nemethmik Posted May 6, 2002 Share Posted May 6, 2002 I've bought my first GPS receiver (Garmin eTrex Legend) and I'd like to buy detailed maps for it. Which one do you recommend for geocaching? (1) United States Roads & Recreation (2) United States TOPO Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted May 7, 2002 Share Posted May 7, 2002 I use both on my Vista as companion software tools. Alan Quote Link to comment
+TresOkies Posted May 7, 2002 Share Posted May 7, 2002 I use MetroGuide USA in my eMap, StreetPilot, eTrex Vista, and my PC. To be perfectly honest, MapSource Topo isn't very useful to me as a geocacher (or as a map freak). Most of the time, I'm looking for the correct street to get to the area of the geocache, and then I just follow the trails and the LPA (little pointy arrow). If you are into serious backcountry travel and hiking, MapSource Topo is still of little use because it is 1:100000 scale. I use MapSource Topo on my PC for research but I use paper quads out in the field if I need topo data. -E -- N35°32.981 W98°34.631 Quote Link to comment
+worldtraveler Posted May 7, 2002 Share Posted May 7, 2002 is the source I usually use, even though I have the nationwide unlock code for my CitySelect CD. I think the Metroguide data is more up-to-date than the Roads & Rec data, but you can compare the various software packages using Garmin's Mapsource Map Viewer here. Mapsource allows you to upload your maps without the autorouting data if you can't/don't use that feature, resulting in faster loads and room for more maps. Worldtraveler "Time's fun when you're having flies." - Kermit the frog Quote Link to comment
DARC Posted May 7, 2002 Share Posted May 7, 2002 I'd recomend the Topo and Roads&Rec maps because their smaller memory footprint. You can pack more area into your Garmin Legend. The Metroguide maps are large. While you can load as many as five or six maps, it usually isn't a large enough area to make it worth while. You may find it more useful to just use it from your PC instead. Quote Link to comment
nemethmik Posted May 8, 2002 Author Share Posted May 8, 2002 quote:Originally posted by TresOkies:To be perfectly honest, MapSource Topo isn't very useful to me as a geocacher (or as a map freak). Most of the time, I'm looking for the correct street to get to the area of the geocache, and then I just follow the trails and the LPA (little pointy arrow). Today I found my first cache and observed an interesting phenomenon. Details here Now I understand your point. However, my observation and the comments I got about the faulty maps for handheld GPSRs raised another question: Why to spend hundreds of bucks for maps when they may be useless? Are the mapping GPSRs of no real value, or is this only a problem with Garmin eTrex GPSRs? [This message was edited by nemethmik on May 08, 2002 at 10:00 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted May 9, 2002 Share Posted May 9, 2002 quote:Originally posted by nemethmik:...Why to spend hundreds of bucks for maps when they may be useless? Are the mapping GPSRs of no real value, or is this only a problem with Garmin eTrex GPSRs?... They aren't useless. I use Mapsource Topo and Streets both on my computer and in my Vista as the major basis of routing to caches and other locations. However, if your question was posed , can your get from point A to point B without mapping GPSR's, Of course in the same way that driving with an auto club paper map instead of a routing GPS mounted on your dashboard can also get you from point A to point B. ALan Quote Link to comment
+Kones Posted May 10, 2002 Share Posted May 10, 2002 I have the metroguide and Topo. I use the metroguide most of the time. I debated getting the roads and recreation, but after careful inspection, the metroguide had more detail on the roads, and was more than enough. The topo is nice if you're in heavily wooded areas. ------ Wouldn't you like to be a pepper, too? Quote Link to comment
+RAD Dad Posted May 10, 2002 Share Posted May 10, 2002 I got the Roads & Recreation CD, but to be quite honest, I hardly ever actually use it. The maps are a bit off in areas, out of date in areas, and so forth. I do most of my planning with other mapping software, then once I get close, I use the GPS to get me on to the cache once I'm on foot. ummmm....not sure what to say here....so ummm, well errrr, uhhhh, well I guess that's it. Quote Link to comment
