Map for Garmin

mtbfan

Member
We have a Garmin Edge 705 and need advice on what would be a good map to load onto the device. We need this for an upcoming trip, not knowing the trails or area. I know there are a few free maps out there, but I am not sure how good or reliable they are. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
Not the answer you're looking for, but I'll thrown an alternative out there...

My Garmin is an older 510, and doesn't do maps... I have used it for navigation quite a few times, though. Downloaded routes are pretty easy to follow. In Oregon, however, the cloud and tree cover was so thick that the Garmin had issues connecting to the GPS satellites all day.

My iPhone, on the other hand, had GPS signal the entire time, even though there was no cell service for 95% of the ride. Using the downloaded maps with the MTB Project App was a bacon saver... My "blue dot" was visible on the map all day on the highlighted trails, and kept me from making several wrong turns at unmarked forks. The app works off-line, as all of the satellite images, topo and elevation are downloaded to the phone ahead of time. For example, I have California and Oregon loaded on my phone right now. Never needed the paper map. :thumbsup:
 
PB trailfork app works great (on the phone) for exploring options (pre-ride and during).
I have an old 705. I didn't know you can use maps other than Garmin's.
 
The app Trailforks is pretty amazing, I used it out on my last road trip. You pick which states you want to preload so that you don't need to worry about connectivity.
 
I have the Edge 705 as well. The map I have on it only has streets. I was looking to upgrade my Garmin because @evdog had a different Garmin that was flipping awesome!
However, I downloaded MTB Project onto Cathy's iPhone. That thing is awesome! It will track where you are, even when trying to find the trailhead.
 
We have a Garmin Edge 705 and need advice on what would be a good map to load onto the device. We need this for an upcoming trip, not knowing the trails or area. I know there are a few free maps out there, but I am not sure how good or reliable they are. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I used this for a long time with both æEdge 705 and Edge 800 untill I got the Edge 1000: https://openmtbmap.org/download/odbl/ - they did function great. Do not show all trails, but several here on the Canary Islands, Denmark and also a lot in Morocco. Have no idea about other places.
The HRM belt that comes with the 705 is the best Garmin has ever made. Mine is still functioning, where I have bought 3 for my Edge 800 end now 2 for the Edge 1000. The new (and very comfortable belts) last for me only till the battery needs to be replaced.
 
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Trailforks is great. The only issue I have with it is I can only view the regular basemap when out of cell range or in airplane mode. There are times when being able to view the topo map or satellite would be very useful. I had heard if you scroll around the area you will be riding while you have cell reception it would "download" the topo map or satellite basemap tiles so you could see them while in airplane mode, but I can't get it to work. Maybe it is possible and I'm doing something wrong.

For my Garmin I have an Oregon 600T. I have loaded new topo base maps on that for free from gpsfiledepot.com. No need to pay garmin for their overpriced maps! Not sure if these can be loaded into the Edge models. I use mine for mapping and navigation and don't need any cycling functions which is why I got this model.

Hopefully, cell phone apps will continue to improve functionality to the point where a separate garmin is unnecessary.
 
Does OpenStreet maps show off road trails, too, or just streets? We would need it for a mountainbike trip to either Utah or Colorado where we are not familiar with the trails.
I think it depends on the area since the data can come from other users. Most of my local mountain bike areas are included in the map. I can see the trails in LCWP, Whiting, Aliso, Oaks, etc. Also includes forest service roads in the Santa Ana's.
 
Does OpenStreet maps show off road trails, too, or just streets? We would need it for a mountainbike trip to either Utah or Colorado where we are not familiar with the trails.
Work your googlefu for various maps.
Also, search dcrainmaker.com for a post on how to do it and a site to grab maps.
 
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