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You're About to Unleash the Full Potential of Your Garmin nüvi 50LM!

Garmin Connect Community for tracking, analyzing and sharing Garmin Express Maps and software to manage your devices Connect IQ Free watch faces, apps and more. My Garmin Will Not Connect to My Mac by Greyson Ferguson. Look over the user manual of the Garmin GPS product you have. Make sure it states the hardware is Mac supported. If it isn't, there isn't any way to connect the Garmin with the computer. How to Update the Garmin Nuvi 205W. How to Play FLV Files on a Mac.

Don't Miss These Easy Tips to Supercharge Your GPS. Download ExpertGPS!

Introducing ExpertGPS

ExpertGPS is GPS map software for your Windows computer, tablet, or laptop. ExpertGPS makes it easy to transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks, as well as GPS, GIS, and CAD data, to and from your Garmin nüvi 50LM.

ExpertGPS gives you access to every topo map in the USA, as well as high-resolution aerial photos, so you can zoom in on any trail or job site. ExpertGPS even works with your own scanned maps, and data from over 100 different mapping, GIS, and CAD programs.

ExpertGPS Home is an affordable outdoor trip planner at only $74.95. ExpertGPS Pro contains all of the professional mapping features of high-end CAD and GIS packages, but without the steep learning curve and at a fraction of the price (now only $249.95).

Thousands of businesses and GPS users depend on ExpertGPS mapping software to upload and download Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints, routes, and tracks, make maps of their GPS data over seamless USGS topo maps and aerial photos, and convert and transfer Garmin nüvi 50LM data to and from Excel, Google Earth, ArcGIS, and AutoCAD. We've collected dozens of tips and tricks designed to save you time and money when mapping with your Garmin nüvi 50LM.

Browse Garmin nüvi 50LM tips by category:
Garmin Data Upload and Download, Map Making, Adding Waypoints and POIs, Coordinate Conversion, Google Earth and KML, ArcGIS and Shapefiles, AutoCAD DXF, Creating a Custom Garmin Basemap, Downloading updates for your Garmin nüvi 50LM

Download a fully-featured trial of ExpertGPS, or buy your copy today. We're so confident ExpertGPS will save you time (as a GPS data downloader, coordinate converter, map viewer and editor, and GIS, CAD, and GPS data converter) that we make this guarantee: if ExpertGPS doesn't pay for itself in 14 days, we'll refund your money - and you can keep the software!

Get Started. Download Our Free ExpertGPS Trial Right Now!

Uploading and Downloading Garmin nüvi 50LM Data

Download your Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints to your computer

ExpertGPS can transfer Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints through your computer's USB port. It only takes a second or two to download all of the data from your Garmin using ExpertGPS.

Upload new waypoints to your Garmin GPS

Transfer data back to your Garmin nüvi 50LM with a single click. Upload waypoints to your GPS and print a matching map out to take with you into the field. ExpertGPS even lets you upload Excel, Google Earth, CAD, and GIS data to your Garmin nüvi 50LM!

Maximize your GPS Memory

Your Garmin nüvi 50LM has limited storage space for waypoints. Once you reach that limit, your GPS can't hold any more data. Smart ExpertGPS users have figured out how to eke out every last bit of memory space on their Garmin GPS receivers. Before each outdoor adventure or visit to a project site, they use ExpertGPS to back up the contents of their GPS, and then clear the GPS data memory. They can then download as much data as possible onto their GPS (leaving some room for GPS data collection out in the field). When they get back, they use ExpertGPS to upload all of their Garmin waypoints onto their computer and save it. Once they've backed up the new data from their GPS, they can clear the memory again, keeping their GPS ready for their next trip.

Backup your Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints

Backup your nüvi 50LM waypoints by using ExpertGPS to transfer them to your laptop or desktop computer. Now you've got a safe back-up of all of the important data on your nüvi 50LM, and use ExpertGPS to find and create new waypoints to download to your Garmin GPS. Before you update your Garmin nüvi 50LM firmware or install a custom basemap, Garmin recommends that you backup all of your GPS data. ExpertGPS gives you the peace-of-mind that your Garmin nüvi 50LM data is always safe.

