garmin maps for edge 800, worth it?

[nxn2020]

Thinking of getting an edge 800 performance and map pack from Wiggle, I was just wondering though is it actually worth paying the extra for the maps? It says it comes with base maps but what are base maps? I get the impression they are basic maps but just how basic is basic? When doing organised rides they always seem to go on small quiet roads, can I presume that these are not on the base maps? I'd just like to have some idea before I splash the cash!!

 

[Tyke]

Base maps are so basic they are a wast of time but before yo commit to the map pack take a look at http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

 

[berty bassett]

open street map has one called gb + contours and is bloody good but if you are using it to create a route although it is brilliant 99% of the time , it sometimes tries to send you up a bridle way even if you jiggle the settings but its perfect to keep on unit and follow ( though i only have the 705 )

 

[Broadside]

Another vote for the OSM maps. They are a bit fiddly to setup first time but once that's done you can forget about them. I've been using them for a year and think they are brilliant, the best bit beig that they are free!!

Friends have got the Garmin City navigator maps (which don't just cover cities) and I can't see that they give you anything extra so are not worth paying £50 for.

As for the base maps in the unit, well they are worse than very bad; around me they only have a motorway and a couple of arterial roads, other A roads, B roads and lanes are completely missing so cannot be used for navigation. Extra maps are not a luxury but essential.

 

[Kies]

I bought the performance and navigation bundle from wiggle a month ago at £299
The city maps are very good

 

[BSRU]

open street map has one called gb + contours and is bloody good but if you are using it to create a route although it is brilliant 99% of the time , it sometimes tries to send you up a bridle way even if you jiggle the settings but its perfect to keep on unit and follow ( though i only have the 705 )

I have that happen to me with OSM maps, ended up trying to send me up a bye-way that ended suddenly outside someone's house.

 

[Svendo]

I've not tried OSM maps, so could well be wrong. But city navigator maps do come with the full POI database and are address and postcode searchable, which I don't think OSM maps are. TBH I've rarely used these functions but can conceive the 'find nearset source of food' ability when touring and bonking could be useful. I have also occasionally used the Garmin when away from home not on the bike when a car satnav has not been available and that's been useful. I got City Navigator with my old 705 which was a gift, and when it got squished by traffic got the 800 with OS maps. I use the city maps day to day (higher resolution) and would use the OS maps for walking and geocaching but just don't seem to get round to it.