Project Pardalis Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Do I need anything to use a laptop with my legend? Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Just the cable that connects it to your laptop. Your softare will need to be compatible. Preferable with the Garmin setting so you don't have to change between Garmin and NEMA (or whatever the standard is) It get annoying to flop between settings to communicate with your GPS for variouse purposes. Quote Link to comment
+Bluespreacher Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Do I need anything to use a laptop with my legend? Hi, Your Legend should have came with a cable. Mine uses a com port, but some may be USB, I don't know. You'll also need some software. I use Garmin Maps. I also use Delorme's TOPO USA. Both will upload waypoints from and to your GPSr. EZ GPS is a fine piece of software available from the Geocaching.com site. It's really handy to use with Pocket Queries (available to Premium Members). There's more stuff available, I'm sure that others will offer more answers to your question. Have fun, Bluespreacher Quote Link to comment
Project Pardalis Posted October 19, 2004 Author Share Posted October 19, 2004 So I should also get mapsource software, the basic map that is in the gps is not enough? Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Do I need anything to use a laptop with my legend? Oh, yes. And it's cooler than mortal man can bear. But, yes, you'll need Mapsource or Fugawi or some other program that connects the two. And, frankly, every program I've tried isn't quite ready for prime time. I reckon because consumer GPS is only four years old. You didn't really want to make that mortgage payment, did you? Quote Link to comment
Project Pardalis Posted October 19, 2004 Author Share Posted October 19, 2004 What is EZ GPS? is this simliar to Mapsource or the Delorme? Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 What is EZ GPS? is this simliar to Mapsource or the Delorme? No, it's a simple (and free) gpx-to-GPS application. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 So I should also get mapsource software, the basic map that is in the gps is not enough? Mapsource certainly makes mapping more useful. THe base maps only have major roads. Mapsource is much more detailed. Whether you go with Topo, or City Select (or its close cousing MetroGuide) depends on what you will be using it for mostly. If you're largely going to be using your GPS for travel and around cities, get MetroGuide or City Select. If you plan to use your GPS mostly for geocaching in the woods, hiking, hunting and other outdoor pursuits, Mapsource Topo is you best choice. This being said, you don't NEED Mapsource maps, but they sure make your GPS a lot more useful. The only thing you really need is something like EasyGPS. It works nicely and its free. Quote Link to comment
Bobthearch Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 So I should also get mapsource software, the basic map that is in the gps is not enough? Yes...No...Maybe... I'll try to explain. You don't really need any extra software to geocache. You can go to each cache page, enter the coordinates into your GPS manually, and off you go. But manually entering coordinates for ten or more caches, repeatedly, is a pain. And very time-consuming. So the next-simplest method is to download .loc files from Geocaching.com to your computer hard drive and use EasyGPS or other freeware utility to transfer the data to the GPS. Only takes a few seconds, and it's a breeze. Now the more complicated (and more expensive) stuff. If you want to load more detailed maps onto your GPS, it has to be Garmin MapSource products. This allows you to see topo lines when you're in the field without lugging around a seperate computer. If you want to use topo maps on your computer you have several choices. The Garmin MapSource products can be used on your computer. However, the topo lines are rather crude compared to actual USGS topographic quads. So something like Delorme Topo USA is much better for printing maps or using on the laptop. However, Topo USA still isn't the real topo quads, although it's detailed enough for anything I do. If you want exact duplicates of USGS topo quads, there are nice software titles for that including the Delorme, National Geographic, and All Topo Maps state sets. Prices: The Garmin MapSource Topo maps are under $100 for the entire country. The Delorme TopoUSA is also under $100 for the entire US. The detailed quad maps are about $100 per state, regardless of brand. Hope this helps you make the right product choices! Best Wishes, -Bob Quote Link to comment
Bobthearch Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I'd also like to mention that any computer mapping software I've seen can communicate with name-brand GPS units. See an interesting place on your computer screen topo map, mark it as a waypoint, load it to the GPS, and off you go! -Bob Quote Link to comment
Project Pardalis Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 Thanks guys! I'm sure I'll have more questions but until then I appreciate your help! Quote Link to comment
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