Memory Map on to my 530

The screens on these units are too small for OS maps really.  I would suggest using suitable third party OSM based maps - these can be free.  OpenMTBmap have maps specifically tweaked for off-road cycling but there are other options.  You can even make your own maps from OSM data for Garmin units.  If the trails you want are on OSM you can use any route planner that can use OSM maps to plot routes.  I prefer RideWithGPS for route planning.

Thanks for the reply Wongataa, 

These map apps don't have the tracks on them that I regularly use. Strava does, but only shows my route as a line with other paths missing, which makes navigation difficult. OS maps would help, if only I could get my Memory Map mapping on to it?

Cheers, Pete 

You should add the missing trails to OSM.

Hi Wongataa, I had no idea you could do such a thing, I will look into that. Would Ridewithgps show a reasonable amount if detail to make off road routes easy to navigate? 

But one other question; if OS mapping is not suitable for the 530, why do Garmin sell the full UK set of OS maps for it, or is it just to make money, suitable on not?

Cheers, Pete 

I think OS maps are not suitable for this device as the screen is too small.  Garmin sell the maps as it makes them money and they offer other devices with larger screens where they would be more suitable.  OS maps have too much detail when for me when used at an appropriate zoom level making it harder to clearly see the features relevant for cycling, especially when moving.

I make my own maps for my Garmin unit and I strip out a lot of detail I think is not required.

OpenStreetMap is great because if you spot an error or missing feature you can just fix it yourself.  Then those missing features will appear on your Garmin and route planning sites when the maps are updated.  Garmin's own cycle maps are based on OSM.

You can use several different maps for planning with RideWithGPS.  You can use Google Maps or several different maps based on OSM (they have different colour schemes making different features more or less visible).  One of them is the default OSM view you see on the OpenStreetMap website.  Have a look there and see what you think.  You can sign up for a free account with RwGPS so you can try it and see if it works for you.

Wongataa, thanks for this information. It sounds like you have found the ideal solutions to my challenge. But how do I get the necessary skills to be able to do what you do with the mapping, etc? I am no IT expert by a long way!

Editing Openstreetmap is easy.  Go to https://www.openstreetmap.org and create an account.  You can then start editing via the website.  There are instructions.  The wiki site - https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Main_Page - will explain in detail about the various tags and best practices.

To start adding missing trails to the map you will need a recorded GPS track of those trails so you can trace them into the map.  Any data you add should be acquired by surveying the features.

Creating your own maps is harder and maybe not for the beginner but there are instructions out there on the web and the Openstreetmap wiki has instructions for some of the tools needed.  You do need to use the command line and there is a good bit of trial and error working out what to include/exclude and setting up the styles and workflow.  Once everything is set up it is quick to run through when you want to update your map.

As there are several sources of pre made maps based on OSM data for Garmin units I would start with checking out those to see if they are suitable for you.  There is OpenMTBmap for optimised offroad cycling.  There is Velomap optimised for road cycling.  Those are more for Europe I think.  http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ provides more generic maps for anywhere in the world that are free.  There are a couple of different styles to look at.  Talkytoaster - https://talkytoaster.me.uk/ - provides maps (some with an OS type style that need to be paid for).

For your Garmin you need to get routable maps so the unit can give you turn by turn directions.

Wongataa, 

Perfect, I'll take a look at all your suggestions. 

Many, many thanks for all the help. 

Cheers, Pete