Using Garmin Base Camp and Open Street Map to plan walks

Finding amazing new walks can be easy when you have a GPS device. This video walks through the easy process to allow you to use the power of Open Street Maps offline using a GPS device in order to plan your walks for walking /Riding or any other activity.

Garmin BaseCamp is a free software application developed by Garmin that allows users to plan and organize outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and geocaching. It provides a range of tools for creating routes, waypoints, and tracks, as well as viewing and editing maps and satellite imagery.

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative mapping project that aims to create a free and editable map of the world. It is built by a community of volunteer contributors who collect and update mapping data using GPS devices, aerial imagery, and other sources. OpenStreetMap data is freely available and can be used by anyone for various purposes, including navigation, GIS analysis, and map creation.

Garmin BaseCamp and OpenStreetMap can be used together to enhance the mapping capabilities of Garmin GPS devices. OpenStreetMap data can be downloaded and integrated into BaseCamp, allowing users to view detailed maps, plan routes, and transfer maps to compatible Garmin devices for navigation. This provides an alternative to using proprietary maps offered by Garmin and allows users to access community-driven mapping data that may be more up-to-date and detailed in certain areas.

By using OpenStreetMap with Garmin BaseCamp, users can benefit from the collaborative efforts of the OpenStreetMap community, which continuously updates and improves the mapping data. It can be particularly useful for outdoor enthusiasts who engage in activities in areas where commercial map coverage may be limited or incomplete.

To use OpenStreetMap with Garmin BaseCamp, you would typically download the desired OpenStreetMap data file in a compatible format (such as Garmin's .img format) from a reliable source or through specialized OSM conversion tools. Then, you can import the downloaded map file into BaseCamp and utilize its features to plan routes, create waypoints, and perform other mapping tasks. Finally, you can transfer the customized maps to your Garmin GPS device for on-the-go navigation using BaseCamp's synchronization capabilities.

It's important to note that while OpenStreetMap provides extensive coverage worldwide, the level of detail and accuracy can vary depending on the region and the contributions made by the community in that area. Therefore, it's advisable to verify the quality and currency of the OpenStreetMap data for your specific region of interest before relying solely on it for navigation purposes.