This instruction is for Garmin Mobile XT on generic Mobile GPS powered smartphone.
Updated on 2008.1.18
If you are intent to use Garmin Mobile XT on generic (non Garmin GPS) GPS smartphone, please read this carefully. You may loose data and Garmin Mobile XT will not function by the misuse of this software. We do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness, completeness, adequacy or currency of the information contained below. When Garmin made changes in Mobile XT software, Upupdown Japan map may stop working. Use at your own risk.
Table of Contents
- Generic Information
- Garmin Mobile XT package contents
- Backing up Garmin Mobile XT microSD data contents
- Normal installation of Japan map on Mobile XT with MapSource software for WM
- Installing Japan maps on Mobile XT memory card (for Nokia and WM)
- Unlock Garmin locked maps with Mobile XT
- What's else can be done with Garmin Mobile XT software?
Generic Information
Garmin has just anounced a new product "Garmin Mobile XT" on Oct. 3 2007, Garmin brand GPS navigation software for generic GPS enabled PDA or smartphones. In short, we found that our Japan map works, but there is a limitation and need an attention when you are intent to use Garmin Mobile XT. Please read all this information carefully.
You should check on "Specs" tab in Garmi site of "Garmin Mobile XT" whether your smartphone is compatible with the software. We have tested with E-TEN glofiish X800 Windows Mobile smartphone using internal GPS.
The major limitation is that the memory card of Garmin Mobile XT contains detail map of either North America or Europe. If you delete the detail map in the data card, the Mobile XT will no longer work. Hence, no additional detail map can be loaded onto the Mobile XT memory card. However, there is a way to install additional maps on the memory card, please read the installation instructions below carefully. Also note that you cannot use Garmin Mobile XT software if your smartphone doesn't have external memory card slot.
Garmin Mobile XT package contents
Garmin Mobile XT software package contains following items.
* microSD data card (2GB) preloaded with:
- City Navigator® NT street maps and
- Garmin Mobile XT navigation software
* miniSD and SD adapters
* Quick start manuals
Note that unlike Garmin Mobile 10 GPS, Garmin Mobile XT does NOT comes with Garmin MapSource CD or DVD. The detail maps are loaded in the microSD data card, cannot be browse them on PC screen. This means that you will require to provide/purchase a Garmin MapSource or Garmin Trip and Waypoint Manager in order to use our Japan map.
Backing up Garmin Mobile XT microSD data contents
Although copying the data contents on the Garmin Mobile XT secure digital card to another card does not work (due to CPRM enforced on the SD card), you can actually "backup" the data contents and restore the data onto the "original" microSD card. So, you may want to back up the data now. More information can be found in this forum posted by ps73uk.
In deed, I also have tried formatting Mobile XT data card after makin the backup of the all contents. Yes, restoring from the backup data work.
Normal installation of Japan map on Mobile XT with MapSource software
This normal installation uses the internal user RAM space to install Japan maps. Since the user RAM space is limited, this normal installation only load "partial" Japan map onto your device unless you have huge storage area (you need about 500MB for entire Japan). Fortunately, there are usually enough user RAM space is available in the modern smartphone. We would recommend to have more than 64MB available space to store the external maps. Please check the "Installing Japan maps on Mobile XT memory card (for Nokia and WM)" for loading whole Japan map into Garmin Mobile XT data card.
For the installation of our Japan map, please proceed as follows. We have used E-TEN glofiish X800 for making this instruction (no Garmin GPS hardware!)
1. First, please insert Garmin mobile XT memory card into your smartphone and complete the sotware setup. Make sure your device recognize internal GPS. You can check the GPS status by click on the upper left satellite reception bar in the Mobile XT application. Please check and make sure that everything is working at this point such as acquiring satellites fix, locating current position, and browsing maps.
2. If you haven't installed MapSource (or Trip and Waypoint Manager) and Japan map, please do so by following the installation instruction comes with Japan map. Start the MapSource program, you now need to provide BLANK memory card to transfer maps from MapSource.
3. You need to select regions by dragging mouse using Map Tool. Check the total map size, and make sure the size will not exceed the available memory space in your device.
