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Just a quick update.

I have not made any progress on gaining control over the colors displayed on my Drivetrack.

I have discovered that it seems to be more of a Drivetrack problem, than a Mapwell problem.

When I load maps onto my Astro 430, the different colors are recognized. It is not perfect, but works for what I'm doing.

Funny thing with the Drivetrack, I can upload the same map two different times, and get two different color results. I'm obviously missing some key setting / feature, or whatever with the Drivetrack. I wish I was smarter.

Thanks for the tips.

Looks like I have some homework to do on TYP files.

Thanks.

Map colors on GPS device.

I'm using Mapwell to make some maps to upload to my Drivetrack 70.

It seems like no matter what color I set up in Mapwell, The drivetrack ignores it and assigns its own color.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get chosen colors to upload and display on the device correctly?

Thanks.

This is what you see on the Garmin site.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/70144

I suspect that most retailers either don't know, or have not updated their website.

My dealer did not know about it till I brought it to his attention, he contacted Garmin and they verified.

Yes, the yearly subscription version of Birdseye has been discontinued.
The units that come with life time birdseye are still active to knowledge.

Birdseye is not owned by Garmin, I wonder if there is a riff? Garmin does not seem to have a good history of getting along with others.

So for us subscription based birdseye users, we no longer have any option for imagery on our units.

Thanks for the great information.
After reading all of the responses, and studying the links and methods, I have concluded that I'm a little out of my wheelhouse and will have to do without aerial images on my Garmin devices for a while.

The reason for my post was in reaction to Garmin ending Birdseye subscriptions. The only option for Birdseye currently is with Birdseye Direct, which works on few Garmin devices.

Thanks for the very interesting posts.

Is there a source out in the internet world for aerial images that can be incorporated into map making software?

I'm using Mapwel, and my end goal is to make IMG files that can be loaded into my Garmin devices.

I've been using Garmins Birdseye, but that product has been mostly discontinued.

Thanks for the information. Lots of stuff for me o look at.

Are there any sources for state level base maps to build my custom maps on?

Most maps I see have a base map of the state with roads, lakes, rivers.... Are any of these available for download?

Some of you me remember that I've been looking for a way to create my own maps to install on my GPS.

Mapwel was suggested, but when I went to the site, it looked like they were no longer in business. I tried their demo, and liked what it could do. So I finally thought I'd try to purchase a license. After all it was only 45 bucks. Low and behold, the purchase process worked and I received my license code.

I don't know what the overall status of the software is, but at least I can generate maps now.

Now prepare yourself for some Mapwel questions.

I am trying my hand at making image files using GPSMapEdit.

I save my file as a Polish Map format, then use the export function that uses cgpsmapper, and this is the error that I am getting.

Thanks again.

I've looked at Mapwel, it looks really interesting, but they seem to not be in business anymore. I can download the software to try, but have to pay to get the full features. I'm not going to enter my card information till I know they are still legit. Their last software update was 2017, and I have not gotten a reply to numerous e-mails. It look like it would work for me at a reasonable cost, but I just can't bring myself to do that yet.

I had not seen the GPSMapedit yet and will check that out now.

Thank you for the reply. You gave a lot of information for me to think about.

I should probably back up and explain what I am trying to do.

I use my GPS's for hunting and dog tracking. I use a Astro 430, Alpha 200, and a Drivetrac.
With what I hunt I live and die by two things. Public land, and Forest type. Both things are continuously changing. Forest type changes a lot, public land has minor changes each year.

I can get the data for both in a KML and Shape file format.

What I ultimately want to do is to be able to create my own public land maps and various forest type maps each year.

I really don't need to have the maps loaded into Basecamp, I'd only be interested in loading them into my devices.

When you say " You might also just reflect a bit on the current state of Garmin and .img files before making such a big investment." Are you thinking that Garmin may not support the .IMG file format in the future?

I appreciate your wisdom, I am a complete neophyte at this and will take any advice I can get.

In a previous post I was asking for help in how to create .IMG files.

Thanks for all the input from everyone.

It seems the best option for me is to buy a license to Global Mapper, save the file in the Polish Map format, then convert the MP file to IMG using cgpsmapper or mkgmap.

Could someone give me the cliff note version of how / how well that conversion works?

Thanks.

Yes, I can get the data in a shape file as well. I'll look into cgpsmapper. Mapwel seems to be out of buisness so I can't try that one.

When I contacted Global mapper, they told me their software could not produce the Garmin .img files? Did I get some wrong information from them?

I'm willing to pay for software that will do what I want.