I've ended up playing with a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx (http://gps.tall-trekkers.com/buy/Garmin+eTrex+vista), I can export routes from Mapyx NI Maps (http://affiliate.mapyx.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=172) to the unit fine, but Garmin do not seem to let you copy maps across (http://forum.mapyx.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=61)...nor do they have off road mapping for NI.
Anyone been in a similar position and got their Garmin to display NI maps? (perhaps? (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin))
Edit: Another possibility: Open source already compiled: All Ireland Maps (http://andrewmccarthy.ie/osm/) - UK (http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm)
As I understand it Garmin only let you put their own maps on Garmin units. There is a way to create a custom map using an image carefully mapped to co-ords but I could never be arsed with the complexity of it.
Turns out that the open source UK maps (http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm) work fine for off road NI. Download the map file (includes contours), if your GPS uses an SD card - create a folder in it called "GARMIN" save the map file as "GMAPSUPP.IMG", then when you start up your GPS it will load that map file.
The maps are created from open source/wiki generated data, so anyone can add stuff manually to the map here: http://www.openstreetmap.org/ it also allows you to upload your GPS's route file (.gpx), then you (or some other willing party) can 'trace' along the route to make paths/roads/rivers etc.
(http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/images/8/86/Osm_linkage.png) (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Just done the above and works a treat, thanks chuck and thanks openstreetmap :)
How is the Open Street Map Liam?
I have the Talky Toaster ones which are really great.
After looking at Open Street Map they seem to have trails as well, like the Antrim Hills Way ;D
If it wasn't £100 I'd look at the Garmin Northern Ireland Discoverer :-\
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=255&pID=86507&ra=true
(https://static.garmincdn.com/en/products/010-D0940-00/g/sc-02-lg.jpg) (https://static.garmincdn.com/en/products/010-D0940-00/g/sc-01-lg.jpg)
(https://static.garmincdn.com/en/products/010-D0940-00/g/sc-05-lg.jpg) (https://static.garmincdn.com/en/products/010-D0940-00/g/sc-04-lg.jpg)
QuoteHow is the Open Street Map Liam?
I have the Talky Toaster ones which are really great.
I got mine from talkytoaster too, are they not the same thing ??? haven't tried them out in anger yet but having a browse through the mournes they have the mourne wall, some rivers, most tracks, and plenty of contours
hard to imagine why anyone would pay £100 for the garmin version ???