GPS and Laptop with TOPO software
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Yes That is a good deal, if you can find them.
The Options Delorme gives you is amazing, The maps sets that come with the program are enhanced USGS Topo maps , "Comprised of USGS Digital Topographic Data and Elevation Models blended with the latest Delorme Street and Trail Network. This vector system enables many of the intelligent software features while providing customers with an innovative map database offering the best of all worlds" You can also buy
* » USGS 7.5-Minute Quad Maps
* » B&W DOQQ Aerial Imagery
* » Sat-10 Color Satellite Imagery
* » NOAA Nautical Charts
* » High-Resolution Color Aerial Imagery
, You can view in 3-D with Split screen, and you can draw routable roads and trails and make them part of the map. You can buy Data sets from Sat images to Aerial Photos,
I have the most fun planning routes on the Delorme Topo 7.0 , It does have a learning curve but once you get a hang of it it really is hard to beat.
The first photo is a screen shot with some trails I ride behind my house, Red/magenta tracks are my gps tracks
The Options Delorme gives you is amazing, The maps sets that come with the program are enhanced USGS Topo maps , "Comprised of USGS Digital Topographic Data and Elevation Models blended with the latest Delorme Street and Trail Network. This vector system enables many of the intelligent software features while providing customers with an innovative map database offering the best of all worlds" You can also buy
* » USGS 7.5-Minute Quad Maps
* » B&W DOQQ Aerial Imagery
* » Sat-10 Color Satellite Imagery
* » NOAA Nautical Charts
* » High-Resolution Color Aerial Imagery
, You can view in 3-D with Split screen, and you can draw routable roads and trails and make them part of the map. You can buy Data sets from Sat images to Aerial Photos,
I have the most fun planning routes on the Delorme Topo 7.0 , It does have a learning curve but once you get a hang of it it really is hard to beat.
The first photo is a screen shot with some trails I ride behind my house, Red/magenta tracks are my gps tracks
So it looks like they use a number of different data sources. Will definitely consider. I just got the one's I have for so cheap. How do they breakdown their maps? Is it by state or region?
Last edited by pkess3; Apr 29, 2008 at 12:41 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
Re: GPS and Laptop with TOPO software
I see you have a Garmin GPS.
If your unit allows for uploading/downloading of maps, you can dump the Garmin proprietary maps and create your own custom maps used on any Garmin GPS that allows for uploading/downloading of maps.
Check this site out:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Be aware the instructions involve a lot of steps, but it will give you custom maps of your desire.
I am here in Spokane WA and have got topo quads for the entire state plus I was able to get shapefiles from the USFS mapping website:
http://svinetfc4.fs.fed.us/vectorgateway/index.html
All the necessary data is available on line, much of it is free! Just have to know where to find it!
If your unit allows for uploading/downloading of maps, you can dump the Garmin proprietary maps and create your own custom maps used on any Garmin GPS that allows for uploading/downloading of maps.
Check this site out:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Be aware the instructions involve a lot of steps, but it will give you custom maps of your desire.
I am here in Spokane WA and have got topo quads for the entire state plus I was able to get shapefiles from the USFS mapping website:
http://svinetfc4.fs.fed.us/vectorgateway/index.html
All the necessary data is available on line, much of it is free! Just have to know where to find it!
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I see you have a Garmin GPS.
If your unit allows for uploading/downloading of maps, you can dump the Garmin proprietary maps and create your own custom maps used on any Garmin GPS that allows for uploading/downloading of maps.
Check this site out:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Be aware the instructions involve a lot of steps, but it will give you custom maps of your desire.
I am here in Spokane WA and have got topo quads for the entire state plus I was able to get shapefiles from the USFS mapping website:
http://svinetfc4.fs.fed.us/vectorgateway/index.html
All the necessary data is available on line, much of it is free! Just have to know where to find it!
If your unit allows for uploading/downloading of maps, you can dump the Garmin proprietary maps and create your own custom maps used on any Garmin GPS that allows for uploading/downloading of maps.
Check this site out:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Be aware the instructions involve a lot of steps, but it will give you custom maps of your desire.
I am here in Spokane WA and have got topo quads for the entire state plus I was able to get shapefiles from the USFS mapping website:
http://svinetfc4.fs.fed.us/vectorgateway/index.html
All the necessary data is available on line, much of it is free! Just have to know where to find it!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
Re: GPS and Laptop with TOPO software
It's freeware and works with shapefiles.
I've got it set up to load topoquads, shapefiles, DOQQs, and DEMs into the Colville NF area (nearest NF to Spokane WA). Then I can turn on or off each shapefile, topoquad, DOOQ, or DEM or any combination thereof.
And I just recently found another awesome program that is totally free - NASA World Wind.
Although you can not change the loaded data, it has available a lot of different types of layers you can also turn on or off.
Here's the website for NASA World Wind:
http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Odessa TX
Looks like some awesome trails in that area. Hey you're not too far from the Rubicon trail right?
So it looks like they use a number of different data sources. Will definitely consider. I just got the one's I have for so cheap. How do they breakdown their maps? Is it by state or region?
So it looks like they use a number of different data sources. Will definitely consider. I just got the one's I have for so cheap. How do they breakdown their maps? Is it by state or region?
I still only like to take my motorcycle on it, Jeep is just too damm slow.
The Delorme Topo comes with the entire US maps, and you can buy State by State 7.5 minute Topo Quads and the Aerial/Sat etc data is down-loadable by selecting the area you want, Cost can add up quick, but for areas that I like to explore it is great,
The overall package that Delorme offers is very nice and allot of fun. I have a small SONY laptop that will sit on the Dash, But I do not use it as much anymore since I got a Lowrance 600c which is also very good unit, as it has full US and Canada Street level mapping ( Nav-Teq map sets) and full set of US TOPO maps built in, It also handles trails ( tracks) and you can load track files into it with up to 100 tracks at once ( one file can hold up to 100 track files @ up to 10,000 points in each file) So when I go to say MOAB I can load my "MOAB" track file which has 35 trails, very cool.
Here is a pic on my Lowrance XOG on the dash
Last edited by rwamf; May 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Owasso OK
We use that kind of a setup all the time in out trucks at work. We do pipeline work and need off-road GPS navigation. We run all kinds of equipment in our trucks (F-150's). We don't usually have too many eqlectrical issues as long as your battery is fairly new and in good condition. I have seen some guys put in a dual battery system and run the accessories off the second battery, so your first battery is always there to start your vehicle.
We also run the equipment right to the battery, fused of course. Cigarette lighters are notoriously unreliable.
I have been toying with the idea of something like this:
http://www.mp3car.com/
A permanently mounted computer under the seat, with a touchscreen. Plug an external hard drive in for your data. That would be sweet!
We also run the equipment right to the battery, fused of course. Cigarette lighters are notoriously unreliable.
I have been toying with the idea of something like this:
http://www.mp3car.com/
A permanently mounted computer under the seat, with a touchscreen. Plug an external hard drive in for your data. That would be sweet!
