Google maps and Garmin 705 Edge

[sundial]

I was studying Google maps and wanted to load a route onto my Garmin. I thought it was going to be easy by simply clicking on send to the Garmin. Apparently Google maps doesn't include the Garmin bike compooters. So I went to Garmin's website to see if there were maps I could update or purchase for my Edge. No go. Updated my Garmin to use other tools on the website and it stated the software wasn't available for the Mac. So now I'm wondering if there is another source of maps that I can download to my Garmin. Would MapMyRide load onto my computer?

[OakLeaf]

I don't know what software you were looking at, but I'm on a Mac and have no problems with my 705. But I've never been able to download a map from Google Maps to anything, or had much success creating maps on Google Maps when I didn't want their auto-routing option.

Are you looking for street maps (there is a freeware option, but I really haven't investigated it, because Garmin and Navteq have their copyrights for a reason and I don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere with an untrustworthy map), or routing?

You can download a .gpx or a .crs directly from MapMyRide to your 705. I don't use courses at all (actually, people report fewer problems when they use courses, I just haven't bothered). To download your route, choose Route>Save to GPX>Download GPX, then choose folder Garmin>Garmin>GPX. Then when you're ready to navigate it, choose Menu>Where To?>Saved Rides, select the ride you named, and choose Navigate.

Make sure you have Auto-Recalculate set to Off or Prompted.


ETA: I haven't updated my maps yet (actually I'm waiting until next year, since there's been some major road realignment in my area that wouldn't be on this year's maps yet). I initially bought the bundled unit. But you have to actually buy the City Navigator disk to have integration with Training Center (if you use that). It's a little bit more involved, I believe, since I think you have to call Garmin for an unlock code once you've copied the maps from the disk to your chip - I'm 99% sure you can do that, but be warned that I haven't tried it. Still, City Navigator 2010 is available in DVD for Mac or directly on the micro-SD card.

[sundial]

I don't know what software you were looking at, but I'm on a Mac and have no problems with my 705.
Are you looking for street maps?

ETA: I haven't updated my maps yet (actually I'm waiting until next year, since there's been some major road realignment in my area that wouldn't be on this year's maps yet).

Oak, thanks for your reply. I am riding primative roads and not paved city roads. I just updated my Garmin and there are no maps to update at this time according to Garmin's website. I don't have problems loading my ride info onto my Mac. I'm having problems with parts of Garmin's websites that are not available for Mac yet. So for now I'm just printing out a hard copy of the map and going at it the old fashioned way.

[OakLeaf]

I can't swear to your area or how primitive the roads are, but all the roads around here are in the Garmin maps. Including the many unpaved roads.

Even if the roads aren't in your maps, you should still be able to navigate a .gpx.

Seriously, what were you looking at? Because I'd like to know if I'm missing something on mine, too.

You can't update Edge maps online anyway (except maybe the basemap gets updated periodically with the firmware, I suppose). You have to buy a new disc or chip.

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but try mapmyride.com. You can download other people's routes or create one. (I also have a mac)

Have you looked into Garmin Connect? They bought motionbased.com.

[sundial]

Oakleaf, I just sent you a pm.

Trek, my initial gripe was....how come Google maps can't load onto the Garmin when the drop down box says Garmin ...followed by more whining about garmin.com website....followed by the perils of using a Mac to view some of their online stuff that wasn't Mac compatible. (I can't remember specifically the Garmin page but it didn't have to do with maps. I'll try and find it again. )

So anywho I appreciate the recommendations to use MapMyRide. Can I create a map that will not be viewed publicly? I travel some roads off in timbuktu and the last thing I need is to encounter a pinhead who has been tracking my rides. I'd rather print off a hard copy and use a compass than rely on a computer that might go cuckoo in the middle of navigating roads--much less lose a satellite signal which occurs often.