Garmin Topo Map Europe

[Desmond Hutchins]

Im thinking of upgrading my old eTrex to the latest Oregon 750 and cannot decide if to get the standard 750 base maps or pay the extra 40 to get the 750T model which comes with the Topoactive installed.

If anybody has any experience with these please let me know your thoughts. The Oregon will only be used for Geocaching but if I'm going to spend this amount of money then is it worth going that little bit extra to get the 'T'

Go for the TopoActive version. It's OSM based, will be updated on a regular base and the map is routable. And you got the entire European area covered without the hassle of downloading and installing several maps.

ohhh yeah, the flashlight. Truth be told, I almost always have my phone on me when I'm caching, so if I forget my geocaching lantern/flashlight, I've got the flashlight function on my phone. I don't know if having an LED is worth $100 on the price of the unit. But I see that they didn't offer a 700t version, so in my view, it's an extra $150 for the maps. Are the TopoActive maps that much better than any of the free OSM alternatives? Talkytoaster, OpenVelo/OpenMtbMaps, etc. that seem to be freely available for Europe but require a donation for North American maps.

" Cell phones can also be used as a signaling device during the night. Should you find yourself lost and without a flashlight, use your lighted cell phone screen by turning it towards any ground search and rescue or helicopters you hear. "

In what way? That rugged phone has more capability than even the most modern Garmin. A 20 yr old Garmin has a low resolution monochrome screen that can't handle detailed maps because the internal storage is measured in kilobytes. Even today's wifi connected handhelds don't browse the web.

I'm not saying they should. But to suggest that any smartphone, especially a rugged smartphone, doesn't hold a candle to a garmin device I think is incorrect. That rugged smartphone can do everything a garmin device can, plus more.

Ha ha. I've tried several times to find geocaches with just my phone. I mean, how handy can it be? I have the app in it, I can log a found (or not) right there in the field and it fits more comfortably in my hand (and back pocket), but how do I brighten that screen where I can see it!!?? I'm being serious.....

Garmin 'TopoActive' maps route the user based on their selected activity and the ambient topography. The GPSr will actively route the user for activities such as Hiking, Biking, Driving, etc. according to the map topography.

In modern mapping, a topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features. A topographic survey is typically published as a map series, made up of two or more map sheets that combine to form the whole map. A contour line is a line connecting places of equal elevation.

The fact that these maps don't provide visual information about the 3rd dimension (elevation - they probably have DEM data hidden within) is unfortunate. I would rather have the Topo 100k as my basemap than a flat, but routable, map on a hiking handheld device. Are TopoActive maps worth the extra price? Without contour lines, I would say no. I'm sure Garmin adds some extra data over the OSM layer, but OSM maps are free and good enough at that price.

So I installed garmin express on my macbook to download the topo active maps for Europe. It does do it but when its finished my garmin fenix 7s tells me there is a map update (2021.21). I cant download it via watch since there is not enough space. Garmin express thinks I have the latest update.

I tried to remove the topo active map and then install in via de watch at night, its stopped for some reason at about 50%. I dont really know why and I dont want to have more nights of not wearing my watch.

I had the same issue. I had to delete the map with Garmin express, and re-install it. i recomend using the computer. it is so much faster. When re-installing it you can choose your region within Europe. This saves a ton of space on the watch instead of installing all of Eu topo

I have followed your suggestion: removed TopoActive Europe by opening Garmin Express, unchecking the map and clicking "Apply Changes". Then, I have reattached the USB cable, installed the map and finally it still shows "Update Available".

Just bought etrex 32x, brand new and boxed and it worked fine. Carried out an upgrade and now I can't see any topo data on the unit, just a plain light yellow background. Plug it into Basecamp and all the topo date comes alive. What has happened and how do I fix it? Have tried two resets but this has altered nothing.The map data is that supplied with the unit from Garmin:Worldwide Demo Basemap NR - enabledTopoActive Europe 2021-20 Central - enabledTopoActive Europe Demo Map EU 2020-10 - enabledand since doing an upgrade during which the system called for an SD Card TopActive Europe West - enabledplus 2 disabled maps - TopoActive Europe 2020-21 East and Digital Globe - Demo JNX

The map data is that supplied with the unit from Garmin: Worldwide Demo Basemap NR - enabled TopoActive Europe 2021-20 Central - enabled TopoActive Europe Demo Map EU 2020-10 - enabled and since doing an upgrade during which the system called for an SD Card TopActive Europe West - enabled plus 2 disabled maps - TopoActive Europe 2020-21 East and Digital Globe - Demo JNX

It sounds like you need to have a conversation with Garmin, or the shop that you bought it from. People here will be able to help with OSM-based maps, but probably not with the ones that came from Garmin.

