Dumb Mapping Software Questions

[TheAlmightySam]

I'm slowly getting my XJ prepped for some exploration of eastern Oregon this summer and I'm starting to look into mapping and navigation software for my Mac. My search hasn't been very successful, however.

I've installed MS Streets and Trips 2009 on my XP partition, and although it technically functions, it's a full-on piece of crap. The interface is difficult to use, it's obscenely slow, even on my monster MacBook Pro, the map is downright irritating to use, and it has no elevation information at all.

There's gotta be something better than this. I need a mapping solution that can interface with a GPS puck, give me driving directions, allow me to plan a route, show me elevation information, and not drive me up the wall. Basically, I need something like Google Earth, only without the need for an Internet connection.

Does something like this exist, or am I stuck with having to fight my way around Microsoft's offering?

 

[Travelmore]

I have yet to find a mapping software I love. For SAR we use Maptech Navigator Pro which is powerful and has some nice options but is costly. I picked up a old version of National Geographic at a garage sale but haven't pushed it to do too much.

It seems to be a lesser known fact that you can use Google Earth without an internet connection. You can cache the maps on your hard drive. Google "Google Earth cache" and you should find a number of free resources to get you started.

I would caution against trusting Google because the roads aren't checked to be valid by a person.

 

[tdesanto]

Check out the Delorme products. Topo 7 is awesome, but I don't think it will give you turn-by-turn directions, but you can plan a route with it. As for terrain profiles, all kinds of good map info off pavement, I haven't found much better. Plus, you can download satelite and aerial imagery.

They also sell a street mapping application with turn-by-turn directions.

Finally, if you need a GPS puck, you can get their Earthmate LT-40 bundled with both of those applications or with either one if you don't want both.

Check out the prices on Amazon...pretty good pricing.

 

[redbeard]

here's a few if you haven't found them yet

http://www.topo.com state series or backroads explorer
http://www.routebuddy.com can plan your route
http://www.macgpspro.com
http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/ Garmin's offerings, I guess see the roadtrip application

Here is a review of macgpspro from earlier today or yesterday
http://www.macworld.com/article/138222/2009/01/macgpspro83.html?lsrc=rss_main

-Mike

 

[redbeard]

Garmin's RoadTrip reviewed

http://www.macworld.com/article/138217/roadtrip2.html?loomia_ow=t0:a16:g2:r2:c0.0460815:b21447277

Of what I've used (Macgpspro, TOPO!) I like the maps that TOPO! has, but it is limited in what it can do for route planning.

Macgpspro is nice if you have your own maps, ie non USGS topo.

I think google is planning on a rather major Google Earth announcement soon.

 

[gjackson]

Another option for Macs is GPSy. www.gpsy.com

Much like MacGPS Pro. Can calibrate your own maps. MacGPS Pro can use Ozi calibrated maps which is a very cool feature and several web sites have free Ozi calibrated maps.

cheers