Laptop Based GPS Software options?

[gahi]

I'm looking to use a usb gps puck with my laptop for topo maps. I've read through a lot of threads trying to find a definitive list of what softwares will work. Maybe we can have it all it one thread. What do you use?

 

[Tucson T4R]

If your focus is just on the best Topo maps and your not interested in turn by turn navigation then I vote for National Geographic Topo. It has excellent map detail and will interface with GPS input to plot exactly where you are on the map.

If you want automated navigation for street maps you need something more like the Garmin Navigator but their Topo maps are much higher level with much less detail.

 

[gahi]

I dont need turn by turn, will it work with a gps puck? So for $40 for the GPS Puck, and another $50 per state for the nat geo TOPO, that would be all I need?

 

[Equipt]

I struggled with this issue for some time. I asked around a bunch, and got some good advice on this forum. But I believe the best advice was from BajaTaco. Chris is pretty good at this stuff. He advised me to go with the DeLorme Topo software, and I also picked up a bluetooth GPS receiver that I mount to the windshield. My unit is called a i.Trek M7. A cool little gizmo that syncs with DeLorme effortlessly. I get great topo and road maps of the entire US, color, and 3D flyby. It is easy to use, and works pretty darn well. Hope that helps.

Cheers,

 

[gahi]

I struggled with this issue for some time. I asked around a bunch, and got some good advice on this forum. But I believe the best advice was from BajaTaco. Chris is pretty good at this stuff. He advised me to go with the DeLorme Topo software, and I also picked up a bluetooth GPS receiver that I mount to the windshield. My unit is called a i.Trek M7. A cool little gizmo that syncs with DeLorme effortlessly. I get great topo and road maps of the entire US, color, and 3D flyby. It is easy to use, and works pretty darn well. Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Thanks, that looks pretty good. I'm not clear on the maps though. Does it come with the 24K maps, or do you need to buy them for each state? If so, how much do they run?

 

[Tucson T4R]

I dont need turn by turn, will it work with a gps puck? So for $40 for the GPS Puck, and another $50 per state for the nat geo TOPO, that would be all I need?

The NG Topo software would take the GPS input from your puck. The state by state purchase would get expensive if you travel to different states a lot.

I don't know the DeLorme cost but it sounds like it provides good topo maps for the entire US. They have a good rep.

Both Topo programs support 3D fly over views for any route you lay out. Pretty cool feature just for fun.

 

[Equipt]

You can buy the Delorme western or eastern versions for around $35, or the whole US for $65.

http://www.google.com/search?q=delo...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Cheers,

 

[redbeard]

Well, keep in mind there are different OS for the laptop - off my head

Windows
1)Overland Navigator *r
2)NG TOPO! Backroads and State series *r
3)Delorme offerings *vr (not sure)
4)Garmin offerings *v

Mac
1)routebuddy *rv
2)macgpspro *r
3)garmin offerings *v


*r = raster maps
*v = vector maps

 

[redbeard]

I'll also add that different vendors use different maps - Delorme makes their own (and uses USGS as an add-on), some use USGS/USFS quads, and some use some combo thereof.

I'd do some research and weigh in what you are looking for, file sizes and features.

 

[dzzz]

Garmin complete laptop solution is PC only, I think - Garmin Mobile® PC. Their mac products only work in conjunction with gps devices.
The Garmin software is suppose to be very good, but can only be installed on one device. I'm going to try it when I'm sure of the machine I want it to run on. It will probably run on a mac under vista. Other gps works this way.
Delorme TopoUSA releases a new version this month. The interface is wierd but I like it.
Garmin is the place to start.

 

[gahi]

Thanks, Whats the advantage of vector vs. raster? I'm running windows. So with delorme, they make their own that scale to 24K but dont necessarily have all the info the USGS based systems would have? Then if you want that info, thats where their subscription based map library comes in?

File sizes, I guess this doesnt really matter, whatever gives the best detail. For features, the fly through sounds cool but isnt needed. I'd like it to real time track, show distances traveled, mark camps, I dont know if it would store multiday info but that would be nice. Then when I get back, create an overall track for the entire trip, and export to a .gpx.

I've never had a GPS before, so I dont really know all the features. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[BajaTaco]

It's kind of wild that this thread popped up today, as the Summer issue of Overland Journal is getting ready to go to print. I have a fifteen-page article in there on this very subject. It is part one of a two-part series with part one being for Windows-based computers.

