Garmin Essentials 1: Downloading maps to your Garmin Edge 520/705/800/810/1000 & Touring

If you have a Garmin Edge 520, 705, 800, 810 or 1000 & Touring and you don't have maps; then you are wasting most of the value of your bike computer. I highly recommend that you purchase a micro SD card and spend 15 minutes to upload maps.  It will open a whole new world.  Save your phone battery for pictures, online bike fix instructions and the Uber for the third flat; there are cycling functions just better suited for your Garmin.

Step 1: Buy Micro SD card
These are almost everywhere Walmart, Pharmacies, Best Buy. I event saw one at a IMG_6312_thumbgas station (don't recommend buying there). A 32 GB SD card (which it plenty of space) will cost between $12 and $25 now (technology gets cheaper over time).

32 MB Micro SD Card on Amazon

 

Step 2: Load maps onto your Micro SD Card

OK, this is where I cheat.  The link below provides excellent instructions by Garmin model (provided by DC Rainmaker).  There are basically 3 steps: Downloading maps, installing maps and enabling maps.  You will need:

  1. a PC or Mac
  2. the cable that came with your Garmin
  3. Micro SD Card (see step 1)
  4. Garmin (yes I know one was obvious)

Make sure you follow the instructions for your model of Garmin.  And yes I did say 15 minutes but give yourself a half hour.  If you are not at all technically capable but know how to turn on your PC, take an hour.

Instructions to load maps on Garmin

Good Luck!

/by