Possible to carry all USA maps (GPS)

[bike-rich]

Hello!

Planning to do some riding in USA this year and despite having a rough ideal on the route i'm sure plans will change so as a precaution, is is possible to carry all the maps available in openmaps form?
Presumably I would need multiple cards, so a GPS device which supports card swapping is esential?

Are openmaps recomended and can they be relied on? They seem to be popular and have the massive advantage of being free, just wondered how well they take to devices such as Garmin?

Thank you,

[mdxix]

Yes to all of the above. In fact, Garmin is now shipping Edge Touring model with OSM.

Take a look at earlier discussion for instructions and test results.

[bike-rich]

Thank you, this seems ideal for what I am looking for thanks,

Are there any areas that are not mapped do you know?

How many cards would you estimate are required to fit all the maps on?

In terms of using this day-to-day, I would still carry a physical map for overall view but having a navigator to get from a-b would be very useful.

Thank you,

[mdxix]

All the areas I looked at in Northeast USA seems to be well mapped. Check the map for the areas you are interested in directly at http://www.openstreetmap.org.

I recommend minimum 4GB SD memory card, preferably 8GB. The file size I used last was close to 3.5GB. I would leave extra for additional files to store on the card.

[bike-rich]

Thank you for you help mdxix,

To confirm, once I have the Garmin device (hopefully edge touring) and copied the maps over, i'm good to go (providing I can pick up signal)?
There are no subscriptions or any other associated costs?

Thank you,

[mdxix]

To confirm, once I have the Garmin device (hopefully edge touring) and copied the maps over

The Garmin Edge Touring device already come with "preloaded Garmin Cycle Map". These are based on Open Source Map.

It may only have maps of your regions, if you are outside the US. In that case, you will need to add the US maps.

(providing I can pick up signal)?

I cannot think of any place in the United States where you cannot pick up the signal, rain or shine, unless you are in a cave. It will take a few minutes when you first turn on the device to locate the satellites.

There are no subscriptions or any other associated costs?

Correct, GPS signal is courtesy of paid taxes

[bike-rich]

Thank you,

The Garmin Edge Touring device already come with "preloaded Garmin Cycle Map". These are based on Open Source Map.

It may only have maps of your regions, if you are outside the US. In that case, you will need to add the US maps.

Ahh that makes sense,
I've herd about people requiring to compile maps so this makes it clearer- the maps needs to be in a state the reader (garmin) can understand. Going to read that linked post now - thanks.


 

[bike-rich]

Also mdxix,
 I believe you have the Edge model?
If so, do you think it is worth spending the extra on the Plus model? The main added feature seems to be cardio (which I have no use for) and temperature which I presume is the outdoor temp. rather then rider?

Thanks

[mdxix]

I like to record all aspects of my trips including performance, temperatures, split times, etc.

I have the Edge 510—see my earlier comments about this powerful little thing. I use it with just about all my activities: hike, run, bicycle, paddle, & walk in the park.

[bike-rich]

Sounds great, thanks mdxix,

Just to confirm, your device also supports removable data cards (for maps)?

Once you have downloaded the OSM, how long is the compile process (for garmin device) and is it fully automatic?
I presume the same application is used for advanced route-planning, but am I right in saying the router on the garmin will still work? Has it ever let you down?

Finally, from what I can see from yours and others postings,  there are 3 important components of the Garmins:

1. The garmin internal software
2. Maps
3. The route planner

Am I right in saying the route planner is a changeable component (presumably because the supplied one does not work well with unofficial maps?),

[mdxix]

Once you have downloaded the OSM, how long is the compile process (for garmin device) and is it fully automatic?

No compilation process. You download OSM in IMG file. You copy it to the unit. It just works. Magic! Review my earlier post and another from BikingBrian for download instructions.

You are making a good choice with the Edge Touring. Once you have it, play with it and come back to this forum to share your experience with this new unit.

[bike-rich]

Thank you very much, will do,

Just to confirm, the router used on the Garmin is perfectly usable with OSM and does not need updating?

For some reason I thought I read the need to update the 'routing service' from the default one,

Thanks