Which maps on an Etrex?
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Which maps on an Etrex?
Hey,
I've just got myself an Etrex 30. I'd like to pop on it some custom UK maps but I'm really new to this and not sure what kind of map I'd want, how much they cost, or really how to do it?
Ideally I'd like something similar to the OSM maps that I use when creating routes on BikeHike. Is this an easy thing to do? Should I be looking at different map sources as opposed to OSM?
Thanks
I've just got myself an Etrex 30. I'd like to pop on it some custom UK maps but I'm really new to this and not sure what kind of map I'd want, how much they cost, or really how to do it?
Ideally I'd like something similar to the OSM maps that I use when creating routes on BikeHike. Is this an easy thing to do? Should I be looking at different map sources as opposed to OSM?
Thanks
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Just spend £29 on this sd card. Pop it in the back of your Etrex and enjoy 1:50K OS mapping of the entire UK ... it's that simple.
http://www.ioffer.com/i/gb-discoverer-1 ... -613393020
http://www.ioffer.com/i/gb-discoverer-1 ... -613393020
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Without sounding daft, is 1:50 enough resolution? Wouldn't 1:25 be better considering most of the routes are off road? Sorry if that's a silly question, I'm new to mapping in general
Also I guess one reason I like the OSM maps is things like Cycle routes being highlighted etc.
Also I guess one reason I like the OSM maps is things like Cycle routes being highlighted etc.
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
You can have both - 1:50k OS maps on the card, OSM on the internal memory. Easy enough to switch between them.
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Ah OK, I didn't realise. I thought you could only have a single set of maps or map installed at any one time. I'm currently downloading something called OpenFietsMap_lite now which apparently is routable (?) and designed for bikes so, I'll see what it looks like once it's on the unit.chris n wrote:You can have both - 1:50k OS maps on the card, OSM on the internal memory. Easy enough to switch between them.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
The screen resolution / size on the eTrex can make 1:25 look very cluttered and 'busy'. I'm a big fan of 1:25k when it comes to maps but find it's all 'a bit too much' on a gps.Without sounding daft, is 1:50 enough resolution? Wouldn't 1:25 be better considering most of the routes are off road?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
I have the southern england 1:50k OS maps (the pukka Garmin one) on my Oregon - they're great
I find doing any form of planning on the GPS to be a PITA so do my best to avoid that unless necessary. Too much detail there can be a pain
I find doing any form of planning on the GPS to be a PITA so do my best to avoid that unless necessary. Too much detail there can be a pain
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
I *think* I'll basically continue using BikeHike to plot my routes etc, then save the route out as a GPX file and throw it on the Etrex, so I won't be planning or plotting routes on the unit itself. So it's just a case of map type and resolution I'll like when viewing and following the route. Cheers for all the advice.
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Is it also easy enough to add maps and tracks to an Etrex unit without needing to use Basecamp? can I just drag and drop using it as a storage device?
- whitestone
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Not totally sure about the Etrex but Garmin have a pretty standard way of doing things across their range. Plug into computer and the device should appear as a "drive", the SD card may appear as a separate drive or as a folder on the device. Simply copy the ".img" map file to the Garmin folder on the SD card. There will then be a menu option to select which map you want to use.ootini wrote:Is it also easy enough to add maps and tracks to an Etrex unit without needing to use Basecamp? can I just drag and drop using it as a storage device?
Tracks/routes need to go into the "New Files" folder so that the device can convert them to its own format.
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Remember, whatever you produce on bikehike - save it as a 'track' before downloading it. On Mac, I simply save files to the desktop then drag them across to the gps.I *think* I'll basically continue using BikeHike to plot my routes etc, then save the route out as a GPX file and throw it on the Etrex
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
OK, so GPX track, as opposed to GPX route. What's the difference by the way?Bearbonesnorm wrote:Remember, whatever you produce on bikehike - save it as a 'track' before downloading it. On Mac, I simply save files to the desktop then drag them across to the gps.I *think* I'll basically continue using BikeHike to plot my routes etc, then save the route out as a GPX file and throw it on the Etrex
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
That's right.OK, so GPX track, as opposed to GPX route.
Something very technical about a track having far less markers, so even long one's will play nicely with the Garmin.What's the difference by the way?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Fab, thanks
I'll have to check all of my GPX files now, find out whether they're tracks or routes.
I'll have to check all of my GPX files now, find out whether they're tracks or routes.
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Can you see use the 1:50 sd card maps on BaseCamp?
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- BigdummySteve
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Another option is talkytoasters maps, based on osm cycling they are good and only £10 as a download. That said I might have a look at the garmin maps for £29 not too much as a risk.
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- Dave Barter
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Yes, it will load them when you plug the GPS in or there is a hack where you can copy them to your computer via a disk mount pretending to be a garmin
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Good to know, as I'm about to buy a GPS,
Still unsure of what model tho..
Still unsure of what model tho..
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
I copied them over to a USB stick which just lives in one of the ports and is thus always available to Basecamp.Dave Barter wrote:Yes, it will load them when you plug the GPS in or there is a hack where you can copy them to your computer via a disk mount pretending to be a garmin
- Dave Barter
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
This way means you can do it without taking up a USB port and gives faster map loading
http://www.javawa.nl/virtualdevice.html
http://www.javawa.nl/virtualdevice.html
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Ah - might try it to see if it makes any difference.
I don't notice map loading being slow at the moment and the PC has 6 (yes - count them, 6) USB ports
I don't notice map loading being slow at the moment and the PC has 6 (yes - count them, 6) USB ports
Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Next you'll be telling us they're all USB 2.0 speedScotRoutes wrote: the PC has 6 (yes - count them, 6) USB ports
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
Will this work on an Oregon 600?Bearbonesnorm wrote:Just spend £29 on this sd card. Pop it in the back of your Etrex and enjoy 1:50K OS mapping of the entire UK ... it's that simple.
http://www.ioffer.com/i/gb-discoverer-1 ... -613393020
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
If it accepts (I think it does) a mapping sd card, then yes.Will this work on an Oregon 600?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- whitestone
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Re: Which maps on an Etrex?
The Oregon 600 does take an SD card so you should be OK.Teetosugars wrote:Will this work on an Oregon 600?Bearbonesnorm wrote:Just spend £29 on this sd card. Pop it in the back of your Etrex and enjoy 1:50K OS mapping of the entire UK ... it's that simple.
http://www.ioffer.com/i/gb-discoverer-1 ... -613393020
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry