Has anyone used Expert GPS Home to upload maps and create tracks for Central America travel?; ExpertGPS - GPS Mapping Software for Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, Eagle GPS

They appear to have a good map set available, and the map sets can be uploaded to your gps. I can't figure out if their maps are detailed in the more remote areas, more remote roads/trails. Download Guatemala Map Software for Your GPS

I have used OSM in Mexico, but I know it has limited detail in certain areas, like Guatemala rural areas for one. Not sure if the Expert GPS map set is better than OSM. I'd like to have a computer based mapping method that doesn't require wifi like Google Earth, then load tracks to my gps. I do like to use Google Earth, but without wifi, GE is not an option.

My ideal goal is to have something like Google Earth available on my computer without wifi, be able to use it on my computer for routing, and then transfer routes to my gps. I also need to load maps to my Garmin 60, although OSM is one option.

I've used ExpertGPS for limited track creation and I can say I find it to be one of the best,,

I've not used it to upload maps, I wasn't aware that you could upload maps to your GPS through ExpertGPS - personally I use a phone app with Offline Vector Maps to maximize space, as picture maps take so much mb of space...

Why not download Garmin Topo Maps for South America to your GPS and just overlay your tracks you are creating,, I know Garmin Maps for N.A. are pretty decent for detail.

Good Luck, let us know what you end up doing.. always interested in this topic

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Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go...

Me too!
You might want to contribute to the thread linked below; read it "backwards" i.e start at the end which, logically, contains the most recent, up to date, input.
After all, the subject matter is changing very rapidly as shown by the subject matter of the posts in that thread over the last 3 years.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...in-et-63191-24

ExpertGPS I haven't heard of previously; looking briefly at the link in the OP it seems to be aimed at the North American market (that would be why I have not come across it before reading this post) and it is quite costly, at 75 US $ compared with "free" (there are a lot of softwares on the market that are aimed at this capability).

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Dave

Yep, this is a key feature of mapping/navigation software capability and the business of providing the base mapping has changed over the years.
e.g, at present Nokia has pulled out of manufacturing hardware (the phones) and seems to have a business model of providing the software maps through their marketing of HERE.
www.Here.com

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Dave

You could use Mapsource and install OSM maps into it on your computer.
It will be able to send some routes and tracks to your Garmin gpsmap 60 -
Mapping will be severely limited as it seems that very old unit only has 24Mb max. of internal memory.

You prompted me to look further at expertGPS: I thought it a little strange, in this era, that they market only a paid-for-version of their software.
I discovered that expertGPS is owned by topografix which is the company that developed the .gpx format for data handling and manipulation.
TopoGrafix - GPS Software, Waypoints, and Maps for your Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance GPS

Anyway, they also have a free version of software!
EasyGPS - FREE GPS Software for your Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance GPS
Maybe that can do some of what you want without the more technical capabillities of expertGPS?
Apologies if this is all known to you already. If so,


Also, there is a sticky thread in the HUBB about using google earth offline.

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Dave

Thanks folks for all the comments.

brbo: Here's what I found earlier about maps for Guatemala. I think the download is part of the paid expertgps service. It's not included in the free version: Download Guatemala Map Software for Your GPS About Garmin topo, that is a purchase map, I believe.

I may have to download the 30 day expert gps trial, and see for myself what the level of map detail it has. Locally I use OSM for trails and woods roads, and for road riding. I use it to load tracks from my computer to my gps for navigation assistance. OSM is fairly good where I live, partially because riders here contribute to the data base of OSM. It's also very good in Copper Canyon, and in the parts of Mexico I've ridden. Maybe it's perfectly fine in Guatemala. I'm going there, and I'll find out first hand.

I do have OSM, but for some areas (Guatemala for one) there is not much mapping beyond the main roads, when comparing to google earth or other on line sites. I'm planning to use a sd card, but haven't explored that with this "new to me" gps unit.

Walkabout: I do know about the free version. There is also a trial version of expertgps. Thanks for the here.com link, I didn't know about that one. With google earth and the long discussion you linked, I have read through that and was hopeful, and found some of the routing/transfer information to be very helpful. However, I still can't transfer map images. I have google earth vs7, a tough one to find the cache files on. I'm not a computer techie, so the depth of the search required to find the cache files was exceeding my abilities. Again, grrrrr - technology always changing.

This stuff is just a tool for me, not an occupation or passion. No matter what the motorcycle, I can always operate it. It has a handlebar, two wheels, clutch on the handlebar, two brakes.... digital mapping technology has no continuity to it between programs, the way something solid like a moto or a paper map does.

