This Map Software Stinks!

[+MDAgent]

I've searched the board to find the answer to this question:

What is the best map software for my PC and my eXplorist 500?

 

I found only a recommendation for Microsoft MapPoint. Well, I bought Microsoft Streets & Trips, because I forgot the name MapPoint, when I was in the store.

 

MS Streets & Trips stinks, when it comes to GPS – anything really, when I think about it.

 

It lets you set push-pins, but it doesn’t show any information about the push-pin you set, not coordinates or anything. You can move your cursor over the push-pin to read the coordinates, but there is no way to record those coordinates in the program.

 

You cannot search coordinates. it doesn’t help me at all.

 

Is MapPoint different? Can you search and mark coordinate with it?

 

This is the third map software I have purchased. Each of them has some fatal problem that makes them near useless.

 

Tired of the trial and error, my question is this:

What is the best map software for my PC and my eXplorist 500?

[+Renegade Knight]

For your PC Topo be it Delorme or National Geographic or Maptech etc. Anything based on USGS quad maps.

 

As for your GPS, whatever Magellan Makes. Mapsend I think. Topo is fairly good. Not as detailed as the above maps but if you want it on your GPS it's the only gae in town.

 

Alternates for your computer are USA Photomaps and ExpertGPS.

[+MDAgent]

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help me. Can I transfere coordinates that I mark on these maps to my GPSr?

[+JohnnyVegas]

I've searched the board to find the answer to this question:

What is the best map software for my PC and my eXplorist 500?

 

I found only a recommendation for Microsoft MapPoint. Well, I bought Microsoft Streets & Trips, because I forgot the name MapPoint, when I was in the store.

 

MS Streets & Trips stinks, when it comes to GPS – anything really, when I think about it.

 

It lets you set push-pins, but it doesn’t show any information about the push-pin you set, not coordinates or anything. You can move your cursor over the push-pin to read the coordinates, but there is no way to record those coordinates in the program.

 

You cannot search coordinates. it doesn’t help me at all.

 

Is MapPoint different? Can you search and mark coordinate with it?

 

This is the third map software I have purchased. Each of them has some fatal problem that makes them near useless.

 

Tired of the trial and error, my question is this:

What is the best map software for my PC and my eXplorist 500?

Just because the software does not do what you want it do, does not make it a bad software. When used with GSAK Micro Soft streets and trips can be very usefull for keeping a map of cache locations handy when you are doing a series of cache in a particular area.

 

If you want to load maps into your explorist the only two options you have are Magellan Mapsend topo 3D or Map Send direct route.

[+evergreenhiker!]

National geographic topo...excellent UI and good map details. Delorme is good too, but I definitely prefer NGTS.

[+Shaggy of Mysteries Inc]

MS Streets & Trips stinks, when it comes to GPS – anything really, when I think about it.

 

It lets you set push-pins, but it doesn’t show any information about the push-pin you set, not coordinates or anything. You can move your cursor over the push-pin to read the coordinates, but there is no way to record those coordinates in the program.

 

You cannot search coordinates. it doesn’t help me at all.

 

 

 

 

I am not sure where you are going wrong,but I had no trouble doing the things you described. Use your help button in MS S&T's. I do.

 

~Shaggy~

[+MDAgent]

MS Streets & Trips stinks, when it comes to GPS – anything really, when I think about it.

 

It lets you set push-pins, but it doesn’t show any information about the push-pin you set, not coordinates or anything. You can move your cursor over the push-pin to read the coordinates, but there is no way to record those coordinates in the program.

 

You cannot search coordinates. it doesn’t help me at all.

 

 

 

 

I am not sure where you are going wrong,but I had no trouble doing the things you described. Use your help button in MS S&T's. I do.

 

~Shaggy~

Thanks for the tutorial. I guess the problem I had was that it would not do decimal minutes, which is the format that all my coordinates are in.

[+JohnnyVegas]

You can change your GPS to use decimal minutes.

[+Buddaman]

Quick question?

Is there a way to add like 10 cords at a time. instead of adding them one at a time?

[+Indotguy]

Quick question?

Is there a way to add like 10 cords at a time. instead of adding them one at a time?

If I understand your question correctly, yes there is. With a program like GSAK you can add as many coordinates to MSST as you want with a few clicks of the mouse.

[+Buddaman]

Quick question?

Is there a way to add like 10 cords at a time. instead of adding them one at a time?

If I understand your question correctly, yes there is. With a program like GSAK you can add as many coordinates to MSST as you want with a few clicks of the mouse.

Yes I know about GSAK . I was just wondering if there was a way to do it with out a outside program.

[+sbell111]

It depends.

 

I have a spreadsheet in excel of all my finds. I can quickly import these into S&T or MapPoint.

Edited May 3, 2005 by sbell111

[+reveritt]

I use DeLorme 3D Topo Quads, and am very pleased with it.

