Ok, time for me to get either the topo or the US Roads and rec.For my Garmin GPS III+ I looked at both over the net and the US roads seems to have more detail on old logging roads than the topo.. what should i pick up? I want the best detail for trails and small roads

 

I recommend the topo. It has a lot more detail on trails. You may want to be sure your GPS has sufficient memory to take the downloaded maps. Also, there's apparently a new version which supports up and downloading of waypoints defined either on your GPS or your computer. This is handy if you edit the maps with forestry trail designations or your personal waypoints. good navidad

 

I am not sure how many MB's mine holds, I think only 1.5 because I only paid $369.00 I here there is another that holds 8MB's. With the Topo Does it ever get confuseing to tell whats a road and what is a elevation line? There isnt any color on the GPS, I am just affraid to be out in the middle of nowhere and not know if the line is road 2420 or am I at 2420 feet? I see lots of elevations but no forest service road numbers with the topo. The U.S. roads map has all of the logging roads named and numbered but alot of "dead" nothing area between..so as long as the topo has all the tiny roads and they are clear to read I will pick it up isnt it $150.00? Thanks for all the info, Joe

 

Well fellows I am very schooled on many things of the world but have no idea and have never used a GPS before if I was to buy one can maps be aquired for them for any area in the USA readily available, I do understand that they do give you coordinates of whatever location you are on earth but I really don't how the mapping would work and how it would be easily available. I have thought about buying one for using with accidents when I have to investigate them, it would have to be a lot easier than having to measure under pressure when you go to an accident...could someone please explain this a little more than the posts already have or refer me to a website that goes into details...thanks

 

I'm confused. What do you mean the eTrex doesn't support live mapping?

 

I am not good at explaing GPS, so hopefully someone else can answer your detailed questions. But here is the link to the Garmin map page..just select a map you want and download it into your Garmen GPS, I would suggest either the street pilot of the GPSIII+ here is the link: http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/
As for your mesuring, GPS is only accurate to withen 20-60 feet so it is not exact (but alot better than what it was.
Joe

 

Joe, elevation contour lines should appear as different shades or lines on your display. They're subtly different and it just takes a little getting used to. However, once you're familiar, the ability to "see" trails in the terrain is pretty handy. I don't think any of the topo software have forestry trail numbers, but you can mark them on your GPS as waypoints. For long trails, I define the waypoint with the forestry number and add an "e" or "w" or "c" for the east, west, or center of the trail. I recall paying about $150 for the Mapsource topo CD. See the website reference below. I think they discuss how many sections/quadrangles you can download into your 1.5MB. I was able to load most of southern California into 8 MB, so you're probably OK if you just want local riding areas. If not, your Garmin probably has a plug-in memory chip like mine; easy to upgrade.

ATVING, the best independent/informative site I've found is Joe.Mehaffey.com.

Ryant, you're E-trex is probably the best value/heavy duty GPS on the market displaying coordinates, bread crumb trail, etc. Other units display an actual map(s) in addition to your features. The web site above shows examples

I spent the weekend exploring mountainous areas with my GPS and the enhanced accuracy is really great especially in canyons where a few hundred' of error can show you in the wrong canyon.

 

The government just stopped "dirtying" the GPS signal a couple of days ago, now the accuracy is greatly improved. The old signal was accurate to about 100 meters (according the government) and now is down to about 20-30 meters. Now maybe the software maps will be more accurate.
Later,

 

I am with Ryant what is live mapping and do you need it for your gps that you will using with your gps in the woods so far I have my decision down to the garmin III+ or the 12 etrex. I need something I can download the topo maps into or where I can make my own maps....

 

I love my III+ but the dispaly is kinda small, and it only holds 1.4mb or 3 topo maps at a time.. it holds 5 of the us roads though I spend $369 on my III+