A new third-party application is bringing partial map functionality to a wider range of Garmin wearables, addressing a feature gap that has traditionally separated the company’s premium devices from its more accessible models. Garmin, which offers smartwatches across an extensive price spectrum, has consistently reserved full onboard map display and storage for its higher-end products, using advanced navigation as a key differentiator. In this approach, the firm has shown little sign of yielding to competitive pressure, even as rivals introduce mapping at lower price points.
A Budget-Friendly Mapping Workaround
The app, called Awesome Maps, can be deployed as a data field during workouts or used for general outdoor activities. Unlike Garmin’s native mapping solution, which stores comprehensive cartography directly on the device, Awesome Maps fetches small map sections on demand. This design means the watch requires an active data connection to load imagery, but it also opens the door to mapping on hardware that would not otherwise support it.
What the App Offers
Awesome Maps supports several map styles, including satellite imagery and Swisstopo topographic maps. It is built primarily for map viewing rather than turn-by-turn navigation. Dynamic route tracking is not included; instead, the software allows users to zoom in and out, delivering a basic, paper-map-style reference directly on the wrist. The app is available in a limited free version, while full access is priced at £3.49 or £4.99 for three months, with a reduced monthly rate offered through an annual subscription.
Market Context
The arrival of such a tool underscores a notable contrast in the wearable landscape. The Amazfit Active 2, for instance, already includes map display capabilities for approximately $99. That feature remains absent from the recently launched and significantly more expensive Garmin Forerunner 70. By enabling even partial map visualization on more affordable Garmin devices, Awesome Maps may appeal to users who want on-wrist reference imagery without stepping up to the company’s priciest navigation-focused models.
Sources: forums.garmin.com, store.dodopayments.com, the5krunner.com