These technology changes are such a pia. I have done a LOT of routing with mapping software and gps, using Streets & Trips and a 2700 series street pilot gps. I've used several other programs, including gpsbabal. I became very good with these programs, from my Iron Butt type rally experience. S&T is no longer, and my 2700 series gps died, and also doesn't have a sd chip. You have to load maps to the memory. Don't get me going on Basecamp. I still haven't mastered it's routing function to the level I had with S&T. I was never a fan of Mapsource, with its clunky routing method. With that, I now am way back at step 1, knowing what I want and can do, but not knowing what to use.

I know what you are saying!
I had thought that you were currently using expertGPS and asking for further information about it; now I see that you are considering using their 30 day trial.
I have tried the easyGPS software recently and I can't see any way of handling mapping; it brings up some waypoints that I loaded but the various controls for the software don't have any means of loading a map! It is very non-intuitive to me so far as maps are concerned.

This subject of map and GPS data handling is hardly explored within the HUBB discussions, so far as I can tell.
A couple of such programs that I am aware of are "Tyre" and "motogoloco" but there are many, many others on the internet.
The latter is very UK-centric at present, being a relative newcomer, but they both claim to have routing capability for worldwide mapping, or so I understand from their blurb.
MotoGoLoco - The Home of Biker Friendly
TyreToTravel -

I think that loading up maps has been "clouded" by some issues over licencing that arose a few years ago - maybe in 2011.
I seem to remember discussion about this at the time, but I am a long long way from understanding what was going on then and anyway, it is history especially in the world of digital technology.
This may be one reason why OSM is growing in popularity; I have noticed that loads of apps are now using OSM as their base mapping.
When you are on your travels you will be able to bring back new data (tracks) and pass them to OSM so that their maps can be improved!

Yes, so far as travelling is concerned it is all simply a tool for me also.
But I was brought up with an interest in maps for their own sake and the developments are of interest to me therefore.
Historically, maps used to be state secrets and unauthorised possession could cause one a lot of trouble.

I see that the Google Earth thread hasn't been updated in nearly 2 years which is a shame if it is now out of date.
It's a long time since I looked at GE software: I guess the satellite view within google maps has superceded it for my usage.

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Dave

From reading elsewhere, I came upon this version of mapping/navigation which undoubtedly relies on OSM, sourced either directly or via others who also use OSM, as the basis of their product.
Features - NaviComputer for Windows Phone
This is the first case I have come across that is specifically an app for the windows phones, although I guess they could move on to cover the Android and iPhone markets (which are much bigger at present).

Another case of OSM rules OK, so far as "free" is concerned anyway.

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Dave

Thanks for that link. I don't have a smart phone. I live in an area of the States where 90% of the County has no cell service. With my work I need a tougher phone, because otherwise I break it when it's in my pocket, so I carry a flip phone. Besides, I don't want to be fully connected to the internet every hour of my day.

I've used a Garmin 2797 for the last 18 months, with great satisfaction. Two major features: big screen and therefore easy to set up a route on it alone. Problem is the power plug is failing already. I guess using it on rough roads, both at home and last fall in Mexico, is beyond it's design level.

I'm in the market for a rugged gps, looking at Zumo350 and Montana600. Large screen of Zumo is a very strong feature, but I understand there are routing issues with that unit when following a route. The Montana screen is smaller than both the Zumo and the 2797. I might end up once again with a smaller screen gps and travel computer.

Sounds like OSM it it for maps. Carrying a computer and wifi, one can look at google earth or other on line maps to make a riding plan for the day. Out on the ride, the unknown roads then become part of the adventure and get you lost. That can't be all bad.

Thanks for you interest in this discussion. Good travels to ya!

MN is Minnesota I think?
Anyway, good fortune with your search for the optimum navigation solution that suits you: I oscillate between a Garmin Nuvi, a tablet and a smartphone, sometimes all on at the same time.

I used to have problems with power cables but now I use a light weight USB cable on everything (I have a selection of them in different lengths for different vehicles) plugged into an adaptor for 12V to 5 volts, the latter plugged into any 12V outlet on the vehicle of choice.

Tough phones: there is some discussion about them in the mega-thread about smartphones. I won't repeat it here but there have been some interesting products brought to market over the last few years; branded as CAT for instance!
For waterproofness for instance: 10 Best Waterproof Android Phones | Digital Trends

For the Garmin products there is plenty of information within the HUBB and views about the relevant pros and cons of the popular versions (not so much about the Tom Tom for whatever reason).

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Dave