OpenStreetMap on Fenix Watches- 3rd Party Maps

1. I’ve installed 3rd party maps for Australia for hiking. 

The watch seems to know which has the best resolution for where you are and use those maps. 

Google talkytoaster 

ActiveJR shows how to use OSM with Topography:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhyua8mXXF0

Hi. A related question - does ClimbPro work with OSM maps?

Sonnshine said:

Does it void my warranty? 

I didn't see this question answered yet - hopefully someone from Garmin can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure 3rd party maps don't void the hardware's warranty, as Garmin has specifically designed their devices to accept 3rd party maps. So loading 3rd party maps should be considered a "normal use" of the product, just the same as loading a 3rd party watchface or app would be.

Garmin itselfs uses/offers osm based maps (Cycle maps, TopoActiveMapEurope, (I think the TopoActiveAmericas), too...). So this should be no problem with the warrenty, if using 3. party osm maps. When using a routable osm map, you should not have enabled another routable map of that area (but that does not just apply to osm). I am using osm maps since years on my owned Garmin wearable devices (Epix, Fenix 5/5x/6xpS). Turn by turn navigation is working fine (depands somtimes on the compiler/manufacturer of the used osm map). There are maps available, which have contour lines integrated (for example: www.gmaptool.eu/.../usa-osm-topo-routable

Hi, 

this blog entry might help:

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/how-to-installing-free-maps-on-your-garmin-fenix-5-plus-forerunner-945-or-marq-series-watch.html

Garmin themselves told me a third party map Would void my warranty. This came up after a problem with my Fenix 6 after downloading an OpenStreetMap. I had owned the watch of r a total of 3 days. I was honest and told the support rep I thought the problem could have been caused by this 3rd party map but we could not/did not conclude that the map [200-6073-netopo_install_part1] was indeed the problem. The problem was the device triangling and unsuccessfully rebooting/looping. So this was only an assumption the Garmin rep made since we could not get into the files to manually remove the map. He explained this voids my warranty, but he would make an exception this time not not if it happened again. 

I called back today to check on the replacement but also wanted to definitively verify whether Garmin really has this '3rd party app voids warranty policy' since there is nothing out on their warranty terms page specifically states this. The support rep reached back to his warranty support who provided this general warranty info:  https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/consumer-limited-warranty/  they pointed him to section V which only states: 

  "v) damage to a product that has been modified or altered without the written permission of Garmin".

That, according to Garmin is what covers them for voiding your warranty for adding a 3rd party map. The rep admitted it was interpretive and gave another example of how they do not normally stick to the exact one year warranty if there is a problem beyond that. He confirmed to is up to the individual helping you how they enforce if".

So I would conclude that DC Rainmaker is dangerously misleading people in saying:

     "Note that while Garmin would prefer you buy the maps from them, they actually go out of their way to allow you to download free maps from 3rd party providers. They simply note that it’s unsupported (but doesn’t void any warranties or such). Meaning that if the 3rd party map data isn’t perfect, it’s not their fault. But here’s the dirty secret: It’s the same underlying map data." 

In fact I just found this: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=wu1trGsT6C2hm8ZnKUmSu9 which states:

Garmin cannot provide support or guarantee compatibility for map products or software purchased from other companies. Garmin cannot cover the device under warranty if it becomes unusable as a result of using third-party maps or software. 

They are talking about an Overlander device but I think this is a pretty general statement covering all map based products.

End of the day I was able to get into the device with Windows File Explorer and quickly located and deleted the map. I let Garmin know that this did not resolve the boot loop and asked them to note that on the account. Still, I don't think I will be loading any maps outside of Garmin's site. I don't want to take a change and get a cranky rep like I did for the initial support call.  

So this was only an assumption the Garmin rep made since we could not get into the files to manually remove the map. He explained this voids my warranty, but he would make an exception this time not not if it happened again. 

I would like to know why he/you could not access the files to remove them manually. It’s a simple process on Windows to go to the folders through Explorer. On a Mac you do need Android File Transfer but again the process is simple.

Sounds likes you got to deal with a bumpy unfortunately.

We could not get in because of the re-boot loop issue. After we hung up I was able to get in and remove the map (as stated), I guess it is kind of beside the point but it was good to know it was not the problem after all. My point is, if they choose, they can void your warranty of an unauthorized (non ConnectIQ) third party app.