Gps software

Breck · 01-13-2005, 02:44 PM

What software, for both on and off road are you using? I just purchased a 276c and what it came with is not very detailed. Any sugestion? I live in northern Ca. but would be interested software for all of the U.S. including Canada and Alaska.

reinerka · 01-13-2005, 03:30 PM

The only SW to use on the unit is what you can get from Garmin. There are a few choices for the unit:

The City Select/City Navigator would give you the routing capabilities. These are also some relatively new maps that should provide most of the roads you may travel on.

Topo USA and Topo 24K should provide some more information on topograhical surrounding but especially Topo USA is very old and will lack many existing roads (and be off on the location quite bad - I have it and hardly use it). Topo USA also doesn't support routing at all. Not sure about Topo USA.

If you go on the Garmin Website (www.garmin.com) and select Maps & Charts you get a list of available products. You can also view the coverage of the maps on their site to give you a better idea on what is best for your usage.

I'm using Roads & Recreation and Topo for my old Garmin III+ - but that's mainly due to memory restrictions than anything else. However most of the times I use Roads & Recreation since Topo doesn't even list most of the interesting trails - but they seem to be in R&R. Topo maps would be better for off-roading since they give better indiciation of the terrain to expect.

Reiner

Breck · 01-13-2005, 03:37 PM

Thanks Reiner. Is roads and recs a Garmin product?

Kaumajet · 01-13-2005, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breck

...all of the U.S. including Canada and Alaska.

I didn't realize we'd joined

To answer your question, I find the City Select to be OK, as is MapSource Canada. Just don't expect miracles.

Breck · 01-13-2005, 04:50 PM

What!!!! Oh!!!! I see....forgot a coma..... U.S., Canada and Alaska!!!!

Kaumajet · 01-13-2005, 05:21 PM

Forgot a coma? Sounds like you're in one

Sorry, too easy.

markgsnw · 01-13-2005, 05:21 PM

I use the Metroguide with my SP. I did some offroading around here, forest service and private logging roads, everything showed up, even some driveways were on there. Very useful on the highway in cities as well (though of course the business information can be dated). Took a trip to Canada recently (can confirm that it is not part of the US), the Canada Metroguide was quite useful.

No map is going to be totally accurate or completely up to date, but I've been well pleased by the Garmin products.

Oh, make sure you get the current Mapsource update

White Knuckles · 01-13-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breck

Thanks Reiner. Is roads and recs a Garmin product?

Yes. Pretty good coverage, but can't route with it.

eastbay · 01-13-2005, 09:26 PM

I can't believe how bad the Garmin mapping software is. They keep coming out with super cool hardware, but the map guys are blowing it bad. Don't know whassup wid dat.

I use the Topo!, now National Geographic, software, both the true topo (what is it 7.5' scale? Its huge) (http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/) and the Backroads Explorer version. This is distinct from the Garmin Topo. The company Topo! had their thing and then were bought out or reached a marketing agreement or whatever with Nat Geo. Anyway I find the interface and route plotting much easier than the Garmin P.O.S.. I plot my routes on the computer at home, then upload them to the Garmin unit and the routes (just series of waypoints in this case) and waypoints are then displayed on the Garmin backround map. No routing or turn by turn of course, but it works ok. Wish Garmin would get it together on this.

Shelton · 01-14-2005, 01:35 AM

If yoy need real offroad software is one good answer: Touratech TTQV with topo maps ;).

reinerka · 01-14-2005, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breck

Thanks Reiner. Is roads and recs a Garmin product?

Yes it is, however as stated before - no routing. Also it has been discontinued by Garmin. The maps are from the early 90's. So quite outdated. Since I don't have a routing GPS and the III+ is very limited in space I can't try newer maps.

Reiner

Breck · 01-14-2005, 09:34 AM

Thanks all... and yes I think I am in a coma!!! Sorry guys I am not a typist.

andy29847 · 01-14-2005, 04:38 PM

I use Roads & Rec too. I have compared it to several versions of Garmin's latest (up to City Select v5) and find that Roads & Rec has more detail on the roads less traveled (riding primarily in the Western NC/Eastern TN area). I also have a copy of National Geographic's Topo and I love it. I make my dirt road routes on Topo using waypoints and I have found the maps to be very accurate. You can use Topo to make some really good tankbag maps too.

AK Bear · 01-15-2005, 02:34 AM

I have the Topo for my Airplane and MetroGuide for my bike. I like them both. Each has a lot of detail and once you figure out the downloading process they'r not too difficult to use. I think after having used both the MetroGuide is best for the bike.

