Map Software

[CrnCnn]

I am going to be getting a GPS in the next few months. I found this software that a co-worker told me about. It appears to be really nice software, it allows you to configure your way points and then put them into your GPS. My question about this software is that I am so close to the California border that you would think I would want that mapping system too. For 80 bucks each I don’t want to shell out for both.

National Geographic TOPO! Interactive Maps for Whole States

Now I found this other one that contains all 50 states but I don’t know that it is as detailed as the other.

National Geographic Back Roads Explorer 3D

Has anyone here used this software or something like it? I would like something that lists trails and there difficulty. Another co-worker had a paper map of Lake Tahoe and it had all that info.

Any insight?

[nfpgasmask]

Well, I bought the Garmin E-Trex Vista (you saw it when we went to the Flats). The device itself comes with no software. I bought a bundled deal from here that came with all of the US Topo Maps. Later I spent the extra $110 on the US street maps and a bigger SD Card. I now can fit all of CA, NV and UT on my GPS at the same time, but you can't have both Topo and Street maps loaded at the same time. I haven't tried it yet, but I was thinking of getting another SD Card so I can just swap cards depending if I am on a street or on a trail.

So far, I really like the Garmin, it was a SERIOUS PAIN to get setup, but now that I am starting to understand how to use it a little better, I like it.

Bart

I am going to be getting a GPS in the next few months. I found this software that a co-worker told me about. It appears to be really nice software, it allows you to configure your way points and then put them into your GPS. My question about this software is that I am so close to the California border that you would think I would want that mapping system too. For 80 bucks each I don’t want to shell out for both.

National Geographic TOPO! Interactive Maps for Whole States

Now I found this other one that contains all 50 states but I don’t know that it is as detailed as the other.

National Geographic Back Roads Explorer 3D

Has anyone here used this software or something like it? I would like something that lists trails and there difficulty. Another co-worker had a paper map of Lake Tahoe and it had all that info.

Any insight?

[CrnCnn]

Well, I bought the Garmin E-Trex Vista (you saw it when we went to the Flats). The device itself comes with no software. I bought a bundled deal from here that came with all of the US Topo Maps. Later I spent the extra $110 on the US street maps and a bigger SD Card. I now can fit all of CA, NV and UT on my GPS at the same time, but you can't have both Topo and Street maps loaded at the same time. I haven't tried it yet, but I was thinking of getting another SD Card so I can just swap cards depending if I am on a street or on a trail.

So far, I really like the Garmin, it was a SERIOUS PAIN to get setup, but now that I am starting to understand how to use it a little better, I like it.

Bart

Yeah I checked out that site. They got a lot of nice ones. I liked this one but i really dont know what to get in a gps unit as far as all the different abilities. I am doing research trying to get a decent one.

[Kenny]

For GPS, I'd recommend a Garmin (or Magellan, though I don't have too much experience with Magellans) - I think they have the most complete maps in general.

Mine is a Street Pilot 7200 - a full blown monster with all the bells and whistles and I love it. Though not too feasible in the VX, unless you mount it in your dash .


I bought a Garmin 550 for my Dad it was about one third the cost (~$400) of the Street Pilot 7200 and I could tell the difference right away in options beyond screen size and memory.

The new Garmins have a much brighter screen - nice.
Only the mid to higher end Garmins now have text to speech to name the actual roads (a very nice option that I would miss).
The mid to smaller ones have batteries so they are portable.
The newer Garmins have a better internal antenna to get better reception around tall buildings downtown and cloud cover etc....

I also found the Street Pilots to be very easy and more intuitive when passing through menus to search destinations and set options, as well as select icons on the screen for more info.

In all, I wouldn't skimp on one and get the most options you can related to GPS. (Some have mp3 options that I think are useless to most) I'd consider going the extra cash to get some worthwhile options like bigger internal memory for full maps, personal Points Of Interest programming (for plugging in speed trap zones ), etc...

Just my two cents.

[EDIT: Sorry, I just took a look at what type of GPS you are looking at, and what I'm talking about. You're looking at more into handhelds, I'm going off on a car GPS for driving, oops. Hope some of the info is useful....]

Good Luck

[tomdietrying]

I have the Garmin Vista (25 gig), Rhino 120 (8 gig), and the Rhino 110 (1 gig). I use the MapSource United States Topo. I comes with three CDs (Eastern U.S., Western U.S., Alaska and Hawaii). If I'm not mistaking, it was about $100 at REI.

When I went to Moab this year I mounted my Rhino 120 on the blank button near the cruise control. I was able to download all the maps from Northern New Mexico to Moab, Utah.

It worked out really well.

Peace.
Tom

[CrnCnn]

Thanks Kenny, any info is helpful at this point. I am looking at the handhelds just because I may want to hike if I go camping and it would be nice to take along.


Thanks Tom, did that Mapsource have backroads type stuff as well?