I am using several Devices and Programs for my Navigation:
-Garmin Gpsmap 64s
-Garmin Inreach SE+
-Garmin Basecamp
-Openmtbmaps
-Papermaps Reiseknowhow
-Google Maps
-Google Earth
-maps.me App
I-Overlander App
Here are the Details:
Garmin Gps and Basecamp (for Garmin GPS Map 64s)
The Satnav can be attached to the stern and is quite rugged and waterproof. With decent maps it can be really precise for navigation. While it is very usefull in cities, it can be quite tricky as can't distinguish between trekkingpaths and bycicleroutes. It is also good as a boardcomputer however even in energysafe mode does it contain two AA batteries per day.
Garmin Basecamp is a free program for mapping. After a short time, you will be able to create your own routes and load them on your device. You can even load already taken routes from your devices and per .gpx-files it is possible to transfer your Gps points to other devices and emedding to a website, like I do. There is a possibility to connect directly with google Maps, so that you can watch your routes on Satellite. However it takes a few intermediate steps to transfer the data from one to the other in the way you want them.
Difficult to work with, not very optimised. If you have problems loading maps to the device, instal an older version of Basecamp. Garmin fucks up their Updates...
Even though it is quite expensive and costs me 30£ per Month, it is worth the money. With this Device, I am able to write and receive Sms and Emails per Satellite, wherever I am. It can send my position too. In addition, my people at home can locate my position on a map and text me. If I should happen to get in a emergency situation, I can just push the SOS button and will immediately be connected to the international Center of Emergencycoordination GEOS. The only weak point is, that it only allows point-to-point navigation instead of routing. And it has only 2GB Space for additional Maps, which you can load from your coumputer. But the maps are quite well and together with the Gps Map 64s, I hardly ever will get lost. Keeps switching off and on when too many actions at one time. The computer is obviously not strong.
Open Mountainbike Map (Openmtbmap)Website https://openmtbmap.org/de/
The satnav is useless without some sufficent maps. You have to load the maps on a micro-SD- card first, and then putting it into the device. Garmin sells preloaded maps, which derive from openstreetmaps, but this will cost you a lot of money if you intend to visit more than one country.
Better use the OMTB maps. You can download them from the website, and for a little money you can even load some altitudelines. Openstreetmap or OSM maps are beeing built by thos who use them and are surprisingly detailed. However, I sometimes found some not up to date points like former campingplaces that are still listed. But alltogether the best you can have at the moment.
You can download the Maps directly to a SD-card and also on your travelcomputer, so that you can use them together with basecamp.
Google Maps and Google Earth
Quite nice those programs. But useless without a fast internet connection and full of errors. I noticed that on earth some villages are 5 to 20km apart from the point where it shows. They are good to watch the satellite images to doublecheck the OSM maps.
Don't even try to download satellite images of a whole continent, Africa alone would take more than 125000GB of Data. I use those programs only as addition to the OSM maps.
maps.me App
very good offline map which doesn't take much data. Good maps for every country. Basically the standard app for every cyclist
I-Overlander App
An App which is kept by travellers. This is the best source for insight travel information, such as the Visa procedures and the behaviour of people. Shows Restaurants, Accomodation, Wildcampingspots, Mechanics, Hazards on the road and much more. Very usefull