Author Topic: Topo Map Sofeware (Read 1379 times)

SURVEYOR · « **on:** October 27, 2006, 04:13:23 PM »

What kind of topo map software have you guys used that works good? I'm a land surveyor owning Thales Survey Grade GPS units. But they do have a navigation side.

What works for you?

SURVEYOR

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2006, 07:40:44 PM »

The software I like for producing field usable maps is the USGS State Series Topo. The current version is update and I need to buy the update for my older version. A far better product then MapSource USA Topo, but I must use that product in my Garmin GPS units. I have found that the software complements each other. I would not be without the MapSource USA Topo load in my units.

http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/

SURVEYOR · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2006, 11:25:12 AM »

Thanks Siskiyou! I looked but they don't seem to have Mississippi? I've got digital quads, and can get images. I was looking for the GPS unit. Mine being centimeter accuracy post processed, and sub meter in navation mode you'd think they would have good background maps installed. They don't!!!

Money Money Money!!!

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2006, 01:29:41 PM »

I use Maptech with my Garmin mapping unit. You can look and see if they will work with your GPS unit. Their product interfaces with Garmin and Magellan units and maybe others. MI VHNTR http://www.maptech.com/

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2006, 03:43:11 PM »

MI VHNTR:

Are you loading the Maptech maps on to your Garmin gps? Or transferring waypoints, and tracks back and forth? I have heard a lot about maptech but my understanding is that Garmin units will only load Garmin MapSource maps or those from a few vendors that Garmin has licensed. A example is the Mexican software package that comes from a licensed vendor.

I can transfer waypoints and tracks back and forth from a number of different vendors but I cannot load their maps.

SURVEYOR: You are correct the maps will not load on to your unit. USGS does have a package that covers Arkansas, Louisana, and Mississippi. http://www.ngmapstore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=458&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=Mississipp

GPS Compatibility (Serial and USB) - Terrain Navigator / Terrain Navigator Pro

Created: 04/01/2004
Modified: 12/28/2005

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DISCUSSION

Introduction
Terrain Navigator (and Terrain Navigator Pro) is compatible with a wide variety of GPS units. Transfers of routes, waypoints, and tracks to and from many GPS units is possible - as well as the ability to display a real-time position on the computer screen. The attached .pdf document lists and explains all of the various supported configurations.

USB GPS Units
Many popular GPS units now require use of a USB port for connection to the computer. This includes the Garmin GPS 60c, GPS 60cs, and GPSMap 276c. Because of the shift in protocols from standard serial connection (relied upon in the NMEA GPS specification) and this new USB configuration, version 6.04 (or later) of Terrain Navigator (and Pro) is required in order to communicate with these units. The free 6.04 update is available for customers running previous editions of Terrain Navigator (and Pro.)
Click here for the Terrain Navigator 6.04 update.
Click here for the Terrain Navigator Pro 6.04 update.
Click here for the Terrain Navigator Pro, Network Edition 6.04 update.

Terrain Navigator 7.0 (and Terrain Navigator Pro 7.0) is fully compatible with Garmin USB GPS units; no separate update/download is required.

MapTech does not claim that it's "maps" will load on to Garmin units.

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2006, 02:43:19 PM »

Siskiyou , I believe that you are correct in that you can't load anything but a Garmin map to a Garmin unit. However, the Maptech program will interface with the Garmin units to allow transfer of waypoints, routes, etc. The thing is, as far as topo maps are concerned, the Maptech maps are USGS maps which have greater definition than the Garmin topo. I can save, edit or print these higher def maps, which is a big help for me. I can carry a hard copy of a map, while still using the GPS to "see" where I am on the map. I would imagine that a laptop and this program would allow you to do this in realtime, which would be very nice to do. Now all I need is a cheap laptop.

MI VHNTR

SURVEYOR · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2006, 03:06:28 PM »

I've got the Maptech software. You're right! I use a Garmin Etrex basic yellow cabled to laptop and can go to live tracking. Works good but will get you killed tring to view the laptop and drive. Plus the screens on laptops are not that good in sun light. Way points and tracks work just fine interfaced, and through transfers.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2006, 04:08:39 PM »

All I have heard regarding MapTech is good. I have done the gps-laptop with other software when I have had a interested passenger to do the navigation.

But when navgating in a vehicle I prefer to have MapSource City Navigator up on my GPS 76C or GPS76CX.

This weekend I made a trip to check out bear sign and as a side trip my father-in-law wanted to check out a church camp which he contributed maintenance money.

Garmin gps units set a priority for the mapping software installed on the unit. In the case of the 76CX I had the following priority was in operation. 1. City Navigator, 2. Topo USA, and 3. the factory installed basemap. By default City Navigator would be a higher priority unless changed by the operator.

Before leaving I went to the Map Icon and selected to have City Navigator Hidden. This made the Topo USA software priority one. After we beat around the mountain our next objective was to find the church camp. At home I had gone to my USGS California State Series and located the church camp. I created a waypoint at the church. I then created a waypoint on my 76CX and edited the Lat/Long entering the Lat/Long for the camp.

When we completed my mission we needed to find the church camp thirty miles away. I went to my new waypoint and select it, and selected Go-To. Suddenly a problem developed. The gps told me there was no roads in the area of the camp. I was take back for a few seconds and then realized I need to go in to Setup, select the Maps Icon, and have the gps show the City Navigator. After making the change I again selected the waypoint, and selected the Go-To option. The unit then created a route to the camp. This route even showed the Forest Service road numbers. At that point my father-in-law became the navigator and I paid attention to the driving. But the unit alerted me via tones when a turn was coming up.

If you go back to some of my old post you will see that I avoided buying a street navigation program for a long time. But with the auto routing gps and the software that works with it I find it to be an excellent investiment. This last year I have made three long trips because of family illness and a death. I found it outstanding that not only did the unit give me a motel, it gave me the phone number for it, and auto routed me to the motel. When we were ready for dinner it gave us a large number of dinning locations within a few miles. It then auto routed us to dinner. I love toys!

While Garmins MapSource Topo USA is good, a 24K software program would be better. When hunting this fall I was in an area with some towering rock out croppings. The 100K software does not clearly show the changes. I had to set down and zoom my screen in and out to get a picture of what I was facing. Hopefully 24K software will be coming to take advantage of the expand storage with the newer gps units. The more details a software package has the more memory a gps unit must have.

DirtyDan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:11:44 AM »

I have been using a Garmin GPSMap76 for several years. It is loaded with MapSource Topo and I interface with a program in my computer called ArcMap by ESRI. It has a proprietary program piggybacked on it that allows me to draw on aerial photos (also proprietary). When I have to measure something, area or linear, I plug in a DGPS unit in a backpack that brings the accuracy down to 4.0 ft vs the usual 12-15 with the handheld unit alone. I love the Garmin and am thinking about purchasing a Map60 or better, for my personal use.