Macgps Pro

[+planetrobert]

Hi,

 

sorry if this has been asked but I cant find the answer.

 

I am getting close to ordering some mac mapping SW. Actually I ordered r66 from amazon with free shipping but canceled the order before it shipped due to some things I have read lately.

 

I WAS going to order Topo! for my state and the neighboring one but cause of user issues with support I have been leery.

 

I am leaning toward MacGPSPro with the Topo DVDs you can order. I have some questions about this software.

 

#1 does MacGPSPro do live position updating from magellan meridian series gps? AND does this keep you centered on the screen?

 

#2 do you install the MacGPSPro map dvd and it stitches the maps together? OR do you have to select maps individualy?

 

anyway, other than routing this looks like the perfect SW for me, I just need to know a couple things to know if it will work as I hope before i decide to buy.

 

Mostly i want to use it for backroads travel and planning wilderness outings. Also to have it run on long drives just for the fun of getting a track route. Lastly I want to use it for geocaching and benchmark hunting via gpx files which I know will work.

 

would you buy it?

[+Map Only]

I'm pretty happy with National Geographic Topo on my mac.

[+Crystal Sound]

I'm not sure what "user issues with support" you speak of, about NG Topo, so I cannot comment. I had read somewhere (here in the GC forums) several Mac users had success with the NG Series. The software seems to work well, and I have not needed any kind of support for it.

 

I had not heard much about Mac GPS Pro. The lack of a demo also left me feeling uneasy about ordering the software. I dont mean anything bad by that statement - but to choose between a product I've heard nothign about and cant try before I buy, and one that I've heard positive feedback upon, the choice to me was clear.

 

Other than occasional crashes, I'm completely satisfied with NG Topo. I was able to get it to work, with very little difficulty, with a Keyspan USB/Serial converter, and at least 1/2 dozen different GPS units, in both Garmin and NMEA protocols. I've transferred waypoints both in/out of the GPS. Live tracking / moving map works well.

 

I realize I have not answered your actual question. My apologies.

[+viking66]

Hi,

Being new to it ( MacGPS Pro, GPS and geocaching etal ), please dont let me lead you astray. As to your first question; I have no answer, but their tech suppport is responsive so thats where Id go to find out. For your second question, I believe their update of this past week stitches maps together. Also see the following...

 

FROM MacGPS Pro HELP PAGE...

 

Auto-Open Maps

 

MacGPS Pro can find and open USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRG) map files that use the standard USGS file naming system. In order for this feature to work, the “Auto-Open Maps” folder (that comes with the MacGPS Pro program) must be in the same folder as the MacGPS Pro application. Only MacGPS Pro PICT format USGS digital raster graphics maps inside the “Auto-Open Maps” folder will be opened automatically. To convert a file in another map format into a PICT format file, see Import Maps. (Because of limitations imposed by our license from MapTech to read BSB files, BSB charts cannot be converted to PICT format.)

 

Once the maps are in the PICT format, you can store them in the “Auto-Open Maps” folder. Simply move them to this folder in the Finder.

 

If you do not want to store the maps themselves in the “Auto-Open Maps” folder (for example, if you have the maps on a CD or a DVD), you can put “aliases” to the maps (which are like little reference tags) into the “Auto-Open Maps” folder. Here's how:

 

Insert the DVD or CDROM containing the maps into your Mac.

In the Finder, go to the window that shows the maps you want to use. Select those maps.

Hold down the Command key and the option key at the same time.

Drag the icons for the map files into the “Auto-Open Maps” folder.

To automatically open a map, choose one of these methods.

 

If you are not displaying Real-Time data:

From the Edit menu, choose “Find USGS Topo Map Name from Location…”.

An Enter Coordinates or Quad Name window will open.

Choose the desired map scale.

Enter the Quad Name or the coordinates for your desired location.

Click the “Find and Open” button.

 

If you have the GPS hooked up and are displaying Real-Time data:

From the Real-Time menu, choose “Auto-Open Map for current location…”.

A window will open. (It will not ask for coordinates because the GPS receiver is supplying the coordinates.)

Choose the desired map scale.

Click the “OK” button.

As you travel, the old map will close and the correct new map will open automatically as long as the appropriate map is in the “Auto-Open Maps” folder.

Discover the convenience of James Associates' MacTopos USA DVD and the National Parks CDROM series. Both are value-priced and ready to go with MacGPS Pro.

 

END OF COPY

 

Does that help?

-PC

[+viking66]

By the by, my only issues with the MacGPS Pro software as it stands, is a little clunkiness in its usability. Items in its tool bar would be better served as Command-letter or number selectable; as it is, the windows are currently Command-numeric which isnt needed as much ( just Command - tilde for that thanks ). MacGPS Pro is not the app. of choice to log your geocaches either but then, do you need that when you GC.com? Not really. So in short, Im happy with MacGPS Pro. They are, I think small and responsive. Good luck with your decision.-pc

[PaulCh]

I have been a MacGPS Pro user for many years. I also teach GPS to juniorhigh/highschool kids - and have used geocaching and watched their eyes light up!

Last year, I bought a couple of MacTopos which have come in handy. I have used the topo maps both ways: I have installed some of the maps on my hard drive, and I have used them from the DVD. Their new map stitching is quite handy.

 

I don't have a Magellan Meridan, but one of my students does. He has used it live on his powerbook in my car and MacGPS Pro works with it in real time.

 

Paul

[+planetrobert]

Thanks everybody, I will be purchasing this piece of SW since it looks like it does everything I was hoping it would.

 

I may or may not buy mactopos as I already have my state as well as two neighboring states topos in calibrated drg files. Saving space though may prompt me to do so as my files are around twice the size of mactopos.