Better Maps for your Fenix / Epix / Tactix / Enduro 2! - Garmin Outdoor Maps+ First Look!

I’ve just bought the Fenix 7 pro. It says I can download the topo maps for free with no subscription. Is that correct? Also can you add the layers to the topographical maps. Thanks dude.

I feel what others are saying about paying for map data. However I’ll take paying for updated maps if it means my watch isn’t harvesting all my data and using it for financial gain (Apple/google).

Is it free download?

Are these maps available on the D2 mach1 pro? It has an aviation map database but it would be useful to use normal maps when doing workouts. Its essentially a dressed up epix 2 51mm pro.

I am going to Zion National park but I cant seem to find out how to download the park to my Gen 2 epics. I have Outdoor maps + sub, but whenever I search, it just times out. Any tips? I find this system very unintuitive and frustrating!

Are maps downloded still usable even if you end your subscription? Tnx

I used free open source Open Street Maps on my Garmin Epix (first gen) under very tough conditions in the the military for years.

In my opinion a subscription model for maps is just stupid.

But if people buy it... well... can't blame Garmin.

Is it just for the USA?

Has anyone tried this on the fenix 6x pro, or knows if it works? Thanks

Difference in maps? GARMIN says the Fenix has maps downloaded and epix does not. What does this mean in usage? Any other differences not generally shown or known?

When using the maps is the fenix better due to the screen staying on vs the epix always turning off while trying to figure out what you want to do?

Thank you.

Is it hard to see the maps in the sun on the Epix? Thank you.

Difference in maps? GARMIN says the Fenix has maps downloaded and epix does not. What does this mean in usage? Any other differences not generally shown or known?

When using the maps is the fenix better due to the screen staying on vs the epix always turning off while trying to figure out what you want to do?

Thank you.

just saw your Greek tattoo.. are you from there ?

Could u download multiple square miles? Like ...if it only allows you a maximum of 5 square miles per download......could i download multiple 5 square mile downloads to cover an entire are larger then the max allowed for one single download?

OSM maps are free, and I have read they offer a lot of the same features. If that is true, a video on how to install OSM on a Garmin Fenix 7X would be appreciated.

is this outdoor maps include philippine map?

Thanks for the overview I'm going to give it a miss I bought the fenix 7 and garmin alpha 10 expecting to be able to track my hunting dogs in detail either on my watch or in the garmin explore app but was left very disappointed the explore app doesn't show any detail ov open land no trees most trails are also missing from the app and watch now dogtra do a much cheaper system and they manage to give you satellite maps in the app as standard but garmin can not nor can they on your watch without paying a premium I can't use the maps for tracking so I just use the arrow and distance indicator less fuss if you already know the area but if you don't then it kind ov means you have to discover your own way around the terrain to catch up to the dogs very disappointing

It's an absolute waste paying for maps+ for the Fenix 7 Pro.

Yep maybe i next time i not buy a garmin. Im in India the moment and no support India map 🤢🤮

These Fenix shit is mainly hyped by you ... I have the watch and I find it NOT user friendly at all and time consuming to setup courses ...

They should have this for the military is full res color

WOW usd50? I find it expensive for Argentine... does it include all de globe? or only USA?

so many free apps that do this on your phone so its strange that Garmin would charge you extra for it after spending so much on one of there devices.

So the conclusion is: you can have it but you will not use it.

Its not for all the world, Basecamp birdseye was the best for my country, plus I could install custom aerial maps

the outdoor map is for USA only? how about singapore, taiwan, japan and etc??

Okay, figured out how to scroll 50 miles on the Epix and download a map for a hike yesterday. Didn't care for it, harder to read and really prefer the regular topo map already on my watch. Gave it a chance, no go for my useage.

I just installed this on my Epix Pro, at this point I have yet to figure out how to download a map for a course I've already loaded onto my watch. Gotta be a way...Wish it was possible to use Connect on the laptop to do it.

Available in the uk?

Garmin should yet update the Topoactive maps and then propose an update for more detailled maps. I'm stuck with 2021 imagery and it sucks

The public/private land data is very useful for hunters as well to know if you are allowed to be in an area, or who the land owner is so you can try to get permission to hunt there.

Great overview.. thank you! GOM+ is great value. BirdsEye usable only through BaseCamp was just goofy and annoying.

Would be nice if I could pay for only the maps I would use. They should have different subscription levels instead of just a flat fee for all of them. I would totally pay $20 a year for the raster, enhanced topo and water features.

my fenix 7x sapphire reboots continuously when the download of the map (outdoor maps +) starts... any ideas? thanks

The ownership stuff is useful if you're exploring rather than going on established trails. For people trying to find 4x4 trails it can be helpful because its not always clear whether some dirt path that disappears into the woods is somewhere you're allowed to drive or someone's driveway. You can also use it to contact the land owner if you're looking for permission. Probably best for 4x4s and hunters.

