I've just tried out the
latest build of the OSM (Open Street Maps) for Garmin by Mapomatic. They are very nice. And FREE as in speech as well as beer.
I've only had a quick play with them, but the level of detail (for Basingstoke at least) is very impressive, and exceeds that of the Garmin MetroGuide Europe map that I usually use. See below...
The OSM map file from Mapomatic is <64MB once decompressed. Installation instructions (where to copy the file on the uSD card) are on the Mapomatic download page (link above).
You can view the OpenStreetMap online, at the following URLs (thanks inc)
OpenStreetMap OpenCycleMap.org - the OpenStreetMap Cycle MapIt is even possible to make your own map files from the OSM data (if memory in your GPS is in short supply). Instructions and a list of maps for other countries compiled from OSM
here.
There is also a UK map with contour information - effectively a free version of the topo GB map
here.
The map file can either be copied to the GPS receiver using the free "sendmap20" program (can be downloaded from previous link) or you can remove the uSD card and put it in a card reader to copy the map file. There is a
Linux program for sending maps to the GPS too.
So far I have tested the mapomatic UK cyclist map (first link) on my Garmin Edge 705, Garmin GPSmap 76CSx and Garmin Vista HCx with no problems. See
later post for screenshots.
Leeg has posted
details showing how to selectively create maps for specific areas and send them to the GPS. This is useful for GPS units that don't have a uSD slot so have to store the maps on the lower capacity internal storage.
Remember that the OSM is a community project. If there are areas of the map that are missing or low on detail, this is something
YOU can change. More
info on this from inc.
A
GPS data editor and analyzer that inc recommended.
Jules.
(N.B. I've edited this post to include all the extra information that other forum members and myself have found out since I originally made the post. I though it would be easiest to find if it was kept in one post).