New user - maps advice

I totally agree - the preloaded maps may be fine for street navigation, but the level of detail is just not good enough for me to try to use for hiking.  I do wish Garmin were a bit more honest about this in their Fenix 6 sales literature, as this suggests great maps out of the box.  One of my reasons for buying this rather-expensive device.

I've had some great responses here, and tried a few of the tips, but sadly so far nothing has improved my set-up.  I downloaded two sets of files from TalkyToaster site, one for Basecamp (TTSTD-British-Isles+Contours-Routable-MapSource) and one for my Fenix.  But I can't install either.  For BaseCamp the Install.bat file will not install.  For the Fenix map files, I find that having downloaded the disc image file (201107-TTSTD-British-Isles+Contours-NEW) to my laptop, when I try to copy the file over to my device, the GARMIN folder seems to be write-protected even though its properties do not show it as protected.  There is no paste option, an a simple drag and drop won't allow me to drop. 

All in all, it looks like my efforts to improve my device mapping options are in vain.  And of course the salesman in the watch shop doesn't have a clue.  

8008886 said:

For BaseCamp the Install.bat file will not install.

Have you followed the instructional video on Talkytoaster's site? You do need to run the install.bat file as administrator and bypass the windows security message that pops up.  I've just tried it on a Win 10 PC I've recently refreshed and didn't previously have Basecamp on, and the maps installed fine.

8008886 said:

the GARMIN folder seems to be write-protected even though its properties do not show it as protected

That is really odd, you should be able to access that file unless Garmin Express or Basecamp are in the middle of syncing with the Fenix.  Perhaps try closing down both Basecamp and Express and try again? (I have assumed you are using a PC; if using a Mac then I believe you will need some extra software to browse the Fenix - maybe some Mac owners can chip in with the details).

8008886 said:

the level of detail is just not good enough for me to try to use for hiking

The one thing you may need to experiment with is the map detail settings and zoom levels.  You can adjust the map detail setting at Menu>Map>Detail>select Less, Normal or High.  High tends to show more map detail when zoomed out, but the watch takes a little longer to process movement (and thus probably consumes more battery displaying this detail too).  The Fenix also reveals more detail as you zoom in.

I'll try to grab some screen shots from my Fenix 6X comparing TopoActive and the Talkytoaster 'look n feel' maps for a point in the Peak District, using different zoom levels and map detail settings.  It's actually quite nice to have both maps installed and switch to whichever is best for the activity type (you can individually configure this in the various activity app settings); sometimes the extra detail of Talkytoaster maps is good and at other times I prefer the uncluttered simplicity of the Garmin TopoActive maps.

Another option you may want to consider is Birdseye Satellite Imagery.  I find it indisposable for my line of work and for hunting or hiking. You have a yearly subscription if you want to keep using the feature (except for maps already downloaded to your device) and the files can be quite large, but a great addition to your maps. 

buy.garmin.com/.../70144

Thanks for your various help I've managed to load the Talky Toaster maps which give me contours and more detail,  including talks, both on Basecamp and on my Fenix. Seems I was trying to load up unzipped files. Doh!  Now I can play my maps and practice creating and following routes. Thanks again. 

I still think it's poor that Garmin doesn't provide these better maps, but clearly there's a lot of user experience/knowledge out there to make up for the limited Garmin instructions. 

The cause of your issues is that you haven’t extracted the files from the the ZIP file to a folder before trying to copy/paste the map to your Fenix, and in the case of the BaseCamp version, you need to do the same as otherwise you can’t run the install file as administrator, this is mentioned in the instructions on the site. (Both written ones and the videos). If all else fails I will talk you through the installation personally...

Really disappointed in my f6 pro upgraded from my wonderful instinct apart from all the fancy colour displays which I could which are pretty gimmicky. Main reasons for getting it was the maps but I now see I'm unae to get the standard UK is maps on it was expecting to have to mess around to get some sort of similar version.... Also such a simple thing I used for training was the seconds on the clock and as I only like the stock display I understand this isn't possible as it uses battery up! Why can't it show like my instinct where it's there for a bit then times out unless you move your wrist or press a button then it come back again?? Also always had heart rate graph displayed on my instinct again without messing around trawling through tacky 3rd parts displays I can't have this on my main display either.. Watch is going back today and just bought a solar instinct instead does everything I needed for half the price. Such a shame always wanted a fenix but had higher expectations due to the price :-(

All the features you describe above (seconds on watch face and heart rate chart) are there without using CIQ options, you just need to configure the watch face or widgets in the on-device settings. There’s way more user configurability on Fenix than the Instinct, which has perhaps caused your frustration as you’re familiar with the Instinct’s simpler/lesser selection of settings and configuration. With regards the maps, if you bought the Fenix in UK you should have a version with TopoActive Europe maps installed, so not sure if you were incorrectly sold the wrong region version, if it doesn’t have detailed maps of UK.

In all, it sounds like you’re happy with the Instinct series, so you’ve probably ended up in the right place for you in the end.

It was a UK one I was just expecting a map like ordinance survey 1.25 that was all. I went right through the watch face settings on the watch using the stock screen (default screen as new) couldn't see any option for displaying heart rate graph and where is the option on stock screen to get the seconds on? I would be tempted to get another if if get those features. 

You can display the seconds in the native screens, but the only graphs I've found are the altitude and barometer.  I too had an Instinct before the f6 and had the heart rate graph displayed.