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Activate and Download BirdsEye Products Overview

BirdsEye is a subscription service that provides high-resolution satellite imagery, or detailed raster maps, for use with a compatible Garmin device. This article walks you through the process, from activating to downloading and installing it to your Garmin.

NOTE: If you are activating a BirdsEye subscription that uses a voucher code or product key, or if your Garmin came with BirdsEye Direct, see Related .

Understanding BirdsEye Subscriptions

BirdsEye products are locked to a single Garmin device. A subscription allows you to view and download areas based on the product you purchased.

NOTE: Birdseye Satellite Imagery subscriptions are no longer available for purchase. If your subscription has expired, imagery previously downloaded is still available to be used on your device.

Types of BirdsEye Products

Subscription Based

A BirdsEye subscription lasts for 1-year from the activation date. The imagery downloaded to your device during the subscription does not expire. If the subscription expires, the imagery is not available for transfer to the device from BaseCamp™ software. The imagery already on your device will remain on the device.

BirdsEye Satellite Imagery

Worldwide coverage that provides a true representation of your surroundings with high-resolution color imagery.

High-Resolution color imagery

BirdsEye Topo

Raster maps for the United States and Canada.  High-quality USGS and NRC maps offer a view of terrain and points of interest. Coverage is for the entire U.S and Canada south of 68 degrees latitude.

RegionScaleMap type
United States1:24kUSGS
Canada1:50kNRC

Birds-Eye Topo map

Credit-Based

Credits equal to square kilometers. BirdsEye Select covers certain European countries or regions, and depending on the product that was purchased, the amount of credits and scale will vary. 

BirdsEye Select

High-quality raster maps for BirdsEye Select European countries or regions, with terrain contours and points of interest.

Available Countries and Regions

RegionScaleCreditsAdditional Information
Great Britain1:25KUp to 3,000 sq km
Great Britain Plus1:25kUp to 25,00 sq km
France1:25K to 1:100kUp to 1,500 sq km
Deutschland1:25kUp to 5,000 sq km
Germany 1:50kUp to 2,400 sq kmKOMPASS Map
Austria and East Alps1:50kUp to 2,400 sq kmKOMPASS Map
Holiday Islands1:50kUp to 2,400 sq kmKOMPASS Map
Switzerland1:50kUp to 2,400 sq kmKOMPASS Map

Birds-Eye Select topo map 

Follow the steps below for how to activate, download, and install your BirdsEye product.

Activating a BirdsEye Subscription

Before activating your BirdsEye subscription, perform these steps:

  1. Download and install Garmin Express™ - How Do I Install Garmin Express?.
  2. Register your Garmin product with Garmin Express™ - How to Register a Dog or Outdoor Product.
  3. Download and install Garmin BaseCamp™ - How to Install or Update Garmin BaseCamp™.

After completing these steps, activate your BirdsEye subscription using the steps below.

Activating a BirdsEye Subscription

  1. Open BaseCamp™ program, and connect the device to your computer.
    NOTE: The name of your Garmin should appear on the left under Devices below Library.
  2. Select BirdsEye in the top menu bar.
  3. Select Download BirdsEye Imagery...
  4. From the drop-down list, select the device to associate the subscription or credits with, and select Next.
  5. Select the BirdsEye product you are activating from the drop-down list that matches the product purchased from garmin.com.
    NOTE: To refine the list, check the box next to Only list products available for my current view.
  6. Select an option:
    • To activate a subscription, select Where is my subscription?
      BirdsEye Where is My Subscription
    • To activate credits, select Where is my credit?
      Where is My Credit Button Below Products Dropdown
  7. Enter your Garmin login credentials, and select Next.
    NOTE: The username is your email address. Ensure you enter the same username you purchased the subscription with.
    • If you do not remember your Garmin Account username, we recommend trying the email address you used to create your account.
  8. Select the BirdsEye product to activate, and select Activate.

Once the BirdsEye subscription is activated, you can download and install BirdsEye products.

Downloading BirdsEye Imagery

  1. On the BaseCamp™ program's top menu bar, select Birdseye.
  2. Select Download Birdseye Imagery.
  3. The BirdsEye wizard will help guide you to use different tools to select the right area and size.
The following sections contain step-by-step instructions for Windows PC and Mac.

Downloading BirdsEye Images for Windows

Description of Wizard Tools

These tools will help you when selecting the right area to download.

  • Pan tool Pan Tool: Allows you to drag the map to pan to a different area of the map.
  • Zoom tool zoom tool : Click on the map or drag a rectangle over the map to zoom into that area.
  • Box tool  box tool: Drag a rectangle around the desired area you wish to download.
  • Free-form tool Free form draw tool: Draw a free-form shape around the desired area you wish to download.
  • Show on Map tool Show on Map Tool:  Moves the map view to the currently selected area on the map.

Downloading BirdsEye Imagery

  1. Start the BaseCamp application, and connect the device to your computer.
  2. Select BirdsEye in the menu bar.
  3. Select Download BirdsEye Imagery...
  4. From the drop-down list, select the device with the subscription and select Next.
  5. From the drop-down list, select your purchased subscription and select Continue.
    NOTE: To refine the list, check the box next to Only list products available for my current view.
  6. Use the wizard tools to select the area you wish to download and select Download.
    • On this page, you can change the name of the imagery and select a detail level.
    • If the download size limit is exceeded, resize the area for download.
  7. The download will now begin.
  8. Select Finish.

The BirdsEye imagery will continue to download in the background. You can continue to use BaseCamp during this time. 

Downloading BirdsEye Images for Mac

Description of Wizard Tools

These tools will help you when selecting the right area to download.

  • Select Box: Drag a rectangle around the desired area you wish to download.
  • Shape Select Box: Draw a free-form shape around the desired area you wish to download.

Downloading BirdsEye Imagery

  1. Start the BaseCamp application, and connect the device to your computer.
  2. Select BirdsEye in the menu bar.
  3. Select Download BirdsEye Imagery...
  4. From the drop-down list, select your purchased subscription and select Continue.
    NOTE: To refine the list, check the box next to Only list products available for my current view.
    • Wrong device listed: If you need to select a different connected Garmin device, select Change.
    • Sending imagery to the Garmin device: Select Change and check the box next to Copy Imagery to device after download.
    • Sending Imagery to an SD Card: To send imagery to an SD card, see - Transferring BirdsEye Imagery to an External Memory Card.
  5. Use the wizard tools to select the area you wish to download and select Confirm.
    • On this page, you can also change the detail level using the drop-down.
    • If the download size limit is exceeded, resize the area for download.
  6. The download will now begin.
    • NOTE: On this page, you can change the name of the downloaded imagery.
  7. Select Close.

The BirdsEye imagery will continue to download in the background. You can continue to use BaseCamp software during this time.

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