4. Now, insert the BLANK memory card and click "Send To Device" button. Again, do NOT insert/use Garmin Mobile XT memory card, you will loose detail map and the software will no longer function.
5. Once the transfer is completed, you will be prompted with the message above. Open, the memory card with explorer.
6. A folder "Garmin" is created in the memory card. You will find a file "gmapsupp.img." This is the detail map of Japan you have selected in the previous step.
7. If Mobile XT is open in your mobile device, please close it now by pressing "Exit" button.
8. In case of Windows Mobile device, please connect your smartphone with Microsoft ActiveSync software. Open the device root and open "Garmin" folder. Make sure that you have enouch internal memory space and then the file "gmapsupp.img" into this folder.
9. Drag the "gmapsupp.img" into the Garmin folder in your Windows Mobile device. ActiveSync now start to copy the file.
10. When the copy is completed, restart Garmin Mobile XT, it should now recognize Japan map. You may verify it by clicking on Tools->Manage My Data->Map Sets->MapSource. You will find the new Japan map installed.
11. Once Garmin Mobile XT recognize our Japan map. Everything should be fully functional.
Installing Japan maps on Mobile XT memory card (for Nokia and WM)
The previous method of installation for Windows Mobile device will not work on Nokia smartphones since Mobile XT runs directry from the microSD data card. However, the solution for Nokia smartphones are much simpler. All you need is renaming the Garmin preloaded detail maps.
1. Open the Mobile XT microSD data card and open the folder "Garmin." You will find the detail basemap "gmapsupp.img" and the key "gmapsupp.unl." Just rename both files to "gmapprom.img" and "gmapprom.unl" respectively. Mobile XT just works perfectly by renaming to the name above.
2. Now, you can load any additional maps from MapSource as long as the data card allows (about 700MB left). Since we have renamed the preloaded detail maps, there is no problem transfering maps from MapSource to mobile XT data card. We can use the detail maps and the MapSource maps at the same time. You can check the installation by Tools->Manage My Data->Map Sets. Note that the second map set of "Detailed maps Built-in maps" contains the detail map of the original microSD, and the third map set of "Detailed maps e:\GARMIN\" contains the detail map transfered from MapSource. Check the installed detail maps by pressing "MapSource."
3. In some Windows Mobile smartphone, renaming the detail base map as described above is not possible. In such case, transfer additional maps to a blank memory card and rename the file in GARMIN folder "gmapsupp.img" to "gmapsup2.img" and copy this file to the Garmin Mobile XT data card.
4. Garmin Mobile XT does work on built-in GPS available on Nokia N95 or Nokia N82 smartphones. One thing that I have noticed that the default settins may not recognize your internal GPS. Open the Settings->System->Remote GPS, then you need to select Use Attached/Built-in GPS and choose "Enable" and "Done."
5. Browsing Japan maps using Nokia N82 smartphone. N82 has built-in gravity sensor. If you turn the phone in the side way, the map automatically rotate to the wide screen view.
Unlock Garmin locked maps with Mobile XT
In order to unlock Garmin MapSource maps, you need to provide "Unit ID" for Garmin GPS hardware. In case of Garmin Mobile XT, "Unit ID" is called "Unlock ESN." You can find the number by pressin Settings->About from the main menu.
What's else can be done with Garmin Mobile XT software?
Garmin does not state this on their site, but big bonus of using Garmin Mobile XT software is that the preloaded detail maps on this Garmin Mobile XT data card can be used on any Garmin GPS hardware as well (exactly like the Garmin preprogrammed data card). Just plug-in Garmin Mobile XT microSD card to your Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, GPSMAP 60CSx, or Nuvi. Your Garmin GPS will load the detail map without getting the specific unlock key for your device (unlock key for this software is already embeded in the detail maps and works on any Garmin GPS).
This screen capture is the detail map of preloaded City Navigator North America NT on the Garmin Mobile XT microSD data card using Garmin Legend HCx. In deed, the price of Garmin Mobile XT (Suggested Retail Price: $ 99.99 USD) is cheaper than City Navigator North America NT DVD (U.S. List Price: $139.27) or preloaded microSD data card (U.S. List Price: $139.99). Why not buy this Mobile XT software instead?
You can record active tracks and show active track on map just like Garmin handy GPS with Mobile XT as well.