Great video as allways. But 50 Bucks a year for something that google maps on my phone can cover for 90% and is free... without all the effort to delete files and slowly downloading it etc... still dont know why you cant just connect it to your laptop via usb and transphere the files quickly that way. I think it would be worth it if you could "stream" the map from your phone on the watch but still I wouldnt pay 50 bucks for that.

Is it available on Garmin 6 pro?

I think would prefer to use free open source in a more readable larger format on the phone TBH.

I have a iPhone14 Pro Max always with me, together with a Fenix 7x solar sapphire, i think only 8% people would look at a map in a soooo small screen…it’s almost stupid…

I was debating whether to buy a Tactix series that includes the Public Lands map theme or a different model and subscribe to Outdoor Maps+ for $50/yr. The Public Lands map overlay stays on the Tactix watch, receives map updates like its other maps, and at no extra cost for the watch's life. This is what I found by digging deeper and getting responses from Garmin's Outdoor and Product Support departments. Watches loaded with Outdoor Maps+ will retain the downloaded maps on the watch after its annual subscription expires. However, Garmin will disable the watch's ability to access and display those maps. The customer will be required to renew their annual $50/yr subscription to regain the ability to access and utilize the downloaded Outdoor Maps+.

The Public Lands map overlay is quite important to me because I live in the Western US where there's lots of BLM, USFS, national monuments, wilderness areas, scenic water bodies, etc. I'm commonly out of cell range and would rather not be backpacking and have to rely on a smartphone or tablet to display offline mapping products available on those platforms. My solution was to buy the Tactix 7 Pro and make the most of its Public Lands map overlay feature. To that, I paid for the Garmin regional TOPO 24k maps as well, making for a nice suite of maps. Nice that the TOPO 24k maps are also a one time fee for unlimited time usage.

Hope this helps others with their considerations.

I dislike maps on watches generally - a small paper map and compass is preferable for me generally. Satellite maps make watch mapping even less desirable to be honest.

Outdoor Maps+ crashes on map download in both latest production and beta firmware on fenix 7x , I have an issue open with Garmin.

Excellent into/overview Dave and I definitely jumped in myself after watching your video. I'm primarily interested in hiking/backpacking and probably like you, more interested in the satellite view, so we can reduce the default file size from 2GB to under 1GB by deselecting the Parcel boundary layer. For my first download, the Tile size seems about 8 x 12 square miles so on a Epix 2 Sapphire with half the 32GB available, I'd estimate we'd have enough free space for around a 10-15 standard size tiles at a time. How about you - have you had a chance to do any real world testing? Happy trails, Michael

Maybe these layers are applicable in the US. In the UK you only get 1 (satellite view) It’s not worth it!

Canceled my subscription, it's the absolute worst interface and takes massive effort on my fenix to upload .8x.8sqmi square at a time. Almost useless.

Good overview and information. When I got the email from Garmin, I thought the better maps sounded great. But after watching this, I think they'll be too much of a hassle to download, and then eventually delete to free up space for new areas. I'll stick with the pre-loaded for now.

I can't believe the cost of maps for these things. Thank god I got my Fenix at 30% off, I'm not paying full price for a thousand dollar watch and paying for maps on top of that! Such BS.

Garmin daring to charge for this, map quality that Apple Watch has has for about 8 years, while charging MORE for their Atari-level tech is ridiculous. It's virtually impossible and VERY frustrating to use the maps on the Garmin watch, ironically. LAG-FEST! But having come from an Apple watch, there is NO WAY that my Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar should cost MORE than my Apple watch Ultra, even charging HALF the Apple watch is really bold. THEN CHARGING to bring the absolute trash level map experience circa 1998 to a 2005 maps experience in a laggy, choppy and frustrating way, slightly closer to Apple maps is INSANE of Garmin to do. Do they lack all self-awareness of how obsolete their product was that they can charge to fix it?. This Maps subscription is the last insult for me. It's not even like the Apple watch that just updates it on the fly. You have to connect it to the ancient Garmin computer app. This is literally the dumbest smart watch on the market. I'll just go back to my Ultra. This is my first and last Garmin anything. Expensive mistake. .

Wow, who would throw money every month for life for the same larger free Sater-light map you have on a Mobil?

Or....buy a Gaia subscription. It is interesting. I wish Gaia/Garmin was more integrated