Can someone clarify what maps I ought to be able to use with BC?

Thanks SUSSAMB. That gives me the lead I need to do more searching. 

I guess I remain perplexed why Garmin makes it so complicated and has such a strong tie to the physical device. Not sure what device you have, but I have the RV770 and it doesn't appear I can use any other Garmin maps with it. 

I'll happily go search for other sources. 

BTW, do you wish to share the source of your fav topo map?

It's not really complicated.  A Garmin automobile device generally comes loaded with mapping for the area of use, and nowadays with lifetime updates, which can also be loaded to your computer for BC to use.  If you want any other Garmin maps you must pay for them.

Maps under the open street mapping scheme are generally available free for those that want them, although some map providers do charge, which I avoid like the plague.  As for my favourite map, that depends on where you want map coverage?

SUSSAMB said:

If you want any other Garmin maps you must pay for them.

I think this is perhaps not the whole story, which may be a result of the type of device you have vs what I have. I tried paying for topo maps from Garmin, and after I couldn't get them recognized by Basecamp, I brought Garmin up in chat. It was then that I was told (somewhat rudely) that they were not compatible with my device, and so I couldn't use Garmin's maps. Now, maybe there is a way to still take those maps and install them, but the Garmin rep didn't offer that up as a solution. 

Now understanding that I need to go into each device and look at the map compatibility, the only maps the RV770 shows are those I described above. Based on what I was told my Garmin, I am not able to purchase and install any other Garmin-provided maps, at least using their directions.

But hey, as long as I can load third party maps I am fine with experimenting with that.

Which map was that?  It's certainly true that certain Topo maps don't display well on automotive devices, and I didn't mean to imply you can buy any Garmin map and use it on any device, my comment was that any other Garmin maps you may need to pay for, perhaps I should have added assuming they are compatible with your device.

tim - check out https://www.gpsfiledepot.com Some tutorials there will guide you through installing any number of maps for BaseCamp to read and also how to install on your device, if compatible.

Thanks. I found that one. 

It is one of the gpsfiledepot.com maps, and I'm using it it Basecamp, not on the device. 

Should work well in BaseCamp and using BaseCamp you should be able to install it to your device.

How about imagery? Anyone figured out a way to import imagery? Might be options by patching the firmware, but I'm still researching.