GPS Mapping and Navigation

[PaulCA]

Looking for feedback on some of the different GPS mapping/navigation setups people are using offroad. I intend to purchase a handheld GPS for backcountry hiking, but also want a device that will interface with my laptop so I can do offroad route planning and real-time tracking (I'm lucky enough to have a Toughbook for this purpose). I've narrowed my options down to the following and would appreciate feedback on any or all from people that are familiar. I've spent a good amount of time on the web and cannot seem to find a thorough overview/comparison:

1. Overland Navigator (Craig has been super helpful in the forums and via email).*
2. Delorme Topo USA with a PN-XX handheld.
3. Maptech Terrain Navigator*
4. Garmin Mapsource
5. Magellan Mapsend
6. National Geo TOPO!*
*Uncertain how seamless the interface is b/t handheld GPS and PC.

[obscurotron]

I can only speak for TOPO (currently using v4.x on OS X 10.5). As for interfacing with the GPS (Garmin eTrex) it works fine. Connect cables, tell the GPS which interface protocol to use (i.e. NMEA, Garmin, etc.), tell the TOPO software the same thing, click "Test GPS" (don't have to, but I like the feature), and go! I've used it for live tracking, editing waypoints, routes, making elevation profiles and a bunch of other stuff.

[off-roader]

I'm using both Nat Geo Topo v2.x (can't remember exactly) for CA & Nat Geo Topo v4.5.0 on my Acer Aspire One netbook (uses an SSD versus HDD) coupled with the GPS receiver that came with the MS Streets & Trips 2009 software.
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/12194/2309803150104986527S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2309803150104986527qpnsEk)

I mention Topo 2.x because I'm still working out what settings to use to get the receiver to work with Topo v4.5.0 reliably. That said, I have gotten it to reliably track live updates on my 1.5hr train ride home from work w/ the receiver sitting on a table ~6" from the train window <kewl>.

I will likely upgrade to Overland Navigator before long as it looks alot more user friendly than Topo ever was IMHO.

[off.track]

i like delorme topo 6.0 works great.

[craig]

Paul,

What sort of concerns do you have about connectivity between the handheld GPS and Overland Navigator?

Which handheld?

Craig

[PaulCA]

Craig - My concern re: connectivity is probably just because I haven't had time to do enough research yet...but basically I want to make sure that as a novice GPS user I will easily be able to upload waypoints and routes I plan on the ON software onto the handheld, and have them plot out on the handheld map. Haven't decided which handheld to get so if there is a unit that works particularly seamlessly with ON, please suggest one.

Paul,

What sort of concerns do you have about connectivity between the handheld GPS and Overland Navigator?

Which handheld?

Craig

[craig]

By design, Overland Navigator doesn't support uploading or downloading tracks/waypoints to/from a GPS. Overland Navigator is designed to turn your computer *into* the GPS itself and it's features are comparable to what you would find on the handheld GPS but with better maps, a larger screen.

You can use something like Garmin Mapsource to create a route/waypoints, transfer that info to your Garmin GPS, and save the route/waypoints as a GPX track to the Overland Navigator "My Tracks" directory. Overland Navigator will show the GPX track automatically, w/o restarting.

Future versions of Overland Navigator will include route/waypoint creation tools, but we don't have plans to support transferring to/from a handheld GPS itself. This narrow focus makes Overland Navigator very easy to use, and keeps the user interface from becoming complicated. Rather than being a Desktop Planning tool, Overland Navigator is focused on being an in-dash (or UMPC) offroad navigation system that is used in the field.

Craig

[jwhutch]

By design, Overland Navigator doesn't support uploading or downloading tracks/waypoints to/from a GPS. Overland Navigator is designed to turn your computer *into* the GPS itself and it's features are comparable to what you would find on the handheld GPS but with better maps, a larger screen.

You can use something like Garmin Mapsource to create a route/waypoints, transfer that info to your Garmin GPS, and save the route/waypoints as a GPX track to the Overland Navigator "My Tracks" directory. Overland Navigator will show the GPX track automatically, w/o restarting.

Future versions of Overland Navigator will include route/waypoint creation tools, but we don't have plans to support transferring to/from a handheld GPS itself. This narrow focus makes Overland Navigator very easy to use, and keeps the user interface from becoming complicated. Rather than being a Desktop Planning tool, Overland Navigator is focused on being an in-dash (or UMPC) offroad navigation system that is used in the field.

Craig

I am just getting into this. I have several laptops as well as a Garmin Etrex. I want it all, to use the laptop/netbook like the GPS as Craig states here. But I want it to do the route waypoint stuff and be able to go back and forth. I will be using the Etrex as the receiver. Anybody have any thoughts? I currently have MS Streets and I just downloaded Mapsource. You guys help me move in the right direction. Thanks.