Road Cycling - GPS and Mapmyride questions

I'm thinking of buying a Garmin Legend GPS. I don't need the cadence, altimeter, compass, etc and will also use it for hiking and fishing. I can get the base model, black and white for pretty cheap. However, I'm concerned about downloading maps to it. I've read a number of posts and I'm unclear if I need the Mapsource software or can I just route a map on Mapmyride and download it to the GPS?

I like using Mapmyride and don't care if the elevation is accurate or not. I've become accustomed to using it and map routes frequently with it. I would just like to have the ability to download the map to the GPS so I don't have to memorize the map or stop and check a piece of paper.

Can I just download a map from Mapmyride or do I need the Mapsource software to make everything compatible?

Thanks in advance. I would post this in a GPS or Mapmyride forum but find this forum much more helpful and easier to use.

Mike

There's free software that will upload routes, and waypoints. The Legend is serial and not USB if that makes a difference. I bought a Legend a couple years ago and wish I had gotten color.

I remember trying this and it worked well...http://www.easygps.com/

btw, I'll sell you mine for $100. :)

I like using Mapmyride and don't care if the elevation is accurate or not. I've become accustomed to using it and map routes frequently with it. I would just like to have the ability to download the map to the GPS so I don't have to memorize the map or stop and check a piece of paper.


That's exactly what I do with my Garmin 705. Plot the route start to finish, upload it to the Garmin, and follow my saved ride. I found it hard to do at first, but I'm used to it now. Good luck.

I use http://www.gpsies.com/
It has a button to download to your Garmin, but you can also download to your computer in a variety of formats and manually upload them to your GPS.

I have a Garmin Edge 305 and it works really well. Just plug it in to a USB port and upload directly to MapMyRide. The editing capability of MapMyRide is poor unfortunately and it would be nice to find a tool with decent facilities for adding, removing, and moving points.

I have a Garmin 60Csx, on sale for $300 various places (plus maps). I'd recommend something with color that you can upload maps because it will be FAR more useful. I use mine in the car for turn by turn directions, on my bike to plot routes, record rides, etc.

Don't need the altimeter?? How would you get profiles like this:

http://img.skitch.com/20080608-eqtu1i4s47f1rhqhjtgbf4yd3p.jpg

-murray

I pulled the trigger and bought a Garmin Venture HC. It has the high intensity antenna, color, USB interface and comes with the Mapsource trip and waypoint manager. From the previous replies it looks like I won't need the software but in case I do it's there. I bought it off Amazon for $130. The Legend was just under $100 but it was B/W, no high intensity antenna, no software, and serial interface. I think(and hope) the extra cash was worth it.

As for not getting the elevation profiles, I'll admit that would be cool to have. Unfortunately, 90% of my rides are flat. I long for hills and search them out when I can. I think my profiles would be pretty boring.

Oh it also has an audible alert. I hate having to stop and get out a map. Hopefully this thing will just beep at me when I need to make a turn. Most of the time I'm just not quite sure but don't want to stop. If the GPS beeps that will confirm my suspicions.

I just re-read this and realized I'm becoming a techno geek or nerd or something. Uggh!