FAQs

IMPORTANT POINT: You can not add new maps to any SD card without overwriting the existing map set. If you want to add or transfer multiple map sources (i.e. Backroad GPS Maps, TOPO Canada or your own custom map), you have to select all maps in your Software. Garmin softwares will build ONE file with the maps you select and transfer the file to the card. This transfer will overwrite the existing file.

Registration:

>> Click on the questions below to see the answer

1) How do I register my GPS Map Product?

Please go here for registration information. DVD customers: It is important that you give us the correct Unit ID # as the unlock code is generated based on that.

2) My computer can't read the GMAPSUPP.UNL file

Please make sure you are doing the following:
1- Please go back to the registration page and click on browse/choose file ON OUR PAGE.
2- A dialogue box will appear. You have to look for the gmapsupp.unl file from this window.
3- Do not leave the window. Go to your computer/my computer OR your desktop if on Mac.
4- Go to the removable disk (our SD card). You should see only a GARMIN Folder in there.
5- Double click the folder, choose gmapsupp.unl file. Click Close/Ok/Open.
6- The dialogue box will disapear and you will be back to our website.
7- Click Generate/Submit.
8- The 25 Character alpha-numeric code appears beneath the Browse button in blue text.

3) I can't register

Please make sure you went to the register today page and have followed all the steps. Also make sure you have your SD Card with you and attached to the computer either by:
- Putting it in a SD/micro SD card reader if you have one.
- Putting it in your unit, turning the unit on, and attaching the unit to your computer.

4) Can't see "My GPS Products" in my account page

Once logged in, you may have to scroll down to see "My GPS Products". Click on "to register my product" and you will be taken to the Registration Page for SD and DVD users.

5) Can't find gmapsupp.unl file

This issue usually happens, because you are looking into a wrong place.
IF you are using your unit as a SD card reader you need to make sure:
1- Your unit is in USB Mass storage mode (for older units)
2- Your unit is reading the SD card.
Your Backroad GPS maps SD card will show up under "devices with removable storage" in computer/my computer on windows.
It usually shows up as a no-name device.

Once you click on it you should ONLY see one GARMIN folder.
The gmapsupp.unl is inside this GARMIN folder.
If you are seeing more than just the GARMIN folder, you are probably looking at your UNIT not the SD Card. The SD card is usually the drive after this one.
So if you Unit is showing up on Drive E: for example, your SD card will be drive F:

Updates

>> Click on the questions below to see the answer

1) How can I update my Backroad GPS Maps?

In order to be able to get any updates (free or paid), you will need to register your product with us. Please go here for registration information. We will send you emails only when there are updates available.

2) How do I update my SD card with your latest maps

You need to have registered your product first. If there is an update available. You need to download it. You will then replace the gmapsupp.img file on OUR SD card with the new file you just downloaded. Click here to see the step by step instructions on how to achieve this in Windows, or Mac.

Technical Questions- Computer Version/DVD

1) Where is my free computer download of your Maps

1- You have to have registered to get this download.
2- IF you have already registered do the following:
Login to your account >> Navigate to: My GPS Products > To Check My Product > Computer Download (green button)>> Choose Windows or Mac Version.

Please make sure you are NOT using interenet explorer to download, as it will cut you off, and your download will not be complete.
We recommend Firefox or Chrome. Safari works fine for Mac.

2) How do I install your maps on my PC?

You need to have registered your product first. You will then need to download the "Windows Version" of our maps and install it on your computer. Click here for step-by-step instruction on how to do this.

Note: You will need MapSource™ or BaseCamp™ to unlock and view the maps. MapManager will install the maps to your device from BaseCamp™.

3) How do I install your maps on my Mac?

1- You will need to download the Mac Version of our Maps
2- You will need both MapManager & MapInstall on your Mac Computer. You can download them from here.
3- For step by step instructions (with pictures) of how to set-up on a mac click here.

Note: MapManager will install the maps (once you have downloaded our files from within your account).
BaseCamp™ or RoadTrip™ will unlock and show you the maps (please make sure you download one that is made for your system OS, otherwise it will not work on your computer). MapInstall will transfer the maps to your device (You will need this for updates).

If you have any questions about how the softwares above work, please contact Garmin™. On questions about our maps, please contact us directly.

4) How do I UNLOCK maps on my computer

In Windows/PC go to
- (In MapSource™) Utilities >> Manage Map Products >> Unlock Regions
- (In BaseCamp™) Tools >> Manage Map Products >> Unlock Regions
Click on ADD and put the key you got when you registered with US in there.

On the Mac go to
- (In RoatTrip™) Unlock >> Edit Unlock Codes
-(In BaseCamp™) Maps >> Edit Unlock Codes
Click on ADD and put the key you got when you registered with US in there.

5) Can't see the maps on my computer after installation

1- Our maps are just that, our maps. In order to view them you need either Garmin's MapSource™ or BaseCamp™ or Road Trip™ on your computer.
You can download BaseCamp™ and RoadTrip™ from Garmin's website.
2- You have to Unlock the maps in order to see them. Your unlock key is in your account in case you have forgotten it.
3- Confirm our product is the one currently visible go to View > Switch to Product > Checkmark next to Backroads Mapbooks
4- Make sure you are zoomed in and your detail levels are set to highest.
5- If you still cannot see the maps, you might have to uninstall and reinstall the maps.

