Garmin 605 !!!

vfr_tommy

Hi,
Just bought a Edge 605 because i seem to be pretty good at taking that left track when it should have been the right one!!!!!! Anyway can anybody tell me the best way to get up and running with some decent maps for it? What do i need to do??
Thanks [/b]

Bmjboy

My mate has the 705 and at the moment there are no "Decent" maps for it, although the TOPO or City Navigator seem more popular than the one supplied.

Most people want an ordnance survey like map, of which the 605 or 705 currently does not support.

Plenty of discussion on this forum, I suggest searching for "Edge 705" for info.

They are almost identical units with regards to the mapping.

For GPS track creations etc, you cant go far wrong with mapmyride.com and motionbased.com (Now Garming Connect)

Great piece of kit the Garmin Edge, I have the 305 and its excellent.

S_J_P

As well as downloading routes, you can also make your own using MemoryMap, TrackLogs, or Anquet mapping software. I've had a lot of success using MemoryMap and Tracklogs with an old Garmin eTrex Vista GPS, and I'd sure the Edge will work just as well.

Bmjboy

Yep, you can create them on Mapmyride also (which is free) - I managed to re-create the Viking Coastal trail on there and upload to my 305 which worked flawlessly throughout.

Im also lucky enough to have MemoryMap too which is also an invaluable tool for in depth route creation.

As I mentioned in another post regarding the Edge devices, those who own one will be constantly designing/monitoring and looking for routes, its better than Eastenders anyway!

Harveytile

Garmin make excellent GPS units but seem to have forgotten the small aspect of digital mapping :roll: . Currently there only seems to be two locally (UK) available systems: Road Angel Adventurer 7000, and the Satmap Active 10. Of the two, I feel the RA is the better system and fully integrates with Memory Map. The Active 10 unit is more expensive (£300) and then you have to buy additional maps on SD cards. Aquisition times have been slow and unreliable on the Active 10 but saying that, the backup and constant updates seem to be keeping pace with most of the bugs. It is odd that the users seem to be doing all the beta testing for Satmap .

Anyway, so that that. Edge series are good for what they are meant: cycling computers with basic navigation and detailed data capture. If you were to splash out on another, the RA7000 gets my vote (and soon my money too ).

Cheers,

Bmjboy

That Road Angel looks a bit of a beast to have on my handlebars, for looks the Satmap would win the vote I think.

I think the majority of riders pretty much pre-plan their routes anyway, so having such an indepth mapping device on a bike is probably overkill to most.

Its all good though, I love a good gadget, so the more the merrier!

Sorry to the OP for perhaps dampening your enhusiasm on what you have bought, its a great unit - Id have one, but Im happy with my 305 (for the moment!)

Try and get a hold of Memory Map with some 1:25k maps on, you will find it if you look hard enough (or if you're loaded!)

S_J_P

I find that TrackLogs 25k mapping is cheaper & more comprehensive than MM's.

I have the 1:50k Southern England MM (£40) coupled with 1:25k 20kmx20km TrackLogs map (£25) centered on my house, and find both pieces of software useful for route planning and printing.

Bmjboy

(cough) EBAY (cough)

There was possibly a complete MM 1:25k set on there.

Cunobelin

With ALL of this software be careful of compatibility.

Ordnance Survey are very "Tight" about mapping licenses, for instance if you have MM 2004 then V 5 maps will not work with there is no back or updating - you have to buy the maps all over again. Even tracks and routes created in mm V5 are not compatible with 2004!