01-13-2005, 02:44 PM	#1
Breck ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Citrus Heights, California Oddometer: 134	Gps software What software, for both on and off road are you using? I just purchased a 276c and what it came with is not very detailed. Any sugestion? I live in northern Ca. but would be interested software for all of the U.S. including Canada and Alaska. __________________ 2006 DL 1000 V-Strom Sold 2005 GS 1200 Dead 2003 GS 1150 Sold 2006 KLR 650 Fun

01-13-2005, 03:30 PM	#2
reinerka Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Oddometer: 350	Software for Garmin The only SW to use on the unit is what you can get from Garmin. There are a few choices for the unit: The City Select/City Navigator would give you the routing capabilities. These are also some relatively new maps that should provide most of the roads you may travel on. Topo USA and Topo 24K should provide some more information on topograhical surrounding but especially Topo USA is very old and will lack many existing roads (and be off on the location quite bad - I have it and hardly use it). Topo USA also doesn't support routing at all. Not sure about Topo USA. If you go on the Garmin Website (www.garmin.com) and select Maps & Charts you get a list of available products. You can also view the coverage of the maps on their site to give you a better idea on what is best for your usage. I'm using Roads & Recreation and Topo for my old Garmin III+ - but that's mainly due to memory restrictions than anything else. However most of the times I use Roads & Recreation since Topo doesn't even list most of the interesting trails - but they seem to be in R&R. Topo maps would be better for off-roading since they give better indiciation of the terrain to expect. Reiner

01-13-2005, 03:37 PM	#3
Breck ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Citrus Heights, California Oddometer: 134	Thanks Reiner. Is roads and recs a Garmin product? __________________ 2006 DL 1000 V-Strom Sold 2005 GS 1200 Dead 2003 GS 1150 Sold 2006 KLR 650 Fun

01-13-2005, 04:50 PM	#5
Breck ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Citrus Heights, California Oddometer: 134	What!!!! Oh!!!! I see....forgot a coma..... U.S., Canada and Alaska!!!! __________________ 2006 DL 1000 V-Strom Sold 2005 GS 1200 Dead 2003 GS 1150 Sold 2006 KLR 650 Fun

01-13-2005, 05:21 PM	#6
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	Forgot a coma? Sounds like you're in one Sorry, too easy. __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

01-13-2005, 05:21 PM	#7
markgsnw WTF? Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon US Oddometer: 3,471	I use the Metroguide with my SP. I did some offroading around here, forest service and private logging roads, everything showed up, even some driveways were on there. Very useful on the highway in cities as well (though of course the business information can be dated). Took a trip to Canada recently (can confirm that it is not part of the US), the Canada Metroguide was quite useful. No map is going to be totally accurate or completely up to date, but I've been well pleased by the Garmin products. Oh, make sure you get the current Mapsource update markgsnw screwed with this post 01-14-2005 at 06:51 AM

01-13-2005, 09:26 PM	#9
eastbay Half Fast Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Oakland Oddometer: 44	I can't believe how bad the Garmin mapping software is. They keep coming out with super cool hardware, but the map guys are blowing it bad. Don't know whassup wid dat. I use the Topo!, now National Geographic, software, both the true topo (what is it 7.5' scale? Its huge) (http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/) and the Backroads Explorer version. This is distinct from the Garmin Topo. The company Topo! had their thing and then were bought out or reached a marketing agreement or whatever with Nat Geo. Anyway I find the interface and route plotting much easier than the Garmin P.O.S.. I plot my routes on the computer at home, then upload them to the Garmin unit and the routes (just series of waypoints in this case) and waypoints are then displayed on the Garmin backround map. No routing or turn by turn of course, but it works ok. Wish Garmin would get it together on this. __________________ ________________________________ Seeker of Turns

01-14-2005, 01:35 AM	#10
Shelton Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: POLAND, Warsaw Oddometer: 101	If yoy need real offroad software is one good answer: Touratech TTQV with topo maps ;). __________________ Mike www.hard-enduro.net e-mail: prezes@hard-enduro.net

01-14-2005, 09:34 AM	#12
Breck ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Citrus Heights, California Oddometer: 134	Thanks all... and yes I think I am in a coma!!! Sorry guys I am not a typist. __________________ 2006 DL 1000 V-Strom Sold 2005 GS 1200 Dead 2003 GS 1150 Sold 2006 KLR 650 Fun

01-14-2005, 04:38 PM	#13
andy29847 Dirt Road Rider Joined: Dec 2003 Location: South Carolina Oddometer: 1,726	Garmin software I use Roads & Rec too. I have compared it to several versions of Garmin's latest (up to City Select v5) and find that Roads & Rec has more detail on the roads less traveled (riding primarily in the Western NC/Eastern TN area). I also have a copy of National Geographic's Topo and I love it. I make my dirt road routes on Topo using waypoints and I have found the maps to be very accurate. You can use Topo to make some really good tankbag maps too. __________________ Andy Simons ABC#8350 IBA#7647, Trenton, SC Smugmug coupon code = bQItjZEfrqLkI MOAB Ride Report

01-15-2005, 02:34 AM	#14
AK Bear Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Anchorage Oddometer: 1,610	I have the Topo for my Airplane and MetroGuide for my bike. I like them both. Each has a lot of detail and once you figure out the downloading process they'r not too difficult to use. I think after having used both the MetroGuide is best for the bike.

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