HumphreyBear
Adventurer
Post went crazy and jumbled - I shall retype. Humphrey
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Laptop Based GPS Software options?
- Thread starter gahi
- Start date
I've never been impressed with TN at all, it uses the outdated USGS quads, which is missing many roads and many trails... and it cost too much. For $99 from DeLorme you can get TOPO which comes with their vector map data for all of North America as a base map, plus you can also use other map data layers like the USGS quads (as a reference), imagery and more. It seems to me that in this modern age that MapTech could come up with a better base layer than the USGS quads.
And TN isn't professional software - professional software has GIS features and uses vector base data. I upgraded to DeLorme XMap which retails for $260 and it includes the vector base data 1:24K for all of North America, not just one state. Now I can import GIS layers and georeference scanned maps, I don't think TN can do that...
And TN isn't professional software - professional software has GIS features and uses vector base data. I upgraded to DeLorme XMap which retails for $260 and it includes the vector base data 1:24K for all of North America, not just one state. Now I can import GIS layers and georeference scanned maps, I don't think TN can do that...
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I've seen TN but not used it myself. I've heard that it totally rocks, though! If I had it, I'd probably use it in place of my NatGeo TOPO maps (my understanding is it uses updated and higher-res USGS Quads). I'd likely still use Delorme Topo and Microsoft Mappoint (S&T), as I flip between them at various times when travelling - some work better than others for where I'm at/what I'm doing.
I'd love to get a copy to really try it out in detail, just don't have the $$.
I'd love to get a copy to really try it out in detail, just don't have the $$.
HI fish,
A couple of thoughts and questions. I'm wondering if we are using our packages the same way. First, do you have TN Pro? It's the better version though the standard version is also good. Next, how do you use your mapping packages? In my case, I have mine set up in a permanently mounted vehicle laptop connected to a GPS. It runs off an inverter. Do you use yours for real time back country navigation? I do. Can't do without it.
I also have TN Pro installed on my desk top machine. This is where I do all my trip planning and route creation which I transfer to my vehicle navigation computer via my home network.
Sparky
I have TN Pro V8.51. My laptop isn't mounted, but I do place it in the seat next to me for routing on occasion in my vehicle when exploring new terrain. I'm not expedition explorer, but I do spend 5-6 weekends and maybe one long week a year searching out remote trout ponds and streams to get away from everyone else.
I have a delorme PN-60 GPS on the dash that provides a signal to XMap so I can track my current position on the map (overlaid onto the DeLorme Data, USGS quads, or color imagery) in 2D or 3D.
Delorme's vector roads are routeable, so I can create a route and get turn by turn instructions, with voice prompts (that I cant hear very well, my hearing and a laptop limitation).
Then I can also put the exact same data onto my PN-60 GPS - all the map data (imagery, delorme data, and USGS quads), and leave the truck and go into the woods on foot.
For $30 I have the delorme map pack subscription, I can download color imagery and USGS quads for the area I'm interested in to my hard disk, study the imagery and place waypoints for places I want to visit, then route to them. I taken paper maps, scanned them, and imported and georeferenced them and navigated using them as well.
As far as I can tell TNPro is mapping software. Delorme Xmap (or TOPO) is both navigation and mapping software as they support many navigation-specific features like the routable vector base data and good routing tools. By routing I mean set a start and stop point on roads or 4WD trails and XMap finds the best route along those roads based on your preferences, you can place vias to force the route wherever you want. You can also create direct routes between waypoints, which is all I've been able to figure out how to get TNPro to do (no road routing.
For $259 plus the $30 subscription I have everything I need for all of North America. Works for me anyway.
I have a delorme PN-60 GPS on the dash that provides a signal to XMap so I can track my current position on the map (overlaid onto the DeLorme Data, USGS quads, or color imagery) in 2D or 3D.
Delorme's vector roads are routeable, so I can create a route and get turn by turn instructions, with voice prompts (that I cant hear very well, my hearing and a laptop limitation).
Then I can also put the exact same data onto my PN-60 GPS - all the map data (imagery, delorme data, and USGS quads), and leave the truck and go into the woods on foot.
For $30 I have the delorme map pack subscription, I can download color imagery and USGS quads for the area I'm interested in to my hard disk, study the imagery and place waypoints for places I want to visit, then route to them. I taken paper maps, scanned them, and imported and georeferenced them and navigated using them as well.
