Originally Posted by brianogilvie

The OpenStreetMap based mapping is free, detailed, and easy to use if you get the precompiled maps from Lambertus (http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl) or another source (I linked to Lambertus because the maps offer custom coverage of the whole world). OK, it's maybe a little more difficult than ordering the products from Garmin--but unless your time is worth quite a lot, 15-30 minutes of your time is worth getting free, high-quality maps. I use OSM-based mapping all the time here in France, as well as touring or doing day rides in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK, and in most cases it's equal or superior to Garmin's maps. My ride today was planned on RideWithGPS.com, using a mix of OSM cycle mapping and Google Maps automobile routing, then I transferred it to my Edge 800, which has an OSM-based map of France installed, and I simply followed the route, with turn-by-turn instructions. It worked like a charm.