Laptop Based GPS Software options?
- Thread starter gahi
- Start date
RU55ELL
Explorer
I LOLed in my office when I read this. :elkgrin:
elias
Observer
Hi John (x32792),
I recently installed a mac mini in my Jeep with a touchscreen, the same USGlobalSat "puck", and RouteBuddy software. So far, this combination is working great for me. The software has street maps with turn by turn directions, and TOPO maps for off the beaten path exploring. There is also a quick button to open google maps and google earth at the same place the current screen is set to. If you are in planning stage, you can open google earth and view the area you will be in. This way the data is cached (user defined cache size) and you won't need net connection to use google earth on your trip.
-elias
I recently installed a mac mini in my Jeep with a touchscreen, the same USGlobalSat "puck", and RouteBuddy software. So far, this combination is working great for me. The software has street maps with turn by turn directions, and TOPO maps for off the beaten path exploring. There is also a quick button to open google maps and google earth at the same place the current screen is set to. If you are in planning stage, you can open google earth and view the area you will be in. This way the data is cached (user defined cache size) and you won't need net connection to use google earth on your trip.
-elias
x32792
Adventurer
Mac Native RouteBuddy
Thank you Elias,
The Mac Native RouteBuddy seems to be compatible with many devices. See http://www.routebuddy.com/routebuddy/devices/index.html
"If you are in planning stage, you can open google earth and view the area you will be in. This way the data is cached (user defined cache size) and you won't need net connection to use google earth on your trip." Very good idea.
Please keep us updated about your RouteBuddy experiences...both good and bad.
John
Thank you Elias,
The Mac Native RouteBuddy seems to be compatible with many devices. See http://www.routebuddy.com/routebuddy/devices/index.html
"If you are in planning stage, you can open google earth and view the area you will be in. This way the data is cached (user defined cache size) and you won't need net connection to use google earth on your trip." Very good idea.
Please keep us updated about your RouteBuddy experiences...both good and bad.
John
I just got back from a bit of a trip and here's what I was using:
Hardware:
Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 (touchscreen, 120GB HD)
Jeniko Universal Laptop Mount
Globalsat BU353
Software:
GPSGate
Delorme Street Atlas 2009 Plus
Garmin Mapsource
Garmin Nroute
(Garmin map packs: Metroguide North America V8, US Topo 24K, and Canada Topo)
The Trip:
We went from our home up by Edmonton, Alberta all the way south to New Mexico and Arizona. We went jeeping in Colorado and Utah for the majority of the time (4 weeks, 10000km round trip).
I used Nroute and Street Atlas open at the same time using GPSGate. This allowed me to use the road and turn by turn navigation of Delorme at the same time as the offroad capabilities of the Garmin packs. All I had to do was alt-tab between the two whenever I needed it.
The Garmin software is MUCH more useful then the Delorme, but it doesn't do turn by turn navigation anymore. The software is much more intuitive to use. The Delorme software feels clunky and not very well thought out. Route editing was a lot easier with Nroute and Mapsource then it was with Delorme.
Thoughts:
I would love to try the TOPO set from Delorme. If they fix the interface and make it more intuitive, then I can see it being very useful.
The hardware setup I had worked flawlessly through the washboard roads, the dust and the heat. I would recommend this setup to ANYONE looking for a quick GPS navigation. You can buy the Toughbook for $300 on ebay all day long, the GPS puck for $40, the mount for $80. That is a sub $500 investment. The toughbook is perfect for this application! I had navigation in my Jeep and wifi when I was at a Starbucks or gassing up in the city. I also had the service manual for my Jeep on there too which came in very handy.
I have the GPS antenna on my roof and the cable is routed into my glovebox. I have a USB splitter in there. All I need to do is plug in my laptop power and the USB cable to the splitter and I'm set to go. You can buy docks on Ebay (Kodiak is the cheapest at around $50) that would make that much quicker too.
I am happy with the hardware I was using but disappointed in the software. Particularly the Delorme software. Garmin was nice, but the lack of turn by turn navigation was a bit of an annoyance.
Hardware:
Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 (touchscreen, 120GB HD)
Jeniko Universal Laptop Mount
Globalsat BU353
Software:
GPSGate
Delorme Street Atlas 2009 Plus
Garmin Mapsource
Garmin Nroute
(Garmin map packs: Metroguide North America V8, US Topo 24K, and Canada Topo)
The Trip:
We went from our home up by Edmonton, Alberta all the way south to New Mexico and Arizona. We went jeeping in Colorado and Utah for the majority of the time (4 weeks, 10000km round trip).
I used Nroute and Street Atlas open at the same time using GPSGate. This allowed me to use the road and turn by turn navigation of Delorme at the same time as the offroad capabilities of the Garmin packs. All I had to do was alt-tab between the two whenever I needed it.
The Garmin software is MUCH more useful then the Delorme, but it doesn't do turn by turn navigation anymore. The software is much more intuitive to use. The Delorme software feels clunky and not very well thought out. Route editing was a lot easier with Nroute and Mapsource then it was with Delorme.
