Jump to content

Metroguide Canada V4 or City Navigator North America V8


thechubbybunny

Recommended Posts

I've been using MetroGuide Canada 4.0 for a few years, and there are a few advantages to the older software of MGC4. Some of the old roads that are now trails are on the maps. However, that is a disadvantage too when you use Auto-Routing. It tries to take you ways that you cannot drive.

 

A lot of roads are not included in MGC4 if they are new or very rural. My friend has a cottage and even though the road has been there for 20 years, it isn't in MGC4, but a road that was closed over 20 years ago locally is still there including the bridge that was removed 25 years ago.

 

From my little experience, there still isn't a product that covers both requried aspects in one package.

 

:rolleyes: The Blue Quasar

Link to comment

A lot of roads are not included in MGC4 if they are new or very rural. My friend has a cottage and even though the road has been there for 20 years, it isn't in MGC4, but a road that was closed over 20 years ago locally is still there including the bridge that was removed 25 years ago.

 

Rural roads are directly taken from the federal topographic map database. As I'm sure you are aware, in many areas these maps have not been updated for 30 to 40 years.

Link to comment

I know you did not ask..... but.... Topo Canada has all of the same roads as MG Canada 4 plus topographic data but minus the POI database.

 

IMO, for a geocacher, this should be their first map set. There is rarely a need for anything else unless you are really fussy about up to date auto-routing on the road.

Link to comment

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

I was thinking about the advantages that I may have with Topo Canada. It probably would come in handy for hiking, snowboarding and any outdoor activities. I bought my GPS primarily for weekend geocaching and on-road navigation. Topographic mapping would probably be better for geocaching though. I'll review the maps on garmin's website.

 

What type of basemaps does everyone seem to have more success with geocaching; Topo, CN V8 or MGC V4?

Edited by thechubbybunny
Link to comment

I have to agree with Red90, Topo Canada is the best bet when starting out. As for the "basemaps", I am assuming that you are refering to which of the maps do you keep loaded on the unit. Myself, I have portions of Topo Canada and City Navigator V8 and on occasion World map. Depending on the model of GPSr you have, it is possible to "layer" the maps ( I use the term layer quite loosely as they are not transparent and are equivilent to laying several paper maps on top of each other, thereby requiring you to move one map in order to view the other map).

 

But if you really, really need to find the nearest Tim Horton's, CN V8 is the software for you. :blink:

Link to comment

I read somewhere that Topo Canada doesn't require an unlock code, is this true? If so, any body in Calgary have it, I'd like to see it before I buy it for a few of my GPS units.

 

Here are a few places where they "SELL" the product in Canada, it's not that expensive and anybody who can afford to purchase a GPS can afford to purchase the software and support the companies who maintain it.

 

www.gpscity.ca

 

www.gpscentral.ca

Link to comment
I read somewhere that Topo Canada doesn't require an unlock code, is this true? If so, any body in Calgary have it, I'd like to see it before I buy it for a few of my GPS units.

A good way to see it might be to go to an event cache and see if someone attending might have a laptop that has it. Unlock codes typically are computer specific as well. The US version allows you to put it on two computers. After that you have to buy additional unlock codes. You can use any number of GPS units once loaded.

 

Of course, pirating software is illegal, if that is what you are asking.

Link to comment

I read somewhere that Topo Canada doesn't require an unlock code, is this true? If so, any body in Calgary have it, I'd like to see it before I buy it for a few of my GPS units.

 

Stop by GPSCentral, they are in Calgary. They have all the different Mapsource Products loaded up on a machine there, and you can check them out and compare. They are also very helpful there (as long as you don't come when they are sending out orders for the day).

 

My personal mapset of choice is:

 

Metroguide Canada V4 (Isn't is discontinued now or something?)

+Calgary Area Trail Maps (http://www.calgarycachers.ca/trailmaps)

+Some custom topomaps created from geobase.ca website.

Link to comment

Dragonmaster13 if you're considering purchasing TopoCanada you might want to look at the package deal I've seen at Walmart which includes TopoCanada, the original Legend and case for $200. You could then sell the GPS and case and end up out of pocket less than the $140 price of TopoCanada.

Edited by PDOP's
Link to comment

We use City Navigator v8 and it is great. We are in the Vancouver area and have found the auto routing to be very good, except in Burnaby where they tend to put concrete barriers across roads for no good reason. Just punch in the coordinates and follow the road. We have tried to second guess the GPSr a few times and paid the price. It is usually right and we are wrong.

 

jangor

Link to comment

I really am happy with Metroguide Canada V4. It really does a wonderfull job of autorouting, and my wife love the "Find the closest Tim Hortens" feature. I debated between City select and Metroguide for a while, and did a lot of research online, at the Garmin website, and in other websites dedicated to GPS.

 

City Select is a great program if you are sticking to major centers, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa etc. Metroguide has much better coverage in the "less traveled areas".

 

I bought Metroguide (On Ebay from Radioworld Canada, currently has multiple listings for the same product) for about $40. I use it in my GPSMAP60C and love it. It does not require unlock codes.

 

On a recent caching trip through southwestern Ontario it dirrected us "on road" perfectly, getting us to the closest spot to park before switching to "Follow trail" to get us to the cache.

 

The POI data is fantastic, allowing us to find obscure places we have been looking for easily.

 

I highly recommend it for anyone who needs to travel outside of major metropolitan areas, and with the current buy it now price of $40 on ebay, you cant loose.

 

(by the way, I am not affiliated with Radioworld Canada, I just am thrilled to get the software at such a great price and want all my fellow Canadian Geocachers to know where to get it at a fantastic price)

Jamie

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...