Basecamp help

Jon,

I have no experience with the openstreetmap files but I can confirm that the free maps from GPSFileDepot:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php

do appear in BaseCamp (as well as Mapsource) and they can be installed to a SD card for use in your eTrex Legend. I have the "24k detail" Arizona topo map from the site that works through Garmin's software to be seen on my computer and for use on my eTrex.

I see a lot of Canadian offers so have fun:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/country/ca

I have used trail, topo and street maps downloaded from gpsfiledepot and used mapsource to install on a GPSmap 76csx, Nuvi 650 and nuvi 2495. I install all maps that may be of use and use the map setup options on the unit to select the maps for the occasion. The street level detail is quite good on some topo maps.

Note that some maps are transparent, that is, they will work as an overlay on other maps giving you even more detail. They won't display that way in Mapsource or Basecamp without a lot of work but will display ok on your unit.

Thank you for the replies.

I'll try gpsfiledepot this weekend, but if the maps come as .img files, I'm not sure it will help.

It is probably user error, and I doubt the files I downloaded are bad, but rather, the issue may be I can't figure out how to see/open them in Basecamp.

The Legend H has no SD card slot, else I would put the files in it, so at least I could see what it can do with better maps.

I am thinking this unit is prob fine for geocaching, but likely not for navigating on a motorcycle. Right now, I just can't spend $600 for a Montana, or $450 for a GPSMAP 62S, once you add in maps, mounts, tax, etc.

Gpsfiledepot has tutorials on how to view their maps. Basically, the downloaded map is an install file that will make the map viewable in basecamp and mapsource. I had a Garmin unit without sd card and I was able to install whatever combination of maps I desired using mapsource, there just wasn't enough room for much detail.