Best mapping tool?

[zenwhipper]

Folks, I did a 900 mile ride over the last weekend with some buddies :yahoo: . They keep asking me to map the route which I'd love to oblige. But- using Google or Bing or Mapquest does not seem to work too well . I am basically recalling from memory the route we took and typing in the towns and then adjusting for our circuitous route - but these programs are difficult to use in this way. I get a route established, drag and drop part of it to adjust for the less traveled roads we took and the mapping algorithms proceed to mess it all up :banghead: . Any thoughts on a good website to do this mapping exercise?

TIA.

Cheers!

Scott

 

[airboss]

Try This One

 

[blassoff]

I just noticed a functionality on my (new to me) Garmin 2820. It looks like the garmin will remember and recall your route turn for turn. I'm pretty sure the Zumo also has this functionality.

Have you looked at Microsoft Maps or Delorme's suite of software. I believe one of these programs will do what you want. Alternately it appears as thought the right GPS will do this for you as you ride the route.

 

[dcarver]

dang it.

Someone just posted some really cool links for routing tools..

hmm

back in a moment.

IIRC, it was Ross Kean. PM him.. I'd like those links too..

 

[SkooterG]

I really like Google Maps. Not sure why you are having problems with it. I just wish it were easy to transfer a route made on Google Maps to the gps. I usually plan my route with Google Maps and then redo it in Mapsource for download to the gps.

 

[Willie]

I just noticed a functionality on my (new to me) Garmin 2820. It looks like the garmin will remember and recall your route turn for turn. I'm pretty sure the Zumo also has this functionality.

Have you looked at Microsoft Maps or Delorme's suite of software. I believe one of these programs will do what you want. Alternately it appears as thought the right GPS will do this for you as you ride the route.

If you have a 2820 you should have gotten MapSource with it. If you bought it used the owner should have given it to you with the unlock codes for the maps. MapSource is the routing tool for sending routes to your GPS. Without MapSource you are losing a major piece of functionality to your GPS. The unlock codes come on a yellow strip of paper and can be lost easily. If you can register your 2820, you should be able to get MapSource and the maps that your unit contains by downloading them.

Many people don't like MapSource, but once you get used to it, it is as easy as any of the routing software. You may hear that Garmin is no longer updating MapSource, however MapSource in it's present version will work for years to come, so don't let that scare you away. MapSource (for free, I believe) is available at the Garmin site, but then you need unlocked mapsets that go along with the software. When you purchase a garmin unit with updatable maps, these maps are what MapSource uses for the detail maps for routing. Note NOT all of the Garmin units can take downloaded routes.

The Nuvi's and Zumo's use the GPX format so you can load routes with any routing tool that can save the routes in GPX format or be converted to a GPX format. When using MapSource for the Nuvi/Zumo MapSource sends the files to the unit in GPX format. In the GPS unit you import those routes under the Tools > My Data. The routes are then converted by the unit into usable routes. GPX files can be converted to GDB files (MapSource Database files) at CLICK HERE or once it is in the GPS unit you can send the file back to MapSource and save as a MapSource file (GDB file)

Hope this helps

Willie

 

[wfooshee]

Have a look here for some suggestions on how to proceed.

Keep in mind that unless you use Mapsource to build your final route, AND unless you have a StreetPilot or Zumo, you CANNOT force the exact route from any mapping program onto your GPS device. The map databases will be deffierent, and the device will recalculate to fit its own database.

StreetPilots and Zumos will accept an actual route from Mapsource without recalculating, which is why in my above-referenced thread it's always the last step, even when using other apps to create the route initially.

Non-Garmin GPSs I have no knowledge of. Have never used a Tomtom or Magellan.

 

[Zorlac]

I really like Google Maps. I just wish it were easy to transfer a route made on Google Maps to the gps. I usually plan my route with Google Maps and then redo it in Mapsource for download to the gps.

I think Google should just buy Garmin that might make for some better compatibility. :lol:

 

[RossKean]

dang it.

Someone just posted some really cool links for routing tools..

hmm

back in a moment.

IIRC, it was Ross Kean. PM him.. I'd like those links too..

I posted some links for free on-line routing in a topic on Butler Maps. These (below) are just some of the many available. Utilities such as Google Maps have a problem when you have a large number of waypoints. It bogs to a crawl after a few and quits completely when you hit a certain number (25 or so?). Google is great because you can copy the link and email it to anyone but limited in defining a complex route. You can't create a .gpx file directly from a Google map but I think utilities such as Tyre can help with that.

I've looked at these links but haven't really spent much time with any of them. I was mainly interested in getting some ideas about motorcycle routes in unfamiliar areas, not as utilities to do the mapping. I generally use Microsoft Streets and Trips along with Mapsource for that.

Try these sites for route planning (although maybe not for custom map creation??)

Harley Davidson Routes

Motorcycle Routes

More Roads and Trips

Another one

A link from Honda

Lots of stuff to choose from.

Ross

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I like mapsonus.com. you can drive in lots of different locations to your route.

 

[dcarver]

dang it.

Someone just posted some really cool links for routing tools..

hmm

back in a moment.

IIRC, it was Ross Kean. PM him.. I'd like those links too..

I posted some links for free on-line routing in a topic on Butler Maps. These (below) are just some of the many available. Utilities such as Google Maps have a problem when you have a large number of waypoints. It bogs to a crawl after a few and quits completely when you hit a certain number (25 or so?). Google is great because you can copy the link and email it to anyone but limited in defining a complex route. You can't create a .gpx file directly from a Google map but I think utilities such as Tyre can help with that.

I've looked at these links but haven't really spent much time with any of them. I was mainly interested in getting some ideas about motorcycle routes in unfamiliar areas, not as utilities to do the mapping. I generally use Microsoft Streets and Trips along with Mapsource for that.

Try these sites for route planning (although maybe not for custom map creation??)

Harley Davidson Routes

Motorcycle Routes

More Roads and Trips

Another one

A link from Honda

Lots of stuff to choose from.

Ross

Thanks, Ross!

 

[HaulinAshe]

TYRE

www.tyre.tk

Free, awesome functionality based on Google Maps' engine. Great developer who actually rides motorcycles.

If you need something that works without Internet access, still hard to beat MS Streets & Trips.

MapSucks... well... even on its best days it still SUCKS!!!

 

[Mount Rainier]

+1 on TYRE

www.tyre.tk

Keep Going!

 

[ToyQuest]

Here is one that I just recently found and have been testing - https://www.gpsies.com/createTrack.do It has some nice features like:

- Ability to easily import / export many, many file formats

- It does tracks and waypoints

- It does elevation profiles

- Ability to "render" the map in may different views (select the dropdown beside fullscreen)

- Provides other GPS related tasks

Just make sure to select "Follow roads"

 

[Bungie]

Here is one that I just recently found and have been testing - https://www.gpsies.com/createTrack.do

Good one! Bookmarked!

 

[beemerdons]

Here is one that I just recently found and have been testing - https://www.gpsies.com/createTrack.do

Good one! Bookmarked!

Good Luck Steve and I really mean it, but your using this one Bungie is like giving a goldfish a bicycle; but good luck anyway, you can then go for ten laps around Ottawa!