Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: perth,aussie
Posts: 90
any free map downloads for garmin??

hi im looking at buying my first satnav for my africa twin and have been convinced (buy threads on the site)that the garmin 60csx/cx is the go for me.sounds easy to use and can take the knocks BUT is it possible to download maps anywhere for free or do i have to buy pre-loaded sd cards?
im planning a trip uk to nz and will need maps for northern africa,middle east,iran,india etc also whats the story with basemaps?what should i look for when i buy,ive found cheap ones on ebay with 'atlantic'basemaps?any info would be great.
cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Jun 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
The preloaded SD cards ... I don't think they come with data that you can load onto your PC and plan using the larger screen. I prefer to buy the CD/DVD versions then load those onto a SD card I buy ... Oh .. the other thing the 60Cx takes a microSD card .. not a miniSD nor a plian jane SD card...

Next .. buy the wanderlust map set .. this should be better than any base map you get with the unit. So I'd not worry about base maps.

Get the Morrocotopo maps - free and the best you can get for Morocco.

Next If you want to spend a lot of time on the PC playing with free maps (days) then you'll need at least two programs (free; cCPSMapper and MapEdit IIRC) and then maps (free) Maps catalogue
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Jun 2008
KennyE's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gold Coast Australia
Posts: 194
Hi, The following link is a guide on how to download a routable basemap for the Zumo so I don't know whether it will work on the 60csx, but you never know. I downloaded it on my Zumo and it gives me all the distances and main roads in Iran and Pakistan, for which there are no maps available. The proof will be in the pudding when I cross there later this year.

Login

As a matter of interest, I was at the German HU meeting and we had some presentations from a GPS "specialist" from Touratech. He reckons the best GPS units for motorcycles are the Zumo 550 and the Garmin 278. Apparently they both have the same features but the 278 is better for dusty conditions. The screen on the Zumo can become scratched as it's a touchscreen. In saying that, he also said that most of them are really only good for about 4 years at the max.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions out there but this guy really seemed to know his stuff. He gave out some valuable hints on how to get the best out of a GPS unit.
__________________
Just Ride!
www.rocktravels.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jun 2008
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Quote:
Originally Posted by KennyE View Post

.... the best GPS units for motorcycles are the Zumo 550 and the Garmin 278. Apparently they both have the same features but the 278 is better for dusty conditions. The screen on the Zumo can become scratched as it's a touchscreen. ...
For that reason I'm using these transparent sticky foils for camera and cellphone displays on my Zumo. Prevents the screen from being scratched.

Hans
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: perth,aussie
Posts: 90
good stuff and cheers guys!ive been playing round on some of the sites mentioned and can see ill be needing alot of spare time sorting things out.on one site the files come as 'zipped' so i have to download an 'unzipping'thingy to open them??
as for the wanderlust maps im guessing i can plug my gps into my laptop and deleate the original basemaps and load the new ones on??hi kennyE,will check out the garmin 278 and see what its like,compare the 2.also are you still in scandinavia?if so keep your eyes pealed for LPG gas at petrol stations id be keen to find out what a litre is worth for my car,if avalible out there and the price of petrol...
2 thumbs up
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jun 2008
MarkLG's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK
Posts: 226
I've got the Garmin 276c which is an awesome piece of kit. It's now been replaced with the 278 which has full euro mapping built in. These were orignally designed as marine chart plotters, which means they've got the biggest, highest resolution screen you can get for bike use - it makes a huge difference when you're on the move. The only disadvantage is the need to buy expensive garmin memory cards to store additional mapping.
Last time I checked ebay 276c's were going for £250-300.

Another link for GPS maps:

NOeGS - GPS-MAG - Kostenlose Garmin Landkarten - Free Garmin maps
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Jun 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by KennyE View Post
Iran and Pakistan, for which there are no maps available.
Errr
the link I gave has a map for Pakistan - with contours
It also has some maps for Iran .. not all of it though.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Jun 2008
KennyE's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gold Coast Australia
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
Errr
the link I gave has a map for Pakistan - with contours
It also has some maps for Iran .. not all of it though.

Cheers for that Frank. I'll give them a try.

Kenny
__________________
Just Ride!
www.rocktravels.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Jun 2008
KennyE's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gold Coast Australia
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by camnz View Post
hi kennyE,will check out the garmin 278 and see what its like,compare the 2.also are you still in scandinavia?if so keep your eyes pealed for LPG gas at petrol stations id be keen to find out what a litre is worth for my car,if avalible out there and the price of petrol...
2 thumbs up
I'm on a small island in Southern Finland at the moment but will try to get the price for LPG when I head across towards Helsinki. Should be sometime next week. Midsummer preparations are well underway here at the moment.

Cheers,

Kenny
__________________
Just Ride!
www.rocktravels.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: perth,aussie
Posts: 90
cheers kenny hope the weathers good out there for ya,i will be out there mid july for a month or so
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vientiane/Laos
Posts: 3
Free maps NZ

Looking for free Garmin GPS maps of NZ?
Have a look here NZ Open GPS Project • Index page
Best wishes
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
free garmin maps for new zealand hmmmnz Australia / New Zealand 10 14 Jun 2012 23:03
Trip planning links, Free places to stay, Free GPS Maps and much more... SalCar South America 10 31 Dec 2010 16:42
Garmin V versus Garmin 60Csx - thoughts? Matt Roach Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 3 15 Aug 2007 15:22
PDA, Bluetooth, SD-USB Blog downloads on the road Bossies Communications 7 28 Jun 2007 12:02
Morocco - ride reports and downloads... Tomas W North Africa 1 7 Dec 2004 01:55

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:56.