Morocco GPS map - new alternative to Olaf
 

Someone sent me this today:

Quote:

there exists a better mk map than Olafs. You can get this from viagens4x4.com. This map is also routable and includes an enormous number of pistes and tracks.

Mapa Garmin Marrocos

Havent seen it mentioned here before, but looks good.
I will try and load and use it later.

Ch

@Chris: When try to follow upper link got this reply: Forbidden - Users from your country are not permitted to browse this site.

Well all I know is it worked for me in the UK.
It looks as below - a Portuguese www but in English
Is Ljubljana in a bad country ;-)

I have not tried it yet, instead am bogged down relearning how to load the latest OSM Moroccos into the Garmin.

Ch

I have been using this map for a while now, although not in Morocco, just planning with it loaded into Mapsource and nRoute and it's well worth having, loads of fuel stations (although I'm not sure all are there) and the pistes match up with the ones I have done so far and Olaf.

One of the nice things about nRoute is you can switch between maps in an instant on a drop down menu, so you can use the best map for the area / piste you are on at the time.

EDIT, just in case anyone missed that other maps are Here

As far as I know Slovenia should not be on any black list :innocent:

PM me your email and I will send it to you, if you wish.

Good evening from Portugal :)

Same here, if you need the map please PM me.

BR,
CaBRita

Hi
can someone tell me how much Mb we are talking about?Thnx

import jpg maps - at last
 

24/7 just sent me the .exe of 3.7mb and someone else said the map itself was 6mb.

I could not open the .exe as Mapsource (req'd) is not Mac'd and BaseCamp (replaces MapS?) is Mac'd but didn't like .exe.

But - fyi - in the intervening hours lost in Garminworld I have learned that with Garmin CustomMaps you can finally import any scanned or digi jpg map into a GPS unit by 'calibrating' it against Google Earth as an opaque layer, and then saving as a kmz to import into a unit's /directory which, with a sat image .kmz could sort of = GE in a GPS... Possibly very nice.

This has always been the holy grail in the central Sahara (maybe not so much Morocco) where detailed digi mapping (free or otherwise) is scarce but the excellent IGN maps (1m, 500k and 200k) needed to be hooked up to a laptop). Directly off a big screened GPS would also be nice. You could look at the screen IGN, relate it to a paper IGN and get the big picture in a flash.

Problem is, my old 76csx hasn't got the poke for CustomMaps but the newer 78 does - as do all the touchy Dakotas, Montanas, etc.

stop me if I'm going on...

Ch

Take care downloading Viagens maps. I just did for comparison , and it wiped out about 30 other maps I had in Mapsource. Got them back after a system restore, but not very reassuring. Of course, this may just be my system...

I have been giving presentations at the German HU meets on this and it works well - although of limited use to long haul overlanders. Very useful for those wishing for GE 'mapping' images in a smaller area due to the number of images required - as well as gps model limitations (storage/processing/etc)

As 24/7 says, one great advantage is using Nroute so as to have the wide screen effect based on your notebook. It's a shame Garmin discontinued this and replaced it with a product that is not free. Note: I have not been able to get N-Route to work under windows 7 - only on XP.

==> 24/7 what op.sys are you running your N-route under?

No Barry you are right and trying to install these causes a lot of grief - these maps are best avoided IMHO.
Best either keep nice treat from Olaf with his maps, or invest in the Garmin maps which are not free - Topo Maroc has been out for over 2 years now but still the best there is.

I don't have any problem here, been using the map for 3 months or so now, on various PC's.

What are the dates on your IMG files? Mine are Oct 2009 I'm waiting for another log in, just in case I'm using an older version.

Win 7

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...s/IMG_2240.jpg

and in the past Win XP

I did not do anything special, just installed it as normal, it's on my desktop (Win7) as well.

I'm using version 2.7.4 btw.

Mapsource Ver 6.16.2

I have just downloaded another copy of MARROCOS map and it is the same as the version I have.

Like I said, it never caused me any problems, both on my deck top or laptop, both have multiple maps installed, but I have not yet used it in anger in Morocco in nRoute over an extend time.

It will get a full test in April though :D

it was the 'exe' that gave me grief-
Might catch up in Maroc then- in a 4x4 I take it? !

