mister pooh
10-29-2009, 10:38
I am a complete map addict, and buying USGS 7.5 quads, Trails Illustrated maps and such at the quantity I would like would burn through my hiking gear budget in a hurry :)
I have been looking at the different mapping software suites out there, and am very interested in this one. If anyone else is using it, I have a few questions:
1) Can you make a printout that includes the scale and north arrow with declination? I use a compass, and this has been the dealbreaker for me regarding free programs like Google Earth, ArcExplorer, Google Maps etc.
2) In the same vein, can you print elevation profiles on the same map?
3) Does the default software come with usable trail info? Is it the quality of the paper Delorme state Atlases, better/worse?
4) I know it can download maps to the PN-40/30/20 series GPS units, but does it export good gpx data that I could use elsewhere or on a different GPS?
5) I've heard the interface has a steep learning curve, but I can live with that. But, important for me, is it relatively easy to import gpx data for overlaying routes, etc?
I've used the Nat'l Geo Topo! state series software, and it was ok, but I hate having to pay for each state. The Nat'l Geo Trails Illustrated Explorer Southern Appalachians seems as if it would meet my needs for a lot of my hikes, so it's also a possibility, but it's still geographically limited. If anyone wants to comment on it that would also be helpful.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I have been looking at the different mapping software suites out there, and am very interested in this one. If anyone else is using it, I have a few questions:
1) Can you make a printout that includes the scale and north arrow with declination? I use a compass, and this has been the dealbreaker for me regarding free programs like Google Earth, ArcExplorer, Google Maps etc.
2) In the same vein, can you print elevation profiles on the same map?
3) Does the default software come with usable trail info? Is it the quality of the paper Delorme state Atlases, better/worse?
4) I know it can download maps to the PN-40/30/20 series GPS units, but does it export good gpx data that I could use elsewhere or on a different GPS?
5) I've heard the interface has a steep learning curve, but I can live with that. But, important for me, is it relatively easy to import gpx data for overlaying routes, etc?
I've used the Nat'l Geo Topo! state series software, and it was ok, but I hate having to pay for each state. The Nat'l Geo Trails Illustrated Explorer Southern Appalachians seems as if it would meet my needs for a lot of my hikes, so it's also a possibility, but it's still geographically limited. If anyone wants to comment on it that would also be helpful.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!