Hey just wondering if anybody is using topographic maps with a gps and if so how accurate are they. Also wondering if anybody is using a gps to plot and make there own maps and how it works and what kind of GPS they are using I am kinda dense in this area never used one before...

 

Using GPS with topographic maps, like USGS quadrangles, is pretty cool.

You can program your GPS receiver to the Universal Travnsverse Mercator (UTM) mode; your position then appears in grid coordinates, matching the grid lines and tick marks on your map (in contrast to latitutde and longitude).

I don't know how accurate the system is, now that the random errors have been removed for civilian use.

Try it, you'll like it!

Tree Farmer

 

I just got a Garmin 3 plus and the topo cd to download into it.Gonna try it out tomorrow and will let you know how it is.I have been using a Garmin 2 plus previously and loved it.

 

I have a Magellan 315 With the data cable. I also have DeLorme's TOPO USA mapping program. I put the GPS in track mode while riding. I can then upload the track to the topographic map on my PC. then the map can be saved, printed, E-Mailed or whatever. The accuracy is really good, the GPS maker says it is good to about 50 feet and I agree. When going back over the same route a second time the track shows up almost exactly the same. You can also draw a route on the DeLorme program, upload it to the GPS and then follow it. If you want to get to a particular spot you can read the coordinates from the map, put them into the GPS and use the GOTO command to have the GPS keep you going in the right direction. You can also mark the truck before heading out wether hunting, snowmobiling or ATVing to always get back (as long as the battteries don't die). I like the techno toys and play with this a lot. There are other programs advertised that should do the same thing as the DeLorme, so shop around.

 

Three questions
1. What software is available?
2. Where can I get it?
3. How much would I have to pay?
I too like techno gismos and this interests me a whole lot. I have a Magellan 315 and a Lorance Accunav (I think that is what it's called) and if I could find software to serve both units that would be great.

 

If I remember right they will get you within 50 foot of the target. I used one in Wyoming on an Elk hunt and it worked great. Trees and heavy overhang will mess with it but that is no problem as there is always a open spot somewhere around.
Good Luck
BatMan

 

I've got a Compaq Aero 2130 palmtop computer connected to my GPS receiver. In the palmtop, I've got a software program called "OziCE", which displays my topographic maps and where I am on the map, i.e., a "moving map display". The Compaq Aero display is larger than the GPS receiver's, is in color, and one of the most readable PDA's in direct sunlight. You can see screendumps of the OziCE software at the author's website;
http://www.powerup.com.au/~lornew/oziexplorerce.html

Since the topo maps are somewhat large, I added a Compact flash memory card to the Compaq PDA. Right now, you can get the model 2310 for about $300 on ebay. Cables for connecting the GPS receiver to the PDA are a bit much right now ( a jangled mess).
Sure beats hauling out maps!

 

This is one of those “techno-jungle” topics. There are so many hardware and software combinations to choose from the results are almost endless. Whatever you choose, don’t even spend the money unless you’re prepared for a time consuming learning curve. That’s part of the fun of it for me, so don’t get the idea I’m against it.

I have a Lowrance GM100 mounted on my quad when I’m riding. When I’m not riding it’s mounted on the dash of my truck. This unit comes with a CD that includes very detailed maps of the US and lets you download up to 2megs of map info to the GPS (the equivalent of about ¼ of the state of Wisconsin). When you’re outside of your mapped area (or areas, it allows you two separate ones) you still see the main highways but there’s far less detail.

DeLorme’s Topo, MapTech, Fugawi and OziExplorer are all mapping software designed to work with GPS units. Topo and MapTech include the topo maps with their GPS interface. Fugawi and Ozi are the interface only and you provide the maps from a source with a compatible format. I’ve tried the latest Topo from DeLorme and, while the concept is interesting, there were things I didn’t like about it besides not being able to get it to communicate with my GPS. I haven’t tried MapTech’s offering and the version of Fugawi I was using has now been upgraded to a more functional offering that I’ve not tried either. For my needs OziExplorer and its companion product OziMC do most of what I want to do. The author seems to favor Lowrance units to a degree. With these two applications and DRGs (Digital Raster Graphic CDs) purchased from the USGS I can display my track on 7.5 minute, 1:100000 and 1:250000 topo maps and even zoom in and out for detail. OziMC even lets me draw in roads, trails, rivers etc. and download them to the GM100 for display. It’s a tedious process but it works.

You don’t have to get as deeply involved in it as some of us are, but I’ve told two people about the exciting (I find them exciting) things I do with GPS and mapping and they’ve bought them and been disappointed. I guess they just expected to buy it, turn it on, and it does all these wonderful things. Unless you’re prepared to put a little effort into leaning how to use it you may be disappointed too.

 

Absolutely correct! I've forgotten (sort of) the enormous number of hours in frustration, let alone cost, for me to get where I am with my setup. I've also seen fellow riders who've bought GPS receivers, tried them for an hour or so, and given up. There is a learning curve, indeed, and its steepness depends on your innate ability. Guess my love of electronic gadgets, especially involving navigation plus my intolerance in not knowing where I am pushed me to dive into this stuff. Your words of caution, Floodrunner, are very justified!

 

Talk about a simple but excellent gps, I just picked up the new Magellan Blazer 12. It doesn't have mapping capibilities, but it was only $100. I had it mastered in 2 hrs. I still haven't figured my old boats gps out( 2 years ). Tip! pick up the cheap cell phone holders at Wall-mart ($5)I have one in my truck, on my Mag.500, and in my new boat. It makes the gps really mobile.