Thanks for suggestions but neither Ordnance Survey (from whom the unit was purchased) nor Garmin could help. Garmin's answer to everything is to reset the unit which really does absolutely nothing except waste time. So now I am stuck with a 3 month old useless piece of electronic Garmin junk. I wish someone else made a decent GPS as the previous unit we had (GPSMAP64S) had serious problems, well known as well across the internet, which Garmin won't fix.

There's a whole bunch of legislation in the UK (including, but not limited to, this) that determines what rights you have as a consumer. From what you're saying, it seems that you might need to remind them of their legal responsibilities.

That's not really anything to do with OSM though - what might be (and is probably best asked in a separate question) is "how do I get OSM-based maps on my Garmin eTrex 32x (or GPSMAP 64S)". I use eTrex and GPSMAP devices with OSM-based maps all the time.

If Garmin and the dealer won't or can't help. I would try a OSM on Garmin download. For example -professionell.de/en/how-to-install-free-osm-maps-on-your-garmin-gps/ or -to-install-free-maps-on-your-garmin-edge.html

After receiving no useful help from either O.S. or Garmin we set about investigating the problem ourselves. A friend has an etrex 30x so we took the SD card from that and put in the 32x and all worked. Read all the maps, perfect! So I reformatted my SD card and made a copy from my friends card, put that into the 32x and again it worked.

TheGPSMAP 66i is Garmin's top-of-the-line handheld GPS unit with InReach satellite communications built-in. It's a solid device built for outdoor use and navigation. I've logged months of testing and use for this Garmin GPSMAP 66i review, and while it's a solid unit, it's also isn't for everyone.

I literally just returned from the Colorado Trail segments 2, 3, and 4 where this device performed flawlessly in a wide array of environmental conditions ranging from direct sun to snow and rain. I had no trouble getting messages out in canyons, I experienced quick satellite acquisition, and I had excellent navigation results with the high-resolution maps preloaded on the unit. - REI Reviewer

If you're looking for the top of the line handheld GPS navigator, explicitly built for the outdoors and other harsh environments, the GPSMAP 66i is your move. People who I see using this are hiking power-users/geeks, backpackers on the trail for days to weeks, surveyors, hunters, and SAR teams.

If you are considering other options like the InReach Explorer, or are questioning the high price tag of the GPSMAP 66i, read on. In this section I'll run through how the GPSMAP 66i stacks up to the alternatives and when you should perhaps go with another option. If you want to dig into the walkthrough of the unit itself, skip ahead to the next section.

I've tested and reviewed the inReach Explorer and it's a solid unit. At first glance these two handheld GPS units look similar, and they do have things in common. But there are some differences. You can frame the comparison like this:

So which one should you get? If you're just looking for a satellite communicator with long battery life, go with the InReach Explorer. I saw a decent amount on thru-hikers using the Explorer this year and I suspect this is why. You can tell friends and family that you're safe, and you can also take a look at your GPS position on a map. Just those two things alone are really powerful tools in a small package.

If you want a communicator and handheld GPS device that you can really navigate with, the GPSMAP 66i is a clear winner. Even if you are on an extended hike, the 66i might be a better option because you can probably load the full route and all waypoints onto one device (just once). The 66i has a 1 year battery life when off (with no use). Based on that spec I'd speculate that you could use it once a day to send a message and check your position for at least a month if not longer on one charge. And it charges with any old USB charger which is easy enough.

This one is more straightforward. If you just need a satellite communicator and already have a GPS or smartphone that you navigate with, then get the InReach Mini (full review here). It's a great unit that is cheaper, small, and light. You can perform navigation with it when you pair it with a smartphone and the Earthmate app. But you don't even really need to do that since most phones have a GPS built-in anyway.

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