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  • GPS Software

    Santa is going to bring me a new GPS this Christmas....A Garmin 60csx.  It appears to be consistently rated the best GPS for keeping a signal in heavy tree cover and/or ravines, which are important to me.

    I'm a little confused as to which software I should be  using with this GPS.  Since I know some of you use the Garmin, can anyone give me advice on the best software to use with it?  From what I've heard/read if I want to upload maps to it, I have to use the Garmin software.  Others, like National Geographic TOPO will only allow you to load tracks and waypoints into it (so you can create a map with the trail on it).

    Any suggestions, references or experiences will be very helpful.

    Thanks

    Rob
    GPS Software
  • Re: GPS Software (#)
  • 12/9/07; 9:39:24 PM ¦ by Karl Helser
  • Excellent choice Rob. I've been using the 60CSX for about a year now. You've heard & read right. You'll need to purchase Garmin's "Map Source" United States TOPO if you want TOPO maps in your GPS. Trust me, you will...It runs about $100 The software works on your PC as well as your GPS. There are several TOPO map programs out there, like National Geographic TOPO!, It'll run you about $100 per state, Map Tech TOPO, & DeLorme TOPO. I've used all three programs and by far, prefer the NG TOPO!. It's very user friendly especially when it comes to making custom maps. I've been using NG TOPO! for about 8 years.

    Let me know if you have any questions. I think you can email me direct by clicking on my name...
    • Re: GPS Software (#)
    • 12/10/07; 9:21:36 PM ¦ by Rob Williams 
    • I thought I'd post the message here just in case anyone else is interested....I purchased the Garmin MapSource DVD, and I already have all of the USGS quads which I purchased from a seller on eBay a couple years ago.  I make maps of the hikes I do using those quads, and the free software which came with it.  (a crippled copy of Global Mapper)

      What other reason would I have for purchasing the NG TOPO software?  I know, or at least I think I know that I can upload tracks into Global Mapper, and I can use it to print maps.  Maybe it would be more user friendly than Global Mapper?  I know I'm going to be spending some time learning this new software and GPS, but I'm pretty jazzed about it.  I've seen some of the cool maps/pictures people have created by uploading tracks into software or even into google earth and seeing a real picture of where you hiked.

      Thanks much for the info.

      Rob