[zipster223]

I just bought a Garmin Foretrex 101 and would like to use it to make basic maps from trails I ride. Bascially ride, plug into my pc, and get a map or topo readout of where I was.

Has anyone use the Foretrex for this and what software should I use?

 

[Redwoods Mtn Biker]

I just bought a Garmin Foretrex 101 and would like to use it to make basic maps from trails I ride. Bascially ride, plug into my pc, and get a map or topo readout of where I was.

Has anyone use the Foretrex for this and what software should I use?

I'd suggest TopoFusion or USAPhotoMaps.

Rich Owings
www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com
www.GPStracklog.com

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

 

[hardtail05]

I just bought a Garmin Foretrex 101 and would like to use it to make basic maps from trails I ride. Bascially ride, plug into my pc, and get a map or topo readout of where I was.

Has anyone use the Foretrex for this and what software should I use?

You could get Garmin's Mapsource Topo software instead if you want seemless compatability. They updated the software over the web so it now allows track overlays with Google Earth. I'm not sure how it compares with other programs, as this is all that I have used. Google Earth (3-D terrain model combined with image) is really cool, though I don't have it on my home PC so I can't view my tracks on it.

If you find the thread "GPS techno nerds", you can see an example of the maps & profiles you can create with Mapsource.

 

[Schmoe]

Get an account and download the agent software at www.motionbased.com, then download Google earth. Motion Based will let you download and track activities from your Garmin, and will export the tracks to Google earth. The two will work together to do exactly what you're looking for. They work better together than the software that I purchased for this purpose, and for right now they're both free (I have a feeling that will change, especially since Garmin just bought Motion Based).

Screenshot below:

 

[Redwoods Mtn Biker]

Truth be told, there are a lot of options. In my book, I break software down into the following categories:

• CD-based maps - (or DVD) programs like National Geographic TOPO
• Internet-based maps - TopoFusion, USAPhotoMaps, etc.
• Programs for using downloaded maps (for lack of a better term) - OziExplorer
• GPS maps - maps that can go on the screen of your GPS, if you have a mapping unit.

MapSource falls into the latter category. I wouldn't recommend it because you can't load maps onto the Foretrex. You'd be better off spending your money on something with higher quality maps for your PC.

HTH

Rich Owings
www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com
www.GPStracklog.com

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

 

[Harold]

Too true. Stay away from Mapsource unless you have a nicer etrex (not the yellow one), a Rino (not the 110), 60 series, or 76 series. The map quality really isn't that great, and I ONLY use it for putting topo basemap info onto my gps. There's a railroad that mapsource shows extending halfway across Lake Michigan.

I am not a particular fan of most of the internet based maps (terraserver et al) because they're pretty low-resolution. You can find MUCH higher resolution topos on the web (still for free) that you can use with different software (some free, most not) that show you better detail and allow you to print off your map. For affordability and most general use, I like the National Geographic maps. There are better setups, but they're WAY expensive. Right now, I have the BackRoads Explorer, which only has 1:100k maps, but it covers the whole country. When I finally settle down somewhere for more than a year, I'll probably add the 1:24k maps so I have more detail (which I do wish I had).

Truth be told, there are a lot of options. In my book, I break software down into the following categories:

• CD-based maps - (or DVD) programs like National Geographic TOPO
• Internet-based maps - TopoFusion, USAPhotoMaps, etc.
• Programs for using downloaded maps (for lack of a better term) - OziExplorer
• GPS maps - maps that can go on the screen of your GPS, if you have a mapping unit.

MapSource falls into the latter category. I wouldn't recommend it because you can't load maps onto the Foretrex. You'd be better off spending your money on something with higher quality maps for your PC.

HTH

Rich Owings
www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com
www.GPStracklog.com

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

 

[Haroow]

ahem...

We, SCGMBA decided not to purchase the software for our Garmin 60CS --the Mapsource CD, we also thought about the NG TOPO! series...

We instead decided to run with Topofusion..
1. It is easy to use
2. it is upgradaded or update on regular basis
3. designed by mtn bikers...and used and tested.. by biker and others.
4. it's price....

It gives a wide variety of information and they look to the consumer for ideas to make it better. Hence they have a support page forum...

You can check out our web page by clicking my signature and see some of the maps we have prodcued for our June race.... Though I will post a pic .. here.

It took awhile to manipulate into agreeable size for MTBR..But visiting our site will give some indications of what can be done. I have found that my altimeter Cateye and the Garmin are 20ft~ apart. Though I can go to known altitude or if I know the alltitude and reacalibarate and it will give me accurate readings for the Garmin.. By triangulating my position with GPS multiple sats...and the Altimeter....I have found little to no problem...in my accurac.

I think the topos, aerial, and combo maps are awesome...they are a great help and so is the is 3d function...very cool...maps though not downloadable to my Garmin yet..( I'm sure I can just havent figured out how to do it.) give it a look and try... You'll be pleasantly surprised...

 

[Harold]

The kind of map resolution available with the online maps just doesn't cut it for most of my uses. Being in the east, and having either small parcels of land with lots of trail or trails built on areas with fairly gradual slopes or both makes those maps pretty much useless. By the time you zoom down to the area that contains your trail (almost always less than 1sq mi), the image is so pixelated you can't make heads or tails of it. The 100k NG maps are barely useful for most locations, even though they can be printed at a good quality, the detail can be lacking for some areas.

The background on the following page uses a high res 24k scale map that was NOT blown up. In fact, the image had to be reduced. If you click on the map thumbnails further down, you will get actual size 100k NG maps, which are still better than anything I've seen on google maps and terraserver. Those images can be made larger if I want.

http://mysite.verizon.net/nmhawkins/

The only downside to the GPS units is that they will only accept vector data in Garmin's specific format as an upload. You cannot upload raster data (DRG/DOQQ/DEM images) to the GPS units. ONE high-res topo quad runs about 24 megs, so you can see the issue. One day, when you can get a GPS unit the size of an ipod with 10 gigs of storage, you might be able to use raster basemaps...but it won't be cheap.

 

[Redwoods Mtn Biker]

The kind of map resolution available with the online maps just doesn't cut it for most of my uses.

There is no ideal mapping software. TopoFusion is great for quick access to online aerial photos. NG TOPO or another CD-based program is good for printed maps. Want to download DRGs, DOQQs or utilize GIS files? Go with Ozi. Need a map on your GPS screen fast? Go with the manufacturer's product. My point is that the best answer is often a combination of products. Fortunately, some applications are free or low cost.

Rich Owings
www.MakeYourOwnMaps.com
www.GPStracklog.com

"We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as others do their holy books." - Edward Abbey

 

[Haroow]

Hawk i am impressed with the quality of the map...But it was cost prohibitive to purchase the GPS we wanted and needed for features and then purchase the NG software...However we can work with our FS here and they will download from the GPS our courses and the new trails (actualy well used cow trails), so we can work togehter to create mor loops or follow up on our plan to create more trails.. We may purchase NG in the future but with a limited funds we struggle.