Openstreet maps any good?

07Lapierre

Anyone use these maps with a garmin 810? Would you recommend them or is it better to invest in the "genuine" Garmin maps?

Super Freak

I use them on an edge 800. Never had a problem and never been down a road that wasn't on the maps.

They're free....give them a try !!

Super Freak

http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm. Is where I got mine, great source of info too.

Alek

If you are using the course feature, make sure you create your GPX track on website that actually uses openstreetmap for planning - i.e. RidewithGPS (top right corner of the map - switch to OSM or OSM Cycle.)

Otherwise you may encounter some issues with route calculation, i.e. your Edge will want to take you back home in the middle of the ride, in a straight line.

cdaly_

It's worth checking out OpenCycleMap also as this includes nice things like contours and is based on OpenStreetMap.

Alek

True - I prefer OSM Cycle view in RWGPS, as you can see the altitude in the nicest way :-) Its a pity you can't convert it to a Garmin map.

victorcarrera

I use OSM UK and Ireland (03/11/2013) with routing on an edge 705 and have had no problems with it for road cycling, following Bikeroutetoaster or Garmin Connect pre planned courses, logging rides etc.
There are quirks to be aware of if using it to find places though.
In Find Cities: Large cities such as Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway etc are not found but townlands Castleknock, Artane, Duleek, Ardrahan etc are all listed as Cities. (Not a problem I guess once you know.)
I can't get the find specific address to work using search criteria City, Street and Number. All combinations here are not found. I assume that this is a problem with the map.
I originally loaded a version with contours on my edge 705 and car satnav nuvi but deleted them because the grey contour lines looked like minor road crossings as you moved along and were very confusing.

serendip

I've used home-built OSM maps extensively for touring in Europe. The maps are accurate and pretty complete in terms of navigation. They miss a few hotels/restaurants and the like. Also, some POIs labelled as campsites are for camper vans only. Apart from that, I can't see why anyone would pay for maps in Europe any more.

(For camp sites, the best source is http://www.archiescampings.eu/eng1/)

serendip

Also, for prepackaged road cycling maps, consider velomap:

- http://www.velomap.org/

cdaly_

Alek wrote: »

True - I prefer OSM Cycle view in RWGPS, as you can see the altitude in the nicest way :-) Its a pity you can't convert it to a Garmin map.

Have you tried MOBAC? It can generate Garmin Custom Maps (though I dunno if these are useable for directions or just visualisation). I've used Mobac to translate OSM/OCM to SprotsTracker format for my phone. And then my own program to zoom it all up one level so I can actually read it!

Alek

Have you tried MOBAC?

Just tried it and I can't find OpenCycleMap in the app, although it is shown on the project page in screenshots... Also, I am afraid that raster maps cannot be used for navigation. Thanks anyway!

cdaly_

Alek wrote: »

Just tried it and I can't find OpenCycleMap in the app, although it is shown on the project page in screenshots... Also, I am afraid that raster maps cannot be used for navigation. Thanks anyway!

Ah, forgot that bit. Opencyclemap is not included but it's a fairly simple matter to add a custom map source. I can give you a copy xml file if you like.

Alek

That would be cool. Can you use navigation on MOBAC maps?

cdaly_

PM sent. AIUI, Mobac is tile/raster based only so it'll only be as background to a gpx track or such.

Alek

Thanks a lot - your file works as advertised! I'll experiment with this a bit now :-)

07Lapierre

Downloaded a map of Ireland and tried it on my 705. Very impressed with it so far... Works a treat! Thanks for all the replies everyone!