Backup
 

 

It is highly recommended that you make a complete backup of your Garmin GPSMAP before you add or remove any files from the unit. It is not uncommon to accidentally delete or overwrite important files you may need to recover later, and having an archived copy of your GPSMAP as you received it from Garmin may save you a lot of headache in the future.

Making additional backup archives any time you add or delete data from the unit will reduce the amount of time required to restore your GPSMAP to a more recent configuration should something ever go wrong. The GPSMAP is a small computer, after all.

Manual Archive

Simple


The quickest and easiest way to create an archive of your Garmin GPSMAP:
  1. Connect the GPSMAP to your computer via USB
  2. If the GPSMAP asks "Do you want to enter Mass Storage Mode?", select [Yes]
  3. Wait for the GPSMAP to enter Mass Storage Mode
  4. Create a new folder on your desktop named 'GPSMAP Archive' or something similar
  5. Open Windows Explorer (WIN+E) and position the window so the 'GPSMAP Archive' folder is still visible
  6. Find your Garmin GPSMAP in the 'My Computer' window
  7. Left click and drag the GPSMAP to your 'GPSMAP Archive' folder and release the left mouse button
  8. Wait for the computer to completely finish the copy process
  9. Right click the 'GPSMAP Archive' folder, select Properties | General | Attributes: and tick Read-only then Apply and OK
  10. Save the 'GPSMAP Archive' folder in a safe location, such as an external USB drive

Advanced


Once you have become intimately familiar with the files and folders stored on your Garmin GPSMAP, you may decide that you wish to archive only specific files and/or folders each time you make changes to your GPSMAP. I recommend keeping the original archive as 'Read Only' while maintaining a separate archive for frequent synchronization.

Automated Archive

Simple


The quickest and easiest method to create an automated archive of your Garmin GPSMAP is accomplished by using the 'Backup' and 'Restore' functions within the JaVaWa Device Manager application, available for both Mac and PC.

Advanced


Advanced users desiring a fully automated archive process with precise controls can install SyncBack (PC) for making regularly synchronized backups of your GPSMAPGPSr.