What's the least expensive way to get detailed road maps onto my Garmin Etrex Venture HC?
October 21, 2010 8:10 PM Subscribe
What's the least expensive way to get detailed road maps onto my Garmin Etrex Venture HC?
I have liked my little handheld GPS for getting longitude and latitude, as well as the odd "uhhh ... so, what towns am I near?" moment, but when I am driving out in the boonies looking for some odd destination, my GPS just does not have detailed enough maps for some of these locations and Google maps (aside from being static) often has roads that are not even labeled. I am not looking for trail maps or anything like that.
I've read this question, but it has been a few years and I hoped that the situation may have changed. My searches of the Internet have yielded either small, localized topographical maps or more for-pay maps. I may not be using the right search terms.
Do I simply buck up and pay ninety dollars for a set of maps? Which? Obviously, I'll have to figure out how to get them onto the GPS, but that's another story.
I have liked my little handheld GPS for getting longitude and latitude, as well as the odd "uhhh ... so, what towns am I near?" moment, but when I am driving out in the boonies looking for some odd destination, my GPS just does not have detailed enough maps for some of these locations and Google maps (aside from being static) often has roads that are not even labeled. I am not looking for trail maps or anything like that.
I've read this question, but it has been a few years and I hoped that the situation may have changed. My searches of the Internet have yielded either small, localized topographical maps or more for-pay maps. I may not be using the right search terms.
Do I simply buck up and pay ninety dollars for a set of maps? Which? Obviously, I'll have to figure out how to get them onto the GPS, but that's another story.
Cheapest way would be to use OpenStreetMap's free maps. Here's how to put an OSM Map On Garmin. Haven't tried this myself, but it looks like there may be some fiddly. It probably takes a USB Mini-B cable.
posted by scruss at 4:39 AM on October 22, 2010
posted by scruss at 4:39 AM on October 22, 2010
Basic car GPS units have dropped so far in price ($80) that they may be cheaper than buying maps, and much better for actual driving.
posted by smackfu at 6:57 AM on October 22, 2010
posted by smackfu at 6:57 AM on October 22, 2010
n-thing OpenStreetMap on a Garmin - they look really good. Though not guaranteed 100% complete, so you may want to check out the areas to use it in to see what the coverage is like before plumping for that.
posted by Dali Atomicus at 10:09 AM on October 22, 2010
posted by Dali Atomicus at 10:09 AM on October 22, 2010
Generally speaking, I don’t think OpenStreetMap is ready for prime time in North America—especially in the boonies. Seconding buying an inexpensive car GPS, which will yield better results.
posted by mcwetboy at 11:21 AM on October 22, 2010
posted by mcwetboy at 11:21 AM on October 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by amf at 4:38 AM on October 22, 2010