[+StarBrand]

Streets and Trips is great with PQ's and GSAK. Cheap too. S&T is about $22 vs Mappoint at $200+

[+PDOP's]

Here are some links explaining how Streets&Trips can be used with Pocket Queries

 

Importing waypoints to Microsoft Streets & Trips

 

Automating Custom MSST Pushpins

[+Shaggy of Mysteries Inc]

Thanks for the tutorial. I guess the problem I had was that it would not do decimal minutes, which is the format that all my coordinates are in.

As others have mentioned you can use GSAK or similar programs to achieve your goals.

 

Maybe you would prefer to use these sites for your conversion needs.

 

conversion

 

Jeep.com

 

Or you could use this one for mass conversions.

 

Chris and Maria's Gsak's is simpler for me I hope some of this helps you. If you would like to e-mail me with any new questions.

 

~Shaggy~

[+Xangxa]

Here are some links explaining how Streets&Trips can be used with Pocket Queries

 

Importing waypoints to Microsoft Streets & Trips

 

Automating Custom MSST Pushpins

 

Below is a screen shot of the information that can be stored in MSST pushpins. I've used MSST for geocaching in the following ways:

1. Pushpins (obviously)
   
2. Quick jump to the cache page (Ctrl-click the pushpin and the cache page opens in your internet browser)
   
3. ROUTE feature to plan a cache run and I take the turn-by-turn directions and printed map with me (read by my son as I drive) or downloaded to my PocketPC (as Repligo [like a PDF]) for solo runs.
   
4. RADIUS drawing tool to plan GSAK filters and organize Pocket Queries.
   
5. MEASURE DISTANCE tool to check the distance between existing caches and possible cache hiding spot for 176 yard separation.
   
6. MEASURE DISTANCE tool to provide information to a reviewer for a multi/offset cache of the cache's true location.
   
7. LOCATION SENSOR to place a puzzle cache's location in the middle of a river (without having to swim out to that spot with a GPS)
   
8. LOCATION SENSOR along with FREEFORM drawing tool to create Polygon and Arc filters in GSAK so I can Cache-Along-A-Route.
   
9. Export to PocketStreets with Bluetooth GPS to navigate unfamiliar streets to a location near the cache.
   

[+MDAgent]

Thank you for all of the tutorials and input.

 

I've played around with Streets & Trips quite a bit more now, following the suggestions and I've changed my mind about its value.

 

I particularly like the web links and encyclopedia information attached to many locations that can be accessed by right clicking on things.

 

I’m still frustrated with the fact that it won’t read Decimal Minutes. The Excel import function doesn’t do me any good with all my coordinates recorded that way.

 

But using it as you all have illustrated, it is pretty cool.

[+Xangxa]

Thank you for all of the tutorials and input.

 

I've played around with Streets & Trips quite a bit more now, following the suggestions and I've changed my mind about its value.

 

I particularly like the web links and encyclopedia information attached to many locations that can be accessed by right clicking on things.

 

I’m still frustrated with the fact that it won’t read Decimal Minutes. The Excel import function doesn’t do me any good with all my coordinates recorded that way.

 

But using it as you all have illustrated, it is pretty cool.

Do you have Excel? It's pretty easy to do the conversion yourself. I have a spreadsheet on my website that converts between the different formats. You could look at my formulas and use them to massage your data before importing into MSST.

 

If you're exporting from GSAK it can do the work for you. Let us know your setup and we may be able to get that part working.

[+WalruZ]

Import your zipped PQs into GSAK and then export them as .mps files, then use mapsource to import the .mps file. Job done.

[+Xangxa]

Import your zipped PQs into GSAK and then export them as .mps files, then use mapsource to import the .mps file. Job done.

Isn't MapSource a Garmin product? He won't be able to use that with his Magellan Explorist.

[+badlands]

Tired of the trial and error, my question is this:

What is the best map software for my PC and my eXplorist 500?

Your only choices for the Explorist 500 are the Magellan Mapsend Products.

 

MapSend Direct Route for turn by turn directions and street level detail and/or MapSend Topo 3D

[+Siberian Cacher]

Import your zipped PQs into GSAK and then export them as .mps files, then use mapsource to import the .mps file. Job done.

Does the imported files from GSAK to the .mps file keep all of the cache information, including notes, description, dates, etc? i've been using Excel with EasyGPS, and not all of the possible fields make it to the info box on the Map & Streets.

[+Xangxa]

Import your zipped PQs into GSAK and then export them as .mps files, then use mapsource to import the .mps file.  Job done.

Does the imported files from GSAK to the .mps file keep all of the cache information, including notes, description, dates, etc? i've been using Excel with EasyGPS, and not all of the possible fields make it to the info box on the Map & Streets.

The current MSST export from GSAK includes the following:

 

Name, Latitude, Longitude, Description, URL, Type, Container, Difficulty, and Terrain

[+MDAgent]

Ok, I'm totally lost with this GSAK. It will take some time to figure it out. I noticed that the coordinates are display using S and E instead of N and W.

 

What's with that?

