Mapping program to use on my Imac

[smritte]

I have been using Basecamp with the topo add-on for what seems like forever. I would plot my route, set my way-points separate them into folders and transfer them over to whatever GPS I'm currently using. I used to have a Garmin Nuvi but, it was stolen a while ago and now I use my ipad with Gaia as my gps.

My issue started when I replaced my computer.
I downloaded Basecamp into my new computer and picked up the topo add-on. The only way the topo add-on will upload into my computer is if I connect my garmin gps to it. Don't have it anymore. End result is, im not going to be able to make it work and I need a topo program I can work with on my desktop. I need to import my fairly large GPX library and would love to make separate files like I did with basecamp. Its easy to import things into my ipad for gaia but not easy to do on Imac.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Scott

 

[DaveInDenver]

If I'm not mistaken the maps Garmin sells are tied to a GPS, so perhaps calling Garmin to transfer it?

I use OSM and GPSFileDepot maps and not Garmin so I can't say for sure. I use Basecamp still, though, since I have Garmin GPS receivers.

http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com
https://openmtbmap.org

 

[smritte]

Yea, I learned that after getting the topo add-on. The base street map is a free download.
Ill check out those other two you linked.
Thanks
Scott

 

[DaveM]

If you're interested in learning a little about GIS then QGIS is a great application for loading topographic maps to a desktop (Mac and PC) to create waypoint or track files to load into a GPS or export as KML for smart phone apps. GPSBabel is sort of a GIS/GPS interchange application. It reads and converts between a huge variety of geospatial data formats and can, I think, connect directly to a GPS for transfer.

Caltopo is a great web based map planning platform (and covers all of US not just CA). It lets you plot waypoints and routes and export for use in apps and GPS devices. It also lets you bring in a huge set of background data and analysis for planning like land management, sun exposure, fire history/activity, slope, precip... very cool planning tool.

https://qgis.org/en/site/

https://www.gpsbabel.org/

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=38.8,-98.4&z=5&b=mbt