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Topo Maps For Mac Users

Kaakela

By Kaakela
in GPS technology and devices

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Gebo

Gebo

Posted
Posted

I currently have a Garmin emap and I am a Mac user. What is the best kind of map software out there for this combination.

 

I'm with you. It sure seems there are a lot more MAC users out here than companies realize. I just ordered National Geographics TOPO!. It is MAC compatible.

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Parsa

Parsa

Posted
Posted

MacGPS Pro and GPSy are Macintosh applications that read scanned maps (any kind of scanned map, but particularly topographic and nautical maps). This type of map is called a DRG (digital raster graphic), or RNC (raster navigational chart). Many of these maps from GIS sources are precalibrated so they automatically give coorect coordinates for a certain point on the map. However, these programs also let you self calibrate any map as long as you know a few coordinate points. That way you could theoretically track your route on a geological map or any map that is properly to scale.

 

The format for nautical maps (RNC) is somewhat different than for topo maps (DRG). MacGPS Pro reads either, but you need the more advanced GPSy Pro to read nautical charts with GPSy.

 

A lot of places sell USGS DRG maps and NOAA RNC nautical charts in the USA. However, these maps are free government products in digital form. Many states have put the maps on their GIS web sites for download. (If you live in California, note that you have to use the Albers projection rather than the standard CONUS setting in the software.)

Here's a site with many DRG links:

http://www.doylesdartden.com/gis/

 

It has useful info also.

 

For nautical charts for use with MacGPS Pro, GPSy Pro, and GPSNavX/MacENC, you can look here:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm

 

Parsa

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Kaakela

Kaakela

Posted
  • Author
Posted

MacGPS Pro and GPSy are Macintosh applications that read scanned maps (any kind of scanned map, but particularly topographic and nautical maps). This type of map is called a DRG (digital raster graphic), or RNC (raster navigational chart). Many of these maps from GIS sources are precalibrated so they automatically give coorect coordinates for a certain point on the map. However, these programs also let you self calibrate any map as long as you know a few coordinate points. That way you could theoretically track your route on a geological map or any map that is properly to scale.

 

The format for nautical maps (RNC) is somewhat different than for topo maps (DRG). MacGPS Pro reads either, but you need the more advanced GPSy Pro to read nautical charts with GPSy.

 

A lot of places sell USGS DRG maps and NOAA RNC nautical charts in the USA. However, these maps are free government products in digital form. Many states have put the maps on their GIS web sites for download. (If you live in California, note that you have to use the Albers projection rather than the standard CONUS setting in the software.)

Here's a site with many DRG links:

http://www.doylesdartden.com/gis/

 

It has useful info also.

 

For nautical charts for use with MacGPS Pro, GPSy Pro, and GPSNavX/MacENC, you can look here:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm

 

Parsa

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Parsa

Parsa

Posted
Posted (edited)

Did you have trouble with quote/reply Kaakela.

 

I've used both Natl Geographic Topo and GPSy. Topo no longer works for me since none of the software programs (with the exception of GpsBabel) seems to talk to my USB Magellan. Same for GPSy. I would have to use my old serial Garmin 12XL if I wanted to use any of the mapping programs. It seems to be a software fault and not the fault of the Mac or GPS unit.

Hopefully RouteBuddy can work this out and also offer topo maps at a reasonable price. If I want to take a cross country trip with NG Topo, I would have to pay about 100 dollars for every state on the trip. I drove all of Route 66 (the old US highway that is) in 2002. I used GPSy and 1:100000 maps for the trip. Since the maps were basically free, the cost was low. I've also used it for off-roading, but unfortunately it was annoying having to change maps while driving. For safety I would have to stop to make the change. That's the advantage of a continuous map program like Topo. For one single state, programs like this are not a bad choice.

 

If anyone knows of other programs please add them to this list.

Edited by Parsa
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Cache Doll

Cache Doll

Posted
Posted

Hi: I'm a neocacher, got all excited, bought the "Dummies" series of books for geocaching and GPS. I am a Mac user, and I see that software is an issue. Can I still use a GPS despite not being able to use the software? I am in investigating various GPS and I see that Garmin hopes to come out with Mac compatible software some time in 2007. Any advice? :)

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wizardgold

wizardgold

Posted
Posted

Another Mac user here....

 

I could suggest that if you have an intel based mac that using the excellent Paralells software may work out for you. I have 2 prgrams that are only available for Windows that I use inside of Paralells and they are working well.

 

Still a newbie at the Geo Caching though.

Thinking of getting the Etrex Venture some time soon though. Maybe Santa will be nice to me. :laughing:

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RouteBuddy

+RouteBuddy

Posted
Posted

Topo maps on your Mac? RouteBuddy http://www.routebuddy.com/index.html have now started releasing these... and the other nice thing is... they will work on your iPhone too using RouteBuddy's free application available on the iTunes store called Atlas. Check them out, they are looking very good. There's a map of Yosemite Valley on the RouteBuddy Application free demo which is downloadable from the website, and also within the free Atlas download available from the iTunes store http://www.routebuddy.com/atlas/index.html

 

RouteBuddy

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PA Oil Man

PA Oil Man

Posted
Posted

I'm a little confused about MacGPSPro... when going to this site http://www.macgpspro.com/?id=143 - what do you get for the $59? Do you get the whole United States topo maps, or do you just get the program with no maps, and then have to buy each state separately?

 

I know this is 3 years after some of these posts were made, so is this still the best Mac Topo choice out there? I have a Garmin GPSMap 60Cx.

 

Thanks.

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user13371

+user13371

Posted
Posted
3 years after some of these posts were made, so is this still the best Mac Topo choice out there? I have a Garmin GPSMap 60Cx.
The biggest change in the past three years is that Garmin now has Mac-native version of their software. So... any map product you can get for a Garmin GPS, you can use on the Mac with either RoadTrip or Basecamp.

 

http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/

 

Kinda takes the spotlight off of products like RouteBuddy, MacGPSPro, etc... unless those products offer a specific/special feature you need.

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JDiablo

JDiablo

Posted
Posted

Most of the topo maps at gpsfiledepot also have a version for the Mac.

 

Couldn't get the ones I downloaded from them to download to the GPS or to open in BaseCamp.

According to Garmin's site, the maps need to have DEM embedded in them to be used with Basecamp, that's why custom maps or even City Navigator doesn't work with Basecamp. Try Garmin's RoadTrip on your Mac and it should work fine with the gpsfiledepot maps.
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