X marks the spot in the digital age.
June 27, 2010 6:06 PM Subscribe
Help me find reliable, spam and virus-free GPS files!
My wife and I recently bought a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. We're planning on visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in a couple of weeks, and we're looking for the best GPS files of hikes in each park to put in our GPS.
Do any of you outdoorsy-types have suggestions as far as where to locate reliable GPS files for us to use? Free is good, but we're willing to pay a reasonable amount for them. Thanks.
My wife and I recently bought a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. We're planning on visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in a couple of weeks, and we're looking for the best GPS files of hikes in each park to put in our GPS.
Do any of you outdoorsy-types have suggestions as far as where to locate reliable GPS files for us to use? Free is good, but we're willing to pay a reasonable amount for them. Thanks.
Update: I was just checking Garmin's site. They now sell 1:24k topo maps, split into geographic region. Get that, instead of nationwide. And I may well do the same.
posted by devbrain at 7:13 PM on June 27, 2010
posted by devbrain at 7:13 PM on June 27, 2010
openstreetmap has some free data for garmin gps - I didn't locate anything for yellowstone on my quick skim of what is available.
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 7:46 PM on June 27, 2010
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 7:46 PM on June 27, 2010
Best answer: I've downloaded and used free topo maps from GPSFileDepot for my Garmin NUVI.
posted by jaimev at 8:12 PM on June 27, 2010
posted by jaimev at 8:12 PM on June 27, 2010
This doesn't help you, but for the benefit of future readers: DeLorme GPS users can pay an annual subscription and get USGS topos, satellite photos, high-res photos, and NOAA charts. I am planning a vacaiton now, and stuffing my SD card with downloaded data. It's got some data key in it tying the data to your GPS so You can't share them.
I'm not astroturfing, just pointing it out as a differentiating feature.
Now, there are also waypoints and tracks that can be saved in files. Was the original quesiton about maps, or downloading someon else's hikes (as tracks) or interesting locations (as waypoints/POIs)? Geocaches are distributed as waypoints, so I know it can be done. A site for swapping tracks or POIs would be cool.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:10 AM on June 28, 2010
I'm not astroturfing, just pointing it out as a differentiating feature.
Now, there are also waypoints and tracks that can be saved in files. Was the original quesiton about maps, or downloading someon else's hikes (as tracks) or interesting locations (as waypoints/POIs)? Geocaches are distributed as waypoints, so I know it can be done. A site for swapping tracks or POIs would be cool.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:10 AM on June 28, 2010
Topo maps are not available for free.
I don't know how to get them into a gps, but electronic ones are free now. I just discovered this last week. USGS Store
posted by Big_B at 3:08 PM on June 28, 2010
I don't know how to get them into a gps, but electronic ones are free now. I just discovered this last week. USGS Store
posted by Big_B at 3:08 PM on June 28, 2010
I have a 60CSx, and I bought the 1:24K maps for my area (about $100 for one DVD that contains CA, NV, WA, OR.) Installing maps is easy. There's also a "National Parks" 1:24K set.
On the other hand, it's possible to get the free USGS map data and mangle it into a form fit for uploading to the GPS -- but that's not for beginners. If you don't already know what that involves, pay Garmin the $100, it's well worth it.
posted by phliar at 5:59 PM on June 28, 2010
On the other hand, it's possible to get the free USGS map data and mangle it into a form fit for uploading to the GPS -- but that's not for beginners. If you don't already know what that involves, pay Garmin the $100, it's well worth it.
posted by phliar at 5:59 PM on June 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
The garmin store has the topo (covers the whole of the US, updated very infrequently) set available, and also higher-res topo of specific national parks. I have the nationwide topo set and it will include some of the major trails, maybe more trails in the larger parks, but is definitely NOT comprehensive for trail coverage.
If you just want a file of individual trails, you can find some online. I did a quick google and came up with this site - http://www.everytrail.com/destination/yellowstone-national-park - and I know there are other sites (such as trails.com) which are pay for that have gpx file downloads.
One more option is something like the nat geo Topo! software where although you can't load the maps into your GPS you can trace routes and upload those. These are sold by state, or by groups of states. I have a few sets and they're useful but somewhat cumbersome.
My recommendation -- get the Garmin nationwide topo maps to start (it's always more comfortable to be hiking on landscape and not a blank or almost blank basemap). I haven't used the other sites to specifically recommend them, but google and some elbow grease can tell you if they're worthwhile.
Obligatory mention: Even though you've got the GPS, be sure to carry map and compass as well as spare batteries. Also, assuming you're new to having a GPS - *ALWAYS* remember to take a waypoint when you park the car.
posted by devbrain at 7:08 PM on June 27, 2010