Thoughts:
I would love to try the TOPO set from Delorme. If they fix the interface and make it more intuitive, then I can see it being very useful.
The hardware setup I had worked flawlessly through the washboard roads, the dust and the heat. I would recommend this setup to ANYONE looking for a quick GPS navigation. You can buy the Toughbook for $300 on ebay all day long, the GPS puck for $40, the mount for $80. That is a sub $500 investment. The toughbook is perfect for this application! I had navigation in my Jeep and wifi when I was at a Starbucks or gassing up in the city. I also had the service manual for my Jeep on there too which came in very handy.
I have the GPS antenna on my roof and the cable is routed into my glovebox. I have a USB splitter in there. All I need to do is plug in my laptop power and the USB cable to the splitter and I'm set to go. You can buy docks on Ebay (Kodiak is the cheapest at around $50) that would make that much quicker too.
I am happy with the hardware I was using but disappointed in the software. Particularly the Delorme software. Garmin was nice, but the lack of turn by turn navigation was a bit of an annoyance.
winkosmosis
Explorer
I have a Nuvi and it records the a track constantly. All you have to do is connect it to your PC with a USB cable and copy the files off it like a thumbdrive.
LifterCatcher
Observer
Quick question when looking at GPS software, I see that most software will run on windows XP my new netbook is running Windows7 will most XP rated software run on windows7?
Id would rather ask here then trying to contact the company what makes the software.
Thanks
Chris
Id would rather ask here then trying to contact the company what makes the software.
Thanks
Chris
off-roader
Expedition Leader
I'm in the software industry and i would rather buy from a company I feel comfortable calling when I need help... Jus sayin :Wow1::ylsmoke:
If you do contact them, try email first. It's easier for them to respond to. And track. Be sure you keep. A copy of the message though in case they don't respond and you need to turn up the heat on them to get them to reply.
That said, it should work but I'm sure there are many reasons it may not, hence my comment above.
HI All,
I have been running a laptop based navigation system in my Jeep Wrangler since 2001. It has undergone changes over the years to accommodate changes with my Jeep. One thing has remained constant. My navigation software has been Terrain Navigator (TN). Several years ago I upgraded from the standard version to the Pro version. I have also tried other popular map packages. None come close to TN. I have not tried NG Topo.
After several failed computers due to vibration, I have settled in with a Panasonic Toughbook. My GPS is a Garmin GPS III PLus, an oldie but goodie. To save wear and tear on the disc drive, I have the topo maps stored on a 64 gB thumb drive interfaced to the computer via a USB port.
TN is primarily a topo package. Other programs will do better for towns. TN uses high resolution USGS topo maps at several different scales. Maps must be purchased on a state by state basis. I have the following state sets: 1. New Mexico (my home state), 2. Colorado, 3. Utah, 4. Texas, 5. Arizona, 6. Nevada, 7. California, 8. Idaho, 9.Wyoming, 10. Montana. The state sets include every USGS 7 1/2 minute (scale 1:2400) map for the state. That is a bunch of maps. It also includes topo maps at other scales such as 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 if they are are available from the USGS. They usually are. BTW, the map displays are all raster scans at very high resolution.
The terrain shown on the map can be displayed in 2D or 3D. 3D is useful to get a realistic view of the actual topography with features elevation shown graphically. Very nice which also works well for trip planning. Usually, when moving on the trail, I use 2D.
The map sets cost real money; $299 for each state. I have been lucky to buy my sets at sale prices: $99 each. Still, that's a lot of money. One must be very happy with the TN package to make the investment. I am very happy. They are the best.
Of course, the GPS provides real time vehicle tracking which works very well. With the maps installed on disk or thumb drives, moving from one map to the next when vehicle tracking is totally seamless. In this mode, I have the GPS set to display the trip computer and the computer to display the appropriate topo map at which ever scale that best shows the route. In the back country, I always use the 1:2400 scale. On the highway it varies but usually 1:250,000 scale with vehicle tracking always displayed. The larger scale is useful due to vehicle speed as we move across the map.
TN also interfaces to Google Earth which allows a synchronized, split screen display of the topo map and the corresponding Earth graphics to be displayed. This split mode has its uses but on the trail I just display the topo map.
The package includes many useful trip planning tools including path calculations and excellent elevation features.
From reading this thread I get the impression that folks are trying to save money by buying inferior mapping packages. I think that is showing questionable judgment. The most important tool you can have in the back country is a great mapping package. Terrain Navigator is that, for sure. It is a professional tool.
Sparky
I have been running a laptop based navigation system in my Jeep Wrangler since 2001. It has undergone changes over the years to accommodate changes with my Jeep. One thing has remained constant. My navigation software has been Terrain Navigator (TN). Several years ago I upgraded from the standard version to the Pro version. I have also tried other popular map packages. None come close to TN. I have not tried NG Topo.
