Garmin BirdsEye

Birdseye is a set of subscription services. Each service costs $30/year. See https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/BirdsEye/maps/c452-bBRAND10540-p1.html

The files are in raster format, you have to have a Garmin capable of using them. In my case, I have a Garmin Monterra and a Garmin GPSMAP 62SC.

My experience

I signed up for Birdseye satellite photos. I downloaded Corvallis area. Great photos. Unlimited downloads but you have to be patient enough to break up the download into small pieces because they restrict download size. Sounds like a script is needed.

Transferring Birdseye to device is AWFUL. Fails 90% of the time.

After trying it once or twice I gave up. The experience was so bad that I never looked at it again.

You should understand that at the time I have a fast 50 Mbps Comcast Internet connection, and a generic Windows computer, and a new Garmin Monterra.

Custom JNX files

Garmin's touted "Custom Maps" format is so limited that it's not a reasonable alternative.

Here is more information on JNX includig a comparison of JNX and Garmin KMZ. http://whiter.brinkster.net/en/JNX.shtml

It's possible to create and use JNX maps, HOWEVER, there is a firmware patch that has to be applied to a GPS in order for this to work. http://whiter.brinkster.net/en/Versions.shtml Both of my devices are supported. The patch for the Monterra affects "GOA" = Garmin Outdoor Apps. The latest version of GOA in the Monterra 4.10 update is version 1.28.

I really question why Garmin makes maps so hard... it makes me search and search for alternative Android map software and I really like my Garmin 62! Currently looking at Viewranger and Pathaway.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=70733390

Tools for creating JNX maps

http://www.gpsunderground.com/forum/garmin-general-discussions/5863-garmin-jnx-file-format-hacking.html

Looks like the best way to go right now is QMapShack.