Re: Google-like Topo Maps
- From: Gary S. <Idontwantspam@net>
- Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 23:31:05 GMT
On 1 Nov 2005 20:37:44 -0800, richo@xxxxxxx wrote:
>Bill Tuthill wrote:
>> $90 at Amazon. Must be compressed data ("dater" as they say in Boston).
>> Looks like National Geographic bought out the original TOPO! company.
>
Yes, NG bought out Wildflower, which originally produced the TOPO!
line, and integrated it with their other product lines.
>It is compressed. The free public DRG's are higher resolution.
>
>> I still think public-domain DRG data is totally adequate. Seems like
>> $90 is a big risk if you, say, switch from PC to Mac next year.
>
The quality of data out there is not as good as people want,
especially those who want free.
>Anyone trying to do GPS mapping with a Mac is fighting an uphill
>battle. There just aren't many software programs out there, compared to
>PC options.
>
Quite true. If you are looking for any specialized software, you need
to go with the platform that most others are using for that, unless
you wish to write your own software for everything.
>> My gadget-oriented friend who bought two GPS devices (so far) and
>> bought a much of map data, and we still don't know where we are.
>> Could he have saved money by compiling his own map data?
>
>Money yes. But compiling maps for the screen of your GPS is
>time-consuming. That's okay if you paddle the same stream every
>weekend. But if you have wanderlust, it's just not worth it, unless you
>have alot more time than money.
>
>Downloading DRG maps into a program like OziExplorer is a good cost
>effective option, but they can't go on the screen of your GPS, and even
>Ozi has its limitations. Like I said, a combination is often best. I
>like using a program like NG TOPO for printed maps, and TopoFusion for
>other purposes.
Making your own maps to load into a GPS involves a significant amount
of time to learn, and then a significant amount of time to do. For
areas and map types which already exist, there may be better uses for
your time.
I agree with Rich, the combo of a PC based map such as TOPO!, MapTech
Terrain Navigator or DeLorme 3D TopoQuad (all based on scans of 7.5
minute USGS topo maps) to plan and print specialized maps, and a basic
topo map in the GPS is probably best.
Even if you could load a more detailed map into your GPS, the screen
size will limit how useful it is.
>> I do a lot of wilderness kayaking, and I'm often amazed that the GPS
>> sometimes places us well away from the river, whereas we know we are
>> on the river. Maybe GPSes are less accurate in a deep canyon.
>
>Yep. Multipath deflection of signals, bouncing off canyon walls
>introduces error. Not to mention that you may have less satellite
>coverage to begin with.
>
Canyons, natural or urban, will always limit how useful a GPS unit
will be. They have a few tricks in there which make it much better
than it used to be, but until civilian GPS uses two frequencies, that
will be a limitation.
Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence
Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom
.
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- Re: Google-like Topo Maps
- From: richo
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