GPSrChive Discussion Forum

I have a 128GB micro SDXC card, formatted with exFAT, with two maps on it (TrekMap Italia PRO v6 Abruzzo purchased for free from Garmin and OpenFietsMap). The card is a SanDisk Extreme UHS-I card, which should be compatible as Garmin explicitly state that any microSD card up to 1TB with any attributes are supported. The card works perfectly fine when used directly with a computer.

When I turn on my GPSMAP H1 (with version 5.09), the SD card isn't recognized. The maps do not show in Map Manager, and Map Manager only shows internal memory. When I remove and reinsert the card with the device on, the card and the maps on it are recognized. But after a power cycle, card isn't recognized again.

Also when connecting the H1 to my (Windows) computer, Explorer does not show the Memory Card. Again I need to reinsert the card with the H1 connected for the H1's memory card to show up in Explorer.

Not sure if this also was an issue with earlier software versions, or if this is specific for 5.09. Also didn't test yet with different smaller memory card.

Anyone else running into this issue?

I also noticed issues with uSD recognition. I tried two new 64 GB SanDisk cards formatted as exFAT. The ‘Extreme Go’ type works without any problems, while with the ‘Ultra’ type the same thing happens as you described.

Maver wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 9:45 pm I also noticed issues with uSD recognition. I tried two new 64 GB SanDisk cards formatted as exFAT. The ‘Extreme Go’ type works without any problems, while with the ‘Ultra’ type the same thing happens as you described.

Was your testing done under the newest firmware v5.09? It's stated by Garmin that the v5.09 update "Added exFat SD card support" to the H1. Just wondering what kind of mSD card format was shipped with the H1 series (or previous to v5.09) if exFAT wasn't yet supported. Maybe is was partially supported(?), whatever that could mean.

On the other hand, FAT32 will only support a 4GB maximum file size so...

Seems that whatever "support" was added for exFAT SD cards has broken something in the process.

Maver wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 9:45 pm I also noticed issues with uSD recognition. I tried two new 64 GB SanDisk cards formatted as exFAT. The ‘Extreme Go’ type works without any problems, while with the ‘Ultra’ type the same thing happens as you described.

Yeah the H1 seems picky with micro SD cards. I tried a different card, a 128GB SanDisk High Endurance, and that card is recognized correctly at power on. Specs are the same as the other card I used, so no clue why one would work while the other doesn't...

If you haven't already done so, you guys should try formatting the SD Cards you'll be using with the unit by using the "official" SD Association's SD Card formatting application (for Windows/Mac).

Sometimes, using the formatting utility built into Windows/Mac doesn't "properly" (whatever that means) format the card, especially for picky devices.
Give it a try and see if it makes any difference. I would, but the Touch 2 has no SD Card slot (what was Garmin thinking???). The link to the application is below.

Spoiler

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

WallyGator wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 8:35 pm If you haven't already done so, you guys should try formatting the SD Cards you'll be using with the unit by using the "official" SD Association's SD Card formatting application (for Windows/Mac).

Thanks. I know of the SD card formatter utility, and I’ve used it to format both cards.