GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

176Part III: Digital Mapping on Your Computerpreceding bullet), if your GPS receiver is compatible with DirectRoute,I suggest going with the European version. MapSend WorldWide Basemap: This map software package expandsyour GPS receiver’s built-in basemap coverage to other internationalregions. Each basemap region has basic map features such as cities,highways, waterways, railroads, national boundaries, and shorelines.Don’t expect street-level detail, but there’s enough information to helpyou get around.Check periodically for current information about Magellan map products;go to www.magellangps.com.Lowrance MapCreateLowrance was the first manufacturer to offer a GPS receiver with uploadablemaps. (For you trivia buffs, it was the GlobalMap100, which first came out inApril, 1998.) The company continues the electronic map tradition with itscurrent line of iFINDER handheld GPS receivers; which use memory cards tostore maps.If you own a Lowrance GPS receiver or are considering purchasing one, hereare the map products you can use: MapCreate: MapCreate is Lowrance’s primary map program for creatingGPS receiver maps of the United States. (See the MapCreate user interfacein Figure 10-2.) In addition to street maps and points of interest,MapCreate also has an extensive database of navigation aids, wrecks, andobstructions for marine use. One nice feature of MapCreate is that youcan select polygon map regions to upload, which maximizes map storagespace. Although MapCreate currently doesn’t offer autorouting and turnby-turndirections, Lowrance does plan to offer this feature in the future.Several versions of MapCreate are available. If you’re using an iFINDERGPS receiver, be sure you get Version 6 or later. FreedomMaps: In addition to maps on CD-ROM, Lowrance also offersthe FreedomMaps product line, comprising memory cards preloadedwith maps of the United States, Europe, and Canada. Regional mapscome on 128MB and 256MB memory cards that you just plug into yourGPS receiver; no software or CD-ROMs are required. Navionics charts: Navionics (www.navionics.com) is one of the largestproducers of electronic nautical charts. Navionics Gold and Classiccharts and fishing HotMaps are all available on MMC memory cards andare also compatible with the iFINDER Pro GPS receiver.