What maps do I need for the Garmin 705 ?

colint

Bit confused by the mapping for the 705. I've ordered the unit but haven't seen the base map on it yet, apparently it's not up to much.

I want to plan routes off road adn on road, so do I need to by the city navigaor map and the Topo or will just the topo do ?

Edward Teach

If you just out riding the bike on/off road then the TOPO's are the ones you want on the unit. If you plan to use the unit in the car then CITY NAVIGATOR.

The TOPO's are a lot more useful when on the bike, especially if you live in a hilly area as you can use the contour lines to plan a steady uphill route and a killer downhill route.

If you a city bike courier then you will want the CITY NAVIGATOR maps.

On my unit I have TOPO and CITY NAVIGATOR (courtesy of having a Garmin car unit) maps. You can select between them on the unit.

When I'm on the bike I only use the TOPO's, but have noticed then If I do use the unit to plan a route back to the house in Town it likes to select usaually large roads and not quite the shortest route (even though I have major roads ticked to be avoided) where as when it is on CITY NAVIGATOR it will pick the shortest route by road.

taliesyn

Anyone used the Memory-map ones on this unit? Do they work like the Garmin ones? I'm considering ordering one myself

nferrar

I have the Topo one's on mine and they're pretty detailed (only used it on-road so far though). Weirdly though in the Garmin Training software although it says its using the Topo maps I only see major roads + contours which is pants. Plenty of other training & route planning programs out there though.

Milkie

Anyone used the Memory-map ones on this unit? Do they work like the Garmin ones? I'm considering ordering one myself Smile

From what I've heard, Memory Maps currently do not work with the Edge 705, but they are working on a solution.

My source:

Paul Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

I agree if using topoGB its still best to make tracks or routes on memory map for mountain biking and save to device as a .gpx, oh and memory map say they are working on compatability with the 705. For road riding city navigator is great.

Here: http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/?page_id=920

After a little further reading of link...

You can plot your course on Memory Map (apparently a lot better mapping), then save it as a .gpx file then upload that to your Edge.

I'm using BikeToaster to make up pre-planned routes, so if you do go "off route", it will direct you back on route. Gotta try out memory map, at sometime..

Milkie

What I want is maps for the Edge, that show Bridlepaths and cycle paths.. Now is that available? I only got my Edge on Saturday...

colint

Do you transfer the whole TOPO map to the garmin or just the areas you ride in ? How does the Garmin know to use these maps for general navigatin etc ?

Milkie

Do you transfer the whole TOPO map to the garmin or just the areas you ride in ?

You can transfer the complete map, if you have space, so you will probably need a micro SD card. I have City Navigator for the UK and TOPO for the UK on my SD card, and think there is plenty of space left.

How does the Garmin know to use these maps for general navigatin etc ?

You can select which map to use, either TOPO or City Navigation through the settings/maps on the Edge, personally I have them both turned on, so I see City Nav & TOPO on the Edge at the same time.

colint

Thanks

taliesyn

Thanks for the reply