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I have a Garmin etrex Vista Cx GPS with has a microSD slot. I purchased a "Europe NT UK & Ireland Vesrion 9" card thinking that I could copy it to a MicroSD card and use it in my device. I was under the impression that maps on the SD card don't require an unlock code.

The source SD card has a directory on it called "GARMIN" with two files:

GMAPSUPP.IMG
GMAPSUPP.UNL

The target MicroSD card that I copied has the same directory structure and files.

When I insert the target MicroSD card into the device and turn it on, I get"
"Can't Unlock Maps" error.

Wonder if there are some hidden files that they hide? They don't want people copying cards and using them on multiple systems.

I just received the following reply from Garmin International:

"It is not possible to simply copy the files from the sd card and place them on another card. You can use them on any unit where the card will fit (or in the case of purchasing them on a micro sd card, you can use an adapter card). "

... I guess I am out of luck

what I get out of these posts is that Garmin is not run by folks who think like the people at GOOGLE.

They are so focused at trying to squeeze every last dollar out of their products that people are going to flee in huge numbers when a viable alternative comes along...

It's too bad. They could build a huge and ever expanding group of loyal customers.. who would sing the praises of the company to other prospective buyers ..and instead.. they're driving folks away.

Garmin, I think, got tired of people stealing their maps.

To answer the OP, the maps are not locked, but the SD card is not copyable. You can use it on multiple GPS units that support them (hence they are not locked to a single unit), but not with a PC.