OziExplorer maps: compatibility with GARMIN or Magellan

[p1michaud]

Hi folks,
I just found out this weekend while doing some X-mas shopping research for my father in law that the actual digital maps used with OziExplorer on your PC cannot be downloaded to GARMIN or Magellan GPS units (http://www.gpscentral.ca/accessories/ozi.htm)!. You may already know this, but I did not and was disappointed.

Some backgroud info. He has a Magellan eXplorist 500. I tracked from his house to my house. I found out that OziExplorer has a recent upgrade (http://www.oziexplorer3.com/eng/downloads/395/oziexp_upgrade_setup.exe) that supports the use of USB Garmin and Magellan receivers. I installed it and was playing with Oxiexplorer and the track I had just created/saved. After some trying and reading, I found that you can't upload the Etopo maps to the unit! Is there software that allows you to convert map file formats (i.e. from *.png format for Etopo -Canadian Topo maps to the *.ini format that Magellan requires for their maps)?

Today, I just purchased a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx with RAM mount as a Christmas gift from me to me! :luxhello:
Cheers :beer:,
P

[whitethaiger]

OziExplorer is primarily used with map images, these are large files (*.jpg, *.sid, *.png, *.bmp, etc.) and the little, memory poor hand held devices could not hold those map images. They are also not designed to work with images.

The Garmin and Magellan units use their own proprietary formats of vector maps.


As far as I know there is no software to convert images to the proprietary vector formats.

If you want to use the same map images you use with Ozi on a notebook/desktop in a hand held application, you could go the PDA route with OziCE.

[p1michaud]

As far as I know there is no software to convert images to the proprietary vector formats.

I guess that I might have to find a "Truckputer"! In the mean time I'll be using the GARMIN MapSource TOPO software. I also have OziExplorer to play arround with as well.
Thanks for the info.
Cheers :beer:,
P