Garmin Mapsource questions

geckosan · 03-11-2005, 12:28 PM

I finally pulled the trigger on a 276 setup, but now I'm putting this out there- what CD's does everyone find to be the most useful. I'll be a bit more specific- I'm in North Idaho, go around the west and into Canada on my 1150 GS & 650 Dakar on and off road- looking for something that will give me good info for fireroads, but still have small towns and such in Canada. I know not all everything I'm talking about is on one CD, but just how many of these do I have to buy? Input from anyone with this experience is very helpful.

Drif10 · 03-11-2005, 11:02 PM

For the canadian stuff, you can either buy the metroguide, or the topo. If you're on mostly roads, go with the metroguide. As for the US, I'll let one of your compatriots talk about that.

Asshat · 03-11-2005, 11:27 PM

hello gecko,

im in idaho as well (sun valley/ketchum) and just got the new TOPO! map set on CD. the set is very easy to use and loaded with features....best price i found was $69.95 here....

http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/nat...po/idaho.shtml

i ordered the map set (6 disks), the AdvPaper, and a waterproof pen....all for $109 shipped. took 3 days to arrive.....very timely and professional.

(back side of packaging)

when you get it let me know if you find a way from ketchum2canada without touching pavement....im told its possible....still looking though!

regards,
terry

caver · 03-12-2005, 08:11 AM

Roads and Rec along with mapsource topo will show Geographic Points of Interest (POI)
where Metro won't.
Metro will show Rosco's service station where the other two won't.
POI will be things like springs, mines, ghost towns, fire towers, canyons, etc.

I prefer Metro when traveling in my truck on highways but topo when i'm exploring.

darkthought · 03-12-2005, 10:41 AM

Currently I've got City Select, Roads & Rec, and (MapSource) TOPO loaded on my 276C for OR & WA. I've found I that I don't ever use the TOPO map for navigating on the bike. City Select's coverage for forest roads is variable, some areas it's pretty good and other areas it can be rather sketchy. Roads & Rec has better overall coverage of forest roads than City Select.

Roads & Rec has been discontinued, replaced by U.S. Recreational Lakes. According to Cycoactive, they contain virtually the same data.

Keep in mind that City Select supports auto-routing, Roads & Rec and TOPO don't. City Select and MetroGuide contain the same data, but MetroGuide does not support auto-routing in the GPS.

I normally have City Select as my default 'active' mapset on the GPS, and switch to Roads & Rec when off-pavement and need better coverage of the forest roads (or as caver mentioned, want to locate geographic stuff).

(sp?) · 03-12-2005, 10:48 AM

I'm also running the 276 and own City Select, Mapsource Topo and also National Geographic Topo. I find Mapsource Topo to be almost useless as a vehicular navigation aid. I haven't tried National Geographic Topo for anything but printing maps.

National Geographic Topo is a nice product, but would guess that with respect to the 276, the only interaction might be that you may be able to get waypoints put into a file. It will probably require hand-editing the file to be compatible with MapSource.

geckosan · 03-13-2005, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the input, looks like there will be a library of CD's for several different purposes. Still if anyone has other ideas put them out there.

BMZZZ · 03-14-2005, 04:41 PM

To reset your 276C: Hold down on "Quit" while turning on the power, and answer yes to reset. This willl erase routes and waypoints, however you could previously backup to a computer.

03-11-2005, 12:28 PM	#1
geckosan Lost but okay with it! Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Sandpoint, I Da' Ho Oddometer: 395	Garmin Mapsource questions I finally pulled the trigger on a 276 setup, but now I'm putting this out there- what CD's does everyone find to be the most useful. I'll be a bit more specific- I'm in North Idaho, go around the west and into Canada on my 1150 GS & 650 Dakar on and off road- looking for something that will give me good info for fireroads, but still have small towns and such in Canada. I know not all everything I'm talking about is on one CD, but just how many of these do I have to buy? Input from anyone with this experience is very helpful.

03-11-2005, 11:02 PM	#2
Drif10 Accredited Jackass Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Gates of Moscow Oddometer: 33,711	For the canadian stuff, you can either buy the metroguide, or the topo. If you're on mostly roads, go with the metroguide. As for the US, I'll let one of your compatriots talk about that. __________________ Been there. Done that. Fuck that. Unattended children will be served espresso and given a puppy. Carpe the living shit out of the diem - Roscowgo

03-12-2005, 10:41 AM	#5
darkthought pull my trunk Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Tukwila, WA Oddometer: 136	Currently I've got City Select, Roads & Rec, and (MapSource) TOPO loaded on my 276C for OR & WA. I've found I that I don't ever use the TOPO map for navigating on the bike. City Select's coverage for forest roads is variable, some areas it's pretty good and other areas it can be rather sketchy. Roads & Rec has better overall coverage of forest roads than City Select. Roads & Rec has been discontinued, replaced by U.S. Recreational Lakes. According to Cycoactive, they contain virtually the same data. Keep in mind that City Select supports auto-routing, Roads & Rec and TOPO don't. City Select and MetroGuide contain the same data, but MetroGuide does not support auto-routing in the GPS. I normally have City Select as my default 'active' mapset on the GPS, and switch to Roads & Rec when off-pavement and need better coverage of the forest roads (or as caver mentioned, want to locate geographic stuff). __________________ 1989 RMX 250 1994 E900 1995 (A9) KLR 650 1998 ZX-9R

03-12-2005, 10:48 AM	#6
(sp?) fevered farkeler Joined: May 2004 Location: Seattle, USA Oddometer: 5,210	I'm also running the 276 and own City Select, Mapsource Topo and also National Geographic Topo. I find Mapsource Topo to be almost useless as a vehicular navigation aid. I haven't tried National Geographic Topo for anything but printing maps. National Geographic Topo is a nice product, but would guess that with respect to the 276, the only interaction might be that you may be able to get waypoints put into a file. It will probably require hand-editing the file to be compatible with MapSource. __________________ Blue KTM Forum now!!! -- '09 Husaberg FE570 '05 BMW R1200GS '00 Aprilia Mille '98 Husky TE610 (sold)

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03-11-2005, 11:27 PM	#3
Asshat ColdFinger in JoMoronLand Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Up Yer Ass Oddometer: 2,371	hello gecko, im in idaho as well (sun valley/ketchum) and just got the new TOPO! map set on CD. the set is very easy to use and loaded with features....best price i found was $69.95 here.... http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/nat...po/idaho.shtml i ordered the map set (6 disks), the AdvPaper, and a waterproof pen....all for $109 shipped. took 3 days to arrive.....very timely and professional. (back side of packaging) when you get it let me know if you find a way from ketchum2canada without touching pavement....im told its possible....still looking though! regards, terry

03-12-2005, 08:11 AM	#4
caver Missouri The Cave State Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Sikeston, Missouri Oddometer: 349	Roads and Rec along with mapsource topo will show Geographic Points of Interest (POI) where Metro won't. Metro will show Rosco's service station where the other two won't. POI will be things like springs, mines, ghost towns, fire towers, canyons, etc. I prefer Metro when traveling in my truck on highways but topo when i'm exploring.

03-13-2005, 10:46 PM	#7
geckosan Lost but okay with it! Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Sandpoint, I Da' Ho Oddometer: 395	Thanks for the input, looks like there will be a library of CD's for several different purposes. Still if anyone has other ideas put them out there.

03-14-2005, 04:41 PM	#8
BMZZZ n00b Joined: Dec 2004 Oddometer: 7	To reset your 276C: Hold down on "Quit" while turning on the power, and answer yes to reset. This willl erase routes and waypoints, however you could previously backup to a computer.