Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - New Oregon 550T - what maps do I need?
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

New Oregon 550T - what maps do I need?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> Garmin Handheld GPS Receivers
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Steveee
Lifetime Member


Joined: Dec 16, 2003
Posts: 203
Location: Colchester, Essex

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:59 am    Post subject: New Oregon 550T - what maps do I need? Reply with quote

Hi Everyone. As a long term TomTom user the need for using different types of maps depending on situation has never been an issue for me. Confused

Recently I have started to get exercise with a cycling club. I also ski regularly and walk the dogs across north Essex and Suffolk. My wife (in a very strange generous moment) agreed to me buying a hand held GPs unit for cycling, walking and skiing. Very Happy So, I went out (before she changed her mind) and quickly bought what seemed to be the best unit on the market, i.e. a Garmin Oregon 550T. I decided on this as it will probbaly cover everything I will ever need and comes with some maps already loaded.

Prime use will be:

Cycling - road and x-country
Walking - primarily using footpaths and bridle ways
Skiing - intend to buy SnowRanger ski maps, e.g. Espace Killy for $39.99

Not planning on GeoCaching as my spare time is already full!

Bearing in mind I have a TT GO920 for driving, the real question for this forum is:

What additional maps do I need to get the most out of the 550T?

Also, does anyone have experience of using the SnowRanger ski maps?
_________________
Steveee
Where am I?
==============
GO 920 (retired)
Garmin Oregon 550T
Garmin Drivesmart
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jolly47roger
Regular Visitor


Joined: Jan 11, 2008
Posts: 116

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Oregon will work with vector maps and raster maps - although the latter as Garmin Custom Maps are quite restricted. Garmin will happily sell you vector versions of OS mapping and their Birdseye aerial imagery. But raster maps are easily available to download : 1:25000 for walking and 1:50000 for cycling. The free OS Opendata maps, sadly, do not show footpaths. But Google 'Mobile Atlas Creator' for a tool that will download a variety of maps (including OS) and a free tool MAPC2MAPC will convert the .PNG+.MAP files to Garmin Custom Maps.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Steveee
Lifetime Member


Joined: Dec 16, 2003
Posts: 203
Location: Colchester, Essex

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Jolly4Roger..

I see that Garmin has 2 types walking maps: Discoverer and Topo. I suspect from the pricing that the Discoverer is a more detailed map. Is it worth the extra money? Confused
_________________
Steveee
Where am I?
==============
GO 920 (retired)
Garmin Oregon 550T
Garmin Drivesmart
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jolly47roger
Regular Visitor


Joined: Jan 11, 2008
Posts: 116

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 3:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry, I've not used either of these maps so can't comment.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rogueroamer
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Jul 17, 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Dorset, UK.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm very interested in walking the UK coast path. Anywhere I can get a good read on the hand held technology and maps before I buy? I do not want a system which requires regular payments but a set of maps which may be updated after a few years.
_________________
Thanks for your time.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
AllyCat
Frequent Visitor


Joined: Feb 23, 2005
Posts: 376
Location: Catford, London, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

First to answer the earlier question, I haven't used either Garmin map product either, but I believe the Discoverer maps are basically the Ordnance Survey 1:50k and/or 1:25k raster maps and the Topo are vector mapping mainly supplied by Navteq. You can compare these types of mapping on any OS Landranger/Explorer map, or the OS Getamap website, with the Mapsource Topo GB viewer on Garmin's website.

For walking a coastal path, IMHO you need the OS mapping which can be obtained/viewed in many ways. Satmap is probably the "Rolls Royce" product but there are various other handhelds, PDAs and Phones (including the iPhone). Memory Map has an advantage of being able to use the same maps on PC and mobile device, but Viewranger seems to have received favourable reports, etc.. Post again if you need help finding the links or for more specific advice.

Cheers, Alan.
_________________
Garmin GPS72H/76/60/45, Etrex H, Mapsource v6.5.
Acer N50,HP114,Loox N560,Dell x50,CF/SD cards to 4/32GB.
RoyalTek,Holux236,Navman B10 & Copilot(Globalsat) BT GPS,TomTom5/6.
Memory Map (v5.4.2 & v5.1.3 OS & Euro), GPS gate,OSGPSconverter.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
davemcwish
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Mar 01, 2005
Posts: 52

PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:57 pm    Post subject: Erm...what's wrong with getting them free ? Reply with quote

Go here:-

talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

p.s. before the piracy mods ask, it's based on OpenStreetMap.
_________________
TomTom 940 GO Live
Garmin Oregon 650
Apple iPhone 5S
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
cjyoung
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Jul 09, 2006
Posts: 43
Location: Hertfordshire, UK

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or from http://openmtbmap.org/ which has free maps for hiking and biking that are also based on Open Street Map.

Chris
_________________
Garmin 2569LMT-D s/w 8.80 + Western Europe map 2019.10
Gamin Dakota 20 s/w v5.80 + maps from http://openmtbmap.org/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> Garmin Handheld GPS Receivers All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping