Route color

If you could share your .typ files i think i still know how to apply it to an OSM map.

I've downloaded mkgmap and wow it requires a PHD in rocket science or someone who suddenly have a lot of time on their hands (like a divorcee) to make it work...it's a command line software. I've lost that skill a long time ago.

Garmin's choice of colors used in the routing (magenta) and the surrounding colored roads are marketing driven...and it's quite obvious the programmer (i've always suspected it was just one guy) has never ridden further than the car park.

I simplify the map view by using the old Garmin City Navigator Maps. These show a lot less in terms of tracks, features, buildings, etc. It particularly makes urban navigation easier. While there are options to reduce details i've not found that to be as good.

Another option is wandrer.earth, this site will let you download map files of where you have ridden and/or have not ridden. This can be overlayed on top of the usual maps or just on it's own. To be clear this is not a map of yor GPS data but a map based on roads you have ridden (or not). You can choose the colour for ridden and unridden roads so it can be as clear as you like.  The downside is that each file is a limited size. However, you can create multiple map files (.img to put in the Garmin folder) and create new ones in moments. So, if you had a trip planned you could create a map of the available tracks/roads that simply has no words or POIs, etc. It won't have highways/motorways on it at all though as these aren't rideable roads.  At the moment, in my local area, i tend to use Garmin City Navigator 2010 maps with my map of unridden roads overlayed in red. This reveals sections i've not explored as i go.

Generally, i don't use turn by turn course instructions so can chose the line colour. However, the night colours as such that there seems to be no easy to see "always display" colour.

Machoman said:

Garmin's choice of colors used in the routing (magenta) and the surrounding colored roads are marketing driven

???

"Marketing driven"?

The problem with magenta is color used for some of the roads (highways). Those road colors for roads weren't used in other Garmin maps. The reddish color used for highways is not ideal.

Part of the problem with the colors is that the elements are physically small (small pixels on a small screen).

If the screen was much larger (like the screens on car navigation units), the colors are nowhere near as problematic.

No color choice is going to be perfect.

Master Grunthos said:

I simplify the map view by using the old Garmin City Navigator Maps. These show a lot less in terms of tracks, features, buildings, etc. It particularly makes urban navigation easier. While there are options to reduce details i've not found that to be as good.

There's extra detail in the Garmin Cycle Map that doesn't help much for navigation. Removing these would be a big help.

There's an option to change the "Map Detail Level" on the device but it doesn't appear to do anything.

I find the options to change display detail are a bit inconsistent. I forget the settings but there's one that when applied to the city navigator maps removes the street names. This is good because the screen isn't big enough for all the text when riding along. It's ok to read a detailed map when stopped but then you can get your phone out more easily.

Another thing i've done while touring along a preplanned route is to use GPXViewer Pro in my Andorid phone. I can load the GPX file from garmin connect into the app and this is overlayed on a map. Then if i want details on the go i can use this and it not only shows all kinds of maps (downloadable for poor data connect areas) but i can see the same route/course as on the garmin. Also handy for reviewing at stops and of course scrolling and zooming is easier on a phone*. I did this cycling the Romantic Road route in Bavaria on my Brompton. the 530 combined with the route in the phone was a good combination of tools.

*I selected the 530 because it is NOT touch screen. Winter gloves and rain are no good with touch screen so i wanted to be able to do everything with buttons. If the 830 had both touch and buttons for all functions i'd have bought that.

I don't think the "forest" (wooded) area indication on the Garmin Cycle Map useful at all. 

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Master Grunthos said:

Another thing i've done while touring along a preplanned route is to use GPXViewer Pro in my Andorid phone. I can load the GPX file from garmin connect into the app and this is overlayed on a map.

I do something similar when travelling. It's a cheap and easy backup.

I have a 1030 because the bigger screen works better for navigation. I don't have an issue with the touch screen but it's important to give people the option.

dpawlyk said:

No color choice is going to be perfect.

true - but the magenta is a very dull color in real life on the smallish Edge screens - put on a sunglass and the colors are no longer distinguishable. Bright green would stand out more in more lighting situations - even a 2 year old toddler knows that (not directed to you dpawlyk - it's for the lone garmin programmer).

If you already have the Garmin - there's nothing you can do about it. Garmin will stick by it probably because it's car navigators and other Garmin GPS probably use the same color scheme too. The Edge market in the Garmin ecosystem is probably too small for the programmer to make an exception (improvement).

If you're here to decide whether to get the Garmin or the Wahoo...and you have to budget for the Wahoo, ask no more....the Wahoo's screen clarity is night and day better compared to the Garmin - especially if you wear sunglasses while cycling.     

Machoman said:

probably because it's car navigators and other Garmin GPS probably use the same color scheme too.

That's a major reason. I think there might be a few rare units that let you change it.