Topographical mapping add-on?

B.Ledoux · 09-01-05, 11:27 AM

Hello all. Going out into the bush soon and would like to bring my Axim x50v and BT GPS to explore. I have the back up power supply to recharge but what about the mapping? I currently use OCN5 which is great for roads and routes but what about being able to load a topographical map of an area to explore so I can see rivers, lakes, whatnot... Anyone know of such a software I could addon or does OCN5 show all of this?

JakeRich · 09-01-05, 11:54 AM

I don't think OCN5 will do what you want, but you might look at Memory-Map Navigator (link). I've been testing it and it seems pretty good for what you are looking to do, particularly if you go off road or trekking. The maps are pretty old, but then again, you're using topo, not road maps and the terrain doesn't change much.

B.Ledoux · 09-01-05, 02:49 PM

Thanks, will try it and get back with some feedback.

schill · 09-01-05, 03:25 PM

I've used Outdoor Navigator (www.outdoornavigator.com) on a recent camping trip and for some geocaching. It seems to work quite well. You can download USGS topo maps and NOAA navigational charts from their web site.

I had my X30 in an Otterbox 1900 with a BT GPS unit inside a pocket of a waist-pack and everything worked great.

dlweston · 09-01-05, 08:21 PM

I use Memory-Map Navigator. It is a great product. I tried Outdoor Navigator. It is a good program and at $20 including all the maps of the USA you want to download, it is a real bargain. Unfortunately it is not in the same league as Memory-Map. If I would not have tried Memory-Map first I might have liked Outdoor Navigator.

If you want something to try for free get the beta version of BackCountry Navigator (www.backcountrynavigator.com). Maps are downloaded for free from www.terraserver-usa.com. They still have some bugs to work out before they release it, but it looks promising. Try to get smaller maps, because unless they get the fixed version out, they have problems with large ones. There will be a cost when it is released. They said about 1/3 the cost of Memory-Map Navigator. I am not sure if that is the cost with or without the cost of maps.

Another good choice is OziExplorer. I found it after I bought Memory-Map. Many people swear by it, but many people love Memory-Map also. Memory-Map and OziExplorer are the best two programs out there and it is a tossup as to which is best. It is kind of like iGuidance and OCN5, both programs have their steangths and weaknesses.

Another program to consider is Fugawi Global Navigator (http://www.fugawi.com/). A very interesting program. It does topographic and street navigation. The street navigation is not in the same league as OCN5 or iGuidance. I do not know how good they are at topographic mapping as I have never really seen a review on the product.

If you want to try Memory-Map, I recommend the following route as it was the path I took. I bought "USA Topo 250", $49.95. It include 1:250,000K USGS maps for the entire USA. No matter where you go you will have a low resolution map. It includes their Memory-Map Discoverer software. It is basically Memory-Map Navigator, but it is not able to import 3rd party map formats. Next upgrade to Navigator. Navigator costs $99.95, but it only costs $49.95 to upgrade it from Discoverer. It is kind of like getting the "USA Topo 250" maps for free.

Next you have two choices:

1. Buy a Memory-Map Discoverer complete state pack for $95. It includes 1:24,000, 1:25,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 maps for the state. It also includes detailed elevation data and gazetteer. The gazetteer is an index of city, lake, river and etc names. It also includes other points of interest. I am not sure what all is in it as I have only used it to lookup cities and rivers so far.

2. Download free maps from http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/. This thread on gpspassion has detailed instructions on what to do to import the maps http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...TOPIC_ID=27388. If you want elevation data for 3D map or for an elevation profile of your route, you will have to get it from Memory-Map. It is fairly cheap though. I got 4 states for $25.

I personally got the state pack for the state I live in (MO). I have downloaded a few maps for a few places we are going to visit on our vacation in October. If all else fails, I have my old trusty 1:250,000 maps to fall back on.

B.Ledoux · 09-03-05, 11:02 PM

I should have mentioned my expeditions mainly stay in Canada, mostly northern Quebec. Some the programs listed are US area only unfortunately. I mostly want it for some "secret" fishing spots that I want to map on GPS, I always seem to waste the first day of every trip familiarizing myself with the lake again and trying to remember where they are. I also have strayed off the beaten path before looking for feeder streams or just exploring and suddenly found myself going !oops! where the F is the cabin again? The OCN nows gets me wherever I want to go but as soon as you get outside main roads I need a back-up plan. I will try what you've suggested though, thanks.

Snerkel · 09-04-05, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by B.Ledoux

I should have mentioned my expeditions mainly stay in Canada, mostly northern Quebec. Some the programs listed are US area only unfortunately. I mostly want it for some "secret" fishing spots that I want to map on GPS, I always seem to waste the first day of every trip familiarizing myself with the lake again and trying to remember where they are. I also have strayed off the beaten path before looking for feeder streams or just exploring and suddenly found myself going !oops! where the F is the cabin again? The OCN nows gets me wherever I want to go but as soon as you get outside main roads I need a back-up plan. I will try what you've suggested though, thanks.

Sounds more like you want an outdoor GPS such as the Garmin GPSMAP 60 range, a little expensive (when you already have a PDA) but 28 hours operation on two AA batteries, mark positions at the touch of a button. Continous breadcrumb tracking so you can find your way back or download your route just taken and the waypoints to PC. And it is waterproof to a metre for 30-minutes.

dlweston · 09-04-05, 12:03 PM

Well here is a site with maps of Canada for several of the programs: http://www.mapconnection.com/index.html. Here is another site I found with Canadian maps for several of the programs: http://www.gpscentral.ca/accessories.../memorymap.htm. Unfortunately I have not found a source for free Cadadian maps. We are going to visit my wife's best friend from high school in Camada next year or the year after and I wanted some topo maps for the trip.