hardrock
Newbie
Karma: 2
Posts: 40
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« on: August 18, 2011, 08:29:58 PM » |
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Paul or anyone else with GPS know how...
What topo maps do you use? I was going to buy the topo west from Garmin but I have seen several free topo maps online. Are they pretty descent? Any good sites to recommend?
Im looking for some good coverage of the usual places, i.e. Big Bear, Borrego, etc....
Thanks,
Matt
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Bobby B.
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« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2011, 04:17:16 PM » |
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I have the Garmin topo and it works ok. Not very detailed, but for the most part trails are where it says they'll be, with exceptions.
I, too, would like to see if better options exist, especially on the free side.
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I like sammiches. And bacon. Sammiches with bacon. And chips. Lots of chips.
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Paul
BOD
Hero Member
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Posts: 702
Summer, Paul, and Noon
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« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2011, 05:30:30 PM » |
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I use DeLorme Topo with a USB GPS that connects into my netbook. At home I run the program and coordinate the trail waypoints. DeLorme has an on-line service which is $30 a year (IIRC) that allows you to download as much map detail as you want. They have 7.5 minute (high rez topo) and lots of other resolutions including Google-map like high resolution imagery of cities. Once I've finished with a trail I save it off to a flash memory card and move it from the desktop to the netbook. When out alone on the trail I run both the netbook and a DeLorme handheld topo GPS ... backing each other up. The netbook has a nice "big" 9" screen which makes it easier on my old eyes to read. The handheld has a color screen as well but it's about 2.5" across and not the easiest to read at a glance. On the trail I use the netbook to show me which way to go and use the handheld to record waypoints every 50 feet of travel. There are free versions out there but I think my USB GPS was less than $100 with the Topo program and it offers the unique map service that I re-up for every year. I've been planning a trip up north to the southern end of the Sierras ...  |
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« Last Edit: August 19, 2011, 05:32:21 PM by Paul »
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Sept 24, 2006 ... Off Work = Off Road
2005 350Z 35th Anniversary
2006 Xterra Off Road
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MaxPower
Full Member
Karma: 1
Posts: 120
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« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2011, 08:21:41 PM » |
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Paul I'd like to see how you have your netbook mounted in the X. Are there photos or can you post them?
Thanks!!
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chad
Full Member
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Posts: 246
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« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2011, 10:57:11 PM » |
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me too
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Hey don't get me wrong or anything, I have been in the outdoors but... is it always this dusty?  |
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Paul
BOD
Hero Member
Karma: 26
Posts: 702
Summer, Paul, and Noon
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« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 06:37:51 AM » |
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I found this mount on e-bay for $99. It's worked very well. You pull the front left mounting bolt from the passenger's seat and replace it with one that's provided with the kit. The new bold holds a small circular mount to which the rest of the computer mount connects to. It disconnects in seconds and leaves little behind. If I had to do it today I'd wouldn't buy a netbook but one of those two piece (keyboard/screen) tablets that has a pivoting screen like a Lenovo IdeaBook. I have a dedicated hardwired 18 volt DC power supply that sits down inside the dash and pops out at the front of the console.  GPS Mapping Software  GPS Mapping Software  GPS Mapping Software |
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« Last Edit: August 21, 2011, 06:39:53 AM by Paul »
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Sept 24, 2006 ... Off Work = Off Road
2005 350Z 35th Anniversary
2006 Xterra Off Road
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slantyshanty
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 72
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« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2011, 03:09:05 PM » |
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GREAT... Something else I need! (The laptop mount)
If you have an android phone there is an app called Gaia GPS. I have only used it a few times but you download maps (for free) when you have signal, and when you are out in the middle of nowhere and don't have signal you can still use the map/your location. There is also an app called My Tracks that is bassed on google maps. You can record where you are/where you went and save it for later. You can edit it, make notes, share the map... Save your map to 4 or 5 different formats? I can't remember. I'm sure there are a BUNCH more apps out that do this but these are the only ones I have used.
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Oz
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« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2011, 04:15:04 PM » |
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GPS Mapping Software Holy driver's distraction Batman! No seriously its cool I want one |
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boomer818
Full Member
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Posts: 190
Dirty White Knight
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« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2011, 01:01:38 AM » |
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WOW, thats hard core. must say I like it. Does it take up much leg space for the front passenger?
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If you dont have mud you have nothing.
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Paul
BOD
Hero Member
Karma: 26
Posts: 702
Summer, Paul, and Noon
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« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2011, 05:21:02 PM » |
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No but my copilot is pretty small  The thing sits up high up by the radio so it's not near the seat at all. |
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Sept 24, 2006 ... Off Work = Off Road
2005 350Z 35th Anniversary
2006 Xterra Off Road
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GhostX
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« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2011, 07:55:34 PM » |
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Hey Matt...I use the DeLorme Topo with my PN-60 handheld GPS and really like its detail and ability to program routes.
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ARB Rear Locker ~ Fully Shrocked ~ PRG 4WD Kit ~ Radflo 2.0's ~ BFG KM2's ~ Xoskel Light Cage ~ KC Daylighters ~ Ham Radio/CB ~ KD6DCI
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chad
Full Member
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Posts: 246
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« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2011, 08:36:45 PM » |
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Do you download the DeLorme topo map to your Garmin?
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Hey don't get me wrong or anything, I have been in the outdoors but... is it always this dusty? |
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GhostX
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« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2011, 05:30:03 PM » |
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Do you download the DeLorme topo map to your Garmin?
Yes. |
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ARB Rear Locker ~ Fully Shrocked ~ PRG 4WD Kit ~ Radflo 2.0's ~ BFG KM2's ~ Xoskel Light Cage ~ KC Daylighters ~ Ham Radio/CB ~ KD6DCI
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hardrock
Newbie
Karma: 2
Posts: 40
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« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2011, 11:51:04 AM » |
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I looked at the Delorme, but decided on a Garmin GPSMap 62. I have used Garmin GPS' for the past sevearl years and am very comfortable with them. Looks like I need to buy the topo west map from Garmin. I can also down load Google Earth images and use them with the GPS, but still need to figure out how to do that.
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