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Hi, I’m a complete Garmin newbie, never used one before. Have just been given one as birthday present but wondering if it’s the right model for me..
its an Edge Explore 820 and what I would primarily like to use it for is a replacement for my paper OS maps. My question is can 1:25000 OS maps be loaded on to it? And then used as a decent navigation tool? No more stopping to get the paper map out!??
Many thanks in advance
I've recently got the older 800 which came with Garmin OS maps (think 1:50) and was like yourself, new to the Garmin thingy.
From what i've garnered, if it's by road, yes, excellent turn by turn navigation. If off road, not so good. Believe the turn by turn Q's are just for the road mapping. I can work out a route easily enough off road (did the Jenn ride with it) but don't expect turn by turn guidance.
Thanks I’m just hoping to have the OS map in front of me so I can see bridle way, foot path, topography, etc..
The 820 has Garmins OSM maps preloaded. They are fully turn by turn routable both on road and off. The screen is a little small for on the fly navigation choices but it is doable. Offroad, the unit really comes into it's own for guiding you around pre planned routes, ones you have plotted before setting out or downloaded from somewhere.
You can buy 1:25000 OS maps but they are expensive and I don't think you gain much over OSM other than a familiar look if you are used to OS maps and a better ability to differentiate between footpaths and bridleways (more important to some than others)
A note from my experience: OS maps, while being the reference by which all others are judged in paper form, aren't actually that good for using when cycling on a small, electronic screen like the Edge 820. They are simply too cluttered. They are also pretty expensive when bought for the Garmin!
Personally, I use Talky Toaster's quite excellent OSM-derived maps, with contours and ViewRanger on my phone with OS 1:25k map tiles on it in case I need a second opinion and I find that this is the perfect solution for me. The map tiles are bought one at a time, so it's cheaper to just buy a few, but once you own them, you can re-download to another device at will, so unlike a paper map, you can never leave them at home 🙂
I put OS 1:25 on my 820 and it slowed the map display horrifically. Talky toaster for me
I'd agree with all the above. OS maps on Garmin 820 don't work well.
OSM Maps much better...
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/download-garmin-705800810.html
Yep the Openstreet Maps are way way better, and free. I'd follow the instructions on the DC Rainmaker page, can take a while for the srlecyed maps to be ready to download but is well worth it.
Rainmaker is faultless. I have done more off road than toad on it. Enjoy not having to stop every five minutes. Just load and go.
I put a set of open source compatible OS style maps from John Thorn at http://www.the-thorns.org.uk/mapping/ on my Garmin edge. Really nice to use and better than what was installed. I think it was around £20 with free updates for a short period, cover the whole of the UK. Contact him via the email link on the web page to tell him what you want.
If you keep it then i'd suggest registering with ridewithgps.com as it's really simple to plot routes on that and copy them across.
Thanks for all of your replies!
im not sure it’s the one for me now..
I ride difficult to follow, little used routes, and knowing that I can legally cross fields or tracks is important to me (a farmer or landowner can’t really argue with an OS map).
Im tempted to swap this one for another model,
any suggestions anyone?
thanks again
IMO an app on a phone works best for OS maps. I use Memory Map as i bought it years ago and have the maps, but others available.
I think there are GPS's out there that'll do it, but they basically end up being like phones anyway, like these..
https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/gps.html