After several failed computers due to vibration, I have settled in with a Panasonic Toughbook. My GPS is a Garmin GPS III PLus, an oldie but goodie. To save wear and tear on the disc drive, I have the topo maps stored on a 64 gB thumb drive interfaced to the computer via a USB port.
TN is primarily a topo package. Other programs will do better for towns. TN uses high resolution USGS topo maps at several different scales. Maps must be purchased on a state by state basis. I have the following state sets: 1. New Mexico (my home state), 2. Colorado, 3. Utah, 4. Texas, 5. Arizona, 6. Nevada, 7. California, 8. Idaho, 9.Wyoming, 10. Montana. The state sets include every USGS 7 1/2 minute (scale 1:2400) map for the state. That is a bunch of maps. It also includes topo maps at other scales such as 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 if they are are available from the USGS. They usually are. BTW, the map displays are all raster scans at very high resolution.
The terrain shown on the map can be displayed in 2D or 3D. 3D is useful to get a realistic view of the actual topography with features elevation shown graphically. Very nice which also works well for trip planning. Usually, when moving on the trail, I use 2D.
The map sets cost real money; $299 for each state. I have been lucky to buy my sets at sale prices: $99 each. Still, that's a lot of money. One must be very happy with the TN package to make the investment. I am very happy. They are the best.
Of course, the GPS provides real time vehicle tracking which works very well. With the maps installed on disk or thumb drives, moving from one map to the next when vehicle tracking is totally seamless. In this mode, I have the GPS set to display the trip computer and the computer to display the appropriate topo map at which ever scale that best shows the route. In the back country, I always use the 1:2400 scale. On the highway it varies but usually 1:250,000 scale with vehicle tracking always displayed. The larger scale is useful due to vehicle speed as we move across the map.
TN also interfaces to Google Earth which allows a synchronized, split screen display of the topo map and the corresponding Earth graphics to be displayed. This split mode has its uses but on the trail I just display the topo map.
The package includes many useful trip planning tools including path calculations and excellent elevation features.
From reading this thread I get the impression that folks are trying to save money by buying inferior mapping packages. I think that is showing questionable judgment. The most important tool you can have in the back country is a great mapping package. Terrain Navigator is that, for sure. It is a professional tool.
Sparky
Last edited:
cdm
Adventurer
Im currently running streets and trips 2011, delorme 2010 and delorme topo 2008.
ST is much improved over previous versions (been a user since 2004 version) but the delorme is growing on me, primary because of voice control.
for some reason my old garmin unit (serial connection gpsV) keeps crashing applications when on gps feed. i ended up buying a stand alone gps receiver to fix that. best 28$ ever spent.
yeah standard computers just can't cut it. ive switched to motion tablets now. good stuff and take a lot less real estate, which is a premium in most vehicles
ST is much improved over previous versions (been a user since 2004 version) but the delorme is growing on me, primary because of voice control.
for some reason my old garmin unit (serial connection gpsV) keeps crashing applications when on gps feed. i ended up buying a stand alone gps receiver to fix that. best 28$ ever spent.
yeah standard computers just can't cut it. ive switched to motion tablets now. good stuff and take a lot less real estate, which is a premium in most vehicles
I think thinking that the most important tool you can have in the backcountry is a great mapping package is showing questionable judgement
Brain > Map & compass (& know how to use) > Great mapping package > crappy mapping package > nothing
fishEH
Explorer
So you've got over $1000 wrapped up in Topo maps for 10 states!!!???? Only $4000 more and you can have the whole US! Somebody slap me if I spend that much money on a mapping system that can't be used outside of my vehicle and only covers 1/5 of the US. I'll keep my Topo 9 and use the remaining $4900 to actually get out and travel.
HI,
Yep, you are right about the money. I ask, is that the only measure of what you purchase? But, the other side is what you get for the money. I don't like spending that much. But the mapping program and the maps are absolutely first rate. If you are doing trails in the real back country you must have good maps and good software. If you have maps, vehicle tracking is essential. For that you need a rugged computer. Ultimately, over the years, the mapping package turns into a good investment.
Look, Terrain Navigator is a professional package. I have learned over the years that the best mapping is very important and I haven't found anything that compares to Terrain Navigator. You always pay for the best. It's a cosmic law. You just gulp and pays your money.
Sparky
Yep, you are right about the money. I ask, is that the only measure of what you purchase? But, the other side is what you get for the money. I don't like spending that much. But the mapping program and the maps are absolutely first rate. If you are doing trails in the real back country you must have good maps and good software. If you have maps, vehicle tracking is essential. For that you need a rugged computer. Ultimately, over the years, the mapping package turns into a good investment.
Look, Terrain Navigator is a professional package. I have learned over the years that the best mapping is very important and I haven't found anything that compares to Terrain Navigator. You always pay for the best. It's a cosmic law. You just gulp and pays your money.
Sparky