Basemaps - objective comparisons?

[+user13371]

Without purchasing extra software for detailed maps, which GPS comes with the best basemaps right out of the box?

 

I know this question could potentially launch a partisan Garmin-vs-Magellan battle, but I'm not looking for a "mine is better than yours" topic. I'm more interested in objective comparisons like how up to date the basemaps are, how many miles of road are included, how far "down" into smaller roads do the basemaps get (Interstates only? 4_lane highways? State roads?), etc.

 

Comments, anyone?

[+stu_and_sarah]

I just bought a Garmin eTrex Legend and am very impressed with the basemap. (Note, I'm on a European basemap, so yours might be different), but it has a surprising number of rather small settlements (down to around 5000 population?) and although local roads aren't shown, most through routes for most towns are there. We successfully navigated a 60 mile round trip taking in 3 caches using only the basemap.

 

It also includes stuff like navigation lights for marine use and so on. The major motorways (don't know what you call them) have all rest stops and exits marked.

 

I can't comment on other manufacturers, but as I say, I was very impressed.

 

Stu

[+Renegade Knight]

The base map on my GPS I thought was worthless. It only showed main roads. Roads that would qualify as highways. Nothing more. This was on my GPS V. However since the V comes with detailed city maps this was quickly remedied.

 

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Wherever you go there you are.

[Team Sidewinder]

The basemape on my Garmin 76S aren't all that bad. I never had a mapping gpsr before so I was pretty impressed with just the basemaps for awhile. I am suprised they even supply a basemap so they could charge money for even that if they could. But after the purchase of Mapsource TOPO I saw how much I was missing with just the basemaps and for my part of the country TOPO suits me better.

Team Sidewinder

 

LOST AND FOUND DEPT.

[+Sissy-n-CR]

SporTrak Map basemap is pretty lacking--only the federal highways and major state roads.

 

I got Mapsend topo, but most of the time the position is offset quite a bit, but still much better than the basemap in telling about where you are. However, the roads on the basemap seemed to be more accurate--what roads there were.

 

CR

 

[robertlipe]

quote:

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Originally posted by Sissy-n-CR:

SporTrak Map basemap is pretty lacking--only the federal highways and major state roads.

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Yep. If you want a good basemap in the ST form factor, the SporTrak Map Pro is the one to have. It's a 9MB map instead of a 2Megger and a larger detail map, too.

 

I have some experience with the base and detail maps on most models of receivers from both. I don't see a clear "winner". All will show you roads that aren't there yet and will fail to show you roads that are there. I've been on hunts with guys with most models of Garmins. I'd have this subdivision in mine exclusively and they'd have the next one in theirs exclusively.

 

This is why when driving I still tend to look out the front window once in a while instead of staring only at the tiny screen.

 

In any given area, one may be more accurate or more complete than the other.

[mix_]

About Meridian Yellow/Greem basemap: I have European Basemap (ca2M), and. i think, it's not so bad (better than none ), BUT i live outside this Map's coverage (in Latvia), and can tell you - the caoastline is wrong up to 20 km (my friend has a Garmin, and his basemap is'nt better - the same thing), so, if you live outside the detalised area, you must purchase WorldWideBasemap - it's much better, but... i think, this product has too low Details for his price (only the Major Roads&rivers, not all Cities - you can find a settlement (ca 5000 settl.) in one area, but in nearby area a 10 000 settlement isn't displayed, wrong Hydronymes isn't rare and so on ). Positive is, that WWB has topo data implemented, and, of course, all World (except Antarctis) is ready for use.

But, if you wanna use your GPS in EU or NA,you can ignore my praxis_based_scepticism against all kind (Garmin or Magellan, equal) Basemaps

[+Olar]

I recently purchased Mapsource Extended basemap for Canada as I will be travelling this summer to an area that Garmin has yet to acknowledge exists on their City Select maps. There is lots of detail and enough roads showing on Ext'd BM to get me around but accuracy is really bad. Its almost as though they are based on a different datum entirely. I'll be off roads by 50 to 100 meters at times.

I guess City Select has spoiled me somewhat.

 

Cache on, Olar

 

"You are only young once but you can stay immature forever"