max microSD size for Garmin 62s model
Appears that the unit will only use up to 4GB.
The 62s and 62st can use up to a 32GB MicroSD card. Yes, there is a limit to ~4000 map segments, spread across all map IMG files, but you can use the extra space for large BirdsEye files and Custom Map files, amongst other things such as tracks, Geocaching GPX files, Geotagged photos, etc.
As for maps, Here is what I am able to use Simultaneously on a 16GB MicroSD Card:
* City Navigator North America - 148 segments
* Topo Canada v4 - 1224 segments
* Ibycus Topo Canada 3.2 - 947 segments
* TOPO U.S. 100K (Preloaded MicroSD version) - 431 segments
This totals about 13GB in four separate IMG files, and totals 2750 segments - leaving lots of room to add more still under the 4000 limit!
https://amzn.to/3fngfo3
My understanding is there's not really a limit on these devices on how BIG the card is, but rather how much data can be stored on it. It's pretty likely that you can shove a 32gb card in these devices without an issue, but the problem is that for compatibility they only read FAT32 for which the spec is publicly available. FAT32 is a 32bit file system which allows a maximum file size of 4.00gb. If the devices stored multiple map tile files on the device then you could use the full capacity, but the fact is that if you have a Garmin Map DVD then upload tiles using Map Source, all the tiles you select get compiled into a single .img file on the SD card. Garmin (and every other device manuacturer) use FAT32 because it's a known standard and compatible on Mac OSX, Linux and Windows. If they go with NTFS which is 64bit and massive file sizes then they lose write compatibility with Macs. If they go Hybrid file system then they lose PC read and write support. If they go ext3 then only Mac OSX and linux and read it. Of course all these options can be handled on each system by purchasing 3rd party software to allow read and write on each platform, but Gamin would be forcing an extra purchase on the user. So they use FAT32 for simplicity, but they have the issue of the maximum map data ever being 4.00gb. They really should create a segmented .img file format that splits into 2gb pieces to allow for greater than 4gb card support, we can only hope...
My understanding is there's not really a limit on these devices on how BIG the card is, but rather how much data can be stored on it. It's pretty likely that you can shove a 32gb card in these devices without an issue, but the problem is that for compatibility they only read FAT32 for which the spec is publicly available. FAT32 is a 32bit file system which allows a maximum file size of 4.00gb. If the devices stored multiple map tile files on the device then you could use the full capacity, but the fact is that if you have a Garmin Map DVD then upload tiles using Map Source, all the tiles you select get compiled into a single .img file on the SD card. Garmin (and every other device manuacturer) use FAT32 because it's a known standard and compatible on Mac OSX, Linux and Windows. If they go with NTFS which is 64bit and massive file sizes then they lose write compatibility with Macs. If they go Hybrid file system then they lose PC read and write support. If they go ext3 then only Mac OSX and linux and read it. Of course all these options can be handled on each system by purchasing 3rd party software to allow read and write on each platform, but Gamin would be forcing an extra purchase on the user. So they use FAT32 for simplicity, but they have the issue of the maximum map data ever being 4.00gb. They really should create a segmented .img file format that splits into 2gb pieces to allow for greater than 4gb card support, we can only hope...
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