GPS mapping for Android

http://www8.garmin.com/learningcenter/training/edge705/index.html

quite a few training videos there from Garmin on how to use the 705. not too bad.

I've got my Extrex Legend Hcx working lovely now, with Open Street Map on it (I love OSM)
easily put maps for several countries on there for the euro trip, and if it's wrong you can get it changed quickly and it's free! It's also more up to date than most of the Garmin maps.

Dammit still has my 605 - wonder how he's getting on with it.

I've got my Extrex Legend Hcx working lovely now, with Open Street Map on it (I love OSM)
easily put maps for several countries on there for the euro trip, and if it's wrong you can get it changed quickly and it's free! It's also more up to date than most of the Garmin maps.

exactly my experience :)

right, off to Wests.

Am quite tempted by the Extrex Legend Hcx

When you buy it does it come with maps, or do you have to 'aquire' them? Once that's done do you use a site like Open street map for a route, download it to the device and off you go?

you can get OSM maps for free..from the OSM wiki
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

I use the openmtb ones rather successfully for multiple countries.

route wise you can use pretty much any mapping software/website you just need to get it into the right format - read up, this thread has a lot of info about that.

GMAapToGPX

sorry if its repost, ive recently been planning routes for my 305 aound this website http://www.gpsies.com .it allows you to export directly to the correct format etc.

On a sort of related note im looking at cycling from london to liverpool in teh summer over a couple of days... has anyone got some suggestions of a loing distance route planner? dont want to end up on to many huge A roads!

Cheers

Ges

you can get OSM maps for free..from the OSM wiki
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

I use the openmtb ones rather successfully for multiple countries.

route wise you can use pretty much any mapping software/website you just need to get it into the right format - read up, this thread has a lot of info about that.

Thanks,

So you can create your route and then upload it to the etrex.

Just one more thing before I commit to buying it;

what about if your out in the middle of no where and need to find your way home, will it come up with directions on the fly also?

Just seen this and also had a few PM's from various people asking for advice, so thought I would update this for others benefits.

Ok so I have the Garmin Legend Hcx and am very happy with it in comparison with my Edge 605 to the point where I don't use the 605 anymore.

I have recently discovered a new source of OSM routable maps, which also has maps for both the PC Mapsource software and the Mac Roadtrip Garmin software.
http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php
The problem with the openmtb maps was that you had to compile them on a windows box, the site above does it for you then emails you a link to a download site, it also lets you download mapsource and roadtrip maps so you can plan the route on your laptop via the software. The way to get a 'route' on the garmin is still a little complicated but I think I have the hang of it now.
You can either plot your route in mapsource or roadtrip (or import a GPX file into it)
If you import the GPX file, it comes in as a track - you will need to create a new route and drag and drop the track into it, and let it calculate the route via the OSM, in order for you to be able to 'follow' it on your garmin unit.
Use mapsource/roadtrip to export it onto your GPS, then you should be able to choose it as a route and follow it.

In answer to Spenceey's question yes, as long as the map is 'routable' which all of the above are, then as long as you have a signal, you can get it to come up with directions home and get you there.

Clefty you are a legend.

Sat Map Active 10 Plus with bike mount - awesome OS mapping - pricey but worth it

yeah clefty, thanks for all the advise.
i now have bought one and played around with it. planning the first ride soon. will also be using it in sweden. going kayaking/camping for a week.
anyway one thing i would add to your above advice would be that for downloading gpx files to use with mapsource as routes bikehike allows to download a gpx as route or track so that you dont have to use this stupid system. then moving it to garmin is the same easy.
i think biketoaster only gives you the option as downloading as track and hence your long way around it. i think if bikehike allows to to view routes imbedded in other servers as well (well he doesnt keep the anymore anyway) that would add the benefit that you dont have to trasfer to new servers.
on the last point i am guessing here though, my experience is a minimal as techno.

Does anyone use car GPS systems on a bike? I have to visit people at their homes for work and need something to help me plot my route there b/c I'm sick of (L) Poverest Road (R) St Paul Cray Road, etc. on a piece of paper, pulled out of my pocket or held in my hand, the fear it's going to fall out and I have no idea how to get there, etc.

Don't know whether it would be better to have a map or the directions spoken out to you or what. But I was reading something about bike GPS being a bit of a middle ground between walking and driving? I don't quite know what this means. Do we go faster than walkers, so those can't keep up with us, and slower than cars, so those don't work well for our uses either?

I think battery life will be an issue with that idea. Add to that they're generally designed to stick on a windscreen in a warm dry environment so a bit of a non starter. I've bit the bullet and ordered a Garmin 705. Just don't tell the wife.......

cycling gps is like walking gps + cadence, HR e.t.c as far as I can make out, (di a load of research and then had no money to buy the kit). Etrex HCX are popular.

Im about to acquire an oregon 400t, has anyone used one? Also for anyone who has a garmin hiking gps, how well do they work with city maps?

Argh, I hadn't thought of the environment factor! In the winter it will be cold and it might not work. I really need this, but I don't go to people's houses over and over again all day, I expect maybe 1 trip per day, there and back, I think it will be fine considering that people are meant to use them on long trips. I just need to figure out what will be the best to use in this situation and can't afford the arm and the leg that a Garmin exacts.

+ laminated map.

Did me fine for London-Dover-France-Belgium-Rotterdam-Amsterdam a few months back, and all for £20.

Not the same thing! I need something for in the city! I suppose a Bromley A-Z it will have to be, for now.

What about a smartphone + mapping software + bike mount?

Might work, Hippy, and that's what I was leaning towards, except for the thought of a crash and subsequent loss of phone. What do you do?

What about a smartphone + mapping software + bike mount?

Battery life might be a killer on this one too? Although if you want to only do short jaunts you might be fine

I was thinking about getting this (or something like it for my phone and hacking it onto my handlebars, but at the time battery life was god-awful!)

Jenne, I'll lend you my other GPS with the OSM on it for you to play with, I've got my Garmin 605 back from Dammit which I want to have a nother crack with, so you're welcome to play with it for a while.
I'll bring it to Erin's do on Sunday.

Oh right, I forgot you were going to lend me that.

There are serious issues with routing on Garmin. It is fine for outside of town, but as soon as you are in a situation with a few twists and turns, the machine gets confused, then (generally) I get angry. I am impatient though...

Also, the (expensive) Garmin maps are not updated regularly and I have been sent down one way streets, into mazes of back alleys and over pavements before.

The O(pen)S(treet)M(ap) maps are free and regularly updated, but I have had issues finding places. My home address doesn't seem to be listed, as well as 2 other places I tried to find. Not sure if I was doing it wrong.

The screens are quite small and get very cluttered when yo are in town.

They are no better than an AtoZ for riding in town.

They are VERY good for training though, where you plot your own route, transfer it to the machine, and follow a purple ribbon. Still managed to take 2 wrong turns last night when riding with Dov though.

Please note all these comments come from a man with no sense of direction.