Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => GPS => Topic started by: Charlie Boy on 07 March, 2012, 01:05:47 pm

Title: Garmin Basemaps - any good?
Post by: Charlie Boy on 07 March, 2012, 01:05:47 pm

I've read the review in Arrivee and looked at the Garmin website but can't seem to find an example of the basemap you get with the new Extrex. I'd quite like to avoid spending £££ on the OS maps, so are the basemaps any good, and what sort of detail is there? Perhaps somewhere on t'internet it's possible to see an example.

GPS virgin so any advice / pointers very gratefully received.

Title: Re: Garmin Basemaps - any good?
Post by: Feanor on 07 March, 2012, 01:09:01 pm

Base maps contain basically nothing!
You will need to add detailled mapping of your choice to make the thing usefull.

Title: Re: Garmin Basemaps - any good?
Post by: phil d on 07 March, 2012, 01:11:59 pm

If the basemap installed in the new Etrex is the same as that in the old, it's little better than useless.  Pretty much trunk roads only.  Subject to the thread here about difficulties loading OSM into the 30, I would have thought OSM was your best option.

I have the better Garmin mapping on a micro-SD, and that is fine (I actually prefer it to OSM as it has less clutter for on-road riding) but it isn't cheap.  And will eventually be out of date in some critical areas.