dangps Posted May 10, 2002 Share Posted May 10, 2002 The Topo CD is the ONLY way to go...it's got a lot of the information that the Roads & Recreation CD has but has the detailed Topo info as well. Tiger GPS has a great price. Quote Link to comment
+Hawk-eye Posted May 10, 2002 Share Posted May 10, 2002 Well you know what they say about opinions ... so here's mine ... Metroguide for geocaching mostly (Vista by the way) ... if hiking is involved I'll load topo for the area (just for reference) and switch off the metro when hiking. But for most D&D (Drive & Drop ... my least favorite) caches ... just the Metroguide on the GPS. On my computer for planning ... I use Del. StreetAtlas ... and if hiking is involved ... I use Maptech. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Co-founder of the "NC/VA GEO-HOG ASSOCIATION" ... when you absolutely have to find it first! Quote Link to comment
nemethmik Posted May 11, 2002 Author Share Posted May 11, 2002 What an arsenal of maps! I'm impressed. Until I make my final decision on which Mapsource version to buy, I've bought a relatively cheap mapping software ($30) Microsoft Streets and Trips 2002 with Pocket Streets 2002 for my iPAQ pocket PC. I loaded my area's map into the iPAQ, connected the eTrex Legend to it, and it worked. I know its a cunbersome solution because of the two devices and cabling, but its temporary. All other maps are so terribly expensive compared to Microsoft's. Quote Link to comment
nemethmik Posted May 11, 2002 Author Share Posted May 11, 2002 What an arsenal of maps! I'm impressed. Until I make my final decision on which Mapsource version to buy, I've bought a relatively cheap mapping software ($30) Microsoft Streets and Trips 2002 with Pocket Streets 2002 for my iPAQ pocket PC. I loaded my area's map into the iPAQ, connected the eTrex Legend to it, and it worked. I know its a cunbersome solution because of the two devices and cabling, but its temporary. All other maps are so terribly expensive compared to Microsoft's. Quote Link to comment
+LarsThorwald Posted May 11, 2002 Share Posted May 11, 2002 I use both TOPO and R&R, and find they work well together. If I had to pick one... I'd go with R&R and just carry a topo map, which I do anyway! Charlie "One should never begin a journey by heading in the wrong direction." Quote Link to comment
+BletchleyPark Posted May 11, 2002 Share Posted May 11, 2002 quote:Originally posted by nemethmik:... I loaded my area's map into the iPAQ, connected the eTrex Legend to it, and it worked. I would be interested in the cable you used to connect these two units. Can you give us more information? BP Quote Link to comment
nemethmik Posted May 11, 2002 Author Share Posted May 11, 2002 You should get "RS-232 Serial Cable (Part Number 236251-B21)" for $26 (see www.compaq.com/products/handhelds/pocketpc/options/pc_connectivity.html). For this cable you do not have to use a null-modem and a gender changer, which would anyway be needed if you used "Serial Autosync Cable" (Part Number 191008-B21). Then simply connect the eTrex serial cable with this Compaq cable (they'll fit). The Compaq cable is short, but the eTrex cable is long enough. Make sure the Targus portable keyboard (if you have one) driver be disabled, because it blocks the Compaq's built-in serial port. If you want to use both (keyboard and GPSr) you should buy a compact flash serial i/o card (e.g. www.socketcom.com/product/serial.htm) [This message was edited by nemethmik on May 11, 2002 at 07:04 PM.] Quote Link to comment
ride_bent Posted May 11, 2002 Share Posted May 11, 2002 quote:Originally posted by nemethmik: You should get "RS-232 Serial Cable (Part Number 236251-B21)" for $26 (see http://www.compaq.com/products/handhelds/pocketpc/options/pc_connectivity.html). Then simply connect the eTrex serial cable with this Compaq cable (they'll fit). The Compaq cable is short, but the eTrex cable is long enough. That is so very cool! I will consider that a nice option for my car/truck. The best things in life are not things... Watch for http://www.geoindiana.com coming soon! Quote Link to comment
nemethmik Posted May 11, 2002 Author Share Posted May 11, 2002 quote:Ride Bent: I will consider that a nice option for my car/truck. What mount brackets are you using for the iPAQ and the eTrex in your car/truck? Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
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.