1. OPIPE

    OPIPE Limited User

    Messages:
    44
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2014
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    Peterborough
    Hello All,
    I hate to even ask, as normally I am a research junkie, and love to get to the bottom of everything via my research, but when it comes to GPS stuff, I feel lost.

    In short, I have 2 questions ( to start ),

    For my street bike, I use a Garmin Nuvi. I have not updated it since it was purchase new a few years ( or more ) ago.
    Does anyone know if there is a way to update all the maps on this unit at no charge?
    I don’t mind paying for it, if that is the only way, but I wanted to check first.
    This unit will be used outside of Canada ( North America ).
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second question.

    I have a GPSMAP 78s I just picked up for my dual sport.
    It is new to me, but basically brand new, as the previous owner never used it at all.

    So that said, what Map(s) should I load onto it?
    Is there a basic set of maps that will cover just about everything?
    I have heard about Back road maps, Topo maps, and to be honest it is all a little confusing to me.

    Does anyone have any links?
    I am located in Southeastern Ontario – near Peterborough ON

    Thanks in advance, and if there is a Noobee forum, that one should read, then please, point me in that direction, and I won’t pester you all.
    Thanks
    OPIPE
  2. wheinle

    wheinle Limited User

    Messages:
    28
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Likes:
    4
    Town:
    Stouffville
    There is no legal way to get the map updates for free.
  3. OPIPE

    OPIPE Limited User

    Messages:
    44
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2014
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    Peterborough
    Hmm, Interesting, Thanks for the update,
    See, I wasn't aware of that...I am now glad I asked.
    This website rocks!!!


    Thanks!
  4. Randy_K

    Randy_K Limited User

    Messages:
    4,007
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2006
    Likes:
    36
    Town:
    Cambridge
    I was sure there was a place to get topo maps free. Do some research on government sites.
  5. hardman

    hardman ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    626
    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Likes:
    32
    Town:
    Mulmur ON
    I also recently got a Garmin GPS78s for my dual sport after having upgraded from the Etrex Legend HCx.

    I have two map sets on micro SD cards, one being City Navigator and the other Backroad Mapbooks for Ontario. The Backroad Mapbooks can be transfered from one Garmin to another without any issues. On the other hand City Navigator will only function with the unit for which it was purchased. Fortunately for me after sending Garmin an email, they agreed to let me re-download City Navigator one time onto a new SD card for the GPS78s.

    The Backroad Mapbooks is my preferred choice since it does show all trails as well as streets and roads Ontario.

    In my opinion if you want something decent, your going to have to pay for it.
  6. glorp

    glorp Limited User

    Messages:
    50
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2010
    Likes:
    1
    does backroad maps include poi's such as gas stations, tim's etc? I have only ever had citymaps and find those functions mandatory
  7. hardman

    hardman ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    626
    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Likes:
    32
    Town:
    Mulmur ON
    No

    Backroad Mapbooks only has basic poi's such as camping or provincial parks. I agree that City Navigator is great for that, except when the poi's are outdated. I remember a few years back riding around Algonquin Park and coming out of the bush for gas. City Navigator showed two stations in Bonfield and when I got there of course they were both closed long ago.

    For that reason I find using a smart phone app called "Poynt" is great as it finds anything that you can using poi's, but is more recent with the data.
  8. wheinle

    wheinle Limited User

    Messages:
    28
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Likes:
    4
    Town:
    Stouffville
  9. hardman

    hardman ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    626
    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Likes:
    32
    Town:
    Mulmur ON
    Good deal, but only works with "Nuvi" products, not GPS78 or hand held units.
  10. Visser

    Visser Limited User

    Messages:
    303
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2006
    Likes:
    66
    Town:
    Mississauga
    Hardy, do you find the Backroad Maps worth the $150?

    I've been considering it for some time now, but the price makes me shy away. Next time we ride together, I'd like to have a look at your GPS, if possible, so I can see the level of detail it provides.

    To the OP... there are illegal sources of map data for Garmin devices; you can find them at torrent sites such as kat.ph or pirate bay. Warning though... what you find might also be outdated, it is quite possible you could be downloading a virus, and then you have to figure out how to install the maps (sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is not).

    As for freely available data, you can search for Ibycus topo maps... which are basically freely available topo maps from the MNR that have been packaged for a Garmin GPS. I tried it but don't use it because I think the routing didn't work either at all or not very well.

    There is also a way to install Open Street Maps on a Garmin, but again I am not sure how well the routing works with that either. I used it, but can't remember why I stopped using it.
  11. hardman

    hardman ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    626
    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Likes:
    32
    Town:
    Mulmur ON
    Mike

    City Navigator costs about the same (it was when I purchased it some years back). Ontario Backroad Maps display various trails including atv and snowmobile (so many times when riding these trails, it shows you are actually following a snowmobile or atv trail). Also when viewing Backroad Maps they will show "unclassified roads" which are not shown in City Navigator. These are roads or trails which continue off logging roads. Also you get 2 copies of Backroad Map Books, one downloads onto a SD card for the Garmin ( which can be used in any Garmin with a SD card unlike City Navigator which is only good for the Garmin unit in which it was downloaded) and the other copy is to load into BaseCamp. You can use Backroad Map Books in BaseCamp independently without having to hook up your Garmin as you do with City Navigator.

