[ptf]

Just took advantage of the killer Edge 800 deal, now trying to decide on Maps. Anybody have any opinions on OpenStreet maps vs Garmin maps? I don't mind spending the money - just trying to determine the pro's and cons of each and getting the best map for road riding.

 

[looigi]

Just took advantage of the killer Edge 800 deal, now trying to decide on Maps. Anybody have any opinions on OpenStreet maps vs Garmin maps? I don't mind spending the money - just trying to determine the pro's and cons of each and getting the best map for road riding.

I have both. OSMs have some weird errors and missing roads, but for the most part are OK. My Garmin loads routes with the OSM nearly twice as fast as it loads the same routes using the Garmin CN maps...don't know why. Try OSMs and if they're not working for you, get the Garmin CN maps.

Apparently OSMs in much of the EU and UK are really good. US OSMs not so much.

 

[c_h_i_n_a_m_a_n]

You can get your free maps from here ...

Select:

Generic routable
none
'leave it alone'
Enable manual tile selection ... tick it ...

Select the tiles that you need. To unselect just left click it again ... Only select the tiles you need as otherwise the file will be too large. UK + Ireland + France + Belgium + Netherlands + Switzerland = 2.4GB thereabouts

I think if you live outside Western Europe, please check details on the maps on basecamp before proceeding ...

Enter your email address ... then click 'Build my Map'

You will receive a link in your email to download 3 files. 1 file (gmapsupp.img) for your SD card for the GPS. Another for your basecamp program and one more for apple users I think.

In your SD Card create 2 folders: EULA & Garmin
In the Garmin folder create 4 folders: Activities, Courses, NewFiles & Workouts

The gmapsupp.img file is saved in the Garmin folder. You might be able to get away with just creating a Garmin folder and saving the .img file in there. I have not tried that.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

There do seem to be more holes in OSM for the U.S. However, you can fix those much easier and faster than with any other source (I think Garmin are Navteq). I think OSM also has more elements if that is of interest.

 

[scottma]

I just upgraded to an 800 from a 500 with the hot deal. I have the OSM maps. Its hard to say since I only have had the unit for a short time, but so far so good. It has known about everything I have tried including the bike paths. I just got the whole USA map set. It take up less than 1/2 of the $8 8Gig SD card.
OSM Maps - Maps for Garmin GPS devices

 

[Marc]

OSM around here don't have routing or waypoints. But they do have topomaps. Where Garmin and CityNavigator shine are in waypoints and in being routable on the device.

Whether Gamin maps for MapSource are worth the ridiculous price and gigantic hassle to load and unlock and get to work given the ridiculous price, is a matter of personal opinion.

 

[ptf]

Are some OSM maps better than others? Seems like there are a lot of choices. By the way, I would like to download the East Coast of the US if that makes a difference.