Ok 1st of all I did a quick search & couldn't find what I was looking for so I will ask & will probably get a link to a past discusion from someone who is better with the search function than me.

Anyway, I just got a great deal on a Garmin 60csx  ;D .... it didn't come with the Mapsource software, so I am looking into weather I should buy the Mapsource or is there a better mapping software that would be compatable with the Garmin unit.

I only have a few weeks to figure this thing out, never used one before.

I seem to recall Jimbo having a similar unit at the BWJ in 2005.

Troy

So far as I know, only Mapsource works with Garmin units.  (Since the software is proprietary, its not very likely that other sources can supply the maps.)

dd

There is a new source for maps for Mapsource,     (You need to Login or Register

I downloaded there maps for Maine and they work great in my Mapsource.  I have not yet tried downloading them into my GPS, though.

This first requires you to have Mapsource.  Mapsource comes with any Garmin map data you buy.  I do not know if you can get mapsource without any map data.  I keep downloading updates free, so it could be the software itself is free, just the data costs money.  If so, you could use mapsource with the free gpsfiledepot data for free.

I know we've discussed this before, but I can't find it either.

I thought there was something for Minnesota Lakes, but all I can see now are the Mapsource US Topo (1:100k) and US Topo 24k National Parks (1:24k, includes BWCA coverage) that would meet your needs, from here...
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PS: if all you want is BWCA maps (&poratges, campsites) on your 60csx for your trip, I think you could get someone (local QJ friend?) who already has Mapsource to load it for you, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

-Tom

PPS: This is the Minn Lake thing... I don't know how good it is.
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WW: Given your timeframe & travel plans, here's my suggestion:

1) Buy Garmin Topo US (or the 24k park one or the Minn Lake one)

2) Read the directions & load the desired detailed topo maps onto your GPS (don't plug the USB in until you've read the instructions! Drivers need to be installed first!  With my GPSMAP 76C is seems like it needs to be plugged into the same USB port also. That's how I learned how helpful Garmin tech support is! )  --- most of the work is finished, but important details remain.

3) When you get that far I'll e-mail the BW portage & campsite stuff is on Azalea's site in Mapsource format (get the .MPS files from the link below) .  Get those, load them into Mapsource & then you can load (a subset of) those onto your 60csx.
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-Tom

wrote on May 15^th, 2009 at 12:35pm:

PS: if all you want is BWCA maps (&poratges, campsites) on your 60csx for your trip, I think you could get someone (local QJ friend?) who already has Mapsource to load it for you, but I'm not 100% sure about that. -Tom

This would be a great help, It looks like I have a pretty big learning curve ahead of me & a ton of web links to read & look at... wished I would have got one this past winter to play with.

The Website that azalea mentioned is a great resource for user-created Garmin maps. They also have a tutorial on how to load Mapsource if it didn't come with your GPS:   (You need to Login or Register. Many of the user-created topos are better quality than what Garmin sells. But, you do need Mapsource to load them. So, follow the tutorial and you should be fine.

Also, if you search around you should be able to find a GPX with all of the BW campsites and portages listed.

azalea wrote on May 15^th, 2009 at 10:09am:

There is a new source for maps for Mapsource,     (You need to Login or Register I downloaded there maps for Maine and they work great in my Mapsource.  I have not yet tried downloading them into my GPS, though. ...

Azalea,
Let us know how it goes when you download the maps to your GPS - very interesting!
-Tom

PS: I added more to my above post to help w/WW's immediate need.  Any comments on Lakemaster Minnesota and/or 24k National Parks for BWCA use?

wrote on May 15^th, 2009 at 5:17pm:

Azalea, Let us know how it goes when you download the maps to your GPS - very interesting! -Tom PS: I added more to my above post to help w/WW's immediate need.  Any comments on Lakemaster Minnesota and/or 24k National Parks for BWCA use?

I haven't tried the map for Maine but I do have most of the Mid-west loaded on my GPS including the map for Minnesota. It works great and the topo detail is better than the 24k National Parks for Garmin. I do not have the Lakemaster so I can not compare it. I did notice some shore line errors in the Minnesota map from the gpsfiledepot. But, so far, any error that I have found has been minor. The map doesn't contain any bathymetric data for the lakes. I'm sure that is there is a good public source for that sort of data the map authors would be willing to add it to their maps.

plafromboise wrote on May 15^th, 2009 at 5:45pm:

...I do have most of the Mid-west loaded on my GPS including the map for Minnesota...

