Creating and Loading Custom Maps to the Tread Series

Tread® series GPS navigators are able to load custom map sections. Before creating and transferring custom mapping, ensure the device firmware is up-to-date.

Map images can be found in several different file types. Often files can be found in incompatible formats like PDF, BMP, PNG, or GIF. These files need to be converted to JPEG format before they can be used to create custom maps. The maximum JPEG size is 3MB.

To Create a Custom Map from a JPEG File:

1. Open Google Earth Pro

   • Google Earth Pro is a third party program that allows you to create the custom map.

   • It can be downloaded and installed on your computer for free by visiting https://www.google.com/earth/versions/#earth-pro.

   • It is necessary to install Google Earth Pro on your computer and to not use the web version of Google Earth.

2. Zoom into the approximate area the custom map will cover
3. Select Add from the menu
4. Select Image Overlay
5. Name the map file
6. Select Browse
7. Locate and select the JPEG map file
   • If your map is printed, scan the map at an appropriate resolution, and save the image as a JPEG.
   • If the map is electronic, such as a PDF, it may require conversion to JPEG format through GIMP or another suitable program.

     • GIMP is a third party graphic editing program that allows a PDF to be converted to JPEG format.

     • You can download GIMP for free by visiting https://www.gimp.org/downloads/.

   • JPEG files must be saved without Progressive Image (typically found under advanced options).
8. Select Open
9. Resize the image to match the satellite image

   • Adjust the transparency bar between 50% and 70% while resizing the image.

   • Start at one corner and zoom in.

   • Position the mouse cursor over the corner to click and drag the corner to approximately the correct position (focus on roads closest to corner).

   • Move the map to the opposite corner and re-position.

   • Repeat for each corner.

   • Double-check all corners again and adjust as necessary.

   • Change the Transparency back to 100% Opaque.

   • If finished resizing the custom map, select the Altitude tab.

   • If the custom map needs to be viewed above all other maps, change Draw Order to 50 or higher.

   • If the custom map needs to be viewed below all other maps, change Draw Order to 49 or lower.

   • Select OK

10. Locate Places (left of the map)
11. Locate the Custom Map (named according to step 5)
12. Right-click on the map name
13. Select Save Place As...
14. Save the map to the computer as a .kmz file
15. Open the Garmin device
16. Open the internal storage or Internal Garmin storage of the device
    
17. Open the Garmin folder
18. Create a new folder named "CustomMaps" with no space
19. Transfer the custom map .kmz file into the CustomMaps folder from the computer
20. Unplug the device from the computer
21. Power on the device
    • It may be necessary to reboot the device.

The custom mapping can now be viewed on the map of the device. It will display on top of the BirdsEye and Topographic layers if enabled.

To Enable/Disable the Custom Maps on the Tread Device:

(On the Tread 2 Series, skip to step #3)

1. Touch Settings
   
2. Touch Map & Vehicle or Map Display
3. Touch myMaps or Map Manager
   • If your device showed Map Manager, select Manage Device Maps, then tap on the menu in the upper left . 
4. Uncheck the map name to disable the map, or check the map name to enable it.