get Garmin MAPS+ for your Epix or Fenix

Garmin OUTDOOR MAPS+ | Now Available |

As first reported on this site back in December 2022, Garmin was in the advanced stages of preparing for the release of MAPS+ subscriptions for Epix and Fenix watches. A few days ago this went live.

What’s Happened

Garmin has recently released Garmin Outdoor Maps+ for a selection of smartwatches, including the Fenix 7, Epix 2, Enduro 2, related Fenix derivatives, and some Montana handhelds. This updated version is essentially an improved and rebranded version of the previous Birdseye product which was £22 in the UK. The satellite maps offer in-depth topographic information such as trails, elevation data, and public land boundaries. Additionally, users can customize their maps with waypoints and routes and share them with others. These maps are purchasable through the Garmin Connect app or the Garmin website, and it’s now possible to download them quickly over WiFi.

It’s worth noting that these maps are not yet available for the newly launched Forerunner 965 and are only available within the USA. When considering the Fenix 7, it can be confusing to determine if the Garmin Outdoor Maps+ is the same as the free Topo Active Maps that are available for download. The answer is no, they are different.

Cost

These cost $50 a year to subscribe to.

Alternative

A great alternative is talkytoaster’s TT HD Topo and TT 1:50K maps, which are available in many countries and with excellent support from the site owner.

 

 

 

 

Image|TalkyToaster

 

Reader-Powered Content

This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love which is this site and I appreciate everyone who follows, subscribes or Buys Me A Coffee ❤️ Alternatively please buy the reviewed product from my partners. Thank you! FTC: Affiliate Disclosure: Links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

2 thoughts on “get Garmin MAPS+ for your Epix or Fenix

  1. Birdseye maps were available to install on a fenix if you had the subscription. You had to use Base Camp to select the map tiles to send to the watch. I actually tried it out on a fenix 6X maybe 3 years ago. The experience is not very good because the 8-bit color display is not sufficient to render satellite maps very well. Maybe the Epix would be a lot better.

    More recently I saw some threads of multiple complaints in the fenix 7 forums that Birdseye was discontinued. Clearly they just rebranded it but Garmin also had a period with neither solution — which is not great.

    In practice I would rather use Google Earth desktop or GaiGPS or Garmin Explore on the web to plan a course or on a phone with a large enough display to see something as a supplement to watch-based navigation.

Comments are closed.

wp_footer()