[+QDman]

Here are some links explaining how Streets&Trips can be used with Pocket Queries

 

Importing waypoints to Microsoft Streets & Trips

 

Automating Custom MSST Pushpins

 

Below is a screen shot of the information that can be stored in MSST pushpins. I've used MSST for geocaching in the following ways:

1. 
    
    
   
2. Pushpins (obviously)
    
   
3. Quick jump to the cache page (Ctrl-click the pushpin and the cache page opens in your internet browser)
    
   
4. ROUTE feature to plan a cache run and I take the turn-by-turn directions and printed map with me (read by my son as I drive) or downloaded to my PocketPC (as Repligo [like a PDF]) for solo runs.
    
   
5. RADIUS drawing tool to plan GSAK filters and organize Pocket Queries.
    
   
6. MEASURE DISTANCE tool to check the distance between existing caches and possible cache hiding spot for 176 yard separation.
    
   
7. MEASURE DISTANCE tool to provide information to a reviewer for a multi/offset cache of the cache's true location.
    
   
8. LOCATION SENSOR to place a puzzle cache's location in the middle of a river (without having to swim out to that spot with a GPS)
    
   
9. LOCATION SENSOR along with FREEFORM drawing tool to create Polygon and Arc filters in GSAK so I can Cache-Along-A-Route.
    
   
10. Export to PocketStreets with Bluetooth GPS to navigate unfamiliar streets to a location near the cache.
     
    

Good work! When I export to MSS&T from GSAK, all I get is the Smart Name and the coords. How did you get all the other info exported?

[+Xangxa]

If your baloons are not showing all the information, here is how you'd do it manually:

 

1. Make sure the LEGEND AND OVERVIEW pane is displayed on the left side (press Ctrl-G to toggle)
   
2. In the PUSHPINS section right-click the name of the data set (TerraCaches in my example)
   
3. Select PROPERTIES from the pop-up menu that will display.
   
4. Click the BALLOON tab of the dialog that will display.
   
5. Enable each checkbox for the data that you want displayed. In my example I've turned on all but URL. The URL isn't helpful, and whether it is displayed or hidden, you can still jump to the cache page by Ctrl-clicking the cache's pushpin.
   
6. Click the OK button
   
7. Right-click a pushpin icon
   
8. Select SHOW INFORMATION from the pop-up menu that will display.
   

If you use the automated method (given in the links above), then balloon display is enabled by the control file generated from GSAK. The line in the GSAK macro that controls this (for the TerraCaching.com example shown above) is this:

 

RUNPGM pgm="C:\GPS\PushPins\PushPinListBuild.bat" parms=TerraCaches,YYYNYYYY,C:\GPS\PushPins\PushPinList.txt WAIT=YES

 

The parameter YYYNYYYY is the key, with each Y or N indicating if that field should be displayed. Since the 4th letter is N it means "NO, do not display the 4th field" (where URL is the 4th balloon field available).

[+WARedBear]

How did you get all of the different geocaching icons to show for your pushpins? I have also used MSS&T with my laptop and GPS when I was job hunting. That was before I had MapSend. I typed in the goto address and the GPS showed my present location.

[+Xangxa]

How did you get all of the different geocaching icons to show for your pushpins? I have also used MSS&T with my laptop and GPS when I was job hunting. That was before I had MapSend. I typed in the goto address and the GPS showed my present location.

Follow the link that is listed at the top of this thread

[+Uncle T K]

Hello MD Agent

 

Ok, I'm totally lost with this GSAK. It will take some time to figure it out. I noticed that the coordinates are display using S and E instead of N and W. What's with that?

 

Clyde who wrote and supports GSAK lives Down Under, his sample data is in Austriala (S not N E not W)

 

I am a newbe and just downloaded GSAK and playing with it. But I am ready to by Microsoft Streets & Trips to make maps for near caches.

[tommy_hlfgr]

Has anyone here been able to get Microsoft Mappoint to use an Explorist 500? I can't get the software to see my GPS.

[+Isonzo Karst]

Microsoft Mappoint to use an Explorist 500? I can't get the software to see my GPS

 

Your Explorist uses a proprietary file type; .upt for Points of Interest, and .gs for geocaches. I'd guess that Mappoint accepts .loc and .gpx file types. I have the Explorist 500 and have gotten used to running everything for it through GSAK, Expert GPS or GPSBabel to get the convert files to it and from it. Annoying.

[+Isonzo Karst]

Microsoft Mappoint to use an Explorist 500? I can't get the software to see my GPS

 

Your Explorist uses a proprietary file type; .upt for Points of Interest, and .gs for geocaches. I'd guess that Mappoint accepts .loc and .gpx file types.

I have the Explorist 500 and have gotten used to running everything for it through GSAK, Expert GPS or GPSBabel to convert files to it and from it. Annoying.

[+Trucker Lee]

Has anyone yet found a way to plan a trip on S&T and convert it to a gpx file for importing to www.geocaching/caches on a route without using outside programs?