Free maps for Garmin GPS. It works!

Method 1 :
Perfect and ready to use in Europe

1. These are the best maps of Europe (in four parts). They are quite detailed even in the cities. 
2. Download some maps to a 4 GB micro SD card folder named Garmin. 
3. Plug it in to your Nüvi GPS 
4. Choose the map on your GPS (the wrench button / map / choose the map).
   Note: overlapping portions of maps will not be visible, so choose one at a time (example: Northern Europe and Southern Europe overlap in  Zurich)
5. Done.  Simulate away.

Method 2:
I tried this first but the map was crude in the cities.

Success! The map is plain but seem fine for driving. No city detail in the one I downloaded for Italy (700MB) , but I will keep looking.  Here is what I did:

1. So I bought a 4GB micro SD card and plugged it into my GPS.
2. Plugged the GPS into my PC (the I: drive appeared on my PC)
3. Created a folder named Garmin in the micro SD for the map
4. Selected the maps I want in this site: (don't forget to check “Enable manual tile selection” near the fourth blue circle)

• Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap

1. Waited four hours for the preparation and email link to the map file
2. Downloaded the file osm_generic_gmapsupp.zip 
3. Unzipped it using WinZip
4. Dragged the .img file to the I:/Garmin folder
5. Rebooted the GPS
6. In parameters (the wrench) / maps / selected the map 
7. Turned off the GPS and went to simulation mode
8. Simulated a drive from Rome to Florence 
9. Yay

• Once you are done, it works as described in this video: How to Install a Garmin Europe Map Card on the Nuvi 1400 series with GPSCity - YouTube

My test links are valid for 60 days (until Aug. 14 2013 approximately)

• Italy test 700MB Index of /garmin/generic/10-06-2013/6f7030216fac7938a17ec550e988d019
• Vatican test 4MB Index of /garmin/generic/10-06-2013/6f7030216fac7938a17ec550e988d019

I also tried to cut this map I had downloaded  into smaller pieces with this tool Mapwel but conversion to img is not free, so I will use the OMG format in the GPS.

• Index of /aio/europe

More resources for free maps adapted to cycling and other needs : 

• VeloMap.org -Roadbike – Bicycle – Maps based on Openstreetmap
• Planet.osm - OpenStreetMap Wik
• iOpenStreetMap

Conversion of OpenStreetMap OSM files to IMG files compatible with Garmin GPS

My Garmin Nüvi is compatible with OSM maps in a maps folder. 

ADVANCED FEATURES ON NÜVI 1450
To use any map name on your SD card, remove default map name from XLM file (make  a copy of it first)
this works on my SD card:

 Within the SupplementalMaps remove the <BaseName>gsuppmap</BaseName> characters in the xml file. Now the SD:/Garmin will be like the Nmaps, taking any names. You can now store all your unl files in SD:/Garmin with other multiple maps there and it will use the jcv feature. And you do not have to touch your main memory pre-installed files (except this file!!)Anybody brave enough to try and come back from the dead? Just be v careful - remove only those characters above at the correct location and type carefully. Otherwise you have no device and the usb comms will fail!My ASEAN Free GPS Map Project • View topic - Garmin Nuvi 1450 / 1460