That sounds very cool & I may try such things -- does it help WW right now?  You know, when you first get your GPS is seems intimidating just to get it to work right, much less try new cool new stuff -- if there's a nice step by step list for WW (or others) to follow for loading MN data (and a simple way to get the data)?  If so, it might be used by many of us.
-tom

PS: or it could show up as an Inukshuk perk... ;)

wrote on May 15^th, 2009 at 5:57pm:

That sounds very cool & I may try such things -- does it help WW right now?  You know, when you first get your GPS is seems intimidating just to get it to work right, much less try new cool new stuff -- if there's a nice step by step list for WW (or others) to follow for loading MN data (and a simple way to get the data)?  If so, it might be used by many of us. -tom PS: or it could show up as an Inukshuk perk... ;)

Here is a list of all the map data available for Minnesota:   (You need to Login or Register. There are several maps available including snow mobile trails, county boundaries, and topos. The Minnesota specific Topo is available here:   (You need to Login or Register. It is a simple installer that only needs to be double-clicked to add to MapSource. And, here is a tutorial on how to send the maps from MapSource to the GPSr:   (You need to Login or Register. All of it is about as easy as it gets.

Thanks so much everyone, I did go buy an Upper-Midwest topo micro chip for the Garmin.... but I am leaving for Ely right now so time to play with it will be limited... maybe tomorrow.

These things are harder to figure out than I thought.

My unit came with a MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, but I can't get it to load. I think it is a Windows Vista issue, the unit is an older one that has been on the shelf a while. I tried to load an update from Garmin, but since I don't have it on the PC yet it won't let me.  >:(

I may have to call Garmin next week.

Troy

Woods_Walker wrote on May 16^th, 2009 at 9:16am:

My unit came with a MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, but I can't get it to load. I think it is a Windows Vista issue, the unit is an older one that has been on the shelf a while. I tried to load an update from Garmin, but since I don't have it on the PC yet it won't let me.  >:(

Have you tried the steps outlined on the GPS File Depot site for loading MapSource? My old MapSource CD that came with the GPS didn't work for me either. But, I was able to install MapSource following the websites instructions on 64-bit Vista without any issues.

Quote:

Have you tried the steps outlined on the GPS File Depot site for loading MapSource? My old MapSource CD that came with the GPS didn't work for me either. But, I was able to install MapSource following the websites instructions on 64-bit Vista without any issues.

Thanks a million, just tried that & in 3 minutes now have mapsource.... now I can see if I can figure some maps out.

Troy

Woods_Walker wrote on May 18^th, 2009 at 9:15pm:

Thanks a million, just tried that & in 3 minutes now have mapsource.... now I can see if I can figure some maps out. Troy

NP, you could try starting with the Minnesota Topo:   (You need to Login or Register. It is wrapped in an installer. So, all you need to do is download and double click. Once the install is finished you should be able to fire up MapSource and see the results. If you do run into problems there are help tutorials on the site. Hopefully that helps.

Hey,
I noticed that this thread really has 2 threads coing.  In the interest of clarity, I'm going to start a new thread about things that can be done with the files from   (You need to Login or Register & we can leave this one for helping WW get his GPS going.
-Tom

I purchased 2 Garman Rhino 530 HCx a couple years ago and the Topo U.S. set to down load.....interesting to visit places before you get there. I'm not much of a gadget guy, but last summer as I was planning a trip to the Trinity Alps wilderness, it was fun to get an idea of the projected highway route and sites to take in along the way....turned out to be a good trip.. after 20 days in the Alps, we even took in the Redwoods and a little California Pacific surf before heading home.....hadn't been there since 25 years before.....good to go back to another place and time once in a while ;D

I have a lowrance h20c and a 2009 lakemaster chip in it.  The new chip has portages and campsites on it.  It also gives the distance for each portage.  Can't think of a better unit to use now days.  Any retailer that sells lowrance gps units will let u demo it instore.  good luck