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Etrex Map Detail

 
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tonyclarkson
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Joined: Jul 10, 2009
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:22 pm    Post subject: Etrex Map Detail Reply with quote

I've just bought an Etrex Venture HC and am trying to get to grips with it. The map detail on the software which came with the unit is terrible - whereas the images of the screen on all the literature is much better, showing smaller roads and contours, rivers, etc.
All I get is straight lines on a plain yellow background, with the odd town name floating around. Is the map detail shown on the box only available if I buy a more detailed map, such as the Mapsource TOPO?
I've tried altering the setting on the unit to show more detail but is isn't much better - it's a bit disappointing, I wasn't expecting 'Google Earth', but I would have bought a higher spec which included a decent map if I'd known.
Am I missing something?
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proctog
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Joined: Oct 28, 2004
Posts: 100

PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Tony

What you are talking about sounds like the basemap that comes with the device as standard. As you've discovered it's pretty much useless.

To get the level of detail seen in the product adverts, you are correct in thinking that you have to invest in extra maps, for example the Garmin Topo maps. These are expensive and not particularly well reviewed.

One potential solution is to use data from OpenStreetMap, which is free and can be very detailed (although coverage can vary of course). One snag might be that the Venture HC I think only has the 24Mb of built-in memory, which is only enough for a comparatively small area; you could probably fit in one of the split maps from here.

HTH

Glenn.
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tonyclarkson
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Glenn

I'll give that a go. I wasn't sure if those actually put a better map on the unit or not, the info from Garmin always seems a bit vague.
Thanks a lot.

Tony
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alan_sh
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Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 545
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have a look at my post just below this one. It has a solution which works for me

Alan
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travisb
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Joined: Nov 02, 2004
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Location: North Wales

PostPosted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are after more contour type info, You could download the free contour overlays from the Scottish Mountaineering Club (they cover the whole of the UK).

http://www.smc.org.uk/ContourMaps.php
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Calvinb
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

travisb wrote:
If you are after more contour type info, You could download the free contour overlays from the Scottish Mountaineering Club (they cover the whole of the UK).

http://www.smc.org.uk/ContourMaps.php


The maps mentioned by proctog in his second link include the SMC data showing contour lines.
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travisb
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Location: North Wales

PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Calvinb wrote:
The maps mentioned by proctog in his second link include the SMC data showing contour lines.


Didn't know that. Cheers.
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Eddiejen
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check out http://sites.google.com/site/talkytoasteruk/ukmaps I've used this a number of times for my Garmin HCx

Ed
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cardiff_gareth
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Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 92
Location: Rhoose, Barry

PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hiya, i'm a little late replying but I was just about to start a thread and I saw this one !

I have a Garmin eTrex Summit HC and don't really want to pay the Garmin topo map prices. I've clicked the links mentioned above. The Scottish mountain one just does Scotland and I'm in Wales so that one was out for me Laughing
But I clicked the talkytoaster link that opened up openstreetmap but it doesn't show contour lines. Have I missed something? I haven't signed up, would that be my problem Question

It does, if I zoom in loads say ...more OSM coming soon Confused
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cardiff_gareth
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Joined: Jul 23, 2007
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Location: Rhoose, Barry

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, I have downloaded a file to the PC that is a zipped file and in there is a file called:

UK - Contours -GMAPPSUPP.IMG

Windows cannot open this file, if I go into the properties for the file it says:

Size 115,216 KB
Compressed 103,110 KB

Will this map fit onto the Summit HC I have and also how do I get it on there Question

Many thanks in advance from a GPS learner Laughing
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AllyCat
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Joined: Feb 23, 2005
Posts: 376
Location: Catford, London, UK

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

Well, the data sheet says it has 24MB of internal memory and it doesn't accept data cards, so no you're not going to get a whole 115MB file onto it.

I don't use a Garmin mapping GPS myself, but I believe you need to load that .IMG file into a PC application like Garmin's Mapsource and then export selected "tiles" over to the GPS.

Cheers, Alan.
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cardiff_gareth
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Location: Rhoose, Barry

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks AllyCat Wink
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wongataa
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Joined: Mar 31, 2010
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Scottish Mountaineering Club contour line files actually cover all of the UK not just Scotland. I have them and have used them in Wales.
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dales
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Joined: May 04, 2008
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Location: Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They cover Ireland as well!

As AllyCat says, you use Mapsource to prepare your mapset for the Garmin. Select the tiles from Contours for the area you require. Select the other info layers required eg Names, Trig points, Summits.

Then you can switch Mapsource to other maps compatible with your Garmin, and make selections from them. Finally, export your composite mapset to Garmin.

The Contours are transparent, so they don't interfere with the other maps.

Dales.
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cjyoung
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Location: Hertfordshire, UK

PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another source of UK and other country maps that I use is http://openmtbmap.org/, and this site has contours available if you want them. Other sites I have come across for Garmin maps include http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php , http://www.osm4you.com/ , http://www.mapsntrails.com/en and http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

HTH

Chris
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