Mapping Software

[The Cachesnatchers]

My brother and I are trying to pattern some deer in our area. What we want to do is mark signs with a GPS unit and upload the waypoints to a topographic map of the area. We would like to be able to see each waypoint on the map. Can someone recommend a good product to do this.

[peter]

USAPhotoMaps from http://jdmcox.com would get you started if you're in the US and is a free download (with optional donation). Here's a tracklog of a hike shown in red on the USGS topo map of the area but waypoints & routes can be displayed as well:

Edited December 20, 2005 by peter

[+NWMOhunter]

What you need is a new GPS. I don't know what unit you are using, but I started using the Lowrance iFinder Hunt and it is awesome! Here is a shot of a map screen from the MapCreate software.

 

The dark green topped trees are scrapes and the light green topped trees are rubs. These are all icons that come installed on the unit. You can save just icons and not waypoints if you want. All of the icons are hunting related and are geared for deer, turkey, duck and upland hunting.

 

I'd sure keep this in mind if you're looking for a new unit. Well worth the money!!!!!

[+The Jester]

National Geographic's TOPO! would do exactly what you want. You can download waypoints and tracks to the map. Either the state series (each package has full coverage of one state at the 7.5 minute quads) or Backroads Explorer (covers the entire USA, but not as detailed maps, but will 'merge' with the state series) would work for you.

[+Greymane]

I use Memory-Map and love it. Here are some screen shots. I apologize for the poor quality of the pics as they were compressed to be load quicker. The first is a shot of deer tracks I followed and scrapings and bedding areas I marked on an aerial photo.

 

 

The second is a topo map with public hunting areas marked.

 

 

And the third is a 3d view of the topo map.

 

 

You can get the software and maps for a whole state for less than $75 right now. (You would need to upgrade to be able to use the aerial photos.) It comes with the PC software and Pocket PC software in one package (so I can put my maps on my Dell Axim).

 

The program works with Pocket PCs or many GPS units (Garmin / Magellan / Lowrance). You can upload and download data easily. You can print the maps, too.

[The Cachesnatchers]

Thank you for all the input. Can someone tell me if these programs are able add pictures to the waypoints.

[+Greymane]

I know in Memory-Map, you can attach any file to a waypoint / mark. Then, if you double-click on the point, the file opens. This can be video, an image, audio, a program, a website, etc.

[+overtaxed1]

Thank you for all the input. Can someone tell me if these programs are able add pictures to the waypoints.

National Geographic TOPO! has a function for adding pics to waypoints although I've never used that option yet.