Topo & GPS Software

[redhawk]

I just installed Garmin's Mapsource Topo on my computer. It's the only software I can actually load maps into Garmin RINO 130 with.

I spent the last couple of days, transferring waypoints from National Geographic Topo into the GPS and then transferring them into Mapsource.

When I went into Mapsource and checked them out, It showed the three falls on the Raquette (Lower, upper and Raquette) 3.31 and 3.61 miles due straight North from where they actually are. What is strange is that I aso have DeLorme's Topo! and it has them off by the same distance.

I know the National Geographic Topo position of the falls is dead on because I have the actual field readings.

The Mapsource is good for importing topos into the unit but I would rely on actual field tested waypoints or those taken from NG Topo since they are dead on.

Maybe I'll do a comparison/review of the three programs and post them.

For the time being let me saythat if you are looking for accuracy and also the best for printing hard copy maps, use the National geographic software.

[Rick]

Redhawk
Did you check to make sure you are using the same mapsets. I have all of mine set to wgs84.

[redhawk]

Yeh, I'm using NAD27 CONUS.

It';s what most of the USGS Topos datums are at so I use that for my software and gps.

Funny thing is on the Mapsource Topo, Lower, upper and Raquette Falls are actually shown on a land area! Thats the sortwares position, not a waypoint.

If I had my way, I would use the National Geographic software for everything, but I can't upload the maps into the gps, only waypoints and routes because garmin is propietary. And I have the New England (& NY) Regions so If I want to work outside the NE area, I have to use DeLorme or Mapsource. Mapsource is somewhat better then delormere though unless you want to syncranize two maps side by side or view in 3D.

[Johnnycakes]

Redhawk,

I'm curious. Did you check to see if the data associated with the waypoint transferred correctly. In other words, if it's:

N 43.456
W 73.4158

Where, those were the coordinates of the waypoint from Topo, do you see the same data when you show the details of the waypoint on MapSource?

John

[Rick]

Redhawk. I agree with you on the maps. I was extremely disappointed after I got mapsource. While it looks good on the GPS (I have a Vista) it looks terrible on the computer. For Xmas last year, I picked up Nat Geo Topo for the NE (All New England NJ and NY for $99 and found it to be just plain awesome.

Now all I do with Mapsource is load the basemaps for my unit. Everything else is done on Nat Geo Topo.

[ken999]

Hawk- I would pick up the phone and call tech support. I suppose that both Mapsource and Delorme could have bought the same bogus base mapping for their software. It would be interesting to find out if this were the case.

[Neil]

You want to do a real life test? Say I want to hike from the top of Mount Street to Lost Pond Peak along the small ridge running between them. I don't know much about using map software and GPS's but I'd sure like to see what you come up with.

[redhawk]

So what are you asking? Do you want a route with several waypoints for the trail along the top of the ridge?

I can do that with Great Accuracy using NG Topo Software nd tn loading it into the gps. I can also use the software to give me a profile showing elevatin gain and loss.

Thats simple!

For all my bushwhacks, I use the software and set my waypoints based on the terrain, around mountains or through the gorges or notches, over the saddles, around vly's, etc.

If you make the Xmas gathering I'll sit down and show you hands on how well it works. Today, especially in the dacks where you can't sight landmarks in the deep cover, The GPS is as important and maybe even more so, as my map and compass.

I like the fact that once I use a goto (which gives me the bearing and distance) to a waypoint, I don't have to bother taking another bearing or keeping track of steps if I have to go around an obstacle like a lake or swamp.

[redhawk]

Redhawk,

I'm curious. Did you check to see if the data associated with the waypoint transferred correctly. In other words, if it's:

N 43.456
W 73.4158

Where, those were the coordinates of the waypoint from Topo, do you see the same data when you show the details of the waypoint on MapSource?

John

Yes it came over correctly and the waypoint that was transferred into mapsource is where the falls should be. It's where Mapsource shows the falls to be on their basemap thats off.

Here's the figures (I prefer UTM to lat/long)

18 T 553990 4893291 Raquette Falls in Mapsource
18 T 554028 4887985 Raquette Falls in National Geographic Topo
18 T 554037 4887969 Raquette Falls Field reading on my GPS

[Neil]

If you make the Xmas gathering I'll sit down and show you hands on how well it works.

That would be cool.
But how well does it really work based on:

18 T 553990 4893291 Raquette Falls in Mapsource
18 T 554028 4887985 Raquette Falls in National Geographic Topo
18 T 554037 4887969 Raquette Falls Field reading on my GPS

[redhawk]

Redhawk. I agree with you on the maps. I was extremely disappointed after I got mapsource. While it looks good on the GPS (I have a Vista) it looks terrible on the computer. For Xmas last year, I picked up Nat Geo Topo for the NE (All New England NJ and NY for $99 and found it to be just plain awesome.

Now all I do with Mapsource is load the basemaps for my unit. Everything else is done on Nat Geo Topo.

I'll pretty much do the same. The other thing I will be curious to see is how Mapsource handles tracks and routes. NG does a decent job but not quite what I'd like.

I had the RINO 110 and that does not allow for mapping. I just bought the new RINO 130 which has 24 megs for loading maps in as well as electronic compass, altimeter and weather radio.

Other thing about the Mapsource is I haven't found any way to iport-export waypoints from a comma or tab delimited text file.

I do like the way that Mapsource displays the name of landmarks, POI, roads and other topographical features when the mouse hovers over it.

And NG uses snippets of USGS topo maps for its display, which neither mapsource or Delorme do. Its a shame they have to be so propietary.

Of course if they wern't everyone would be loading the NG topo maps in.

There is the cost factor also. With Mapsurce and Delorme you get the whole CONUS, Alaska and Hawaii for under $100.

To have all the NG topos for the same coverage would be about $4000

[redhawk]

That would be cool.
But how well does it really work based on:

It works fine if I use the NG Topo software to set my waypoints. So far on all my field waypoints have been within 10 feet of the NG waypoints so I'm supremely confident using that software.

[Mavs00]

For Xmas last year, I picked up Nat Geo Topo for the NE (All New England NJ and NY for $99 and found it to be just plain awesome.

FWIW, I'll second that, I have NG topo NEand it's heads and tails above any of the other programs I've used. Directly downloadable to my vista. For route recon and waypointing,it can't be beat. Downloading tracks to it post hike is great too. Waaaaay better detail. Peace

[-ecc]

Sounds too much like math to me.
ecc

[redhawk]

Sounds too much like math to me.
ecc

Actually no math at all.

You don't even have to add or subtract 180 to get a back bearing.