I had a play with a Montana running the OS Discoverer maps and its brill so am going to take the plunge a buy a copy. Question on the best format...

I understand that an SD card can be used in any compatible device - good; And that in order to view the maps on my PC I need basecamp (got) and I think I need to have the GPS unit attached too. But, can I copy the map files off the card supplied as back up onto my PC and onto another spare SD card in case I lose the one supplied? edit.... their is conflicting guidance on the garmin site. In the requirements tab on the Montana page it says the map on an SD card is unlocked to a specific device; on the FAQ page "which format is right for me" it says the following about SD card supplied maps "These maps do not need to be unlocked to your device which allows you to move the card to multiple units if desired". Does anyone know which it actually is?

second edit: just spotted the following sentence on the garmin site on the requirements tab if the montana page: Maps on microSD/SD cards cannot be copied or viewed on a computer. I still need to clarify the first point about viewing maps on the PC and if the card can be moved between devices - I have emailed garmin about this.

If I buy as a download I understand that the maps are unlocked to a specific device and I have to copy the files to the device or an SD card. Can I make more than one copy as back up, eg one card for use the device and another in a safe place as spare/backup if I lose the first copy.

I think I have read in this thread that the Montana will accept big SD card - 16Gb+. I also think that I can copy several maps on the same card as long as they have different names. I select the maps I want enabled on the device, but if they are the same area it causes unpredictable results.

Is it better to have all maps on one big SD card or several smaller SD cards with a separate maps on each (and backups/spares of each in my safe place).

I have also got my powered mount up and running now wired to a Hella plug/socket. What has anyone else done with the masses of spare wires supplied - all the serial connectors and the extra length.