Making Maps from your Garmin nüvi 50LM Data

Real 1:24000 USGS Topo Maps

View your Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints over USGS topo maps and aerial photos. These are actual 1:24000 scale topographic maps from the US Geological Survey, giving you much more terrain detail than the maps that came with your Garmin.

Toggle between Topo, Aerial, and Color Orthophotos

Instantly switch between topo maps, aerial photos, and color urban imagery using the T, A, and U keys in ExpertGPS. This ability to toggle back-and-forth between several views of your GPS data is unique to ExpertGPS, and is one of its most popular features.

Give your maps a professional look

ExpertGPS comes preloaded with all the line patterns and cartographic styles you need to draw highways, railroad tracks, transmission lines, streams, and more. And the waypoint and track style editors let you create your own map symbols, change track colors, and customize exactly how your GPS and map data is drawn.

Boost your Garmin GPS data entry speed 500%!

Why waste time entering new waypoints on the tiny screen of your Garmin nüvi 50LM? ExpertGPS can do it 5x faster! Use the New Waypoint dialog in ExpertGPS to create new waypoints and POI listings for your Garmin GPS. As you type, ExpertGPS automatically suggests the best possible name for this waypoint on your GPS.

Calculating Area with your Garmin nüvi 50LM

Garmin nüvi 50LM Waypoints and POIs

Maximize your Garmin waypoints

ExpertGPS lets you get the most out of the waypoints on your Garmin nüvi 50LM by making it easy to assign the best symbol and to give each waypoint a long, meaningful name (using a real keyboard, not the little controls on your GPS). Think about it:

Your Garmin nüvi 50LM can hold 1000 waypoints. Waypoints on the Garmin nüvi 50LM can contain up to 30 characters. Waypoint comments (notes) can contain up to 255 characters. How long would it take you to enter all of those waypoints by hand into your GPS? ExpertGPS will save you hours on this one task alone!

Add Photos and Notes to your waypoints

ExpertGPS lets you link a photo to any waypoint or POI and includes a built-in photo viewer. And you can add your own detailed description to any waypoint - store as much information as you need.

Prevent Data Entry Errors with ExpertGPS

GPS coordinates are easy to mis-type. Using the Waypoint Tool in ExpertGPS to create new waypoints reduces the chances of making a mistake when manually entering coordinates on your GPS. ExpertGPS takes care of all of the coordinate conversion and datum shifts when communicating with your Garmin nüvi 50LM, further reducing errors.

Garmin nüvi 50LM Coordinate Conversion

Convert between any coordinate format or datum

Need to convert NAD27 lat/lon to WGS84 UTM? ExpertGPS does it automatically. Enter coordinates in any format, in any datum. To convert Garmin nüvi 50LM coordinates to any other format, just select that format in ExpertGPS. All of your data is automatically reprojected to the new format and datum.

Convert to and from US State Plane Coordinates

ExpertGPS Pro lets you work with data in any US State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS). Even though your Garmin nüvi 50LM doesn't natively support SPCS, you can use ExpertGPS Pro to convert data back and forth between state plane coordinates, lat/lon, and UTM.

Convert any address to latitude and longitude for your Garmin nüvi 50LM

ExpertGPS converts addresses to GPS coordinates with its built-in address geocoder. Enter any address in the US (or in several dozen other countries) and ExpertGPS will bring up a map of that location and create a GPS waypoint you can send to your Garmin nüvi 50LM.

Locate property using PLSS (Township, Range, Section) coordinates

The Go to TRS command in ExpertGPS Pro will take you directly to any township and range in 17 western US states, allowing you to locate land in the US Public Land Survey System quickly. As you move over the map, the current township, range, and section is displayed. ExpertGPS Pro can even overlay a PLSS grid from BLM or your state GIS department.

