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Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums >> Strictly Gear - Gear specific reviews and ideas. >> GPS and map advice https://quietjourney.com/community/YABB.cgi?num=1278438096 Message started by Rocky on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 5:41pm

Title: GPS and map advice
Post by Rocky on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 5:41pm

I am looking at buying a GPS for use in the Quetico. I don't know anything about GPS. I can buy a slightly used Garmin Etrex Legend for $80 or a refurbished DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 with 1GB SD Card & Reader for $120 do you recommended one or the other? Or should I get something different?

Also, do I need to purchase maps for the Quetico or can I download these online somewhere. I think the overlay for the Quetico campsites and portages are available for free download but I'm not sure.

Title: Re: GPS and map advice
Post by Mk631 on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 6:18pm

I once had a Garmin GPSMAP 76 8 MB memory which was similar to the Etrex Legend. The 8MB memory is tight, but I recall most or all of Quetico topos fits in that space. You'll need the Mapsource Topo Canada v2 (~$100) & then you can load up the topos you need + campsites + portages.

FYI:
1) Loading too many campsites (waypoints) makes for a very cluttered screen, so don't load the whole database (might not fit anyway)
2) If you load portages as tracks, you can only load 10 of them. If you just load portage ends as waypoints, the limit is much higher.

There is much more about this somewhere in the Inukshuk forum.

Good luck.

-Tom

Title: Re: GPS and map advice
Post by Rocky on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 6:35pm

Thanks, I will search again in the Inukshuk forum for more info. You said to not load the whole campsite database. Is that the campsite database file that is for the memory map software? How do I only load some of the campsites?

Title: Re: GPS and map advice
Post by DentonDoc on Jul 6^th, 2010 at 6:55pm

One technique you might find useful is to load EVERYTHING into a master map for Quetico ... maps, portages, campsites, fishing information, picto spots, waterfalls, etc.

Then, when you are getting ready for a trip, you can copy and paste the ones that are important for THAT trip and save it to another file. Another reason for this might be to keep a record/log for each trip. You can add more notations after the trip is over. Some of these additions might even be uploaded from your GPS if you are using it for "note taking" during your trip.

And just to be clear, MK indicated that there are MAPS for Quetico. You don't necessarily have to load ALL the maps for a given trip unless you are REALLY covering a lot of ground.

dd