Author Topic: State Topo Maps (Read 950 times)

Herman Lesley · « **on:** April 28, 2005, 05:02:07 AM »

Which is the best for state topo maps, National Geagraphic Topo or Delorme Individual State 3-D TopoQuads?

These will be used with a Garmin 60CS. I know you can't transfer or load maps, only waypoints.

I just wondered which would be best with the 60CS.

Thanks

Herman

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2005, 11:58:28 AM »

I need to do a little playing with this question. The 60C and 76C gps units operate with a newer NEMA version then the older models. I understand this is because of the USB interface cable that comes with these units. The units will also except the old 4-pin connector to serial port cable. It operates on the older version of NEMA. There maybe a problem. I have used this software with the older Garmin Legend with good results. If I am in the woods I will go with USGS, if I an in the interface between communities and the woods I will use DeLorme. The other day a friend and I were looking at his rural subdivision on the DeLorme map. Big time errors.

I have DeLorme and USGS States series. I like both, but I prefer the USGS State Series. A friend who is on a National Incident Team says the team buys new State Series software if they are assigned to a State that they have not operated in the past. I have produced a number of maps for my hunting and fishing activates using the USGS State Series. It is also the product that I make maps for my hunting party with.

I'll get back to you on this one.

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 04:30:19 PM »

Here's another good company that makes an excellent topo program.
http://www.maptech.com

MI VHNTR

Siskiyou · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 08:04:22 PM »

I understand that the 60C is shipped with the pc cord that has the serial connection on one end and the 4-pin round plug on the other. It also comes with a USB cord. Using the 4-pin connector/serial port 9-pin connector had good results on two different desk top computers today with the USGS States Series software. I have also download the update for the State series from the USGS website.

I also used the computer USB to the gps mini-USB connection on one computer while working with the USGS State Series software without problem. I did not use this item on the other computer because the USB update disk also modifies the existing Garmin software. I did not want to mess up a computer that is working great with my older Garmin Legend.

The interface option on the gps was set on Garmin and the interface on the software was set on garmin.

The results with the DeLorme USA Topo v.3.0 was mixed at best. I do not know if the newer vision of DeLorme USA Topo (v.5.0) is any better. It produces standard and 3-D maps. The 3.0 version will also produce 3-D maps. I like my DeLorme software because it has some later road systems. As I mention in the earlier post we did find some errors. But in an emergency problem last year I was able to use the software to place label stickers on maps accurately. In the past I have found errors on USGS printed maps. One must be reminded that the standard for printed USGS maps does allow for a small margin of error.

Work with the USGS maps and they will provide a relief effect. I have printed out the 3-D maps from the DeLorme software and I do not care for it. I will look at the 3-D effect on the larger computer screen. A matter of choice. But I do like the shadow effect you can get with the software.

Why USB? Very simple the trend in computer construction is more USB ports. It transfers data faster then the old serial port. Some computers are now coming with USB(2.0) and Firewire ports, but they have dropped the Serial port. The future!

Today I updated slightly less then 8MB of maps to a Garmin Legend using the provide serial port cable. It took about an hour and half or more. I am sure my anti-virus software slowed things down. But I know I was amazed at the speed of transferring data to the GPSMap76C with the USB cord. Part of the reason is that MapSource software downloads the existing map set on the gps unit and replaces it with the new map set. Even if some of the maps are the same all is removed. Time consuming. :roll:

I think I address part of this issue in a post last fall.

Herman Lesley · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2005, 06:56:41 AM »

Siskiyou

You said you used USGS States maps. Are these the National Geographic Topo State maps or downloaded 7.5" Geological Survey quads.

Did you get the USGS States maps from the Nation Geographic State CD?

Thanks

Herman

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2005, 06:59:07 AM »

MI VHNTR, is right. Take a look at MapTech. I have seen a number of recommendations for their products. I have never used their product, But last night I checked the USGS, DeLorme, and MapTech webpages. I noted that MapTech is going to release a free upgrade to their software this year. Their upgrade address the USB drivers on the Garmin 60C, 76C series gps units.

One up for Map Tech. :toast: