GPSFileDepot.com
 

News:

Welcome to GPSFileDepot!

Main Menu

Garmin maps question

Started by michael49, October 03, 2015, 07:00:40 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

michael49

I recently purchased a GPSMAP 64s primarily for hiking. I downloaded a 24k Topo and My Trails from here which is great but I really need a map that includes local hiking trails (local and state parks). Would the 24k Topo maps that Garmin sells include these? I live in New England (Western Mass) - I'm mostly interested in this area and Vermont.

Boyd

Lack of trails has been a common complaint about the 24k maps. There is no way to generalize about what trails they include, you will just have to look at the map. Fortunately, Garmin provides a way to do this on their website. Make sure detail is set to more in order to see everything.

http://www8.garmin.com/cgi-bin/mapgen/webmap.cgi?p=30474241&l=0&u=1&v=0&cp=4A7DBC6093091578&z=5&w=600&h=450&d=2&rz=0&k=1&sc=1

If purchasing, be careful what you get, all the different versions are not created equal. You would want the 24k Northeast Topo. The DVD version appears to be more expensive at $130 than the download at $100 but if you look closely you will see the DVD covers more states.

With the DVD you install the map on your computer in Basecamp and then send whatever portion you want to the GPS. You can also install it on all the Garmin devices that you own.

The download version is "all or nothing", you cannot select  a  smaller portion to install. And you only get the file that is used on the GPS itself, it cannot be installed directly in Basecamp. It is also locked to the GPS for which it was purchased and cannot be used on other devices.

BTW, there's a credible rumor that Garmin will be discontinuing their DVD products soon. Notice this FAQ. It used to list the DVD version but that has been removed now:

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={16315fb0-39b2-11de-5dd5-000000000000}

Boyd

BTW, if you have paper maps of the local parks or if you can download PDF or other versions, then you can use this tutorial to make your own "custom map".

http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/custommaps

That technique is only suitable for small maps (the image cannot be larger than 1024x1024 pixels). But there is inexpensive software capable of making larger ones.

michael49

Thanks for the reply. 

The 24k Northeast Topo is of course what I have been considering, its just unclear to me without purchasing it how much local hiking trails it contains.  If it had most of the Mass and VT state parks then it would probably be worth it to me.  I just wish I knew what it contained before purchasing it.

I do plan on trying to make some of my own custom maps, but the size limitation really seams to limit this function, unfortunately.

Boyd

#4
Quote from: michael49 on October 03, 2015, 11:14:17 AMjust wish I knew what it contained before purchasing it.

Please read my first post again. I included a link to Garmin's site where you can browse the actual map and see if it has the trails you want. You will need to zoom way in to see them, like to the 100m level or so. Here it is again:

http://www8.garmin.com/cgi-bin/mapgen/webmap.cgi?p=30474241&l=0&u=1&v=0&cp=4A7DBC6093091578&z=5&w=600&h=450&d=2&rz=0&k=1&sc=1

michael49