I have zipped up the IMG files and sent them to Chris, if anyone else wants them PM me.

Hello Bertrand, yes in 4x4, should enter Morocco on the 5th of April and leaving around 4th of May, no fixed route although I would love to do Assa - Smara - Laayoune route again, I really like the South West / Anti Atlas area.

Are you going in your Hilux or on a Bike?

Matthew

Me too, Leave Erg Chebbi to the Rotavators ;-)

btw, here's another map source for Mk: Michelin's version of Google/Earth
Detailed online maps - UK maps and worldwide maps - ViaMichelin
Some pistes I've never seen (see image below), but many misnamed roads. And in fact, if you zoom in on southern Algerian for example, it's an unlikely, spaghetti-like mass of pistes, half of which are camel routes. Like a TPC.

btw, there's a new Mich 742 paper map out in a month or so. A GPS-friendly update one hopes.

And fyi the RG Mk map has been dumped (along with many books).
Get the 2011 RK-H which is the same but newer. Just bought it, I'll review/compare it later.

Ch

PS .exe didn't work for me either - I think my 2009 GPS is already passed it! Maybe not worth the bother as Bert says. Stuck Olaf back in there but may try Garmin's Topo on a Nuvi-style for a bigger view. Can't really run a laptop on a moto, though I did wonder about sticking a GPS plug into my iPad. All this stuff takes so long to figure out - and realistically, for what?

Chris, if you haven't already got it, I wouldn't bother with Garmin's map. Olaf is just as good on a Nuvi, if not better wrt pistes, especially in the SW. But, as you say; 'for what'. Re Morocco, it all soon becomes an unnecessary pita

Try this;

Free worldwide routable Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap

Yes I grabbed those too and may give it a go.
Is it significantly better than Olaf?
I'm simply looking for piste ideas, rather than zillions of POIs or routing.

Ch

Just took some screen shots of the same area, with the three maps. If anyone wants another location screen shots just say.

New Map
Olaf
Garmin Topo

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...20Bobs/One.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...20Bobs/two.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...d%20Bobs/3.jpg

Thanks 24, just what was wanted.
Olaf looks fine then.
A shame he's retired but who can blame him.

Ch

In the examples above none of them show the new road that was constructed several years ago to Tamaloute and Bou Tharar, and the tarmac has since been extended way north of the (widened) tunnel all the way to Amjgag, see image below.

Each mapset seems to have some advantage or disadvantage. In some cases the Viagens4x4 map shows pistes as if they are main roads which is disconcerting. And the Garmin one doesn't differentiate well between pistes and footpaths.

I can't see many people on a trip to Morocco forking out over £120 for the Garmin maps when others are available for free.

Hello everyone,
Thanks for the tip.
Two days ago I successfully downloaded the map of viagens4x4. I found it well done so I wanted to load it on GPS ... I'm trying to contact them but the site does not work ... Does anyone have a viagens contact email?
Thanx

The site seems to be out of service :thumbdown:

Anyway, I recall that it stated that in order to download the map to the GPS you'd need to provide the GPS SN or the SD card SN.

Keep on trying...

Because of unlock code I am trying to contact them. Thanx for your reply :-)

Except the front page, the site is also down for me, but after a look around the net, it may well be

ncastelao
at
viagens4x4.com

:thumbup1:

RKH map and Rough Guide Morocco
 

Just compared to the 2009 RG map with the 2011 RKH and there are a few improvements, a few old errors as well as much better colour contrast than the RG (as before with RKH).

I've also compared the current 2010 RG guidebook with the previous edition I used, and even though the newer edition lost 200+ pages (25%), the 3 southern chapters (which interest me) have actually gained a few pages. There must have been a lot of waffle to cut out in the north...

Full story here if you're interested.

Ch

Unlock code for Marrocos map
 

Any luck on getting the unlock code anyone? I emailed viagens via the web form on their site - but no reply so far.

Hi,
for the code to unlock the map I obtained it by sending a mail (thanx to twenty4seven) to
ncastelao
at viagens4x4.com
the same day Nelson (viagens4x4) answered me with the code, and now the map works :-)

Thanks cecca and Nelson. I have the code.

