Motorcycle GPS Software
To get the full benefits from your motorcycle GPS, you’ll want to use gps
mapping software (and a mapping compatible gps unit). In this section, I’ll
discuss the basic GPS mapping software. Then I’ll discuss the more specialized
“gizmo” software that will make your motorcycle GPS system do things you never,
ever imagined could be done with today’s GPS technology.
Motorcycle GPS Mapping Software:
Garmin Mapsource Topo:
The U.S. Topo CD is ideal for outdoor adventurers who are into hiking, camping,
climbing and skiing. It features digital topographic maps for the U.S. that are
comparable to the U.S. Geological Survey's 1:100,000 scale paper maps. Detail
includes terrain contours, elevation, information, some roads, trails, summits
and even some bathymetric contours. I use Garmin Mapsource Topo because it’s
easy to use, powerful, and compatible with my Garmin eMap GPS unit. Get it here:
www.amazon.com
UPDATE:
Many
motorcycle riders that have Garmin Topo USA are dissappointed because of the
lack of detail. For example, Garmin Topo shows all the roads and fire roads, but
no road numbers!
That's frustrating when you're out in the middle of the woods on your dualsport
motorcycle railing the SingleTrack and bombing the DoubleTrack Forest Service
Roads.
Garmin
Metro Guide North America is is the GPS Software to have. It has more of the
forest service and BLM roads that any of the other Garmin products we've looked
at. You can go to Garmin's
website and actually look at what is on their maps.
Get it here:
www.amazon.com
National Geographic TOPO! – State Series:
This GPS mapping software is sold by
state, and is an excellent planning tool for backcountry adventures or road
trips. It features 1:24,000 USGS 7.5-foot scale with seamless statewide
coverage, and you can personalize your maps with your own colorful text,
symbols, and routes.
You can also transfer maps with most popular handheld GPS receivers manufactured
by Garmin, Magellan, Eagle, and Lowrance. I use National Geographic TOPO because
it’s easier to understand the maps on your computer screen when you are building
your ride routes. Why? Because it gives you a realistic "shaded relief" view
so
your computerized map looks like real mountains, valleys, etc. Get it here:
www.amazon.com
Other GPS Software:
Ozi Explorer: OziExplorer allows you to work with maps on the computer screen
that you create from scanned or digital maps. Ozi Explorer is a great utility
for editing your waypoints and tracks since it let's you import a variety of
maps (including USGS maps) and then lay your waypoints over it. It will also
take waypoints and tracks directly from your gps and place them on computer maps
allowing you to tweak them easily. Get it here:
www.oziexplorer.com
ExpertGPS: ExpertGPS is similar to Ozi Explorer in function except that it will
download images directly from the Terraserver. ExpertGPS displays your
waypoints, routes, and tracks on USGS topo maps and aerial photos. Using the
powerful mapping tools in ExpertGPS, you can draw your route directly on a map,
search for nearby features from the millions of waypoints available in their
database, and transfer your trip directly to your GPS in one click. I own
ExpertGPS and would recommend it. You can download a trail version for 30 days:
www.expertgps.com
G7toWin: G7ToWin is designed to transfer data between Garmin, Magellan, or
Lowrance/Eagle GPS units and a PC. Get it here:
http://www.gpsinformation.org/ronh/
USA Photomaps: This is a cool freeware program that every motorcycle rider
should have. It’s called "USA Photomaps", and it allows you to download zoomable
aerial photographs and/or topographic maps to it's display and toggle between
them at will.
Here's how it works: After a ride, download your track log from your GPS unit
and USA Photomaps will overlay your track on photos/topos. USAPhotoMaps will
automatically download aerial photos or topo maps from Microsoft's Terraserver
from a simple Coordinate starting point, and then fill up the screen with as
much map info as you desire -or your computer can hold!
You can also create and edit tracks/routes/waypoints and upload them to your
GPS. I've got several GPS programs, but this is by far the one I use most. The
program author (Doug Cox) regularly updates and improves the program, and does
an awesome job of adding features/refinements to it. Definitely worth a look,
and it’s FREE! Get it here:
www.jdmcox.com
Next Section: Motorcycle GPS Mounts
Motorcycle GPS Section Index:
Motorcycle GPS Intro
Motorcycle GPS 101
How to Select Motorcycle GPS Unit
Motorcycle GPS Software
Motorcycle GPS Mounts
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