Which Software Is Better?

[+Frank@FloridaJeepers?net]

And...can Garmin and Magellan GPS' use other software? Other than their proprietary brand?

 

By the way...I'm thinking Topo software here...

[+TresOkies]

You are going to need the software that goes with whatever brand of GPS you own.

 

Having said that...

 

I have Garmin MapSource TopoUSA because I own 5 Garmin GPSes. I like MapSource, but it's what I have to use. There are tons of things I would do differently if I were writing it, but I don't have that convenience.

 

I won Magellan Topo (MapSend?) at one of our geocaching get-togethers last fall. I installed it and played with it for a few days just to see how it worked. I didn't see any advantage to it over MapSource. It does similar things, just differently. The maps weren't any better than Garmins, in fact, I thought the Garmin maps were a little better around my neck of the woods. Don't take offense Magellan folks, I have no problems with Magellan--it was just an observation. Neither package had excellent topo maps--they were both in the 1:100000 scale.

 

If you are attempting to base your purchase of a GPSR based on the software on the PC, I'd suggest rethinking your strategy. Get the device that meets your needs, then buy the appropriate software to go with it.

 

-E

[+CO Native]

For downloading topos into your gps you must use the software that matches your gps product. For the best topo map that works with any type of GPS I recommend National Geographics TOPO! software. Very easy to use and very detailed maps. However the topos do not load into the GPS, just the waypoints and tracks.

[+Renegade Knight]

Having seen both the Garmin and Magellan Topo software being used in GPS's side by side they are about the same. Neither seemed to be more up to date and both had flaws.

 

I don't use my GPS maps on my computer at all though so I can't attest to much of anything on that.

[+phantom4099]

I have both mapsend TOPO, and mapsource topo.

 

Mapsource PRO's (Garmin).

 

1. I think it better represents land features since it is scanned right from 1:100,000 maps.

 

CON'S

 

1. Road data is older than mapsend product.

2. Few road names.

3. Does not appear to be a way to search items once in my GPS V (POI's, parks, water ways etc...)

 

 

Mapsend PRO's (Magellan)

 

1. Street maps appear to be a little newer, it also has road names.

2. Can look up all POI's, parks, waterways etc...

3. Elevation profiles on the unit.

4. Find address with the unit / topo maps.

 

Mapsend Con's

 

1. The elevation data does not seem as accurate at times (some times steams run uphill)

2. Maps seem to be have less resolution than 1:100,000 maps.

 

Wyatt W.

[+EtrexRose]

I guess another thing thats good about Magellan's TOPO is that they have the actual street names.

[+embra]

My experience is that I use the proprietary map software only for generating maps to upload to the GPSr. I turn to other map programs (e.g., NG Topo!, DeLorme Topo USA, ExpertGPS, MS Streets&Trips) to do other tasks because they do them so much better.