Which maps on an Etrex?

[ootini]

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

[Bearbonesnorm]

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

[ootini]

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.

[chris n]

You can have both - 1:50k OS maps on the card, OSM on the internal memory. Easy enough to switch between them.

[ootini]

You can have both - 1:50k OS maps on the card, OSM on the internal memory. Easy enough to switch between them.

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.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Without sounding daft, is 1:50 enough resolution? Wouldn't 1:25 be better considering most of the routes are off road?

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.

[benp1]

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

[ootini]

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.

[ootini]

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]

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?

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.

Tracks/routes need to go into the "New Files" folder so that the device can convert them to its own format.

[Bearbonesnorm]

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

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.

[ootini]

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

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.

OK, so GPX track, as opposed to GPX route. What's the difference by the way?

[Bearbonesnorm]

OK, so GPX track, as opposed to GPX route.

That's right.

What's the difference by the way?

Something very technical about a track having far less markers, so even long one's will play nicely with the Garmin.

[ootini]

Fab, thanks

I'll have to check all of my GPX files now, find out whether they're tracks or routes.

[Mariner]

Can you see use the 1:50 sd card maps on BaseCamp?

[BigdummySteve]

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.

[Dave Barter]

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

[Teetosugars]

Good to know, as I'm about to buy a GPS,

Still unsure of what model tho..

[ScotRoutes]

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

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]

This way means you can do it without taking up a USB port and gives faster map loading

http://www.javawa.nl/virtualdevice.html

[ScotRoutes]

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

[Zippy]

the PC has 6 (yes - count them, 6) USB ports

Next you'll be telling us they're all USB 2.0 speed

[Teetosugars]

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

Will this work on an Oregon 600?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Will this work on an Oregon 600?

If it accepts (I think it does) a mapping sd card, then yes.

[whitestone]

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

Will this work on an Oregon 600?

The Oregon 600 does take an SD card so you should be OK.