Laptop navigation - Source for free maps or programs?

[L8 APEKS]

Hey gang,

I am putting a laptop mount in my Jeep so I can have a large-screen GPS and also the ability to upload pics as I take them. I have a bluetooth GPS receiver for the laptop. I think I have Streets and Trips installed. I also have Google Earth Pro, but i don't know how to do anything with it really.

What I'm wondering is...is there a free way to download and/or calibrate maps for use with my GPS in real time? What would you recommend? Please let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

[chasespeed]

BUMP... interested as well...

Chase

 

[daverami]

Check this out, http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/

Lots of good info here:
http://library.humboldt.edu/~rls/geospatial/topomaps.htm#internet

I don't know what software you use or platform, but you can download GeoPDF maps here: http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(ctype=areaDetails&xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&carea=%24ROOT&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2)/.do

These maps are very easy to convert and calibrate in OziExplorer.

There are other sites with lots of free maps for countries other than the U.S.

 

[jerbacher]

Ok, I'm real new to this stuff, but let me give you some of the info I have.

If you have any Garmin software, you can find all the free Garmin format maps you want here http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

Garmin had a free laptop realtime navigation program, but it is no longer supported. It has been replaced by Garmin Mobile PC, which is not free by any means. However, you can still download nRoute here. http://www.gpsinformation.org/perry/msource/
The one problem is that you have to have MapSource installed for nRoute to work... and MapSource isnt free...

I'm not sure if Garmin format maps work with any software other than Garmin software. Hopefully someone else knows. Personally I really like the Garmin maps because they are not scanned maps or anything, they are all vector data or whatever and you can hover over a road with your mouse to get the road name, etc.

 

[soimu`]

and for Europe?
I search for calibrate map for TTQV4 or Ozi

 

[dzzz]

Bumping this again for the windows software USAphotomaps. This windows program continues to improve.
It downloads msrmaps (formerly terraserver, still microsoft).