Newbie Question - Advice on Maps

[+HarryBGoode]

Hi folks,

 

yesterday my family and I have made a small multi-cache. It was our first geocaching experience as family. I did some caches before, usually together with friends who are into geocaching. But yesterday was really fun and apart from geocaching, we also like just to go on a hike.

 

Long story short, geocaching could be a thing for us and now I'm thinking about equipment. My smartphone battery made it barely yesterday and as we plan to do this more often, a navigation device is needed. I won't discuss the recommendation, to use a Garmin device, but I like to ask a question ot two on maps. Especially because this might be a pricey topic.

 

If I did understand correctly, there are the following options for maps:

- Basic map (worldwide)

- OSM based map

- Pro Maps

 

The basic map is free, the OSM map is about 50€ for Europe, the pro maps, well...

 

So the question is, which map is needed, if I take geocaching somewhat seriously?

 

I take it, I can skip the basic map. So I will defintively start with the OSM based map. Should I already save for the pro maps later, or should I relax on the pro maps?

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Kind regards

Harry

[+IceColdUK]

OSM maps are free for Garmin, e.g.:

- http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

- https://www.freizeitkarte-osm.de/garmin/en/index.html

 

I've used them for years.  They are better (more complete) in some areas than others, but I've never had too many issues.

 

Edited May 4, 2020 by IceColdUK
Added another resource.

[+Calypso62]

Open Street Maps (OSM) are fantastic!! (And free to download.) I've found caches in 44 countries so far and used OSM in my Garmin GPSr. They've worked exceptionally well.

[+ras_oscar]

another vote for OSM. In addition, if you find trails missing on the map, you can upload your tracklogs to OSM and trace them onto the map for your future use