Viewing Garmin nüvi 50LM Data in Google Earth

View your Garmin nüvi 50LM data in Google Earth

With ExpertGPS, you'll be able to view all of your driving trips over the aerial photos in Google Earth, showing exactly where you went. This feature is so popular in ExpertGPS, we've added a hot key (F7) that will automatically launch Google Earth and zoom in on your driving waypoints and tracklogs. And, we've also added the ability to download KML files back to your Garmin nüvi 50LM

Layering Garmin nüvi 50LM Data with GIS Data

Convert Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints and tracks to ArcGIS SHP format

ExpertGPS makes it easy to update your GIS database with GPS data recorded in the field. Simply mark waypoints or record a tracklog on your Garmin nüvi 50LM, and then use ExpertGPS to upload your GPS data and export it as a shapefile. And you can Send GIS layers to your Garmin nüvi 50LM as well.

Using Garmin nüvi 50LM Data in CAD

Convert Garmin nüvi 50LM waypoints and tracks to ACAD's DXF drawing format

ExpertGPS allows you to convert your nüvi 50LM tracklogs and waypoints to AutoCAD's DXF format in two easy steps. Send AutoCAD DXF to your Garmin nüvi 50LM

Download a fully-featured trial of ExpertGPS, or buy your copy today. We're so confident ExpertGPS will save you time (as a GPS data downloader, coordinate converter, map viewer and editor, and GIS, CAD, and GPS data converter) that we make this guarantee: if ExpertGPS doesn't pay for itself in 14 days, we'll refund your money - and you can keep the software!

Get Started. Download Our Free ExpertGPS Trial Right Now!

UPDATE:This model has been replaced by the nuvi 52LM (49 states) and nuvi 54LM (US + Canada).

The Garmin nüvi 50LM is the top of the line navigator in Garmin’s 2012 Essential series, offering a 5” wide screen and lifetime map updates. The models in this series are meant to be basic navigators at a budget price, lower than what we’ve previously seen for Garmin entry-level models. Nevertheless, they do come with some features not previously found on low-end nuvis, such as speed limit display, lane assist and junction view.

Quick links

More Garmin nuvi 50LM reviews
Garmin nuvi 50LM resources
How much does it cost?

Garmin Nuvi 50lm Manual Pdf

Related units

• Drop down to the nuvi 40LM and you’ll get the same features, but with a smaller 4.3” screen
• Or keep the 5” screen, but give up lifetime map updates with the nuvi 50
• Upgrade to the newer, but similar nuvi 52LM or the nuvi 54LM which has maps of Canada and Alaska also
• To see how the nuvi 50LM stacks up against other models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart

Two versions

Garmin Nuvi 50lm Manual For Mac Pro

Two versions of the nuvi 50LM series are available – one with the entire US except for Alaska and Hawaii, and one for all 50 states plus Canada.

NOTE:Much of what follows is based on my hands on review of the nuvi 40, a very similar model.

Key features

Generally speaking, all nuvis will get you from point A to point B; when you pay more, you’re primarily doing it to get bells and whistles. Nevertheless, the nuvi Essential series has some nice features. Here’s a look at several:

Speed limit display and warning

As noted above, the nuvi 50LM includes speed limit display. In my testing of the Essentials series, I’ve seen speed limits not just on highways, but on many secondary roads as well.

And if you exceed the speed limit, the current speed field will turn red…

Lane Assist

The next turn icon in the top left corner highlights the proper lane to be in. You’ll primarily see this on freeways and on some surface streets in urban areas. Coverage is fairly extensive.

Junction View

The model I tested was a pre-production unit, and it did not have the Junction View .jcv file installed. Nevertheless, it is a listed feature for the Essential series, and should look something like this…

Customizable data fields/display

If you tap the lower left data field, you can customize what is displayed there. Different choices are offered for whether you are or are not navigating.

