GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

174Part III: Digital Mapping on Your ComputerMapSend, MapCreate, and MapSource all refer to the respective PC programsthat allow you to view maps on your PC, upload maps to your GPS receiver,and manage GPS waypoints, routes, and tracks. Magellan, Lowrance, andGarmin ship these programs with their respective map products. Just rememberthat MapSend, MapCreate, and MapSource are not maps nor map databut simply the programs that interface the map data.In addition to map products, several GPS manufacturers sell waypoint androute management software. If you don’t care about uploading maps but wantto transfer and save waypoints, routes, and tracks, I recommend using thefree G7ToWin program (which works with most all GPS receivers) that youcan download at www.gpsinformation.org/ronh.Some manufacturers offer GPS receivers bundled with map software andother accessories. These bundled products are usually cheaper than separatelypurchasing the GPS hardware and map software, so shop around.Just like any other software line, GPS receiver manufacturers roll out newproducts, drop outdated ones, and add new features to existing products. Besure to check the manufacturer’s Web site to get the latest information onwhat map software is available for a particular model of GPS receiver.Magellan MapSendMagellan manufactures the popular Meridian and SporTrak GPS receiverlines. The Meridian receivers use memory cards for map storage, and theSporTrak models have a fixed amount of internal memory to store maps. (Youcan upload maps to all SporTraks with the exception of the basic model.)Software products that you can use with Magellan mapping GPS receiversinclude the following. Information about all these products is available at theMagellan Web site. MapSend DirectRoute: This software package provides street maps,POIs, automated street routing, and turn-by-turn directions for mostMeridian and SporTrak receivers. With automated street routing (alsocalled autorouting), you can enter a starting and destination streetaddress, and the GPS receiver will provide you with a route, includingstreet directions. Most GPS receivers give you a straight-line routebetween two points, but Magellan upgraded the firmware on a numberof their receivers to support both straight-line and street routes whenMapSend DirectRoute maps are uploaded. Versions of the software areavailable for the United States, major cities in Canada, and Europe. TheMapSend DirectRoute PC user interface is shown in Figure 10-1.