I have the unlock code for my GPS and the maps work fine on my PC under Mapsource but when I transfer them to the Zumo 550 I get an error message when restarting the Zumo of "can't unload maps".

It's not my week for route planning...

.

Hi Tim, I got a similar error using Mapsource so I tried Sendmap which worked a treat. You can get it here: cGPSmapper - Your Tool For Creating Maps

Hello all

Are these maps available as a mac install ?

Thanks

Help!
 

I tried loading the Marracos map from viagens4x4.com and it seems to have screwed up all the other maps I had loaded, including the Olaf map. I am just trying to get set up on a Toughbook with built-in GPS. I had loaded Mapsource 6.15.6 and nRoute, and was working great with Olaf and OSM maps. Loaded the viagen map and the other maps got screwed up. I have tried deleting/uninstalling Garmin SW and all maps, reloading Garmin SW but am still getting error message when trying to start Mapsource saying that there was an error with Marracos map and to reload.

Any ideas?

thanks, Rick

Install Javawa GMTK or the old MSTK (Map Set Tool Kit) Have it run and select the last installed map to uninstall. Thes programms run only with Mapsource or Basecamp installed but shut down.

Look before where the map is located on your CPU so you can remove the folder after uninstalling.

GRTZ,

JP

Hi JP- installed Javawa GMTK and it found a couple of map remnants somewhere that were causing the problems. cleared up and reinstalled mapsource and nroute - seem ok. now just have to download and load all the maps. In retrospect, expect that GMTK would havefixed the problem without all of the rest of it. Oh well - live and learn.

Thanks, Rick.

I used this map set for some of my route planning for my last trip and found there is a high level of ghost pistes included.

It's well worth double checking using Olaf, OSM and Google Earth before you go to avoid finding a planned piste simply doesn't exist on the ground

Updating comparison with OSM now- same area- almost same scale
 

and latest OSM Nov 2014 - click to max out map

wait, when did osm get that level of detail?????? looks like they maybe the best mapset for Morocco totally now.

Previously I preferred OLAF because of the contours but if osm has it in now then I'm sold

NB I've deleted the viagens4x4 map set as it was just too unreliable to be worth the effort

It is osm but with a twist☺

have you got osm and olaf active at the same time?????

come on spill the beans:nono:

Hi guys
I had combined Olaf topographic data with planimetric data from 4x4.
I lost the routable functionality but I now have one map with useful information.
Plus, write another typ file to suits my needs.

If anyone want it, please let me know.

http://s16.postimg.org/3y2jg879d/mapa.jpg

Regards

Is it just the topographic data you took from Olafsor do you have all the pistes he had too?

Hi,
Just the topographic data.
Most of the Olaf pistes are in the 4x4 map.

As I previously posted make sure you double check the pistes on viagens actually exit before travel or you may find that nice trans atlas route is a dead end or doesn't exist! the maps have a lot of ghost pistes marked

I've loaded Olafs into basecamp and found that the pistes (thin black lines, and dashed lines), aren't visible unless you're zoomed in to 750m

That makes planning incredibly difficult.

I also get some kind of branding "map created in xxxxx" over the tiles too.

When using Garmin City Navigator Europe and Open Street Maps for any and everywhere in Mapsource I have the same "problem", except I don't see it as a problem as it's free and very accurate.

I use a paper map or road atlas for broad planning and Mapsource for micro planning. Also, when you're actually there, a lot of tracks are visible to the eye: Navigation in Morocco, even on the pistes, is not difficult during the day.

Olaf into a Garmin 600
 

Has anyone managed to slot Olaf into a Garmin 600 or similar?

Someone is asking: 'It shows up fine in Basecamp and the Garmin recognises the map when I hit the Install option under the Maps drop-down but it says that the map failed to transfer.'

I wonder if something about Olaf is too old for the modern touchy Garmins.
It's one reason I'm avoiding them. I've not got any hair left to pull out*.

*May have used that one already on this subject

In my opinion OSM+VFP is better than Olaf. It has more detail and is of course more up to date. Olafs worked on my mobile, and on a Garmin 62 but wouldn't work in the Garmin Quest.

Montana 600 Chris? If so yes I have installed Olaf, but can't remember how. Probably following a guide here or somewhere


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