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Garmins in France but no mapping

  • 23-03-2016 01:36PM
    #1
    fat bloke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,420 ✭✭✭


    Over in Brittany for a week, I've my newish 520 & the mrs has a new 810. I've never had to use the mapping functions at home for obvious enough reasons, but it would be really useful here. - Ain't got no maps on either device though it seems.

    Are European maps readily available from garmin? Are they expensive?


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,620 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I went cycling in France last year and installed the free Openstreet maps as per DC rainmakers article:
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/download-garmin-705800810.html

    If you are prepared to do a bit of fiddling on the computer it is well worth it.


  • #3
    ford2600
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭ford2600


    fat bloke wrote: »
    Over in Brittany for a week, I've my newish 520 & the mrs has a new 810. I've never had to use the mapping functions at home for obvious enough reasons, but it would be really useful here. - Ain't got no maps on either device though it seems.

    Are European maps readily available from garmin? Are they expensive?

    Open street maps are free

    you'll find out how if you search here

    https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=63.0

    Smartphone with holder and maps.me app on Android works really well to for free


  • #4
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,279 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I've toured around France the last four summers with the 510. Got on fine.


  • #5
    The Ging and I
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 448 ✭✭The Ging and I


    I use the full garmin OS maps of France and its great when you can see it. In full sun on the bike its impossible to see on my 800.
    Off topic but Garmin OS of Ireland named "Eire" does not have Northern Ireland in it.


  • #6
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    ford2600 wrote: »
    Smartphone with holder and maps.me app on Android works really well to for free

    Have you managed to load OpenCycleMap to maps.me? Or any other contours?


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  • #7
    ford2600
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭ford2600


    cdaly_ wrote: »
    Have you managed to load OpenCycleMap to maps.me? Or any other contours?

    Just used it like a car gps crossing north of Spain last year.

    It's better than a garmin, you can search for bike shops, cafe etc like a regular car gps.

    Smartphones screen are better devices than any garmin, for touring if speed/cadence/hr etc is off no interest it got a lot of positives. Just load map for country/region of interest.

    Contours? I had no interest other than it was going to be rough. Day 1 had 280km with 4000m and a 20kgs load so I didn't want to know after that and just keep pedalling.

    On battery I just used phone when unsure going through cities and other than that just kept sea on my left so battery life was non issue


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