i have a garmin etrex vista

[BIGdaddy]

I realised that the garmin unit i have should still be useful since it has a computer data cable input on the back...

We also have a laptop that we could load some topo map stuff on. Another option is to get a dedicated tablet, etc...simply for ease of use/viewing/etc...

so i have:

laptop
GPS unit
data cable(ordering from ebay/garmin,etc)

what software do i need to use the GPS w/ computer? or how do i go about utilizing this setup?

thanks,
Brian

 

[BIGdaddy]

so i did some searching and i guess what i'm looking to do is use my etrex to send data to a tablet or laptop for realtime tracking/waypoint data viewable on a larger/color screen.


make sense? possible?


did even more searching and found the name OziExplorer. This I assume is a PC based mapping software that allows me to use the Etrex as the GPS reciever and that data is embedded/overlayed/whatever onto the OZI maps.

is this correct?

 

[ThomD]

If your garmin will connect to the laptop for upload/download of maps/waypoints/etc, then you can use garmin's NRoute software. It is on the garmin site, NRoute

 

[BIGdaddy]

If your garmin will connect to the laptop for upload/download of maps/waypoints/etc, then you can use garmin's NRoute software. It is on the garmin site, NRoute

okey-dokey...i'll check that out.

 

[fetus]

For adding waypoints or routes, I'll use Garmin Mapsource, with Garmin TOPO 2008.

But I take it you want to use the laptop in the vehicle with GPS, which is what I am aiming for, too.

I use Expert GPS. It downloads USGS maps to cache for offline use. It also has aerial photo capabilities. They also have EasyGPS, which is FREE. Keep in mind that most USGS maps are really out of date, some around 30 years or so.

I've also used the older Delorme Topo DVDs and am interested in the newer version ones.

Haven't tried OziExplorer, yet.

I have used the USA Photomaps with limited success. I couldn't get it to work right. It downloads photos/maps to cache of the area you plan to go into. Its free, too.

 

[Luke]

I've used the National Geographic TOPO software and had good success with it. Was very easy to set up. FWIW

http://natgeomaps.com/topo.html

 

[BIGdaddy]

I've used the National Geographic TOPO software and had good success with it. Was very easy to set up. FWIW

http://natgeomaps.com/topo.html

groovy, thanks!

 

[Luke]

BTW I have almost all the software CD's for the entire U.S.A. but I'm missing the installation CD. If you can find one of those we could do a swap and I'll give you all the state mapping CD's.