What is the max waypoints for navigation

The Edge units don't use waypoints or "route" files.

They create the route (turn guidance) from a track (which can have hundreds of points).

OK so no limitations on turn by turn navigation following a route.
that's good news.
was this the same on the standard edge 520 ?

was this the same on the standard edge 520 ?

The Garmins that use maps provide two types of turn instructions: 1- "course points" (turn info included in the tcx file) and 2- "turn guidance" (calculated by the device using the installed map).

The Garmins that don't use maps can only provide the first (course points). Course points are basically waypoints associated with a track. There might be a limit to the number of course points (I've never run across it on my ancient 800).

The number of track points is much more than 50.

The 520+ supports maps. The 520 doesn't (it can kind of display maps but nothing more than that).

So I am considering the 520 plus. Until it's released in US though I decided to give the 520 a try (on sale $199 at REI). I followed DCR's steps to load my Dallas Fort Worth area Open Street Maps to the device after deleting the stock .img map file. The DFW area was only 16mb or so and the North America base maps I deleted was 51mb, so I saved space.

I created a couple routes on Garmin Connect route planner and sent them to the device. They automatically give nice turn by turn directions for ALL the little twists and turns. Of course if you go off course there is no instruction/options for how to get back on course. Nor can you just route your way back home using just the device.

But since I get EXCELLENT turn by turn directions and VERY detailed maps with the free Open Street Maps file--how is this different than what I can expect on the 520 Plus stock maps? Thank you.

On the 520plus you can do 'on device' routing. Enter destination - it will tell you how to get there (with TbT)

I created a couple routes on Garmin Connect route planner and sent them to the device. They automatically give nice turn by turn directions for ALL the little twists and turns. Of course if you go off course there is no instruction/options for how to get back on course. Nor can you just route your way back home using just the device.

But since I get EXCELLENT turn by turn directions and VERY detailed maps with the free Open Street Maps file--how is this different than what I can expect on the 520 Plus stock maps? Thank you.

The 520 does nothing with maps beyond just displaying them.

It also really have enough memory for maps. If you ride outside if the same small area, it might get tedious to keep having to swap ou maps. I'm not quite sure but you may not be able to pan the map on the 520.

The "excellent turn by turn directions" are what Garmin calls "course points" and every Garmin supports them (there are one or a few exceptions). These are a feature of TCX files (the instructions are included in the file). These are overly sensitive to location. Sometimes, they won't pop-up if your actual path is too far away from the planned route. (Maybe, newer units work a bit better.)


The Garmin units starting with the 520+ can generate turn instructions on the device. These also display bigger. These units can also handle going off course (not always perfectly). These units can also generate routes on the device. They also have lots of memory. You can also use overlay maps (for things like contours).

If you use a OSM map format like Garmin OnRoad from a site such as BBBIKE.org then the map file size is only 10-30% of the standard formats meaning you can select a huge area and still fit in the 520s smaller storage limit. I have an area of about 400x400kms (yes 400) and the map file size is less than 20mb. Of course there is no free lunch and the OnRoad format does not have ground cover shading, street names or many POIs but is perfectly adequate for me on long distance rides in unfamiliar rural and remote areas. The TCX turn by turn Nav is also perfectly adequate for my needs. I can't see the 520+ offers anything extra that I need.

The 520 does nothing with maps beyond just displaying them.

It also really have enough memory for maps. If you ride outside if the same small area, it might get tedious to keep having to swap ou maps. I'm not quite sure but you may not be able to pan the map on the 520.

The "excellent turn by turn directions" are what Garmin calls "course points" and every Garmin supports them (there are one or a few exceptions). These are a feature of TCX files (the instructions are included in the file). These are overly sensitive to location. Sometimes, they won't pop-up if your actual path is too far away from the planned route. (Maybe, newer units work a bit better.)


The Garmin units starting with the 520+ can generate turn instructions on the device. These also display bigger. These units can also handle going off course (not always perfectly). These units can also generate routes on the device. They also have lots of memory. You can also use overlay maps (for things like contours).