Want more info displayed? Go to Settings > Map, press the down arrow icon and select Map Data Layout > More Data, to get the setup shown below, giving you two extra data fields. Tap a data field to change what is displayed.

Trip Log

Garmin Nuvi 50lm Manual For Mac Os

The trip log allows you to display where you’ve been (which can be a big help navigating mega-mall parking lots, and even in everyday city driving). The trip log is the thin blue line shown below.

There are options to Show or Hide this info, but unfortunately (unlike on other nuvis) there appears to be no way to clear the trip log short of a hard reset! Perhaps this is just an oversight that will be fixed in an upcoming firmware update; I’m certainly hoping Garmin hasn’t decided that privacy features should be limited to higher priced models!

Where am I?

Tapping the car/current location icon on the map brings up the Where Am I? screen, with the options shown below.

What’s missing?

Not much. There is no multi-destination routing (although you can add a single via point to a route) or powered mount, two popular options. The latter means that you’ll need to attach the mini-USB lead for the power cord each time you use the unit. Also, unlike other recent low-end models, you cannot add a traffic receiver. Here is Garmin’s rationale for this:

The nuvi 30, 40, and 50 series devices are not compatible with any traffic receiver or traffic service. Although these devices come with a variety of popular features, other features such as traffic compatibility have been left off so that we can provide our customers with the option of more basic devices at much lower price points.

Updating Garmin nuvi 50LM

As this device has beeen out for several years, there have been several software and map updates made. To get the most out of this great device, make sure that you have the most recent updates with Garmin Express, which you can download and then run to check for software and map updates. The map updates can sometimes be a little testy, but Garmin Express can definitely solve some of those hoops that users of the original releases had to deal with.

If you’re really stumped, then check out the Garmin nuvi manual for the 30, 40 and 50 models. It should help with some of the more common problems.

Garmin nuvi Essential series performance

I noticed no routing irregularities while using the Garmin nuvi Essential series, nor did I notice excessively long waits for satellite acquisition. Except for the missing bells and whistles, it performed as well as my other nuvis. I did have trouble getting it to go into USB mass storage mode when connecting to my computer, but this was solved by ensuring that the unit was on before connecting it. And this issue went away entirely once I updated to firmware version 2.10. The only other item of note is that I found the mount a little awkward to clip the nuvi into at first, but after awhile I got used to how it attaches and rarely had problems with it.

Manual For Garmin 50lm

Garmin nuvi 50LM pros

• 5” screen
• Lifetime map updates
• Low cost
• Speed limit display
• Lane assist and junction view
• Customization options

Garmin nuvi 50LM cons

• No powered mount
• Cannot add a traffic receiver
• Can only hide Trip Log; cannot clear it without resorting to a hard reset
• Only includes maps of 48 states (although a version that adds Alaska, Hawaii and Canada is also available)

Conclusion and recommendation

Highly recommended. This is without a doubt the best entry level navigator Garmin has ever released and it, three years after release date, is still one of the most popular entry-level devices. It has an ultra-wide 5” screen along with features previously restricted to mid-range units. You can’t hardly go wrong with this one.

More Garmin nuvi 50LM reviews

I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…

Other Garmin nuvi 50LM resources

• Want to see how it checks out against others? Read my own comparison chart for links to more reviews of Garmin GPS car units
• There is a dedicated Garmin nuvi message forum at GpsPasSion and another nuvi forum at GPS Review
• The Garmin nuvi 50LM owners manual
• Our auto GPS FAQs, which includes quite a few nuvi tips and tricks
• The official Garmin nuvi 50LM web page

Garmin Nuvi 50lm Manual For Mac Pro

Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 50LM at these merchants:

Garmin Nuvi 50lm Manual For Mac And Cheese

• Check the current Garmin nüvi 50LM price at Amazon
• Get the nuvi 50LM direct from Garmin
• It is also available from Best Buy
• Walmart’s website carries the device as well