Specific Garmin Edge 800 question
 

Hi all, I'm doing my research for a bike GPS. I am pretty set on having maps so it narrows my selection down to pretty much the Edge 800.

I need it as a second check for cue sheets I might print out and carry with me on rides. Say, to make absolutely sure before pushing off that 1000 foot descent at mile 40 so I don't find out at the bottom that the cue sheet is wrong and now I have to climb back up. Or if I see a road I wish to explore but I want to check the map first to see where it leads before I proceed. Basically I want to use it as a portable version of Google Earth. Turn by turn guidance ala automobile is not important to me and I don't have a smartphone. Most of my riding is solo in the hills of the Temecula, CA area.

Do I need to purchase Garmin's map pack for my intended use or can I just load it up with the various free maps like in OSM or GPSdepot?

Thank you!

For just a sanity check, OSM maps will be just fine.

I have the 800, and while I find that it's great as a bike computer/training aid, it has the most amazingly rotten route calculation capability of any GPS I've ever owned, bar none. One the few times I've used it that way, it tried to turn a straightforward three-mile ride into a 12 mile adventure on the New York State Thruway...

Have you looked into the 705? Ive been trying to decide if I want that or the 500. I can get a refurbished 705 premium bundle pack for $299 with a one year gamin warranty. I keep going back and forth between the two

Didn't really look into the 705. Maybe I should.