OpenStreetMap
If you are interested in generating maps for Garmin GPS units from OSM source and you haven't looked at mkgmap recently, you should.
The development branch has been very active of late and new features are appearing almost daily.
Recent versions are capable of generating tiled, routable maps directly from
OSM source.
Check out osm.wiki/index.php/Mkgmap
Discussion
Comment from Rhubarb on 3 March 2009 at 23:24
Thanks :D
I've been using maps generously created by OSM Australia, now I'll use mkgmap and a few other scripts on my linux server to make my own garmin map files of my area.
It's a very nice app, I'll have some fun setting it up myself this weekend.
-Rhubarb :)
Comment from burto on 3 March 2009 at 23:32
Hi Rhubarb (great name!)
To get all the latest funky features in mkgmap you will need to check out the
source from SVN - see the wiki page for all the gen on what to do. I use Ubuntu and development is very easy, all you need is a recent JDK and ant. If you get
stuck post to the dev mailing list and I will answer.
Comment from Rhubarb on 4 March 2009 at 06:43
Sounds easy enough to get going.
I'm running ubuntu here too.
It's good to have a GPS unit that'll display OSM data, that way you can easily work out what has and hasn't been mapped, without having to lug around a laptop / plan your trip in advance too much.
I've found the experimental routing a bit odd, in that it won't route down some major roads. - I'll have to investigate this further, as it may be that the road in question isn't joined up properly with other nodes / roads, or perhaps isn't tagged correctly.
If I do find a problem, and it's not known, then I'll let you know via the dev mailing list
Thanks :)