OK, thanks for your patience!

I have downloaded the relevant tiles from the link listed. I tried to load MapSource onto my computer twice but couldn't. Both times when the Garmin programme tried to run it just said I needed to have MapSource already.

I therefore followed the directions a couple of posts in on the thread and just created a Garmin folder on my microSD card. I didn't know if it would work since it is a 16GB card but on testing the eTrex offered me a route from home to Kigali so it looks like I might be back in business, which is great.

So....

The Garmin is coming after all and it looks like I don't need to buy anything new. I assume wihout MapSource I can't pre-program way points but can enter these manually as I go along which is fine. I did also download the .exe file for mapsource/basecamp although my computer flashed up a warning about using this. I'm not sure what this does?

Having learned a bit on maps.me (and got my .kml file across) I will now start to work with OSMand and get my mapping sorted for that....

...which means that I will just get the inReach SE (as I don't need a third device that gives me mapping).

I thinking I am slowly getting it (with a lot of help). Thanks again.

Have you checked out iOverlander.com for places to stay during your trip.

App is useful and integrates with mapsme or you can install them all on your Garmin.

That does sound feasible.
I can't recall seeing that option when I played around with maps.me.

I do this; with android the setting is in that operating system.
I don't buy data services from the mobile folks either.

Probably just telling you that it is an executable file (.exe).

More generally, there's no substitute for playing around with these things.

Not yet, but will now, thanks

Ok had a good play now!

I like maps.me, and can get waypoints and my trails uploaded easily. It is easy to follow in 'sat nav' guidance mode (although i couldn't get sound to work - not going to be much of an issue on the bike as I don't have a bluetooth headset anyway). I can see the pastel colours issue (was fine in the car, but can see it would be a challenge in strong light). I will try on the bike having changed the iphone's settings in the accessibility menu.

I also tried OsmAnd but really struggled with it. First try it wouldn't load the maps so i had to delete and reinstall the app and uk map.

Once sorted I liked the maps themselves, but I couldn't work out how to make it give proper route guidance (it drew a line from start to end point, but just drew it 'as the crow flies'. Am i missing something?

I'll persist with both for a while and see how they go.

Is that a "paid for" version of maps.me that you are using or the freebie one?

For the straight line issue:
It might be set to take such a route in the setting of the app - a line of sight walking route for instance.
Alternatively, throw in a few waypoints to force it to follow the route of your preference.
Are you sure that the app has a routing algorithm included? Some apps download routing info separately from the mapping data.

Is my current navigation technology sufficient (and how do I use it)?
 

Just the free iphone one - using the uk map. It routes properly giving me directions in a main bar at the top of the map and (helpfully) then gives a smaller next turn arrow box inset into the map so i what's coming next as well.

Im going to try the osmAnd walking to work today to see what happens in practice.

(On the earlier "background apps refresh" point there is no option to select this within the maps.me app itself, but it can be set by selecting the maps.me app within the iphone 'settings' menu and turning it off there).

Couldnt get OsmAnd to work at all.

Just looked up their website - that's because apparently navigation is only available on Android.

So far. 'They' are working on it.

Last time I looked, which was about two years ago, the market shares for smart phones were:
Android 85%
Apple 10%
Which leaves about 5% for Microsoft, Blackberry and the like.

I use the free maps.me on iPhone, got the Thailand maps on it also and it works good

Wayne

Thanks Wayne good to know.

The advice at the beginning of this thread to try a few was spot on.

Noting Walkabouts comments on the share of the market i have an iPhone (I'm not an Apple fan - seems my employer is) so whilst i really liked the OsmAnd maps and details its out for me (at least for now - thanks for the clarification Warin, i'll watch for developments).

Maps.me is working well for me, i seem to have found a way to work round the main concern with it and can get all my planning stuff from google maps into it. Initial testing concluded.

I am now going to use maps.me out and about for the next few weeks (car and bike) so i am really comfortable with it. Assuming no major issues emerge that's what i'll then use, along with the eTrex.

For the software side of things, you seem to be getting to a solution for your own needs; it is much like bikes themselves, we can all listen to the recommendations and preferences of others but, in the end, you need your own solution.

As for the hardware, I tend to have mixed feelings - Google, now re-named via a holding company as Alphabet (which puts them in the phone book in front of Apple!), don't manufacture the hardware at all nowadays.
They just let others do that - lots of "others" - and also give the Android operating system away, permitting those hardware manufs to pretty much do what they like with Android thereafter.
This is a very different business model from, say, Microsoft and we can all see how successful it has been, to date.

Apple will always manage to retain their own market with their much more integrated suite of iPhones, iPads, iEverything.

Meanwhile, I await the production of the killer navigation/mapping app which puts all others out to grass.

Is my current navigation technology sufficient (and how do I use it)?
 

Fair comment Walkabout.

At the start of this process i had no idea what i could do or how to do it.

For many of life's less straightforward questions i find i need to sit with a question for a while, look at it from a few angles, play with some potential solutions and eventually a way forward emerges that i feel comfortable with. So it has been here.

Much like waiting for the perfect motorcycle, tent, GPS, etc etc.

We have to chose the best fit from what is available and put up with its short comings and work around them. Early explorers had an easier time - less choice and usually no choice (as in there is nothing available to perform that function). So be thankfull for the range available.