Confused about routes

[Stuff24]

Hi
I am considering replacing my StreetPilot i3 with another Garmin in car sat nav which supports custom routes, but I am completely confused about the options.

I need the ability both to create routes for myself and others, and to follow routes which other people have sent me as files (rather than having to re-create them, which is tedious as there might be 10 routes I am sent, and we'd decide on the day to drive only one or two of them, but I need to have them ready to go).

It seems the cheapest model Garmin do which supports the import of custom routes is the nuvi 710, which actually has this and all the other features I would like.

I'd like to be able to create routes on a PC and transfer to the device, if possible.

I am confused about the need for Map Source, though. Is this free? Will I need to buy mapping data separately for this program? Would there be a way to circumvent the need to buy these things (e.g. by using Google Maps)?

I am happy to accept there might be minor variations in the route my 710 would have me follow compared to what was intended. That is, all I need is a bunch of waypoints, rather than a "hard-coded" route. If the waypoints are sufficiently close together, then I am guessing there won't be much difference.

Thanks for any help - I can't find out what I need to from the Garmin website.

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