Garmin 76Csx + maps?

mart_london · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 2

OK, so I'd almost settled on getting the Garmin 76Csx... and then I read several very negative reviews about the GB TOPO maps, which has put me off to say the least.

Is it possible to use non-Garmin maps with this unit, or am I restricted to the apparently not-so-good Garmin Topo maps?? If I can use other maps, what would people recommend?? The cheaper the better!

My needs in a nutshell:
- Basic contour and footpath maps for out of town, particularly in the national parks, primarily for hiking. Preferrably with landmarks such as woodland, churches, pubs etc. I realise I'm not going to get the equivalent of an OS map anywhere.
- Street level maps for around town - I intend to use this for navigating around London.
- Country roads for getting me to/from the start of my hikes.

I'd really like to get the Garmin as the hardware seems to suit my needs perfectly, it's just the maps that are putting me off.

Any suggestions you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated!!

mart_london · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 2

Sorry, 1 more thing...

If I'm stuck with the Garmin maps and were to plump for the Euro City disc, am I right in thinking that I can overlay the contour data from the SMC website onto the map itself, so that it shows on the Garmin screen ontop of the city map data?? i.e. I would have the roads data, plus topog type data for certain areas??

Apologies if that's a stupid question!

CuMsCrOtE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2004 Posts: 6

Hi Mart..

Iv got the 60CSX and it is brill.. BUT.. iv been in your exact position.. with my unit it wouldnt route like a tomtom unless you had City Navigator.. i had Metro Guide.. i found a little proggy that embedded the routing properties on CN onto MG.. job done..

Now the Topo uk IS NOT worth the cash outlay!! FULL STOP!! ( this is just MY opinion!!) I have Memory map on my computer and polt Hiking routes with it then download onto the 60CSX.. this work flawlessly.. it is an awsome bit of kit.. You can print the area of map you are using from Memory map and use it to check Topo.. Memory map is OS (Ordinance survey Maps) One thing you CANT do is transfer the MM to the Garmin.. a real shame.. iv got MM on a PDA which i carry with me on trips and although you CAN connect a portable GPR reciever to the PDA and use it to navigate its not the ideal solution.. PDA's are not very rugged..
So, Garmin Topo is not very detailed, tracks and paths and even contour lines look the same!! also when you transfer them to the Garmin device you can only use small portions of the map!!

Metro guide is the best for it.. although there is no real Topo data on the map it shows enough info for most people to see where they are when off road.. the ON ROAD routing is very good also..

And yes you can overlay Topo data but this is a very time consuming and complicated process.. well, so iv been told.. :D

I hope this has helped you and anyone thinking of buying a Garmin GPS..

Fraserp · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

I have a Garmin GPSMap60CSx, and I do have the FULL topo loaded on a microSD card, a one off job.

As someone who already has MM and garmin, have you noticed discrepancies in co-ordinates of key features, including trig points?

Then I checked the trigpoint on Snowdon, set it as a waypoint, tfrd it to he Garmin, but it was also 50m out. Either MM or Garmin topo are flawed or I'm doing something wrong. Any ideas?
_________________
Fraserp
TomTom 1000
GPSmap 60CSx
SatMap

CuMsCrOtE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2004 Posts: 6

Hi Fraserp,

You have encountered what i was talking about with Garmin Topo and MM being 2 different file types.. they dont match up!! the waypoints you put in MM and transfer to the CSX WILL be correct and you WILL find it.. it'll just not correspond with the Topo data on screen..

Its a big shame on Garmin.. they have locked the unit down to their own vertion of software when there are some MUCH better options such as MM.. You just cant beat OS for mapping and as you know MM is the digital equivilent of a paper map..

I still love my 60CSX.. im not fussed on using the Topo rubbish on it.. for most things the metro guide map is good enough!! if youre going to be THAT far from roads or land marks then you should have a map and compass with you anyway!! and the unit will give you the grid reff for you to look up.. so you'll be ok..

NEVER use this kit as a replacment to the MAP!!

\iv served in the Forces for many years and the good o'll U S of A have a bad habit of adjusting the satellites so it puts your position WAY off!! This is a delliberate tactic and has been used on many occasions.. of course they can turn they off completly!! Laughing Out Loud

..

Anyway, i hope this helps..

CuMsCrOtE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2004 Posts: 6

Fraserp,

Im looking for a sat nav.. i see you have the 910, iv also been looking at that model.. What do you recomend??

Iv heard lots of fors and against..

Or is there a better make and model??

Thanks..

Fraserp · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:10 am Post subject:

Thanks for the update.

Re the 910 unit, in hindsight wouldnt recommend it. As you probably know, it has its own internal hard disk but if you dont intend using it for loading music, dont waste your time.
The bells and whistles that come with it are crap! Dont even start me on the quality of TT support, it really is poor!

For pure Sat Nav, the 910 does what it is supposed to, generally reliable, but then that should be a minimum. TT have already released a cheaper, lighter unit with a same or better screen, that will fit in your pocket. oNe XL. I havent used that unit yet though providing the Nav is the same then I'd go for that.
_________________
Fraserp
TomTom 1000
GPSmap 60CSx
SatMap

CuMsCrOtE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2004 Posts: 6

Thanks Fraserp..

I like the ldea of having all the maps pre loaded.. and the bluetooth connectivity of it.. hands free calling ect..

Iv seen the OLD TT one but have not heard good thing about it! my brother in law has one and he's given up using it as it locks up a lot..

The price has come down a lot for the 910.. you can pick them up new on Fleabay for under £250.. to me thats a good incentive!! Laughing Out Loud

..

Anyway, i'll nose about a bit first..

Thanks again..

philpugh · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Garmin 76Csx + maps?

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