6) I get a message "Can't Unlock Maps" on my Unit

If you bought the DVD:
If you have our DVD version and you are getting this message, you are probably trying to send the maps to a unit that was not registered to our maps. Your maps are locked to the unit you unlocked them to, and can only be used in that unit.

7) Can't install the computer version on the computer

1) Can't find where my download went
- If you use Firefox or Chrome it will be in your "Downloads" folder. HINT: Try to save a random image from the internet - this will show them where files are saved by default.
- You can also download again, and choose your desktop to save it to. This way you can easily find your download.

2) When I click on my download I get an error message
- This means the download wasn't completed successfully and is missing files.
- Please make sure you use Firefox or Chrome to download the file. Also try downloading when other people are not using the internet around you (late at night, or very early in the morning).

Technical Questions- SD Version

>> Click on the questions below to see the answer

1) Can't Search on my Unit

You can find our POI information under Where to>>Extras or All POI's depending on your Unit.

2) I get a message "Can't Unlock Maps" on my Unit

Make sure you have registered your card with us, so we can help you with this issue.

1) IF you bought the SD card:
This usually happens when you have send maps to your UNIT. The maps are locked to the SD Card, so you cannot send them to your unit.
If this is the case, take the SD card out of your unit >> attach your unit to your computer >> go into your unit >> go to GARMIN folder >> and delete gmapsupp.img file.

Put the SD card back in your unit, and restart the unit, you should not get the message anymore.
Also remember you cannot copy our SD card into another SD card.

2) IF you just updated your maps from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0
A) Please make sure that you have the gmappsupp.unl file in your GARMIN folder on your SD card. IF you do not have this file there, you need to make it and put it there. So please log back into your account. Click on "to check my products" and choose your GPS map product. Copy the Unlock key. On your computer, Go to Start >> Accessories>> Notepad. Paste the unlock key you copied from your account here. Click Save As, and save the file as gmappsupp.unl (make sure you have selected "all files" as a type. Now copy this file to your SD Card's Garmin folder.

B) If you do have the gmappsupp.unl in the Garmin folder on your SD Card. You might be one of the unlucky few with a Unlock Key problem. Just give us a shout and we can solve this problem for you.

3) Can't see maps on my Unit

Here are the steps to make sure things are working fine:
1- Does your unit take the big or the small card?
- If it takes the big card, make sure you have inserted the small card in the big card first (the big card is just an adaptor).
Restart your unit and see if you see the maps now.

2- Is your SD card inserted properly?
- SD CARD: Make sure you have pushed it firmly in the slot.
- Micro-SD Card: Align the notch on the chip with the notch in the bay. Flip the cage down and slide it towards you to lock.
Restart your unit and see if you see the maps now.

3- What scale are you currently zoomed to?
- Zoom in and see if you see the black symbols. If you see the black symbols you are seeing our maps.

4- Is the unit reading the SD card?
- Go to Tools>Map>MapInfo and confirm that our maps are being read by the unit and that they are enabled.

5- Did you send "anything" (like way points or tracks) to your SD card?
- If you did, you might have overwritten the card with "no maps", by having the "maps" box selected in MapSource. No fear, if you have your SD card registered, you can rebuild the card.
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If your unit is not recognizing the SD card still do the following:
1- Soft boot: Remove SD > Replace Batteries > Hold for 5 secs to Power Off > Power Back Up Fully > Power Back Down > Insert SD > Replace Batteries > Power Back Up

2- Firmware Update: Google "Garmin WebUpdater" and install the freshest Firware for your Unit. Firmware is what makes the Unit work. So it is important to have the latest software for your unit at all times.

3- Overwritten SD Card: Did you send anything to your unit? if yes you might have overwritten the SD Card with NO Maps. Confirm by checking the size of the gmapsupp.img file on your Unit. (our maps sizes are as follows: AB ~300MB, BC ~ 730 MB, ON ~ 730 GB, AB-BC ~1.1 GB)

4- Defective Adapter: If your Unit requires the bigger card and if you have a defaulty adapter, the SD Card won't be read by the unit. Try a different Adapter if one is handy. Otherwise purchase a new one at any Superstore, Walmart, Futureshop, Best Buy.

4) Maps don't look right in night mode

Our version 2.0 Maps only work with Daytime Setting on your device. You need to change your settings from "automatic" to "Daytime".

5) How do I install your maps on my PC?

Note: You will need MapSource™ or BaseCamp™ to unlock and view the maps. MapManager will install the maps to your device from BaseCamp™.

6) How do I install your maps on my Mac?

If you have any questions about how the softwares above work, please contact Garmin™. On questions about our maps, please contact us directly.

7) How do I UNLOCK maps on my computer

8) After Upating my computer version of maps from 1 to 2 the maps do not look right.

You might be one of the unlucky few with a Unlock Key problem. Just give us a shout and we can solve this problem for you.