I didn't do anything but replace the base maps with the DFW area Open Street Maps. The Dallas Fort Worth area (Tarrant, Dallas, and Denton Counties actually) are hardly a small area. Admittedly when I visit another area I will have to grab that map.

And this file from OSM was only about 1/3 the size of the base map file I deleted (but kept copy in safe place). I just create a course on Garmin and send to the 520, and OSM generates turn by turn remarkably well. I'm in a street dense area and they seem to work fantastic. Can zoom the map in and out as normal, use auto zoom, etc. Admittedly going off course only shows just that, although the OSM maps are more detailed than the base maps and easier to read options for getting back on course. With the base maps it seems I had to add course points with instructions. Not so with OSM--turn by turn are automagically included with routable bike maps.

I know the area pretty well and don't think I need on-device route planning, and given the hardware limitations I have my doubts as to how this will work on the 520+ (though I know Garmin usually delivers on its feature promises......8-). I would prefer a touchscreen for such a thing and was considering the 1030 until I read that Garmin broke it with 4.0 firmware. Then I saw the sale on the 520 and thought at least as a unit on 12.6 by now it might be better sorted out. My older eyes would prefer a larger screen though.

-9

I didn't do anything but replace the base maps with the DFW area Open Street Maps. The Dallas Fort Worth area (Tarrant, Dallas, and Denton Counties actually) are hardly a small area.

I provided a map for a contiguous area for a 2 week trip and it was too large to fit on the 520.

I can use overlay maps (on my ancient 800). I don't think the 520 supports that.

Admittedly when I visit another area I will have to grab that map.

That might be important to some people.

And this file from OSM was only about 1/3 the size of the base map file I deleted (but kept copy in safe place). I just create a course on Garmin and send to the 520, and OSM generates turn by turn remarkably well...Not so with OSM--turn by turn are automagically included with routable bike maps.

The Garmins generate the "turn guidance" for loaded routes using the same code they use for on-device routing (they are actually ttbe same feature).

The 520 didn't originally do this. Maybe, they now have a limited on-device routing.

Can zoom the map in and out as normal, use auto zoom, etc.

You can't pan (which is sometimes helpful when navigating).

I know the area pretty well and don't think I need on-device route planning, and given the hardware limitations I have my doubts as to how this will work on the 520+

For a little more money, you have the option for on-device route planning. The 520+ (and the 820, it appears) might be a bit too slow to be well-suited for navigation.

The 520 is a fine unit (it seems to be very popular).

For navigation: 520 < 520+/820 < 1000/1030 (ignoring software issues, which, hopefully, will be worked out).

The 820 (and the 520+) screens are too square and too small to be great for navigation. (That doesn't mean they can't be used.)

-9
I provided a map for a contiguous area for a 2 week trip and it was too large to fit on the 520.

I can use overlay maps (on my ancient 800). I don't think the 520 supports that.


That might be important to some people.


The Garmins generate the "turn guidance" for loaded routes using the same code they use for on-device routing (they are actually ttbe same feature).

The 520 didn't originally do this. Maybe, they now have a limited on-device routing.


You can't pan (which is sometimes helpful when navigating).


For a little more money, you have the option for on-device route planning. The 520+ (and the 820, it appears) might be a bit too slow to be well-suited for navigation.

The 520 is a fine unit (it seems to be very popular).

For navigation: 520 < 520+/820 < 1000/1030 (ignoring software issues, which, hopefully, will be worked out).

The 820 (and the 520+) screens are too square and too small to be great for navigation. (That doesn't mean they can't be used.)

Thank you. Agree with all your points. The 520 *might* be enough for me. It is a fine unit and I'm impressed that the average speed and distance has been 100% consistent with a Protege 9.0 wireless computer I've been running on the bike until I confirm I can lose it. The only issue on the 520 is screen size and progressive bifocal lenses......8-) I would really like a button operated unit with the size and resolution of the 1030. I'm watching the 1030 threads closely to look for improvement. May also pick one up after checking its firmware edition and leave it on older firmware....