GPS Mapping Software

[rjmax]

I just got a Garmin Etrex Legend C and now I am trying to learn how to use it. What map software is everyone using? I have been playing with Topo 5.0 but can't seem to figure out how to put maps onto my etrex. Any help is more than I know now so you master minds start typing and teach me please!

 

[Cory]

I just got a Garmin Etrex Legend C and now I am trying to learn how to use it. What map software is everyone using? I have been playing with Topo 5.0 but can't seem to figure out how to put maps onto my etrex. Any help is more than I know now so you master minds start typing and teach me please!

The only maps that you can upload to a Garmin GPS are garmin MapSource maps, namely; City Select or City Navigator for roads and US TOPO 24K for topographical. You can hook your gps to a computer that has GPS supported mapping and see your gps tracks and points on top of the map on the computer, but you cannot add non Garmin Mapsource maps to your GPS display.

To make it all better the Garmin Mapsource maps are not cheap. Road maps are about $130 and Topos are around $90. I went with this deal for the maps: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...5124-3360664?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=172282

 

[rjmax]

The only maps that you can upload to a Garmin GPS are garmin MapSource maps, namely; City Select or City Navigator for roads and US TOPO 24K for topographical. You can hook your gps to a computer that has GPS supported mapping and see your gps tracks and points on top of the map on the computer, but you cannot add non Garmin Mapsource maps to your GPS display.

To make it all better the Garmin Mapsource maps are not cheap. Road maps are about $130 and Topos are around $90. I went with this deal for the maps: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...5124-3360664?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=172282

Do the City Select or City Navigator show all the trails? Does that deal from Amazon have topos that show all the trails around Utah? Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that if I could get a topo map I could upload it to my Garmin. I guess I was mistaken, right?

 

[Kiel]

I was just looking at the garmin legend to be my first gps and the guy at sportsman said you could upload the garmin software topographical maps to it no problem through the computer. i was looking at the black and white one though

 

[Cory]

Do the City Select or City Navigator show all the trails?

No, they show roads, addresses, points of interest, hotels, etc. Might show major dirt roads.

Does that deal from Amazon have topos that show all the trails around Utah?

I don't think so, I think they only have the combo with the City Select software.

I was under the impression that if I could get a topo map I could upload it to my Garmin. I guess I was mistaken, right?

You can get a topo map and upload it to Garmin mapping GPS units, the catch is it has to be a Garmin Topo map.

This is the Topo map I plan to get for my Garmin GPSMap 60cs:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4818296/sort_type=bottomline

You can go to http://www.garmin.com/cartography/ to see what Garmin maps will work with your particular Garmin GPS.

 

[Cory]

I was just looking at the garmin legend to be my first gps and the guy at sportsman said you could upload the garmin software topographical maps to it no problem through the computer. i was looking at the black and white one though

Sounds right as long as it is Garmin's Topo software.

 

[TimB]

I'm running a computer and Topo USA 5.0. On my recent Moab trip I compared it to the Garmin topo and the Lowrance topo - the Topo USA actually had better 2-track resolution - by quite a bit. I'm considering going to a tablet PC or something like that to simplify - would really like to run a Lowrance Baja 480c because it's a really nice unit, but I'm not willing to give up the detail level I currently have.

There are 2 more versions of Topo software I need to check out - they both offer better resolution than the version I'm running but cost $100 a state - I think I'll get Utah and see if it's worth the expense.

By the way, when a GPS ad says "no need to download additional software" what they really mean is "not compatible with anything".

 

[Meat_]

-they both offer better resolution than the version I'm running but cost $100 a state - I think I'll get Utah and see if it's worth the expense...

National Geographic TOPO! ? It's awesome.

 

[TimB]

So I hear. There is also a Delorme Topo that is state by state and supposedly based on the 7 1/2 minute USGS maps. There's supposed to be two knids of Topo software out there, vector based and USGS based. The deLorme topo 5.0 I'm currently running is vector based - they claim the USGS is way better. What I don't know yet is: Is it way better because of the elevation details, or is it way better because of the road/trail detail?

I should know the answer to that before summer is over.

 

[Meat_]

I have both, Delorme is better in cities, National Geographic is WAY better everywhere else

Name a spot and I'll give you a screen cap from both.

 

[TimB]

How about the area between Mineral Canyon and the mineral bottom road - near Island in the Sky. Lots of 2 tracks there that do not show on a couple of the software types we were testing a couple of weeks ago. My Topo 5.0 showed quite a few on the 1" = 1000 foot scale.

 

[rjmax]

National Geographic TOPO! ? It's awesome.

Can I upload these TOPOs to my Garmin? OR, like was stated is the Garmin only capable of Garmin TOPOs ONLY?

Man, I feel like a very inexperienced Rookie right now. :greg:

 

[OldGeezer]

Sorry, no. You have to use Garmins maps.

 

[Kiel]

No you have to use the garmin softwareX2. I ended up with a garmin legend cx. It has 4 mb of memory, and It did take quite a while for me to figure out how to transfer from the garmin topographical maps to my gps.

 

[Unimog]

OK. So I'm shopping for a new GPS. I have a little eTrex now that has worked ok, but no mapping. Which brands/models, if any, can you import USGS maps into?

Basically, what is the best setup for using off road. I have National Geographic Topo and that is fun at home, but I don't want a laptop with me on the trail.

Sorry if I am hijacking this thread.

 

[Meat_]

How about the area between Mineral Canyon and the mineral bottom road - near Island in the Sky. Lots of 2 tracks there that do not show on a couple of the software types we were testing a couple of weeks ago. My Topo 5.0 showed quite a few on the 1" = 1000 foot scale.

Seems I only have Delrome TOPO USA 4.0 not 5....
The more I use Delrome the less I like it :-\ It crashed every time I tried to output to file Not to mention the fact that I searched for Mineral Canyon and it went

TOPO! uses scans of the actual 7.5 maps so if it's mapped, it's on there, you can also check the date of any of the maps (over 1500 total) by right clicking on it. One draw back is that TOPO! uses a BUNCH of discs where Delrome is only what one? I actually made an image of all the discs (3.4GB so it will also fit nicely on a dvd) for both and have it mounted on a virtual drive so it's of no bother for me.

Anyway here's the maps

TOPO! at level 3 500K series maps


TOPO! at level 5 7.5 series maps


Delrome at who knows crap series maps


I think all of the mapping software is overpriced but at $99 for the TOPO!, Delrome should be in the $9 bin

 

[rjmax]

No you have to use the garmin softwareX2. I ended up with a garmin legend cx. It has 4 mb of memory, and It did take quite a while for me to figure out how to transfer from the garmin topographical maps to my gps.

So, what Garmin topographical map software do you use and what did it cost? I would really like to figure this out so I don't feel like I just wasted a bunch of money on this thing.

 

[TimB]

Meat, my DeLorme 5.0 is 8 disc I think - they make another version that is 8 disc per state that I have not tried yet. The Detail on the TOPO! looks pretty sweet - since it's off the 7.5 minute maps I figured it had to be good. Here's a lonk to the other DeLorme software:
http://www.delorme.com/quads/default.asp

 

[TimB]

link - not lonk! Geeeze

 

[Badger]

you do realize there is a button that says edit right