Garmin GPS Maps?

[Fistandantilis]

is there a place that has free versions of the maps that I can load onto this thing? anybody have any ideas, I really like this new toy but it is rather vague on the detail of its maps...
Thanks fellas

 

[GeneValgene]

i think you got to buy the maps

 

[mrchan]

I dont think you can load third party maps onto any GPS unit.

 

[gentobu]

If you have enough time you can make your own maps. When I was in Iraq I used this method Link to create some extremely detailed (down to individual houses and fences)GPS maps of the area of Iraq that we were in. I used Google earth images and basically traced the roads and houses to make the maps, but it took a LONG time to do.

 

[Fistandantilis]

Originally posted by: gentobu
If you have enough time you can make your own maps. When I was in Iraq I used this method Link to create some extremely detailed (down to individual houses and fences)GPS maps of the area of Iraq that we were in. I used Google earth images and basically traced the roads and houses to make the maps, but it took a LONG time to do.

and we have a winner!, thanks that is just what I was looking for, I have some really good map software I will learn from your link, thanks again.

 

[IronWing]

If you have ArcView then you can use DNRGarmin to load lines and polygons as tracks. The result isn't as nice as the above but it is quick and easy. If your map software can export to some type of text file, you might be able to use DNRGarmin without ArcView but I haven't dug into that to see what is needed.

 

[thomsbrain]

it's worth it to buy the real maps, as they are excellent and you'll wonder how you lived without them, like a cell phone. when they really kick ass is when you're on a road trip. just program in all the costco gas stations along the way, and when you get low on gas, find the nearest one and it will navigate to it, or choose from the list of closest normal gas stations. they list tons of food, emergancy services, ATM's, etc. even librarys and things.

 

[Fistandantilis]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
it's worth it to buy the real maps, as they are excellent and you'll wonder how you lived without them, like a cell phone. when they really kick ass is when you're on a road trip. just program in all the costco gas stations along the way, and when you get low on gas, find the nearest one and it will navigate to it, or choose from the list of closest normal gas stations. they list tons of food, emergancy services, ATM's, etc. even librarys and things.

Man they are so friggen expensive though, I am going to try to make my own but I have another question, I have the GPS and I have a cable to goto my computer but the auto detect dont say anything about new hardware when I connect the unit and computer, is there some sort of magical trick that I need to do?
Thanks

 

[JulesMaximus]

Mine came with 2 disks with maps of the entire US. I could only get SoCal, Arizona and Nevada in mine though. I bought a Garmin C320 on closeout for $300.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: Fistandantilis

Man they are so friggen expensive though, I am going to try to make my own but I have another question, I have the GPS and I have a cable to goto my computer but the auto detect dont say anything about new hardware when I connect the unit and computer, is there some sort of magical trick that I need to do?
Thanks

If it is a serial cable then Windows won't autodetect anything. You need to run a program like Mapsource that specifically looks at the serial port.

 

[The Stigenator]

if its serial, it needs to be seen by google earth plus or streets and trips or map source.

I got an older version of mapsource for my etrx legend.. it has 8mb so depending on the area i can eitehr fill one quadrant or several quads (whatever tehy call them.. its not a map quad)