https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/dow ... 00810.html
The challenge though with the higher end mapping units (Garmin Edge 705/Edge 800/Edge 810/Edge 1000) is that as expensive as they are, they don’t actually include any maps. Well, ok, I’ll be fair. They technically do include what’s known as a ‘basemap’. However said basemap believes there are (for example) only three streets in New York City, and two in Paris. Obviously with such completely useless maps, you’re not going to be able to navigate very far – or very accurately.
So instead you need to purchase more detailed maps, typically at a cost of $70-$110 per region/area. The definition of a region varies – both in size as well as the type of map. No matter the case, you’re spending more money on top of what you already spent.
Now there’s always been a free mapping option, but it hasn’t been until semi-recently that the process of getting these maps has been made really easy. I outlined this within the Edge 810 review, but I wanted to call it out and make it more accessible – especially to all those owners of Edge 520/705/800/810/1000 units (also useful if you want to add maps for a region other than you’ve already bought). Additionally, I’ve simplified those instructions some.
So here’s step-by-step instructions for how to get the free Openstreet maps onto your Garmin Edge device.
espite how long all these screenshotted steps may look, the whole process is actually really quick and super easy. It’s just that I was probably overly thorough in the screenshots.
Active time: 5-8 minutes
’Baking’ Time: A number of hours
Device: Garmin Edge 520, 705, 800, 810, 1000
Storage: A $12 Micro-SD card to put the maps on (omit for Edge 520)
The step-by-step pieces only take a few minutes. There’s a tiny bit of work to get the maps requested, which then puts you into a queue where your map request is processed and ultimately a link e-mailed to you a few hours later. Thus the ‘baking’ time. Then there’s a few more minutes to copy the maps to your expansion card. Of course, there’s no reason you need to sit there and watch paint dry. Just like you wouldn’t sit and watch dough rise.
You can get any size of Micro-SD card. I’ve tested all three Edge units using a variety of cards from 4GB to a highest capacity 32GB cards. I had no issues there with the latest firmware on any of them. Most of the maps you’ll create are less than 1GB in size, so a 16GB card is more than sufficient.
Note that these steps require the Garmin Edge 520, 705, 800, 810, or 1000. All three of these units have mapping capabilities. This won’t work on the Garmin Edge 20, 25, 200, 500, or 510. Those units don’t support the mapping function. Nor will it work on any other 3rd party units. Sorry!
Part I: Downloading the maps
This entire post is ‘made possible by’ OpenStreet maps, which are free community driven maps. Openstreet maps have become in many areas just as good as maps from traditional providers. And best of all, they’re free. The below site simply does all the hard-work that you used to have to do manually a few years ago if you wanted to use OpenStreet maps. Now, it’s literally as easy as 1.2.3.
