GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

Chapter 10: Using GPS Manufacturer Mapping Software177Figure 10-2:LowranceMapCreatestreet mapsoftware.Scout for current Lowrance map product information at www.lowrance.com.For the most part, GPS manufacturers have alock on the market when it comes to maps thatcan be uploaded to their receivers. GPSreceiver owners must use proprietary maps distributedby the manufacturers.However, a small group of technically adeptGPS and map enthusiasts have found waysaround this map monopoly. They have createdfree tools such as GPSMapEdit and Mapdekodewith which Garmin GPS receiver owners cancreate their own maps and upload them to theirDo-it-yourself mapsreceivers. Similar projects are under way forMagellan GPS receivers.At the present, creating your own do-it-yourselfGPS receiver maps is a somewhat complicatedprocess, but a number of tutorials areavailable on the Internet. (Here’s one for starters:www.gpstm.com/eng/dekode_eng.htm.)If you’re really interested in this topic, check outthe Yahoo! Group devoted to GPS map authoringat groups.yahoo.com/group/map_authors.