Garmin Nüvi 2597
    • Garmin Nüvi 2789
    • Garmin Nüvi 3790
    • Garmin Nüvi 3760
    • Garmin Oregon 450
    • Garmin Oregon 750
    • Garmin Overlander (ie. Older SD cards may not show up but from our 19.10 version is definitely compatible; Note that Overlander only supports Windows and not MAC) 
    • Garmin Zumo 350
    • Garmin Zumo 396 LMT-S
    • Garmin Zumo 595
    • Garmin Zumo 660
    • Garmin Zumo XT

    Incompatible Garmin Devices:

    • Garmin Edge 820 (ie. If trying to load the T4A GPS Maps onto this device's internal memory, the T4A GPS Map might wipe the Topo Map that is pre-loaded on the Garmin Edge 820).
    • Garmin eTrex 10 (ie. it cannot handle maps)
    • Garmin Forerunner 610 (ie. Garmin Forerunner 610 does not support any kind of mapping. It is a fitness device not intended for navigation).
    • Garmin Foretrex 401 (ie. it is not a map capable GPS, i.e. it does not have the ability to load maps).
    • Garmin GPSMAP® 60CSx (ie. The T4A GPS Maps on SD card will not work on this unit, as our SD cards are 4GIG, and this unit only accepts data cards of 64MB. Individual Mapsets purchased per region from our online shop will work, taken their sizes do not exceed 64MB. As at 2020 none of our regional maps exceeds 64MB. These maps are then opened in Mapsource/Basecamp (using MapInstall) on the customers PC, where they are then transferred to the connected GPS Device, to an SD Card of size 64MB).
    • Garmin inReach Explorer+  (ie. The inReach is actually a repurposed DeLorme unit bought by Garmin and rebranded, however they never changed the firmware to be compatible with Garmin maps, hence the reason our Garmin compatible maps will not work for this device).
    • Garmin Tread: it is not compatible with our routing.

    Garmin Devices Discontinued: (ie. Note that Garmin still provides support for these devices)

    • Garmin Drive 50LM (P/N: 010-01532-4B) and Drive 60LM (P/N: 010-01533-4B).
    • Garmin DriveAssist 50LMT (P/N: 010-01541-4A)
    • Garmin DashCam 35 (P/N: 010-01507-04)
    • Garmin DriveSmart 60LMT (P/N: 010-01540-4A)

    Other incompatible devices:

    • Polnav Navigator
     

    Tracks4Africa Blog articles for more information:

    CHOOSING A GPS FOR TRACKS4AFRICA MAPS

     
  • 7) GPS MAPS: What are Tracks4Africa Maps?

    T4A GPS Maps are a set of 16 regional GPS maps covering most parts of the African continent. If you are a tourist or business traveller and looking for a GPS map to guide you through Africa then you would appreciate the accuracy and detail of T4A GPS Maps.

    T4A GPS Maps can be bought as individual downloads from our website or on a Plug & Navigate SD card from our online store or from most outdoor retailers. See our comprehensive list of retailers. For updates and coverage of our latest maps, see what is new on our latest T4A GPS Maps on the SD Card product on our shop.

    Our maps are constructed from GPS data sourced from the T4A Community of travellers. People like you who record their travel experience and share it with others via our maps.

    Tracks4Africa collects, catalogue and process these data submissions in order to create a very reliable GPS map. Because we can link a name of a data contributor to each place or road on the map our maps are trusted for its high level of integrity.

    Our uniquely African GPS maps are routable in most parts of Africa and can in fact give you turn-by-turn directions from Cape to Cairo. Do not expect complete wall-to-wall coverage from our maps. We only map places that are relevant to travellers and we endeavour to construct the safest routable GPS maps in Africa.

    Have a look at our Africa Map on our website.

  • 8) GPS MAPS: BASECAMP VER 4.7.0.0 MAPS TRANSFERRED TO GPS ARE NOT SHOWING ON THE GPS (WINDOWS ONLY)

     The problem lies in Basecamp.

    We have advised Garmin of this issue.

    Temporary Solutions:

    If you have an older GPS unit (ie. Mapsource is only compatible with older units) - Click here to download a free version of Mapsource and to use that instead of BaseCamp. Your problem should then be resolved

    OR

    Contact our sales staff for assistance.

    Our sales staff will then send you a temporary download link, containing an .img file which you will have to install on your Garmin unit.

    Please follow these steps once you have received the download link email / download link:

    Please download this file in the email you will receive from Tracks4Africa. You will be directed to a downloads webpage where you will find the .img file to download unless you have been emailed the .img file directly you don't have to access it from a downloads page then.

    It is advisable to access the webpage on the internet, via a Google Chrome or Firefox browser for best results. (ie. do not try to open the downloaded file or run it on your PC - its an .img file for a GPS Unit).

    Then connect your Garmin GPS unit to your PC.

    Then in Windows Explorer, or from a relevant spot in your PC, you need to copy this .img file to either: (Please note different GPS units are behaving differently):

    • an SD Card in your GPS unit directly into a Garmin folder. If that does not work, try to copy the .img file to a Map folder (ie. create this folder on your SD card if there is no such folder yet)
    • or your GPS units' internal memory - to a Garmin folder. If that does not work try to copy the .img file to a Map folder (ie. create this folder on your GPS units internal memory if there is no such folder yet)

    Also, please note:If there are any older Tracks4Africa GPS Map files in your Garmin folder, please copy all these old files to your PC in a safe folder, and then remove them from the Garmin folder on your GPS Unit. Be careful not to remove your Garmaps and their associated license (.lic) files from your GPS units internal memory.

    Your GPS Maps will then be visible on your GPS Unit.

    Troubleshooting:If you loaded the .img file to your GPS units internal memory, and it didn't work, please remove it from there and try loading it to a GARMIN/MAP folder on your SD Card instead, and vice versa following the instructions as per above.

     
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