I struggled with this issue for some time. I asked around a bunch, and got some good advice on this forum. But I believe the best advice was from BajaTaco. Chris is pretty good at this stuff. He advised me to go with the DeLorme Topo software, and I also picked up a bluetooth GPS receiver that I mount to the windshield. My unit is called a i.Trek M7. A cool little gizmo that syncs with DeLorme effortlessly. I get great topo and road maps of the entire US, color, and 3D flyby. It is easy to use, and works pretty darn well. Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Thanks, Paul. A lot has changed since we had that talk. More choices have become available and I've been running a bunch of different programs over the last couple of years, trying them all out. The article will cover 6 different software choices (some of which are free, or nearly free).

 

[Akecj7]

With Delorme thier maps are good. They have mostly the main roads that are found on USGS maps. They are not as detailed (missing some tanks and unmarked roads). You can download USGS maps via their subscription for 29.95 a year or by using their add-on's (99 a state or partial state). I have tried their downloads and they are kinda a pain in the but. You are only able to download a certian amount of maps that are not quad based (download by the area size only you have to download x amount of files to equal one quad). If there a lot of people trying to download from their site then downloads are slow or they just fail. I personally perfer the detail of the USGS 7.5min quads and I am considering just buying the Arizona (local state) and then when and if I travel out of state then just buy those as needed. Another package to consider is Terrain Navigator, which I also run. When things pan out I am going to purchase Overland Navigator.

 

[BajaTaco]

Thanks, Whats the advantage of vector vs. raster? I'm running windows. So with delorme, they make their own that scale to 24K but dont necessarily have all the info the USGS based systems would have? Then if you want that info, thats where their subscription based map library comes in?

File sizes, I guess this doesnt really matter, whatever gives the best detail. For features, the fly through sounds cool but isnt needed. I'd like it to real time track, show distances traveled, mark camps, I dont know if it would store multiday info but that would be nice. Then when I get back, create an overall track for the entire trip, and export to a .gpx.

I've never had a GPS before, so I dont really know all the features. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Vector vs. Raster: They both have advantages and disadvantages. Raster maps are resolution-dependent, just like a photo would be on your computer. The higher the resolution, the closer you can zoom in to an area of the image without it losing as much quality (getting pixelated). Vector maps are not resolution dependent, so you can scale them easily and the image quality is consistent and good. Raster maps often let you see information that vector maps won't have. One of the most common examples are all of the cool little hand-written notes as well as historic data often shown on USGS topo maps. Things such as the tiniest of structures (like a line shack or a utility building), or maybe a simple note like "Rocky" to indicate where there are a lot of exposed boulders or bald rock features. Vector maps tend not to have this level of detail. On the other hand, vector maps will sometimes have current Forest Service road numbers or other route labels from more modern GIS data surveys, that older topo images won't have. Raster maps are just "pictures' of paper maps, or photo maps, and so you can use any map anywhere in the world that is on paper, whether it be drawn, or photographed; if it can be scanned into an image, then it can be a raster map. This isn't possible with vector maps, as not every map known to man has been converted into a digital vector model. Vector maps have the advantage of being "smart" because they are not just a picture. Every pixel of what you see is dynamic and can be manipulated to relate information, contain data, perform functions, as well as putting different sets of data on "layers" that can be stacked on top of one another, independently turned off, etc. Vector data can be called upon by the user to see information at a glance - this can be info associated with other things, such as turn-by-turn directions, telephone directories, categories for points-of-interest, etc.

So the bottom line for me, is to try and take advantage of both types if possible.

You mentioned DeLorme in your post above - they use vector maps that mimic the USGS topos, but as you mentioned, you can purchase a subscription to access their raster map library too. The raster maps can be laid over their vector stuff for the best of both worlds. They also use DEMs (digital elevation models) so these scans of paper maps can be "molded" in 3D to show a tilted 3D aspect of the terrain.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Garmin complete laptop solution is PC only, I think - Garmin Mobile® PC. Their mac products only work in conjunction with gps devices.
The Garmin software is suppose to be very good, but can only be installed on one device. I'm going to try it when I'm sure of the machine I want it to run on. It will probably run on a mac under vista. Other gps works this way.
Delorme TopoUSA releases a new version this month. The interface is wierd but I like it.
Garmin is the place to start.

The Garmin one user license actually cover up to 2 installs. I have all my Garmin software installed on both my home desktop PC and my Laptop. No problem.:sombrero: