ptessier

I'm located in Canada and have a Garmin 820. I'm going to Majorca, Spain next week.
1) Does my Garmin already have the world maps? If not, do I need to buy/load European maps?
2) Where can I find interesting rides in Majorca I could load into my device?

Thanks

speedevil 

Best bet is to go to dcrainmaker.com and search for your gps by model. I would not buy a map from garmin, I would suggest that you use open street maps instead. There is a good writeup on the dcrainmaker site about how to use the OSM map files on garmin devices. And the price tag: $0.

_ForceD_

ptessier -- I'm jealous that you're going to Majorca. I was there a number of times during my Navy career. Many Navy folks consider it the best liberty port in the Atlantic/Mediterranean. Depending on how long you're going to be there...personally I wouldn't spend so much time on the bike, and more time exploring the outstanding beaches around the island. Nevertheless...I've never ridden there...but I'm told there is some good riding.

Regarding the Garmin device and maps...First, even if you've just purchased it...make sure the device is registered on their website, and download the most up-to-date software. When I've purchased Garmin products with mapping functions they came with North Americans maps of the section I selected when I registered it on Garmin's website. I.e. I live in the east U.S. so I download the eastern U.S. map set. I'd think it'd be similar for you in Canada. But...you can purchase additional maps...I went ahead and purchased all of North America (Canada included). Although, the memory capacity of the device you're purchasing might have a bearing on how much you can load. Some of their devices (like the one I have) have a micro drive for an additional memory chip (also for extra purchase) that increases memory so that you can load more map sets.

Dan

jgwilliams

I'm with speedevil - go to Open Street Maps. I used them extensively on my Edge 705 which came with only the most basic of maps. Haven't had to on my 520+ yet but I'd certainly look into it if I needed to. When I investigated buying maps from Garmin for a Nuvi satnav it would have been cheaper to go and buy a new satnav. Ironically I could download those same maps (Navteq) for free on my mobile phone. Guess which I did?

pdlamb

OSM maps are the way to go. I've managed to use them to the exclusion of everything else since I bought my 800, and never felt I was missing anything except street addresses.

Atlas Shrugged

I have and use both. I find the Garmin supplied maps integrate perfectly and allow for better mid-ride route adjustments and more robust POI searching. If you plan to return to a specific location then I find the expenditure worthwhile. A small fraction of the trips cost when amortized over several years. The Europe mapset, for example, covers all of western Europe so no need for mutltiple orders.

For a one-off trip then I will download the free OSM maps and run those.