Free maps for GPS recievers

If you have a GPS reciever (not one that you use in the car, but a handheld device for trailwalking), you will find that it comes into it's own with an installed map.  Some units come with a mapbase installed, but often it is very basic (as is the case with the Garmin GPSMAP60csx).  Some have a map preinstalled, but then you have paid extra for it. With most of the devices, you can purchase and install additional maps separately.  They are available through Garmin directly or other third parties.  However, they are expensive and (in my experience) of limited use on a small display. However, there is an alternative.

The OpenStreetMap project is a wiki map project that is a free editable map of the whole world. OpenStreetMap allows you to view, edit and use geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on Earth. You can download part or all of the maps for the UK for free - both with contours and providing routable maps.  The UK routable map with contours weighs in at around 250MB, but with micro SD card slots in many recievers this is not a problem.  A 1GB micro SD card will cost you less than £10.

You can download the maps from here http://sites.google.com/site/talkytoasteruk/ukmaps which also contains an FAQ and full instructions.

The instructions are straight forward and I installed it within 20 minutes on my 60csx.  The maps from what I can tell are as good as any other on the market (and these are free) and installing the maps opens up a whole new set of features on the device.  If you don't have any maps on your Garmin, I strongly suggest investigating these.  You won't be disappointed.