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thanks Boyd, I'll go to the laptopgps site and close this thread.
Just for interest and to return the favor, you might look at the site for arcGIS- the Explorer Desktop is a 100MB dl, and on their maps site there is a 1GB US roads/streets dl to use as well as topo, parks and forests, and 13 pages of other interesting overlays. It does work with my Garmin 18x dash receiver real time. thanks, Gary

Boyd, I think your referenced thread states that the nRoute won't display the map data on the pc unless it's fed gps data from an external gps device, ie, a handheld. This would mean running the hand held on batteries all day when traveling. I'm downloading nRoute right now to try it out. However, I'm trying to use 4 things to navigate with: Arizona topo map, nRoute, Garmin 18x receiver and my pc. If the hand held is required, I need another solution. Sounds like this should be a simple pc, 18x, map data and software program solution? I've also downloaded a 1GB road map file from/ to go with the ArcGIS pc map program but haven't used that on the road yet either. FYI, the ArcGIS site has some very interesting map overlays.

I would like to convert the Arizona topo map for use on my laptop pc with my gps receiver for real time navigation with one of these: the Trackmaker program (.gtm, .gtz) or a mapdekote file (.dbx) or ArcGIS shape file (.shp). The receiver mfg isn't relevant since it works with the pc and Streets and Trips and Google Earth- there is no problem there. I also have gpsGate.   I do have a Garmin gps but want my wife/copilot to have a larger computer screen when we're driving in the car. Don't want to use GE.
I have loaded the Arizona data into my hand held Garmin gps- screen too small.
Streets and Trips works but I want the option of using other programs.
The Arizona data comes as an "install" file, unknown type.
I might be able to convert this file with gpsBabel but don't know the "install" file type.
Can I do this or is this file only for a Garmin install? thanks, Gary