Route Planning, when it comes to the ride...

I'm not demonising Stanfords, I love that shop, could spend hours there, and have done, do also spend money there when i can justify it.
maps... = weight. and possible waste of money -

I figured i'll use the Garmin this trip, If i love it, i'll keep it, if i don't i'll sell it -

Current ebay value of Garmin 605 is approx £150 - I bought mine for £203. - So in theory i'll lose £53 on buying the GPS - vs potential loss of £60 if i buy maps... - that's based on me not bothering to try and sell / throwing maps away...

sorry that was a rant. my reasoning and justification of buying a Garmin.

sorry i wasnt giving you grief about buying a garmin, great products, i have a car one and its made things a lot easier at times. so yea go for it. what i was trying to say in a half joke sort of way is that you could steal the maps = £0. but only if you could demonize stanfords in your mind, you know, convince yourself they were an awful company, hence the asda remark. if asda sold maps, i'd steal them. but i wont from stanfords. i hope that makes sense. go for the garmin, if you can get the battery charge, you wont regret it.

also i saw in blacks outdoors today they are selling a book called get the most from your gps (or something similar) for 5 quid knocked down from 15. bargain if you need it.