Mapsource is a really pi55 poor software

[theop]

it really sucks.

Gmaps is sooo much better to look at and use. When is Google gonna make a motorcycling satnav?

That will be the day I bin Garmin.

Rant over.

 

[DrAlf]

I'll 2nd that. I find mapsource a PITA to use. Try this:

http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/

It uses google maps to allow you to plot routes - you can then convert to a .gpx and use on a garmin device. The only downside is that you have to have a good internet connection to use it - so not ideal for touring.

 

[Belizibub]

MS Autoroute to create the route then GPSbable to convert it to Mapsource.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Granted Mapsource isn't that pretty to look at and its place hunting is fairly basic but I find it quite good for route planning and pulling routes around. I tend to just use Google maps for a quick A to B route to look at when I can't be bothered to use the GPS.

What do the other programs suggested offer? i.e. I am too lazy to go & find out for myself.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Just finished planning routes for a week's trip.

Long process........

Michelin maps/via Michelin web site to look for green highlighted roads. The web site is poor though for modifying routes.

So use Gmaps to plan route as dragging the route is so easy. At this point I'm happy with the plan, but why won't Gmaps allow you to save?

Haven't saved the route using other software - must try.

Now move to mapsource and enter start and end points and as many additional waypoints as I need to convince it to go the route I want.

Painful and I always do a low scale review prior to uploading to the device as it can introduce unexpected detours or have a waypoint not quite on the road.

Once transferred also have a quick run through before use.

Sounds painful but time better spent at a desk as opposed to getting lost (especially at the end of a long day when you just want to stop and have a beer)

 

[Paul Wakefield]

But why enter all those waypoints, why not just drag the route to what you want?

 

[Bumpkin]

Michelin maps/via Michelin web site to look for green highlighted roads. The web site is poor though for modifying routes.

So use Gmaps to plan route as dragging the route is so easy. At this point I'm happy with the plan, but why won't Gmaps allow you to save?

I strongly suggest that you give ITN Converter a try. It uses Google Maps and the Google Mapping API for route planning and you can save in a large variety of formats including GPX. However, get this... within the editor click the settings button (clip-board with a tick) and you can select ViaMichelin as the mapping, when zoomed in there is the Michelin mapping with all those green roads.

Having said all that I still use Mapsource as it fully represents the mapping on my GPS, ITN Converter still get a lot of use in the preliminary planning stages and is also great for converting routes to share with others who don't have a Garmin, or a GPS at all as you can save as a Google Maps URL and post it, as a link, on forums or send it via email.

Mapsource is quirky I'll admit but once you take the time to learn how to use it it's pretty good.

 

[theop]

. At this point I'm happy with the plan, but why won't Gmaps allow you to save?

Gmaps allows you to save! Thats the whole point! I have 35 different maps saved under my account.... Motorcucling maps, cycling maps, island holiday maps, golfing maps, city sightseeing maps, the lot....

Brilliant..

At the moment my process is as follows: I create my trip on Gmaps, for example see next weeks trip in Spain:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=113903813625536507271.000488955cc97001a1ba5


I then go to mapsource and MANUALLY copy the routes (with all necessary drag and drop adjustments), copy the waypoints and all other detail etc etc...

The finished route you see above, took me just over 3hrs to replicate exactly on Mapsource in my laptop, which I then exported to Zumo.

I am sure people can do it faster, or better still somehow save/convert the Gmap thingy into gpx or whatever to save in the Zumo direct. That would be ideal.

The best version would be if Garmin would look exactly like Gmaps.

 

[Wapping]

. At this point I'm happy with the plan, but why won't Gmaps allow you to save?

/QUOTE]

Gmaps allows you to save! Thats the whole point! I have 35 different maps saved under my account.... Motorcucling maps, cycling maps, island holiday maps, golfing maps, city sightseeing maps, the lot....

Brilliant..

At the moment my process is as follows: I create my trip on Gmaps, for example see next weeks trip in Spain:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=113903813625536507271.000488955cc97001a1ba5


I then go to mapsource and MANUALLY copy the routes (with all necessary drag and drop adjustments), copy the waypoints and all other detail etc etc...

The finished route you see above, took me just over 3hrs to replicate exactly on Mapsource in my laptop, which I then exported to Zumo.

I am sure people can do it faster, or better still somehow save/convert the Gmap thingy into gpx or whatever to save in the Zumo direct. That would be ideal.

The best version would be if Garmin would look exactly like Gmaps.

Three hours to do that route in Mapsource.... are you having a laugh?

 

[richie]

The best version would be if Garmin would look exactly like Gmaps.

If it did you'd be able to go down tracks that are not roads or don't even exist... At least here where I live.....

 

[theop]

If it did you'd be able to go down tracks that are not roads or don't even exist... At least here where I live.....

well obviously Garmin are a better Nav system than Google in navigating terms. Thats the aim of the comapny in the first place or they d be out of business, right? I just wish their software was as userfriendly, fast and good looking as Gmaps.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Gmaps allows you to save! Thats the whole point! I have 35 different maps saved under my account.... Motorcucling maps, cycling maps, island holiday maps, golfing maps, city sightseeing maps, the lot....


.

Agreed, but it's not straight forward.

I would like to go into Gmaps directions, create a route including via ponts for the duration of the tour - not just day by day - and be able to save and then embelish.

From my experience you have to create day by day routes and join these together

It's also painfully slow as you zoom in and out to check you're on the right route - and has frozen from time to time. Has it got a facility to get rid of some of the map detail to speed things up?