GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

178Part III: Digital Mapping on Your ComputerGarmin MapSourceLike the other GPS receiver manufacturers, Garmin offers a number of differenttypes of maps for its products. Unlike Magellan and Lowrance, however, Garmindoesn’t use memory cards in its current line of handheld GPS receivers. Anymaps that you upload must be able to fit into whatever fixed memory the GPSreceiver has available for storage. (The amount of fixed memory depends onthe model, with high-end, handheld GPS receivers sporting between 56–115MBof memory.)Although Garmin doesn’t use commonly available SD or MMC memory cardsin its GPS models, the company is using newer technology to make uploadingmaps quicker. Recent Garmin products feature USB connectivity, which isconsiderably faster than uploading a map to a GPS receiver through a PCserial port.If you own a Garmin GPS receiver or are considering purchasing one, here aresome of the mapping software packages that you can use. Detailed informationabout all is available from the Garmin Web site. MapSource City Select: City Select contains street maps and points ofinterest and is designed to work with Garmin GPS receivers that supportautorouting (turn-by-turn street directions), such as the GPSMAP 196 andGPSMAP 60C/60CS. (If you own a GPS V or iQue 3600, this software camebundled with your GPS receiver.) The three versions of the product areavailable for North America, Europe, and South Africa. MapSource MetroGuide: MetroGuide is similar to City Select but isdesigned for Garmin GPS receivers that don’t support autorouting (suchas the eTrex Legend and Vista). Four versions of this product are available,providing street maps for the United States, Canada, Australia, andEurope. MapSource WorldMap: This software provides basic international mapsthat expand the default basemap coverage that comes with your GPSreceiver.GPS receivers sold in different parts of the world typically have differentbasemaps. MapSource BlueChart: BlueChart products are Garmin’s nautical chartsand are available in regional versions that cover the Americas as well asthe Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Fishing Hot Spots: Fishing Hot Spots are maps of popular fishing areasin North America with depth contours, shoreline details, boat rampinformation, and fishing tips. The maps are sold for multistate regions.