    When I got the new gps78s, I tried to see it it was possible to copy City Navigator by inserting the SD card into my pc. Instead the card started to heat up and the data became corrupt. Lucky for me Garmin let me re-download a new copy for the 78s at no charge.

    Ya I know all about the illegal software and when I tried to download and open it a few years back, Norton jumped open with a red screen letting me know the file was contaminated. I don't need that headache, so much for that.:eek:

    In my opinion, Ontario Backroad Map Books gps software is well worth the cost because it gives greater detail for our province as compared to City Navigator. Don't get me wrong, if I'm not riding trails or back country way up north, than City Navigator is also good, especially if you want to ride outside the province since it does cover all of Canada and the US.
  12. ThatGuyDuncan

    ThatGuyDuncan ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    227
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2013
    Likes:
    16
    Town:
    Cambridge
    It depends. What's the model#? I bought Nuvi 2555LMT, and the "LM" means I get Lifetime Maps.
  13. OPIPE

    OPIPE Limited User

    Messages:
    44
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2014
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    Peterborough
    Hmmm, so I updated the City Navigator for my nuvi ( $49 bucks for the year ), but it looks like I am going to either purchase the Backraod Map books or find a close equivilent for the offroad bike....I also do not need the head ache of dealing with viruses.

    So does everyone use the Backroad map books maps?
    I will be honest, I am a little shocked at the price of the maps for Ontario..... $150 bucks... :(
    I am not saying it isn't worth it, just seems like a lot.

    What do all of you use in your offroad GPS units?
  14. michel mondou

    michel mondou ODSC President

    Messages:
    1,475
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Likes:
    296
    Town:
    Cambridge
    I use "Topo Canada" maps that were made for Map Source/Garmin. It's a 4 disc set that covers the whole country. The resolution scales down to 1/50 000. Great maps, but mine are now 10 years old which means I should update :mad:.

    Michel
  15. ThatGuyDuncan

    ThatGuyDuncan ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    227
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2013
    Likes:
    16
    Town:
    Cambridge
    There has been talk in other forums of using Android apps with freely-available maps. You buy a used Android phone and don't set it up with cell service, just update the maps via wifi and use the built-in GPS chip. I know that this is a great option for the city (I love Waze), but has anybody heard of a parallel for off-road use?

    OPIPE: Does your Nuvi GPS accept a micro SD card? If yes, you can update the unit relatively easily. I did it via USB once and it was a total drag -- three hours to copy 3Gb, thank goodness nothing failed. Now I download onto the SD card and pop it into the GPS, done.
  16. MikeF

    MikeF ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    267
    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    Innisfil, ON
    There are many apps that will fit the bill. I've used OsmAnd+ and Locus Pro. Both have their pros and cons. Both offer a lot more flexibility and power that even the top of the line Garmin doesn't have.
  17. ststrider

    ststrider ODSC-ADV Member

    Messages:
    121
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2006
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    kingston
    i am a bit of a map hoarder and currently have topo canada 2.0 and 4.0 metro guide and backroads mapbooks for ontario.i prefer topo canada 4.0 90 percent of the time.if you know the area well backroads mapbooks are ok but it is hard to see where the next town or village is if your looking for food or fuel.metro guide is easier to read with less clutter but not as good for offroading as they lack details such as swamps rivers and elevation. backroads mapbooks have a nasty habit of showing roads that don't exist or are private lanes.
  18. hardman

    hardman ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    626
    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Likes:
    32
    Town:
    Mulmur ON
    "backroads mapbooks have a nasty habit of showing roads that don't exist or are private lanes." quote

    I actually ran into the same situation using City Navigator when doing my ride around Algonquin. Riding down a lane in Madawaska I was stopped by a resident there who told me this was private at which point I had to turn around. Problem is people purchase property up north and where once a forest lane went through is now private. This happens everywhere, especially here in my township of Mono. Thirty years ago or more I could dirt bike anywhere in this township through trails and country lanes, but now these are all private.

    Current and up to date mapping software will usually correct for this.
  19. Randy_K

    Randy_K Limited User

    Messages:
    4,007
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2006
    Likes:
    36
    Town:
    Cambridge
    And we all know of unmaintained roads the people claim as their, own lane that are really open access roads.
  20. MikeF

    MikeF ODSC-OFTR Member

    Messages:
    267
    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
    Likes:
    3
    Town:
    Innisfil, ON
    That road allowance in Creemore just kills me... you basically ride across a maintained lawn (which presumably the landowner next door maintains) to connect with the road allowance. Those who've ridden it know what I'm talking about :)