Atkinson Family Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Garmin MapSource Topo US Magellan MapSend Topo US Which is better and why? I am trying to decide. Thanks! Bob Atkinson Quote Link to comment
robertlipe Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 You'll find most people will vote "the software that works with whatever receiver I own" since neither will upload detailed maps to the others units. If you're not interested in uploading detailed maps to the unit, you'll probably find the answer to be "none of the above" since neither of those really tries to compete with "real" quad maps. Quote Link to comment
Atkinson Family Posted June 17, 2003 Author Share Posted June 17, 2003 Thanks robertlipe.... perhaps I should clarify: I curently own a Garmin GPSMAP 76S and the Garmin MapSource Topo software. I am looking at switching to a Magellan color unit, but am wondering how the Magellan topo software compares with the Garmin software. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
peter Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 The two companies use different approaches. The Garmin Topo is a pretty accurate representation of the 1:100,000 USGS maps using DRG (digital raster graphics), so they show all the features of the USGS maps but no additions like newer roads, etc. Garmin also just released much more detailed Topo maps of the western National Park and some other recreational areas that are based on the 1:24000 series maps. Magellan's Topo is based on two data sources. The topo contours come from DEM (digital elevation model) USGS data which stores the elevations of points in a grid and then recreates the contour lines by interpolation. This also lets the software easily add features like showing you the approximate elevation profile of the road ahead (which Garmin doesn't support). Unfortunately many smaller features of the terrain are lost by the DEM digitization process so looking at the Magellan contour lines doesn't give nearly as good an indication of the actual topography as do contours on the Garmin maps. Magellan also uses the TIGER road database in its topo maps so they include a far more up-to-date set of roads (incl. names)compared to the Garmin maps. Quote Link to comment
+Searching_ut Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 A lot depends on what you'll be using the software for. Garmins TOPO is based on actual USGS 1:100,000 scale USGS maps. Magellans is based on a DEM scale of which I don't recall at the moment. Just trying to assign a scale value though, it's probably more in the 1:200,000 scale. If you're actually trying to use it for off road navigation, the scale of the Garmin maps is large enough to be pushing it. Magellans just won't do in my opinion. If you'll be mostly on the roads, and just want an idea of what your surroundings look like, the Magellan TOPO is okay. Some things you'll notice when you switch. Magellans software is much harder to create routes on. Very noticable loss of terrain detail. Somewhat more modern road map detail based on Tiger map data rather than USGS data. More modern, but often has significant positional errors. I have a couple examples comparing the two on my webpage which you can get to via my profile Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 I've noticed that Magellan has some details and Garmin others. They both seem to cover roads and trails ok. I really think it's a wash overall. In your case it's cheaper to stick with what you have. You can expect Garmin to make a Color GPS in the near future just to keep even with magellan. Or if the color is compelling now, go for it. ===================== Wherever you go there you are. Quote Link to comment
jfitzpat Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 I think that Peter has it nailed. Magellan is less accurate topographically, Garmin is less accurate in terms of man made features. Both are nice for orientation, but NOT a substitute for real quads. -jjf Quote Link to comment
mtnsteve Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 One running rant my partner has with his Mapsource topo program, is some of the areas are so darkened he cant read them, especially areas near National Parks. My MapSend program doesn't do that, but some areas are off quite a bit in terms of the topo lines showing whats really there....but then I have found that to be true with some USGS maps too. No program is perfect...I haven't found the inaccuracy's in Mapsend to be a limitation in the field....but more accuracy would be nice, in both programs. ____________________________________________________________ Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. Quote Link to comment
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