Off road Mapping Software

[blackout]

Looking at getting a Nuvi 765 and mapping software to take off road.

I would like to have software which I can pre-plan a route. Which software could bring up say me logging in track names and then plotting that route.

Is there anything that can do that.

I know there is Garmin Topo, OZtopo, Shonky and Tracks 4 Aus. But don't really know if they can do what I want. So before shelling out cash for the payable software could someone point us in the right direction.

[bmurray2250]

Shonky maps are good on the computer but being 250,000:1 it doesn't have the fine detail. Contour maps 5m are great but have no road or location information besides mountains. Having good 25,000:1 maps simular to shonky would be perfect. The latest Mapsource has route planning or you can use Tyre. Shonky maps would ok on my mobile phone with Garmin Mobile XT s/w but you need to deselect the other mapping s/w to use it. Make sure you 765 has the ability to plot tracks, I was playing with some Garmins tonight which I could find the track button.

[tom_cruiser_r63]

Blackouit,
My advice is for you to get hold of MapSource software from Garmin. This runs on a PC and enables the PC to talk to the GPS and to transfer Tracks, Routes and Waypoints between a Garmin GPS and Mapsource on the PC. I've done it with an Garmin Extrex (Downloaded track plots and Waypoints from the GPS to Map Source).

Just remember that Shonky Maps has two versions, one for the PC and the other for the GPS.

Now I have to admit I've not transferred stuff between my PC and my Garmin Nuvi 255w yet but I know it can be done.

Tom

[blackout]

Thanks.

I have purchased the Garmin along with preloaded Shonkymaps on an SD card.
So Tom, I have installed Mapsource and the base PC Map is useless. Do I have to download shonkymaps to the PC fC.
Base PC map can't even find towns on major highways.

[Ekki Adventurers]

We have the nuvi and use shonkymaps and mapsource. Found it great for O'Tooles and it was only when we lost satelite that the breadcrumbing came unstuck. Design your route on the Mapsource on the pc then pick the maps you will need (one button does this). Upload the route and maps and off you go. When plotting new maps just download from the nuvi to Mapsource and your trip is plotted. The only problem is you do need to turn citynavigator maps off and Shonkymaps back on, but remember Shonkymaps are good in the country but shite in the city so you continually change from one to the other. We have the whole trip tracked and can look at where we drove on GoogleEarth which is cool.

[MudScrat]

We have been using Ozi explorer for ages now and have found it to be one of the most reliable engines around. Having said that, the GUI is somewhat basic but does the job.
We run this on a Netbook size PC (Asus Aspire One D250) this model has sealed keyboard which helps with the dust etc...not sure about MUD.
The Map Sets we use are varied including Hema ITopo and Rooftops but the best for clarity and ease of Plotting is Saptial Vision ( if anyone recalls the old CFA Mapbooks in VIC) this is a digital copy of the VICMAP Book series covering the whole of VIC from 1:100000 1:50000 and 1:25000 and bears resemblence to Miliatry Survey Corps maps i am very familiar with, hence my preference. A simple test for visual acceptance for the maps you choose is to be able to clearly read the maps in RED light (night vision) these maps pass the test well.
As far as a GPS engine we use a Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx to supply our data for "Moving Map" mode. This has let me down once not so long ago still under warranty and was replaced in under a week with Brand New Unit ( was impressed with service). Whilst this was out of action we utilised the BU-535 USB mouse like Receiver running on NMEA Strings, this also was great.
The basis for this setup was the need for larger viewing area of screens to eliminate fatigue whilst moving, and this we acheived.
The setup has been punished in all ways possible and has beaten other forms of navigational aids hands down, and is now the envy of many i drive with.

Just Google Spatial Vision and see how you go, sorry i couldnt post the link havent posted enough on here.

Originally Posted by blackout

Looking at getting a Nuvi 765 and mapping software to take off road.

I would like to have software which I can pre-plan a route. Which software could bring up say me logging in track names and then plotting that route.

Is there anything that can do that.

I know there is Garmin Topo, OZtopo, Shonky and Tracks 4 Aus. But don't really know if they can do what I want. So before shelling out cash for the payable software could someone point us in the right direction.

[rodw]

I guess I have taken the easy way out. I use the full version of OziExplorer for planning on the PC and on the Carp PC I have built and fitted in my car. You have to be prepared to invest in some maps but believe me I won't get lost. My collection of QLD, NSW, VIC AND SA maps are mostly at 1:25,000 unless maps at that scale don't exist. Failing that there is always the NATMAP 1;250,000 on board which is superior to the Hema 4WD maps (which are scanned at a lower resolution than NATMAP)

[tom_cruiser_r63]

Blackout,
Others have answered your question before me but yes you need to load shonky maps onto your PC. Make sure you load the PC based version though.

I am a great fan of OziExplorer too and use it a great deal, mostly the NATMAP 250K product, but for transferring from PC to Garmin, I find MapSource very straight forward.

Tom

[peter4019]

Originally Posted by bmurray2250

Shonky maps are good on the computer but being 250,000:1 it doesn't have the fine detail. Contour maps 5m are great but have no road or location information besides mountains. Having good 25,000:1 maps simular to shonky would be perfect. The latest Mapsource has route planning or you can use Tyre. Shonky maps would ok on my mobile phone with Garmin Mobile XT s/w but you need to deselect the other mapping s/w to use it. Make sure you 765 has the ability to plot tracks, I was playing with some Garmins tonight which I could find the track button.

hi mate look like you have a lot of fun im new to 4wd drive & looking for a few tracks that i can take wife & son on , i have 2006 nissan narvara & live north side of brisbane any help would be apprerciated

[extre248]

just bought an asus eeepc and a blutooth gps dongle, thanks for the info on the software .