Best Mapping Software for Garmin GPS?

[rockon]

I've been looking at some of their stuff online, I've got a Venture Cx, and everything's kinda got mixed reviews...both
MapSource City Navigator North America NT and
MapSource Topo U.S. 2008. I'm not necessarily looking for the be-all-end-all of topo or street software, just something that's a good mix of both (if such a thing exists). Any suggestions?

 

[mckrob]

What are you looking to do with it exactly? are you looking simply for maps that you can import into your GPS or are you looking for a GIS type software that willl allow you to plot maps on your PC with your current GPS position, or to plot where you have been (i.e. Garmin waypoints and track logs) on a map? there is a big difference.

If you are looking for maps to upload to your GPS, you are pretty much limited with the Venture Cx to the MapSource products. As far as cost goes, this is probably your cheapest solution as well.

Another more expensive but more flexible alternative is to interface your PDA with your GPS, and use a product such as ArcPad.

If you are looking for a PC based mapping solution, the best package for the money is GlobalMapper, it handles importation of just about every format of raster and vector image map (USGS, Autocad, ARC, MapInfo, Garmin waypoint/tack logs, etc...). It also alows for real-time GPS data input (your current location plotted on the map). It is a professional programme and may seem a bit pricey, but it is only a fraction of the cost of other professional programmes such as MapInfo or ArcGIS. You can download a free trial at the link above.



Hope this helps.

 

[Bob W]

As Mckrob says, if you want to load the maps onto the GPS, you're limited to the Garmin MapSource products. If you need topo lines, that's the Topo program. It's not actual topo maps though and the topo lines are rather crude, but it does have quite a few geographic labels and place names that aren't found on USGS topo maps. I have an older version and have used it with no problems. I also have the MapSource street address program, but I've never used it.

One great thing about the MapSource software, they have very low system requirements, so can be used on a super-low-end computer. For instance, I have a $50 Windows 95 laptop that I carry around and the MapSource TopoUSA runs on it just fine.

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If you don't care about loading maps onto the GPS itself and are just looking for computer mapping software, I really like the DeLorme TopoUSA. Topo data for the entire country for less than $100, with 3D viewing.
National Geographic has a similar program that looks good too.

If you want actual 7.5 topo maps for the computer, several companies make those for about $100/state. We use the "All Topo Maps" software at work.

Any of these commercial computer programs should interact directly with your GPS.

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If you're more interested in GIS mapping, ArcView/ArcGIS seems to be the industry standard but a package will cost a couple thousand dollars. GlobalMapper (mentioned above) looks like it'll do many of the same things for a lot less. And there are some freeware GIS programs that will interact directly with your GPS: MicroDEM and 3DEM.

Good Luck!
-Bob

edited to add:
Just wanted to mention this little free program, EasyGPS. It's the simplest and cheapest way to send data between a GPS and computer. www.easygps.com