Garmin Edge 705 and Mapping Software

ArmyOfNone

ArmyOfNone

Well-Known Member
Ok so Im tired of searching through non sense and not getting any answers on the gps forums.

I know a bunch of us have the 705 but cant recall who has the additional map software. I know there are cards w/ pre loaded data and a dvd you can purchase as well. But I dont want not buy anything! I have a microsd and heard that you can dl the maps to it. Any one else hear of this?

I found a torrent file online as well but wanted to hear someone elses opinion b4 I loaded up and my GPS self destructs.

Thanks in advance
 
Per GTlukes advice I got some torrents for basemaps. I have not loaded them yet however.

Also check out gpsfiledepot.com

I downloaded their nj and ny topo maps. Much better than the base map that came with the 705, it has all roads on it, not just main highways.

I've got to play with some of the torrents I dled to see how they work out.
 
k ill dl the torrent and give em a shot. is there any limit to the size of the micro sd card the edge will accept? I have a 2gig card.
 
I used the torrent, follow the instructions VERY carefully. I haven't been able to brick my 705 and I swear sometimes I try 🙂
 
Since I have access to Autodesk Civil 3D, Map, and Land Desktop, I had hoped to use them to create good detailed maps. However, my background is mechanical not civil and really know nothing about the functionality of these programs.

Ben, do you guys use these for mapping at all or just construction detailing? I know from my one civil client that the GPS data is the heart and soul of an civil engineering firm and they DO NOT share it.

All in all, I gave up and bought Topo 2008 and will probably buy the 24K version of the North East if and when they make it available.
 
I really need to finish the upgrades I'm working on for my website, and then I think I'm going to sit down and right a nice long detailed blog post on how to use a 705. I must have 100 hours into reading and learning the zillion protocols that 10 different companies use to make GPS software and devices.
Google needs to step up their game with google earth, or garmin needs to partner with them. Then garmin needs to give up on all their weird filetypes like .tcx and .crs and get them all working with .gpx
 
qsilvr99 said:
Since I have access to Autodesk Civil 3D, Map, and Land Desktop, I had hoped to use them to create good detailed maps....

Ben, do you guys use these for mapping at all or just construction detailing? I know from my one civil client that the GPS data is the heart and soul of an civil engineering firm and they DO NOT share it.
Click to expand...

The Autodesk products are great for small site survey related data. It can manage very detailed data associated with a defined parcel of land.

The mapping software involved in these Garmin devices is just a small part of a Global Info System (GIS) database. While GPS can tell you your position, GIS can tell you everything and everything about your position. This is a whole different beast. ESRI is the leader in this software for GIS applications. ESRI provides programs such as ArcMap, Explorer, etc. to handle the data. This is the stuff being used by your "non-sharing" client. They have poured infinite number of man-hours to make his data more detailed, accurate, and generally more useful. That is why they don't want to share. They are expecting to get paid for that effort.

The mapping programs provides by DeLorme, etc. are just consumer versions of more sophisticated GIS applications.
 
I've succeeded in loading a free NJ topo mapo to my 705 from http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

For anyone who wishes for more detail in their maps for free, here's the cliff notes version. You don't even need a micro-SD card. You upload direct to the unit.

1. Download GarminMapsource http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209 . Save the file, then run it to install.

2. Consider upgrading your 705 firmware. Careful it blasts all history and settings. At least for me. For that you need Webupdater http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=931. Could skip this step maybe.

3. Go to http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

4. Select map of your liking, follow prompts to download the map file to your PC. Run that file.

5. Open MapSource you installed in Step 1.

6. Select the map you downloaded from drop-down box at left top. When selected, it will show up as a map in the window on the right

7. Zoom the areas you want to put on the Garmin. Then select them with your mouse. They turn pink, and related files show up on left side window pane.

8. Hit little icon that says Transfer to Device, or menu - Transfer - Send to Device. Make sure your 705 is connected by USB cable before that.

Then :popcorn:
 
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So how much is the straight up set of maps to buy and download legally? If I buy them, can I give them to you?

I don't like this whole brick idea.
 
Like 60$. But stuff I did seemed easy and safe from the GPSfiledepo site. Good tutorials. The only surprise was Garmin's own firmware update clearing my shit without warning. If stuff gets weird, just reset the unit.

PS - I don't think this is illegal. I think the depo guys make these maps themselves. The site is pretty well known.
 
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2.8 upgrade wipes your history, because they botched up the history writing thing in 2.7
all other upgrades were seamless, and I expect 2.9 to not wipe anything.
I think I might take the topo maps off my sd card and try putting them on the unit. Every time I turn the unit on it defaults to the city map and I have to go through a whole click/unlick/click again ritual to get the damn thing to switch to topo. for whatever reason if you uncheck city and check topo it doesn't switch. The city maps are sometimes useful for looking for food and road rides, otherwise i'd just delete it.
 
Anybody know the real compatibility with the 705 and ANT+ Powertaps? I can't seem to get a straight answer no matter where I look
 
Thanks Kush

Thanks Kush. I had the NE Topo on a card I purchased from Garmin.

The NJ Topo has a lot more detail and the instructions you provided to download to the 705 were cake.
 
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