mapsource topo gb, any good?

gaz047
gaz047 Posts: 601
edited February 2008 in MTB buying advice
hi all,
i've got an etrex summit and have been looking at purchasing mapsouce topo gb as the gps only has a base map on it. just wondering if anyone has any experience of this and what your opinions are. any feedback is greatly appreciated.
cheers gaz
if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
Stick your 'rules' up your a%se

Comments

  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    It's not really a case of whether it's any good or not. It's the only mapping software that'll load onto a Garmin as far as I'm aware so if you want more detail on screen you've got to buy it.

    It's not much cop for planning routes on the PC. I find it very difficult to tell main roads from paths on screen and some paths seem to be just fragements. If you want to plan routes on screen get tracklogs, MemoryMap, Anquet etc that actually display OS maps.

    The Topo GB maps are vector maps, basically the computer file is just a list of lines which don't require a lot of memory, the OS mapping software is imaged based which does need lots of memory.

    Whilst I quite like having a detailed map on screen I don't actually use it much for navigation when I'm riding, really navigate based on the route line vs where I've been line. The only time the Topo GB software is really useful on my Vista HCx is when I'm using it as a sat nav in the car as it has most addresses and lots of useful info like shops and pubs on it.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • deadpool2e
    deadpool2e Posts: 625
    Look on some nice torrents site.......or so i have been told........ :shock:
    http://www.sketchymtb.co.uk/Blah.pl the new XC in Kent


    http://deadpool2e.pinkbike.com/channel/Afan-Vids/

    MOUNTAIN BIKING- The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    Couldn't possibly endorse deadpool's suggestion :wink: , but having forked out the £ 100 quid I do think the product could have been better (despite the limitations of vector mapping).
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    hi and thanks for your replies, i've got memory map that i use to plan routes and like you jon i would like to have a more detailed display, the one positive thing about it seems to be you can use it as a sat nav aswell which would come in handy.
    torrents......hmmmm :wink:
    if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
    Stick your 'rules' up your a%se
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    ah sorry just thought of another question, i think my gps has a memory of 24mb iirc, do you know how much of the topo software could i have on it at any one time?
    thanks again
    gaz
    if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
    Stick your 'rules' up your a%se
  • lowrider123
    lowrider123 Posts: 2
    y dont u just use a real map
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    i have and can use real maps lowrider and always have one with me if doing a new route as a back up if the gps was to fail :wink:
    if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
    Stick your 'rules' up your a%se
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    You'll probably be able to upload 4 to 5 mapsource rectangles depending on location. Each square is between 4 and 6 Mb depending on amount of featurs. Each rectangle measures 10 miles east west by 20 miles north south so no problems for riding but might be a major issue for use as a Sat Nav.

    Also checking the spec of the summit on the Garmin website, it doesn't spport automatic routing so it wouldn't be a lot of use as a Sat Nav.

    If I were you I'd seriously consider whether it was worth the cash for the limited use it's going to be on the summit, not sure you're going to gain much functionality for the cash. Sorry I couldn't be more positive.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    john, thanks again for your reply mate reckon i'll just keep using it as i have been (plotting on memory map and following the waypoints) i can live without the added detail (not to mention £100 price tag!) thanks again john
    gaz
    if it ain't rainin.....it ain't trainin
    Stick your 'rules' up your a%se
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    No probs, glad I could help :D
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • sackers
    sackers Posts: 1
    Read all the postings about Garmin mapping with great interest. I am new to GPS, and before falling over this site, I had almost decided to get a 60csx to mount on my off-road bike - with decent OS 1:50k based mapping to go with it. I have no desire to get lost in the middle of Salisbury Plain.
    So TOPO is rubbish for this kind of use (that appears to be a fair summary of the posted views) and the Garmin kit won't take decent mapping...where does that leave me?
    Is there any other decent GPS kit that could the bill?

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