GPS and mapping software

cureless · 01-31-2002, 03:47 PM

I am looking for the right GPS to buy that will go well with some mapping software?

What do you look for mapping software ? I looked at the National Geographic software but was not sure which one to get?

Thanks

Cureless

Fish Hunter · 01-31-2002, 05:11 PM

I finally got my TOPO!GPS USA software loaded on my home pc. This software was a gift so I did'nt comparison shop it at all. Have not used it a great deal yet. I have two Garmins a 12 and a 45. I had filled the 45 with waypoints and needed to back it all up anyway. Importing the waypoints was easy after I got the download to make it work with the Microsoft XP I'm running. The USA version won't give a great amount of detail but I may get the CDs for the Oregon USGS Quads. Which should give all the detail I'd need. It's also another 100$

Will probably get it as I enjoy this stuff. Hope to find the CDs cheaper somewhere.
The Garmins are easy to learn and use I'll probably stick with them. The time I've spent with the other brands is minimal. I'm sure the others are ok too once you spend 4 hours or so getting to know them. If I was looking for another GPS I'd look closely at the smaller Garmin etrex. It's more compact and stores the elevations of your waypoints aswell.

BuKuBass · 01-31-2002, 06:48 PM

Check out "GPS units and software" at web page and ask/search there. Enjoy, BuKu

lightline · 01-31-2002, 09:59 PM

Hi clueless; I got my first gps in 1993 then motorla's traxar was the only one on the market,from 93 to now there has been a vast improvement in gps's.Now they're user friendly and they pick up sats. just about anywhere, they are just plain better units. Fish Hunter I think is right when he said that the garmim etrax is the unit of choice. The etrax legend will download your maps and sells for about $250.00. A friend had his set up at the store he bought from. He has places like chamberlain basin in Idaho, the Snake river unit, Desolation,Elk river down south,ect. The store did it for him at no cost. I geuss the stores aren't suppose to do yhat but if a guy was to check around he may save a hundred bucks.The etrax vista sells for around $350.00 and has a altimeter and a electronic compass. I have a watch that has a altimeter on it and I have a compass so the extra hundred isn't worth it to me. Its like Fisf Hunter said the cd's are around $100.00. good luck...

lightline · 01-31-2002, 10:06 PM

Some times I know what im talking about I just cant type, sorry about that fisffff hunter.

willametteriveroutlaw · 02-01-2002, 10:34 AM

If your ever in the salem area go the G.I joes and ask for chuck. He gives seminars and can answer any question you have.

Sir Reel · 02-01-2002, 01:55 PM

depends on...

what you want to do of course. Do you want it for hunting, exploring or navigation over open roads. TopoUSA is okay for in route point A-B on US highways and some Topo work, however, if you want to see you favorite hunting area and have the ability to upload topo maps into the GPS. You need the Garmin III+ and Mapsource SW. Then you can put topos of your unit directly into the GPS. Very nice, I use it when I ride dirt bike, hunt and general outings. This way I don't need to have a computer to get the details I want. Topo USA 2.0 (can't speak for 3.0)and Mapsource both allow you to use the GPS with a Laptop to track your location as your drive (nice when on a long trip).

But the best topo SW I found is Terrain Navigator, it is exactly the same as the quadrangle maps you buy from REI or Captain's Natical Supply. It is expension and doesn't upload into the Garmin III+.

So, in short I use 3 SW packages, it seems each one leave some detail out the other one doesn't. I found TOPO USA to have bugs, but their customer support has been good.

As for GPSs, I picked the GIII+ for one major reason, and that is it has the ability to upload topos into it with Mapsource SW.

my 3 cents worth.

cureless · 02-01-2002, 05:31 PM

Thanks everyone for the great info

I thought it would be nice sometimes to have a GPS in the boat but also want to use one in the hills as well as some traveling with a laptop.

Seems I want to do a little of everything I now have enough info to start looking.

Again cant thank you all enough

Cureless (mike)

huntinglabs · 02-01-2002, 09:37 PM

BuKuBass
Went to the web site you posted. Found a great online waypoint site on the message boards. Maps, software and e-mail features.
Thanks
Jim

DK · 02-01-2002, 11:07 PM

cureless, where are you from, if around seattle area stop by weat marine at the south end of lake washington and ask for ed, also gives classes thursday night after closing he will be glad to help you with your needs, you can even call him on the phone is very good about answering questions, dk