As far as I can tell TNPro is mapping software. Delorme Xmap (or TOPO) is both navigation and mapping software as they support many navigation-specific features like the routable vector base data and good routing tools. By routing I mean set a start and stop point on roads or 4WD trails and XMap finds the best route along those roads based on your preferences, you can place vias to force the route wherever you want. You can also create direct routes between waypoints, which is all I've been able to figure out how to get TNPro to do (no road routing.
For $259 plus the $30 subscription I have everything I need for all of North America. Works for me anyway.
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HI,
I'd like to reply to fishes criticism. Why would I buy maps for the whole US? Why would anybody? I'm not in the slightest interested in anything east of New Mexico, my home state. With NM as the base point, I'm only interested in states that are relatively local. This means those directly north of NM and those states I can reasonably expect to visit. That adds up to 10 states. I would have left Texas off the list because east and central Texas (I used to live there) have nothing of interest. But west Texas is of some interest and is adjacent to NM and it is easy to get to.
California is a major interest but is not local. I was raised in Calif and did a lot of wheeling there in the 1960's before moving to Texas. And I have family there. So, there is a distinct possibility that a trip to Calif is in my future. So, Calif makes sense. Oregon and Washington are of no interest.
So, the map sets I have cover the US west of Texas (and including Texas) and north to the Canadian border except Oregon and Washington. These are the states of interest to me. The rest of the US? Well, I see only mud, not my favorite kind of wheeling.
I see no reason to not have maps for my areas of interest.
Sparky
Hi Guys,
I'm wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. I am wanting to setup a laptop in my truck for navigation. I have previously used my GPS (Garmin V) as the receiver and navigated directly from the laptop. I like the large display provided by the laptop. I am looking to have a more modern setup that I can use my Garmin Mapsource plus E32 mapset of Mexico. I'm assuming the GPS pucks will work for this, but will they cooperate with the Garmin software? I'm not opposed to getting a different program either. I would also like to use google earth satellite images too. Often times, in the places I travel, there may be a trail or road that is not on the map but perfectly visible in GE.
How are you guys setup?
I'm wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. I am wanting to setup a laptop in my truck for navigation. I have previously used my GPS (Garmin V) as the receiver and navigated directly from the laptop. I like the large display provided by the laptop. I am looking to have a more modern setup that I can use my Garmin Mapsource plus E32 mapset of Mexico. I'm assuming the GPS pucks will work for this, but will they cooperate with the Garmin software? I'm not opposed to getting a different program either. I would also like to use google earth satellite images too. Often times, in the places I travel, there may be a trail or road that is not on the map but perfectly visible in GE.
How are you guys setup?
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I have a bluetooth wireless puck, a globalsat bt [I think it's a 359]. It is one less cable for me to have to mess with and lives on my dash happily plugged into a usb port for power. No problems so far. I have a 12.1 inch touch screen monitor that I use and the laptop actually lives under the seat out of the way. The mouse on the touch screen took a bit to get used to.
All of that now lives in my ‘I should really sell this' drawer.
I have since upgraded/regraded a bit.
I now use my droid for what I need. It allows you to download GE maps and store them in your phone along with the standard map over lays. If you don't have a cell connection the GE maps are still in there for you to use. Many sources and formats are available for download.
Consider a droid with
My tracks
My trails
Back Country Navigator
All of that now lives in my ‘I should really sell this' drawer.
I have since upgraded/regraded a bit.
I now use my droid for what I need. It allows you to download GE maps and store them in your phone along with the standard map over lays. If you don't have a cell connection the GE maps are still in there for you to use. Many sources and formats are available for download.
Consider a droid with
My tracks
My trails
Back Country Navigator
Hmm... I have an android based Motorola Blur, which is water resistant and shockproof... I call it "Scott Proof"
An issue that I have had with the phone is poor cell coverage to update maps... therefore I have never considered using it for nav.
I will look into the programs you listed. The only concern is that I would much prefer a larger screen for navigation.
An issue that I have had with the phone is poor cell coverage to update maps... therefore I have never considered using it for nav.
I will look into the programs you listed. The only concern is that I would much prefer a larger screen for navigation.