Best map software for Canada?

[The Adam Blaster]

I'd like to hear opinions on the best mapping software that I should buy and load onto a netbook with an attached GPS input (the puck style ones that I can't remember the name for).

It looks like this setup will be by far the most useful for me and my family, and at the lowest cost for versatility.

I'm looking at the Asus EEE 1000 HE as it seems to have gotten the most universal good reviews.

My reason for starting this thread is based on the difference between how mapping software will work on the netbook vs. an actual GPS device.
I may very well get a GPS in the future, but that will be at least a year or 2 and I will need the software to work well right on the netbook as I'm travelling.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

I'd like to hear opinions on the best mapping software that I should buy and load onto a netbook with an attached GPS input (the puck style ones that I can't remember the name for).

It looks like this setup will be by far the most useful for me and my family, and at the lowest cost for versatility.

I'm looking at the Asus EEE 1000 HE as it seems to have gotten the most universal good reviews.

My reason for starting this thread is based on the difference between how mapping software will work on the netbook vs. an actual GPS device.
I may very well get a GPS in the future, but that will be at least a year or 2 and I will need the software to work well right on the netbook as I'm travelling.

ibycus 2.1(google it)is free and very good

 

[LandyAndy]

Hi,

I'm doing exactly the same thing at present. My current proposed setup in my Land Rover D2 will be :

MR-350 USB GPS antenna mounted through the roof at the rear
Ram mount with tablet tray & Lind PSU
Either a Panasonic CF-18 Toughbook or a Itronix IX325 tablet

I already have the CF-18 but I think it's going to be a bit too large in the front of the D2 I think, so I've got a used IX325 coming off Ebay... should get that in the next week or so then I can decide which I'll use.

For the maps I have the digital version of 'Back Road map books', there by far the best for where we live in BC (Revelstoke), as they are topo based with the logging roads overlaid on them. I've also got the 'Ibycus' topo maps but they lack the logging road detail as alot of it comes from different government sources. Don't get me wrong there still very good but we have about 350,000km of FSR's and I've found the map books are quite accurate so far.

Software wise I'm currently running Ozi-explorer but I've also been talking (bugging) Craig of 'Overland Navigator' fame for him to make his software work with the 'Back Road map book' maps. I know he's go it in hand and am looking forwards to migrating to his software once it 's compatable. They I'll have a top notch navigation system that's robust enough for year round wheel'in :wings:

Cheers,
Andy

 

[paulj]

BC online maps

I've been aware of this source of rec site info for a while, but the current functionality is much better. It looks like it works from a general purpose BC map database. For example the same underlying base is used to show the status of current forest fires.

Mapbooks still seems to provide more info on access and character of trails and campsites, but this map allows you to zoom in quite a ways. Also you can turn on various contour and shading options. The only output I've found, so far, is a printable pdf.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Recreation Sites
http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/recst/